PHOTO BY RYAN HERRON/GETTY IMAGES
FOUNDER, CLARE V.
CLAREV.COM
CLARE VIVIER; PHOTO COURTESY OF CLARE V.
When did you move to L.A.?
We moved to Los Angeles in Aug. 2001.
What do you love most about this city? The light, the space and the creative community.
The community’s response to the fires has been incredible. What are your thoughts? I’m never surprised by people’s kindness in times of tragedy— we see it time and time again. I knew L.A. would be no different. The way this city came together to support those affected was truly remarkable and inspiring to witness.
Do you have any great L.A. stories? So many of my memories here are great stories—driving down Sunset Blvd. with my newborn baby after leaving the hospital, dinner parties in Silverlake overlooking the twinkling houses, spotting major rockstars at restaurants in Beverly Hills. But a quintessential L.A. story? I was once invited to the Iger residence for a LACMA event, and when I was introduced to Bob Iger, he exclaimed, “YOU’RE Clare Vivier?! I see your shopping bags all over my house.” It was such a fun moment—two L.A. institutions, old and new, Disney and Clare V., coming together.
What do you think L.A. will look like in 10 years? I hope it still looks like the beautiful melting pot it is today.
What three words encapsulate L.A. for you? Community, creativity, light.
“THE WAY THIS CITY CAME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT THOSE AFFECTED WAS TRULY REMARKABLE AND INSPIRING TO WITNESS.”–CLARE VIVIER
PHOTO BY FRANK LEE/GETTY IMAGES
FOUNDER, YSE BEAUTY
YSEBEAUTY.COM
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MOLLY SIMS; PHOTO COURTESY OF YSE BEAUTY
When did you move to L.A.?
I moved to L.A. in 2003 to pursue acting. I joined the cast of Las Vegas under the impression I’d film eight episodes and move on. I stayed for five seasons. I always say I’ve lived 29 lives—L.A. probably marks the start of my 20th.
What do you love most about this city?
L.A. will never, ever pigeonhole you. I get to be my full self here—to pursue all my passions. Nobody blinks an eye when I say that I’m a model, but I’m also a founder, an actress, a producer, an author, a podcast host and above all, a mom. You don’t have to pick a lane. You just have to go full throttle.
The community response to the fires has been beautiful to see. Have you experienced anything moving you’d like to share?
So many people in my community were left with nothing, yet they still had so much to give— sharing resources and strength. It was both heartbreaking and beautiful to see. On the one hand, we were at our lowest but also at our best.
“THIS IS THE CITY OF DREAMS.”–MOLLY SIMS
Did you personally volunteer or donate?
I’ve been involved with Baby2Baby for a long time. It’s an organization I trust and admire, and they got to work immediately providing essential supplies to families displaced by the fires. At YSE Beauty, we created a fundraiser for Baby2Baby and matched every donation. We also participated in the Beauty Together Wildfire Relief Fund, donating 100% of proceeds from a full day of sales. Altogether, we raised nearly $100,000.
What do you think L.A. will look like in 10 years?
This is the city of dreams. You can’t keep a place like this down because it’s where we come to do the impossible—to put all our chips on the table and grind. I can’t say exactly what L.A. will look like, but I know it’s going to be amazing because Angelenos are relentless.
Three words that encapsulate L.A. for you?
Inspiration, community, peace.
PHOTO BY LEO PATRIZI/GETTY IMAGES
FOUNDERS, NICKEY KEHOE
NICKEYKEHOE.COM
TODD NICKEY & AMY KEHOE; PHOTO COURTESY OF NICKEY KEHOE
When did you move to L.A.?
We both moved here in 2003.
What do you love most about this city?
Todd: I love that I can always orient myself by looking at the mountains. Amy: The light and the sense of expanse, both visually and energetically.
The community’s response to the fires has been incredible. What are your thoughts? Todd: Right after the fires, our shop neighbor, Jenna Cooper of +COOP, set up a donation center. We joined her and created a space where those affected could pick up essentials for free. It was a powerful outpouring of love and generosity.
“L.A. WILL ALWAYS HAVE THAT MAGIC—A BLEND OF URBAN SPRAWL, HISTORY, AND NATURAL BEAUTY”–TODD NICKEY
Do you have any great L.A. stories?
