By Laura Eckstein Jones By Laura Eckstein Jones | January 22, 2024 | Lifestyle, Style & Beauty, Watches & Jewelry, The Latest, Style & Beauty, Style & Beauty Feature, Lifestyle Feature, Trends, Apple News,
L.A.'s hottest new shops take luxury to the next level.
PHOTO COURTESY OF LARCHMONT JEWELERS
CROWN JEWEL
With one of the city’s most prominent retail and restaurant booms as of late, Larchmont Blvd. is quickly becoming one of L.A.’s most desirable hot spots. So when businessman David SK Lee stumbled upon a unique, century-old historic building in the middle of the action, he knew he had found the perfect place for Larchmont Jewelers, opening this February. Offering an incredible selection of fine jewelry and watches from brands including Hublot, Breitling, Tudor, Messika and others, Larchmont Jewelers also houses an exclusive new Rolex concept shop.
PHOTO COURTESY OF LARCHMONT JEWELERS
While the brands displayed are undeniably impressive, what makes Larchmont Jewelers stand out goes beyond the merchandise. “My vision is an atmosphere of opulence but warm and welcoming,” says Lee, who worked with Curtis Su Associates and SLS Design on the store’s design. “Upon entering, clients are warmly welcomed with a signature drink, asked to join us in the living room on plush sofas, and encouraged to relax, spend time and unwind while we are anticipating their desires even before they articulate them. The setting resembles more of a chic lounge or exclusive clubhouse than a traditional retail environment—a place where we get to know each other.”
The multilevel space includes the first floor, where the exclusive Rolex boutique and other brands live; a second level with “David’s Clubhouse,” a VIP area adorned with items from Lee’s collection (think Ferrari collectibles, exceptional wines and exclusive spirits, cigars and more); and a glam rooftop area with views of the Hollywood sign. There’s also a hidden Speakeasy Jewelry Salon, only revealed when the staff activates a concealed button. “It transforms the act of exploring fine jewelry into an adventure, enhancing [a client’s] journey through the world of jewelry shopping,” Lee shares.
The new Larchmont Jewelers boutique houses a Rolex concept shop, a VIP area stocked with collectibles and a stunning rooftop lounge; PHOTO COURTESY OF LARCHMONT JEWELERS
In addition to jewelry, the boutique will offer exclusive eyewear made in collaboration with L.A. heritage brand Sama. “Together, we have crafted a unique and distinctive line, Monza Design Limited Edition Eyewear,” Lee says. “The one-of-a-kind pieces feature custom-made adorned creations, including the opulent Gold Vision Collection and lenses crafted with 24-karat precious gold.”
The sky’s the limit for Lee, who plans to debut pop-up shops within the flexible space, release additional collections from his Monza Design brand, and more. “We have taken deliberate steps to ensure that being a Larchmont Jewelers client goes beyond transactional interactions—it’s a membership into a world where luxury is redefined,” he says. “By setting this new standard, we aspire to create lasting impressions, forging relationships with our clients that extend far beyond the acquisition of exquisite items.” larchmontjewelers.com
Since sister-in-laws Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard launched Veronica Beard in 2010, they’ve opened an impressive 33 stores worldwide, including L.A. outposts on Melrose Place and at Palisades Village. The latest, a gorgeous new flagship in the heart of 90210, is adding to Beverly Boulevard’s already-there appeal. “Beverly Hills is such an iconic destination for luxury shopping; we love it there,” says Miele Beard. “The store will carry our full product offering–our new Resort collection, as well as all of our cult classics, iconic denim and footwear,” adds Swanson Beard. “We wanted to make sure to give our Beverly Hills customer the full assortment to complete her wardrobe head-to-toe.” Dreamy items inside include the brand’s iconic blazers, versatile denim and much more. “We are introducing handbags for the first time this season,” shares Swanson Beard. “The Veronica Beard uniform has always been the cool classic for the woman on the go: a tailored jacket, great jeans and chic boots. Handbags are a natural extension of that–we’re completing her uniform.” veronicabeard.com
Looks from Veronica Beard’s spring ‘24 collection; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
Famously seen in the movie Pretty Woman, Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, has a glamorous new neighbor: Gabriela Hearst. Designed with sustainability in mind by Foster + Partners with handcrafted elements and rich, natural materials, the New York-based label’s L.A. flagship takes inspiration from Hearst’s family ranch in Uruguay and the work of Paul R. Williams—who designed the Beverly Wilshire. Accessible from inside the hotel and from Wilshire, the airy double-height space houses the entire Gabriela Hearst range for men and women, including ready-to-wear, fine merino wool and cashmere knitwear, footwear and accessories. It’s also the exclusive West Coast retailer of the brand’s handbag collection. If that’s not enough of a reason to visit, consider the level of detail that went into the design: The store’s bespoke furniture collection, Nomad, was sustainably made from Western Sycamore trees that grew in the city of Los Angeles and were meant to be turned into wood chips. Talk about a second life! gabrielahearst.com
Gabriela Hearst’s new boutique; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
The brand’s third L.A. location on Beverly Drive; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
Cats, mice and bunnies have taken over the corner of Melrose and La Cienega via The Laboratory, a new pop-up shop by Tory Burch and Opening Ceremony founder Humberto Leon that will be open through the end of the year. The two collaborated on the store’s playful design and elements of Burch’s Spring 2024 collection, which incorporates animal portraits by German photographer Walter Schels. “There’s a human element to Walter’s photographs, in the way he looks at the animals, and they, in turn, look back,” says Burch, who worked with Leon to design an exclusive capsule collection of t-shirts, sweatshirts and totes with abstracted images Schel’s work. “We’re proposing different ways of wearing and styling clothing, making everything less precious, mixing runway with, for example, fleece,” says Leon. “In your closet, everything is equal. Your concert t-shirt when you were 18 is as valuable as the latest runway piece.” toryburch.com
Tory Burch and Humberto Leon’s The Laboratory boutique pops up on Melrose this year; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
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