Commune's Community Shop sells locally-made gift ideas, including L'Oeil du Vert scents and Clare Vivier bags

Commune, the design firm behind the Ace Hotel and Swim Club in Palm Springs, opens its Community Shop this Saturday (Nov. 21) stocking wares made by American artisans, mostly all handmade. Commune also runs an online Community Shop.

The Community Shop is located inside Commune’s studio on Robertson (next door to the Christian Louboutin boutique).

Some of the goods offered are Clare Vivier’s bags, Free City apparel, L'Oeil du Vert scents, Atwater Pottery and Tanya Aguiniga’s jewelry plus Commune’s own houseware collaborations with Heath Ceramics, sculptor Alma Allen and others.

Community Shop plans to open a store at the Ace Hotel in Palm Springs in January.

650 N. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 855-9080. 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday or by appointment.

-- Max Padilla

Photos: L'Oeil du Vert Carmot Fragrances; Community Shop logo. Credit: L'Oeil du Vert / Commune

Gale Parker's Clothespin opens in West Hollywood

On a champagne-soaked Thursday evening last week, Gale Parker’s Clothespin opened with cheerful laughs and a multi-generational crowd perusing her new store. The upscale West Hollywood locale on Melrose Avenue is Parker’s first store, but the New Yorker is far from being a novice in fashion. The designer once served as model/muse for the likes of Valentino and Yves Saint Laurent, as well as the design director for Ralph Lauren women’s collection.

Parker’s vibrant printed dresses, blouses and skirts looked like items girls would steal from their mother’s closets on a warm summer day. It’s easy to picture a wispy surfer girl walking down Abbot Kinney in a Gale Parker design, or a Malibu mom lounging by the playground in the loose comfort of Clothespin’s feminine wares.

“My mother and Teen Vogue’s blogger Jazzi McGilbert both came in here and wanted everything. Can you believe it?” said Noelle Valdivia, a member of the Clothespin team.

Louboutin open its doors in West Hollywood

I’ve always loved the stretch of Robertson Boulevard between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue — the site of cute restaurants, home interior stores and several high-end shops that have popped up in recent years.

And with the new Christian Louboutin boutique kicking off its opening last night with a shopping event complete with champagne foot baths, the block has even more appeal, even if all you are in the market for is a little drooling and window shopping.

The quaint, two-story shop with a charming courtyard filled up quickly Thursday night, with several die-hard Louboutin shoppers and plenty of people who mostly gravitated to the champagne table.  Party guest Renges Fabris donned a sparkly pair of silver Louboutins from last fall, but has already scooped up about seven pairs from this season and was eyeing a pair of hot pink, patent leather heels from the holiday collection.  “They’re like the original Barbie shoes,” Fabris said.

Upstairs, the usually closed-off VIP room was set up to give guests champagne foot baths.  Rose petals and champagne were poured into tubs while ladies had their tootsies pampered.

And as if you needed more décor than the shoes themselves, the shop is filled with fun and unique treasures from Mr. Louboutin's travels, far and near.  A beaded zebra-print chair and a giant white bird statue were hauled in from the Rose Bowl flea market and hand-blown glass bubbles made in Syria hang on the entire stairwell.  The space is one of the largest Louboutin boutiques in the world, modeled after the shop on Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau in Paris.  Bigger store just means more shoes to love.

Christian Louboutin, 650 N. Robertson Blvd. West Hollywood.

— Melissa Magsaysay

Photos: Christian Louboutin neon sign and a pair of sparkly shoes from the collection/Melissa Magsaysay

Complete your Public Service hours at this Fairfax Avenue grand opening party

Public Service sounds like the latest traffic court penalty, but it’s actually a new men’s boutique behind Shorty’s Barber Shop on Fairfax Avenue.

Owners Lauren Megson and Chris Bair, who also owns Shorty’s, decided to convert the rear of the barbershop into a retail area that resembles a 1970s rec room with table tennis, air hockey and gymnasium wood floors.

Public Service stocks shirts, outerwear and leathers from L.A.-based brands NSF, Ever, Apolis Activism and Shades of Greige. Angelenos can’t get enough of loungewear, so the boutique carries an large assortment of hoodies, henleys and sweat pants from LnA, Alternative Apparel and Plain Gravy.

Gift merch (yes, that season is upon us) includes novelty graphic T-shirts ($30-40), Comme des Garcons fragrances, Ray-Ban sunglasses, Brixton fedoras and a contraption called Clocky, which is an alarm clock that falls on the floor and keeps ringing before you have a chance to knock it off the nightstand. 

On Thursday, Public Service celebrates its grand opening with an open-bar celebration from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Call store to RSVP.