Todd: One of my favorite L.A. moments was seeing Prince perform “Little Red Corvette” at an intimate hotel bar during a Golden Globes afterparty. It felt surreal. Amy: Early on, we were invited to work on a project for Robert Evans. Meetings often involved afternoon cosmos served by his butler. It was an experience of a lifetime.
What do you think L.A. will look like in 10 years?
Todd: L.A. will always have that magic—a blend of urban sprawl, history, and natural beauty. It’s an impossible recipe to replicate.
What words encapsulate L.A. for you?
Todd: Magical, illusive, fantastical. Amy: Golden light, dreamers, vast.
PHOTO BY MYUNG J. CHUN / LOS ANGELES TIMES VIA GETTY IMAGES
FOUNDER,
JENNI KAYNE
JENNI KAYNE; PHOTO COURTESY OF JENNI KAYNE
When did you move to L.A.?
I was born and raised in L.A.—I can’t imagine living anywhere else. This city is home in every way.
What do you love most about this city?
The beauty of L.A. is unmatched, especially its connection to nature. Whether it’s the mountains or the beach, nature is my biggest source of inspiration and keeps me grounded.
“THE BEAUTY OF L.A. IS UNMATCHED, ESPECIALLY ITS CONNECTION TO NATURE.”–JENNI KAYNE
How have you and your brand given back?
At Jenni Kayne, we quickly assembled nearly 2,000 care packages for those who lost their homes. One message that stood out was from a therapist who said our packages had helped bring a moment of relief to her clients. That meant everything to us.
What do you think L.A. will look like in 10 years?
Stronger and revitalized. L.A. has an unmatched resilience, and I know we’ll rebuild together.
What three words encapsulate L.A. for you?
Nature, relaxed, beautiful.
PHOTO BY HANNA TOR/500PX/GETTY IMAGES
PRINCIPAL, ROMANEK DESIGN STUDIO
ROMANEKDESIGNSTUDIO.COM
BRIGETTE ROMANEK; PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLIFFORD
When did you move to L.A.?
I moved to L.A. in 2011 after returning from London.
What do you love most about this city? I love that you can drive an hour in one direction and be at the beach or an hour the other way and be in the mountains. L.A. is made up of distinct villages, each with its own energy— Silver Lake feels different from Beverly Hills, Larchmont from Chinatown. People often say you have to search for culture in L.A., but I love that. You find inspiration in unexpected places, and the arts scene here has flourished.
The community’s response to the fires has been incredible. What are your thoughts? Absolutely. The generosity and the willingness to help have been incredible. Tragedies bring out both the best and worst in people, but in this case, the best in people shined through. The way the community came together to support those who lost so much was truly inspiring.
“THE WAY THE COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT THOSE WHO LOST SO MUCH WAS TRULY INSPIRING.”–BRIGETTE ROMANEK
Do you have any great L.A. stories?
L.A. is where I found my true calling in interior design. I started as a handbag designer and a singer, but interior design is my home.
Angelenos have welcomed my ideas and encouraged my creativity in ways I never expected.
What do you think L.A. will look like in 10 years? I hope it becomes an even more inclusive, well-cared-for city that people love and cherish. Growth is essential—across all facets of life.
What three words encapsulate L.A. for you?
Home, exhale, creativity.
PHOTO BY 4KODIAK/GETTY IMAGES
FOUNDER, MAYA BRENNER
MAYABRENNER.COM
MAYA BRENNER; PHOTO COURTESY OF MAYA BRENNER
When did you move to L.A.?
I moved to L.A. from New York in 2001, just a few months after 9/11. I was engaged, had just started my jewelry business and was on the verge of so many things— L.A. felt like the right place to be.
“L.A. IS A CITY OF STRIKING CONTRASTS. EACH NEIGHBORHOOD HAS ITS OWN PULSE.”–MAYA BRENNER
What do you love most about this city?
L.A. is a city of striking contrasts. Each neighborhood has its own pulse—Hollywood has a totally different energy than Silver Lake, where I live now. Plus, having the beach, the mountains and the desert all within a short drive is truly special.
The community’s response to the fires has been incredible. Have you experienced anything moving you’d like to share?
