Wittmore
Guests at the recent grand opening of Paul C. Witt’s second brick-and-mortar men’s boutique got a stylish taste of downtown’s ongoing retail renaissance. Wittmore, which opened in the Arts District’s mixed-use One Santa Fe complex in late May, isn’t just a mecca of the latest and greatest in men’s fashion—it’s a destination in itself. Inside the 1,100-square-foot space, which feels less like a store and more like a contemporary art gallery, hangs a curated selection of clothing, accessories, grooming supplies and gift items by hard-to-find labels (Officine Generale, Max ’n Chester, Universal Works, Mollusk, La Paz and Smith-Wykes, to name a few), as well as temporary gallery installations, short-term brand pop-up stores and other cool fashion events. To wit: Through mid-July, Wittmore is selling a limited selection of one-of-a-kind customized and exclusively numbered vintage 501 Levi’s sourced from around America. The Yards at One Santa Fe, 300 S. Santa Fe Ave., downtown, 213.626.0780. shopwittmore.com
Assembly Los Angeles
The 7000 block of Melrose Avenue lacks the glitz of Melrose Place, but tastemakers with a predilection for discreet luxury know that fashion gold hides behind its shops’ modest facades. The newest addition, Assembly Los Angeles, is a case in point. Inside its austere white walls are racks of modern, minimalist looks by independent designers such as
Sandy Liang, CF. Goldman and Feit, with pristine vintage pieces peppered throughout. Before he moved to New York, founded Assembly and won such fans as Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Jenni Kayne and Erin Wasson, CEO Greg Armas (who also designs the store’s eponymous his/hers collection) owned Scout Los Angeles, now a neighbor on Melrose. But Armas doesn’t refer to opening his new store as a homecoming. “In my mind, I never left L.A.,” he explains. “It has always been about incorporating a West Coast feel into an East Coast mentality.” 7977 Melrose Ave., L.A., 323.746.5090. assemblylosangeles.com
Tanya Heath Paris
We’ve all been there: staring at an overstuffed suitcase with a pair of shoes in each hand, debating whether practicality or fashion should prevail. Now, thanks to designer Tanya Heath and a team of engineers, we can have our comfort and our style. At Tanya Heath Paris on trendy Robertson Boulevard—the brand’s first U.S. location—you can select from four heel styles ranging from a sturdy 1.6-inch walking heel to a 3.4-inch sexy stiletto. The heels are available in a rainbow of colors, metallics and patterns, and each style works with all Tanya Heath shoes (sold separately) in the store—there are dozens, all 100 percent made in France. With a simple click of a button, wear your walking heel for sightseeing, then click it off and click on a stiletto for dinner. Game-changing, right? Let’s say it together: There’s no place like Tanya Heath Paris. 108 S. Robertson Blvd., L.A., 323.533.9291. tanyaheathparis-usa.com