From fledgling founders to experienced entrepreneurs, these chic Angelenos blend sophistication and substance in droves.
PHOTO BY VICTORIA MANESS
From modeling for major beauty brands to an acting career to becoming a clean beauty, wellness and self-care influencer and content creator, Denise Vasi has seen the beauty industry from all angles. Now, the launch of Maed Beauty has brought her career full circle. “Maed Beauty is a clean beauty brand that centers on the importance of daily beauty rituals for women who lead multifaceted lives,” says Vasi, who lives in L.A. with her husband, director Anthony Mandler, and their two children. “Our debut collection prioritizes the ritual of lip care with a modern, skincare-first approach.” Known for her signature red lip, Vasi was surprised that most people she knew didn’t have a lip care routine. Her new brand sets out to change that. “At the end of the day, care before color is a rule of thumb at Maed.”
ALAÏA Mesh Mary Jane ballerina flats, maison-alaia.com; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
WAKE-UP TIME: No later than 6:30 a.m.
Maed Beauty Revive Day Night lip balm, maedbeauty.com; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
MORNING SKINCARE: Dieux Forever eye mask, Nuface, True Botanicals Chebula active serum, Maed Beaty Revive Day + Night lip balm
SIGNATURE SCENT: Brown Girl Jane’s Casablanca
True Botanicals Chebula active serum, truebotanicals.com; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
MY AESTHETIC IN 3 WORDS: Effortless, expressive, harmonious
UNIFORM: Custom made-to-measure Levi’s from With Love, Lenny, and a T-shirt
SHOES: ALAÏA mesh flats
SNEAKERS: Jordans
BAG: Loewe Puzzle Fold tote
JEWELRY: Lizzie Mandler
FASHION ICON: Andre Leon Talley
Loewe Puzzle tote, loewe.com; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
FASHION NEMESIS: Those who dress to impress rather than express
DOPPELGANGER: Vanessa Williams
FAVORITE L.A. HOTEL: Hotel Bel-Air
L.A. BOUTIQUE: Kith
L.A. SHOPPING STREET Sycamore
FAVORITE SHOPPING CITY: Paris
HAIR STYLIST: Shaylin Jones
WORKOUT Pole dancing
MANTRA: I am dynamic, powerful, and unapologetically unstoppable.
MENTOR: My mother
PHILANTHROPY: BirthFUND
SOULMATE: My husband!
BEDTIME: I’m asleep by 2 a.m., it’s a win.
THEME SONG TO YOUR LIFE: “Hustlin’” by Rick Ross
FAVORITE WORK OF ART: My Venice Beach home
3 DESERT ISLAND ESSENTIALS: SPF, water and a Swiss Army knife
YESTERDAY: Second-guessing TOMORROW: Strutting with confidence
ZODIAC: Pisces
PHOTO BY BENJAMIN SMITH
From birth, Gianna “Gigi” Caruso was diagnosed with a genetic condition that caused permanent hearing loss. But she never let it hold her back. “Instead, I learned to turn my struggles into strengths and became a fierce advocate for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community,” says Caruso, who just launched the Hear With You foundation to help individuals struggling with hearing loss. “One of the things I wish I had when growing up with hearing loss was a sense of community,” she says. “My goal with Hear With You is to build that community for others going through a similar journey.” The entrepreneur behind GIGI C, the lifestyle and swimwear brand she launched in 2017, is staying busy balancing her business with this new venture, and through it all, manages to look stylish in her signature “timeless and comfortable but chic” look. “I love being able to give back,” she shares. “I am so grateful to be able to take what I’ve learned growing up, whether it’s through my hearing loss journey or my journey in starting a business at such a young age. I can now share my experiences, advice and knowledge with others and support those around me.”
GIGI C Gianna one-piece in black, gigicbikinis.com; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
WAKE-UP TIME: 7:30 a.m.
MORNING SKINCARE: Summer Fridays Super Amino gel cleanser, Dream Oasis deep hydration serum, Light Aura vitamin C peptide eye cream
BEAUTY ESSENTIAL: Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint
ILIA Skin Tint, iliabeauty.com; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
SIGNATURE SCENT: Dulce By Rosie Jane
BEAUTY LOOK: Glowy and effortless
MY AESTHETIC IN 3 WORDS: Comfortable, chic, neutrals
UNIFORM: Classic white tee, tailored pants, flats, gold jewelry and a fun handbag
SHOES: Gabriella Hearst Fleur ballerina flats
SNEAKERS: Anine Bing
BAG: CHANEL Flap Bag in beige with gold hardware
TOTE: Bottega Veneta
WORKOUT WEAR: GIGI C workout Set
BATHING SUIT: GIGI C Gianna one-piece
JEWELRY: Christy F Collection
FASHION ICON: Grace Kelly
CHANEL Flap Bag, CHANEL boutiques nationwide, chanel.com; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
FAVORITE HOTEL: Rosewood Miramar Beach
L.A. BOUTIQUE: Switch
L.A. SHOPPING STREET: Palisades Village
FAVORITE SHOPPING CITY: London
ONLINE RETAILER: FWRD
WORKOUT: Long walk or pickleball with friends
MOVIE: The Notebook
TV SHOW: Grey’s Anatomy
MANTRA: There’s a solution to every problem.