My daughter’s school didn’t survive the fires, so they’ve been displaced. It’s been heartbreaking, but the love and care shown to us—even though we didn’t lose our home—has been overwhelming. When her school advisor called me and simply asked, “Do you have a need?” I burst into tears. That small kindness meant everything.
How have you and your team been giving back to the community?
I’ve been inviting women who lost jewelry in the fires to my showroom in Frogtown to pick out new pieces. One woman’s husband emailed me afterward to say it was the first time she had smiled since the disaster. That meant so much to me.
What words encapsulate L.A. for you?
Dynamic, entrepreneurial, sunny.
Brenner’s daughter Sadie—whose Pasadena Waldorf School burned down in the Eaton Fire—performed at the Grammys alongside the Palisades High School chorus, singing with Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock; PHOTO BY JC OLIVERA/GETTY IMAGES
FOUNDER, ELYSE WALKER
ELYSEWALKER.COM
ELYSE WALKER; PHOTO COURTESY OF ELYSE WALKER
When did you move to L.A.?
I was born and raised in New York and am a proud New Yorker. My husband David and I moved to L.A. from New York in 1996 and settled in Pacific Palisades. In 1999, I opened my first store, a 900-square-foot space on Antioch St. I chose that location because it was a few blocks from my sons’ school, allowing me to pick them up every day and have them hang out at the store. The store quickly became more than a business—it became my community. We celebrated birthdays, laughed, cried, and formed lifelong bonds in those dressing rooms. It was more than a store; it was a gathering place.
The community’s response to the fires has been incredible. What are your thoughts?
L.A. has always been a city that shows up for each other, and the fire response was proof of that. I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support. People I have known for over 20 years, brands I’ve worked with for decades, and even clients I only met once reached out, asking how they could help. That’s what a true community does—we stand by each other in tough times.
“L.A. HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CITY THAT SHOWS UP FOR EACH OTHER, AND THE FIRE RESPONSE WAS PROOF OF THAT.”–ELYSE WALKER
I’m so sorry your flagship store was destroyed. Despite this, I heard you have been giving back to the community. Can you share more about that?
Losing the store was devastating, but our commitment to the community remains strong. We donated 10% of sales across all our California and New York stores and elysewalker.com to the LAFD Foundation between Jan. 16-20. The response was incredible, and we raised over $75,000. We also partnered with jewelry designer Morgan Cleary of RENVI to create an exclusive 90272 necklace, with 10% of proceeds supporting the LAFD Foundation. This is just the beginning—our team is committed to ongoing support for our community and beyond.
What do you think L.A. will look like in 10 years?
I hope it still looks like the beautiful melting pot it is today.
Three words that encapsulate L.A.?
Creativity, community, camaraderie.
PHOTO BY MICHAEL TULLBERG/GETTY IMAGES
FOUNDER, SHANI DARDEN
SHANIDARDEN.COM
SHANI DARDEN; PHOTO COURTESY OF SHANI DARDEN SKIN CARE
When did you move to L.A.?
I moved to Los Angeles in 1997 when I was 23 or 24.
What do you love most about this city?
The community, first and foremost, and the energy. I sometimes think about moving somewhere quieter and simpler, but I honestly can’t imagine being anywhere else.
The community’s response to the fires has been incredible. Have you experienced anything particularly moving?
Watching this city come together during such a devastating crisis was truly inspiring. So many people opened their homes, donated essentials, and offered support in whatever way they could. L.A. may be a big city, but moments like these remind you how tight-knit and compassionate the community really is.
“I BELIEVE THE CITY WILL BE REBUILT IN THE MOST INCREDIBLE WAY.”–SHANI DARDEN
Did you personally volunteer or donate?
I made donations to a few different animal shelters and fostered a dog. As a company, we’re committed to donating over $300,000 in essentials over the next few weeks as needs continue to arise. We’ve already contributed to Altadena Girls and Baby2Baby, and we’ll continue supporting organizations providing critical resources.
Do you have any standout L.A. stories?
After working for a dermatologist, I spent some time at a few high-end spas, where I first met Jessica Alba. We were both pregnant at the same time, and she was so warm and motherly. She encouraged me to go out on my own. When I started my own business, she let me give facials in her guesthouse—such a surreal and unforgettable moment. I’ll always be grateful for her support.
What do you think L.A. will look like in 10 years?
L.A. is constantly evolving, so it’s hard to predict something that feels so limitless. But I believe the city will be rebuilt in the most incredible way. People here are always pushing boundaries, making it more vibrant and exciting. Wellness and beauty will continue to be at the forefront, and everything we lost will come back even stronger.
What three words encapsulate L.A. for you?
Creative, vibrant, ever-changing.
PHOTO BY ALBERT VALLES/GETTY IMAGES
CO-FOUNDER, THE H.WOOD GROUP
HWOODGROUP.COM
JOHN TERZIAN; PHOTO COURTESY OF H WOOD GROUP
As a lifelong Angeleno, what do you love most about your hometown?
The endless options and depth the city offers. From the weather to the activities, there’s truly something here for everyone.
The community’s response to the fires has been incredible. Have you experienced anything particularly moving?
My family and I were evacuated for several days. It was a scary time, but we were incredibly fortunate compared to so many others who lost their homes and businesses. Despite the challenges and somber moments, there’s a powerful sense of hope and determination to rebuild. Seeing the entire city come together has been truly inspiring.
“I BELIEVE L.A. IS POSITIONED TO BE THE CITY OF THE FUTURE— LEADING IN TECHNOLOGY, GLOBAL EVENTS AND INNOVATION.”–JOHN TERZIAN
Can you share your volunteer work and any organizations you’d recommend for donations?
At The H.wood Group, we set up a donation drive for clothing and other essentials at one of our venues. A great organization to donate to is the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation (supportlafd.kindful.com).
Do you have any great L.A. stories?
When I was a kid, my parents took me to a Lakers game, and the moment that stood out most was when everyone came together to sing along to Randy Newman’s “ I Love L.A.” Fast-forward 30 years, and that same song was used to open the Grammys. Seeing it unite people in two completely different settings was such a cool moment.
What do you think L.A. will look like in 10 years?
With our strong ties to Silicon Valley and the upcoming Olympic Games, I believe L.A. is positioned to be the city of the future—leading in technology, global events and innovation.
Any words of hope for those who are struggling right now?
No matter how difficult things may seem, this too shall pass. Tomorrow is a new day.
What three words encapsulate L.A. for you?
Home, unique, prideful.
PHOTO BY MARIO TAMA/GETTY IMAGES
FOUNDER & CEO, BY ROSIE JANE
BYROSIEJANE.COM
ROSIE JOHNSTON; PHOTO BY DAWN DICARLO
When did you move to L.A.?
I moved to L.A. in the summer of 1997—OMG, I can’t believe it’s been that long!
What do you love most about this city?
L.A. is a melting pot—it’s so diverse. People come here chasing their dreams, and that creates an energy of hope and the belief that anything is possible. It’s big and messy, but it has amazing bars, food, culture and people. She’s not the prettiest, but she’s still one of my favorite places. When I arrived 28 years ago, I knew I wasn’t leaving anytime soon. I was hooked.
The community’s response to the fires has been incredible. Have you experienced anything particularly moving?
By Rosie Jane hosted a donation center, and I reached out to every founder I could think of. Without hesitation, they all stepped up, giving whatever they could. Seeing our community rally together and witnessing the direct impact on those affected was incredibly moving. L.A. sometimes gets a bad rap for being artificial or superficial, but what I saw was anything but. It was real, heartfelt and full of people just wanting to help in any way they could.
“PEOPLE COME HERE CHASING THEIR DREAMS, AND THAT CREATES AN ENERGY OF HOPE AND THE BELIEF THAT ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.”–ROSIE JOHNSTON
What organizations do you recommend readers donate to?
Right now, the most effective way to give is through monetary donations. So many supplies have already been donated—it’s time for leadership to step up and provide clear direction on where support is most needed. That said, I always trust the Red Cross— they consistently make a meaningful impact on multiple levels.
What do you think L.A. will look like in 10 years?
That’s a tough one because one of L.A.’s most iconic industries—film—is shifting. What I hope is that we see a return to the glamour and magic of its golden years, with a thriving entertainment industry. I also hope the communities devastated by these fires rebuild stronger and more vibrant than ever.
What three words encapsulate L.A. for you?
Big, bold, ambitious.
PHOTO BY VISIONS OF AMERICA/GETTY IMAGES
Photography by: Getty Images