ESCAPE: The ocean
MENTOR: My parents
Gabriela Hearst Fleur flat in black, gabrielahearst.com; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
BEST ADVICE: Don’t future trip.
PHILANTHROPY: Hear With You
APP: Pinterest
SOULMATE: My boyfriend Chase and my dog Cici
BEDTIME: 11 p.m.
YESTERDAY: Cannot be changed
TOMORROW: Is a new day
ZODIAC: Taurus
PHOTO BY GRACE BUKUNMI; PHOTO COURTESY OF IBEST WINES
Born and raised in the Bay Area with Napa Valley as her backyard, Ingrid Best developed a taste for wine and a decades-long career in the wine and spirits industry. A life-changing business trip to South Africa forged a new path for Best—launching her brand, IBest Wines in 2023. “Aside from our stellar wines and spotlighting an underrepresented region in South Africa, I prioritize inclusivity and empowerment,” she says. “Our founding team is made up of six incredible Black and Brown businesswomen, each holding equity in the company.” Another aspect of Best’s business is its ties to art and culture. “We have forged numerous wine partnerships with over 45 art organizations and artists since launch, including Mickalene Thomas’ recent All About Loveexhibition at e Broad, the Smithsonian, LACMA, Frieze, the Black Trustee Alliance of Art Museums, the High Museum of Art, the National Portrait Gallery, the Natural Museum of African American History and Culture, and more. We were the only wine poured at the VIP opening of Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz’ Giants exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum and we hosted our South African launch of the wine with Southern Guild,” she adds. “And we are just getting started!”
WAKE-UP TIME: 5 a.m.
MORNING SKINCARE: Always double cleanse, serums, eye mask patches and a good lip balm
BEAUTY ESSENTIAL: Caudalie Beauty Elixer, Relevant: Your Skin Seen Lights Out resting mask
Caudalie Beauty Elixir, us.caudaulie.com; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
SIGNATURE SCENT: Le Labo Another 13
BEAUTY LOOK: Signature red lip
MY AESTHETIC IN 3 WORDS: Classic, comfortable, chic
UNIFORM: Art tee and Birkenstocks
SNEAKERS: Puma
BAG: IBest Wines “Wine is Art” tote
JEWELRY: Van Cleef & Arpels vintage earrings
DOPPELGANGER: June Ambrose
FAVORITE HOTEL: Thompson Atlanta
L.A. BOUTIQUE: Dover Street Market
L.A. SHOPPING STREET: Melrose Place
FAVORITE SHOPPING CITY: Paris
STYLIST: Diamond Mahone
Maxhosa Africa Pleated Dress, shop.maxhosa.africa; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
HAIR STYLIST: Kiyah Wright
ONLINE RETAILER: Zara
WORKOUT: Equinox
MOVIE: Love Jones
TV SHOW: Girlfriends
MANTRA: Beautiful energy only
ESCAPE: Drive to Malibu
MENTOR D. Kerrison is my art mentor
BEST ADVICE: All good things take time.
PHILANTHROPY: Femme it Forward
APP: Insight Timer
SOULMATE: I am waiting for them to find me!
BEDTIME: 9 p.m.
CURRENTLY READING: All About Love by Bell Hooks
THEME SONG TO YOUR LIFE:“Alright” by Ledisi
3 DESERT ISLAND ESSENTIALS: Baseball cap, Caudalie Grape Water, IBest Wines White Blend
ZODIAC: Virgo
PHOTO BY BLISS BRAOUDAKIS
Golf isn’t traditionally known for its fashionable getups, but the launch of L.A.-based Malbon Golf in 2017 shifted the needle. Now, the debut of the brand’s womenswear collection has taken things to a whole new level. “The sport is younger and more diverse than ever,” says Erica Malbon, who runs the business with her husband Stephen. “It is a very exciting time for golf and for us as a brand. For fall, we were inspired by classic colors and patterns that are traditional in golf, but we added embellishments to keep things modern and unexpected,” she adds. “I am loving the knits we developed. They are light enough for being active but also look great with a pair of jeans and heels for dinner.” Malbon, who describes her style as “refined, unfussy and timeless,” has big plans for the brand, including new collaborations. “We are also working on some hospitality projects that encompass all of our passions,” she hints. “Think spa and golf.”
WAKE-UP TIME: 7 a.m. on school days.
MORNING SKINCARE: Vidivici Face Clear Perfect Cleansing Foam, Orveda The Omnipotent Concentrate, Joanna Czech face balm, Mesoprotech sunscreen and out the door
SIGNATURE SCENT: Fredric Malle Carnal Flower BEAUTY LOOK: Clean and natural
MY AESTHETIC IN 3 WORDS: Classic and effortless but not boring
UNIFORM: Jeans, T-shirt, cardigan, ballet flats
SHOES: Manolo Blahnik mules
SNEAKERS: Onitsuka Tiger
ALAÏA Le Teckel bag, maison-alaia.com; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
BAG: ALAÏA Le Teckel
JEWELRY: Sophia Buhai and vintage Elsa Peretti
FASHION ICON: A mix between Jackie Onassis and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy
FASHION NEMESIS: Myself in 2007
FAVORITE L.A. HOTEL: The Beverly Hills Hotel
L.A. BOUTIQUE: Just One Eye
L.A. SHOPPING STREET: Sycamore
SALON: Serrano Salon
ONLINE RETAILER: Net-a-Porter
MANTRA: YOLO
ESCAPE: Pause Studio
MENTOR: My Mom
BEST ADVICE: The best is yet to come.
Manolo Blahnik Maysalebi Mule, manoloblahnik.com; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
SOULMATE: My husband and my Maltese Magnolia
BEDTIME: 10:30 p.m.
CURRENTLY READING: All Fours by Miranda July
THEME SONG TO YOUR LIFE:“More Than a Women” by the Bee Gees
FAVORITE WORK OF ART: An Untitled Rothko
LOCAL HAUNT: The bar at Hotel Bel-Air
3 DESERT ISLAND ESSENTIALS: Haight bikini, sunscreen, Malbon bucket hat
YESTERDAY: Playing golf in Kohler, Wisconsin
TOMORROW: Spending the day with the kids
ZODIAC: Cancer
PHOTO BY MOSES TRUZMAN
In the relatively short time she’s lived in L.A., former Ladies of London star Marissa Hermer has added exciting color and texture to the restaurant landscape with her popular haunts: The Draycott and Olivetta. Soon, she and her team at the Boujis Group will debut Bar Issi at the forthcoming Thompson Palm Springs and Lalou, a 220-seat Provençal-inspired restaurant opening soon in the former Ago space in West Hollywood. Hermer’s love of travel and fashion makes an impression in the spaces she creates. “I love rainbows of color and lusciousness of textures, so yes, our restaurants are canvases for me to play in,” says Hermer, who worked with Fettle’s Tom Parker on Lalou’s dynamic design. “Lalou has the most incredible outdoor space,” the Pacific Palisades resident shares. “It made me think of La Colombe d’Or Hotel in St- Paul-de-Vence, France, so we wanted to bring that alfresco dining experience to Los Angeles, both in design and culinary offerings.”
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Galvan London Sculpted blazer in Pine, us.galvanlondon.com; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
WAKE-UP TIME: 5.30 to 6.30 a.m.
MORNING SKINCARE: Whatever Knockout Beauty’s Cayli Cavaco Reck tells me to do!
BEAUTY ESSENTIAL: SARO DE RÚE Freeze-Dried hyaluronic acid
SIGNATURE SCENT: Riddle body oil
BEAUTY LOOK: A smile
UNIFORM: Galvan London
Saint Laurent Mae slingback, ysl.com PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
SHOES: Saint Laurent
SNEAKERS: Golden Goose
BAG: Rabanne
JEWELRY: Rebecca Elbek’s Scarab ring
FAVORITE L.A. HOTELS: Hotel Bel-Air for the Piano Bar, Polo Lounge for the booths and Sunset Tower for the martinis
FAVORITE HOTEL OUTSIDE OF L.A.: Hotel Il Pellicano
L.A. BOUTIQUE: Capitol in Brentwood
L.A. SHOPPING STREET: Palisades Village
FAVORITE SHOPPING CITIES: New York and Paris
Rebecca Elbek Fine Scarab ring with emeralds, rebeccaelbek.com; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
STYLIST: Jill Lincoln
HAIR STYLIST/SALON: Lisa Torn at Nine Zero One
ONLINE RETAILER: Farfetch
WORKOUT: Hot 8 Yoga, running, walking, hiking
Rabanne 1969 Nano bag in black leather, fashion.rabanne.com; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
MOVIE: Harold and Maude
MANTRA: Sing like no one is listening, love like you’ve never been hurt, dance like no one is watching and live like it is heaven on earth.
ESCAPE: Rollerblading down to Venice Beach for a 40 oz in a brown paper bag and a tootsie pop
MENTOR: My Dad
BEST ADVICE:“Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.” –Max Ehrmann
PHILANTHROPY: Food on Foot, Westside Food Bank, Women’s Cancer Research Fund
BEDTIME: 11 p.m.
ZODIAC: Capricorn Sun, Pisces Moon, Leo Rising
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