755 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 951-1191. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Friday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. www.publicservicela.com

-- Max Padilla

Photo credits: Public Service

Weekend Update: Reformed Pop-Up store, Esquivel shoe sample sale and more

Opening

-- On Saturday (Oct. 24), Reformed Pop-Up store at Space 15Twenty opens. The Reformation’s Yael Aflalo and Chi Bui are launching their Reformed collection for Urban Outfitters at Space 15Twenty with a cocktail reception. The temp store will carry the affordable Reformed collection ($48-108) plus the Reformation's one-of-a-kind pieces and leathers from Veda. RSVP to RSVP@space15twenty.com.

1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles. 7 to 10 p.m. space15twenty.com

Events

-- Tonight (Oct. 22) and Saturday (Oct. 24), celebrate the launch of Peter Lamas Chinese Herb organic hair care ($20-45) at Fred Segal Beauty Mix. Legend Lamas, who coiffed Jacqueline Onassis, will greet  shoppers. Product samples and nosh provided. RSVP to events@lamasbeauty.com.

500 Broadway, Santa Monica. (310) 394-8509. 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. www.lamasbeauty.com

-- Friday (Oct. 23) through Sunday, Westfield Topanga Style Tour lands in center court starring "Project Runway" finalist Laura Bennett and Tori Spelling. At 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Friday, Bennett doles out style tips. At 1 p.m. Saturday, Spelling hosts makeovers for shoppers. At noon Sunday, beauty consultations will be offered to shoppers.

6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Canoga Park. (818) 594-8740. Noon to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday. westfield.com/topanga

-- On Saturday (Oct. 24), Hello Kitty kicks off the celebrations leading up to her 35th birthday with a Super Fan Day. Hello Kitty Super Fan Day starts off with a bento box workshop, followed by Karaoke and happy hour for adults. Meet “Kitty Mama” head designer Yuko Yamaguchi in from Tokyo and Tokidoki’s Simone Legno from Italy who will launch the Hello Kitty x Tokidoki 35th Anniversary collection.

Royal/T, 8910 Washington Blvd., Culver City. (310) 559-6300. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. www.royal-t.org

Sales

-- Starting Friday (Oct. 23) through Sunday (Oct. 25), Alpha menswear boutique is having a pre-holiday blowout.  Gift ideas on sale include $23 Lexon Mini Dolman Radios (regular price $63), $20 Aquala bamboo bath caddy (reg. $50), $60 Taschen Ingrid Bergman archives (reg. $200), $15 Give and Take charity T-shirts ($55). Also, Alpha is offering through Nov. 27 a “one for you, one for you” promotion: spend $100 or more and receive a $25 gift certificate.

8625 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 855-0775. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. www.alpha-man.com

-- On Friday through Sunday, L.A. Eyeworks is having its annual sale on signature designs discounted up to 80% off and starting at $25.

7407 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 653-8255. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. laeyeworks.com

-- Starting Friday through Sunday, Oliver Peoples is having a sale on selected sunglasses and optical styles priced from $79 to $99. Prescription services will also be 30% off.

8642 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 657-2553.10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

3900 Cross Creek Road, Malibu. (310) 456-1333. 10 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday. (714) 557-7000.

3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. (714) 557-7000 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Sunday. www.oliverpeoples.com

Sample sales

-- On Friday  through Sunday, Creative Recreation, the L.A.-based stylish sneaker brand is holding a sample sale in the Sportie LA parking lot featuring men’s, women’s and kid’s styles from current and past seasons. Shoes are going for up to 70% off retail.

7753 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles. (310) 278-7328. Noon to 6 p.m. www.cr8tiverecreation.com

-- On Saturday, Esquivel is holding a one-day-only sample sale with “friends & family” pricing on made-to-order shoes, with prices starting at $250.
8309 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles (entrance through Sweetzer Avenue or Flores Avenue).11 a.m. to 5 p.m. esquivelshoes.com

-- On Friday through Sunday, Rock & Republic is having a giant sample sale taking up to 80% off retail prices on men’s, women’s and kid’s clothing, including denim. Credit cards accepted.

Sony Studios, 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City (entrance on Overland Ave.). 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. rockandrepublic.com

-- Max Padilla

Photo: A look from the Reformed. Credit: Courtesy the Reformed

Q&A: Artist and provocateur Marilyn Minter dishes on Madonna, makeup and ruining a pair of $15,000 shoes

You might not be familiar with artist Marilyn Minter, but her artwork is on display at the most public of galleries: Two Sunset Strip big screens and the lobbies of both local Standard hotels, plus a tote bag from high-end chain Intermix to mark National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Minter’s “Green Pink Caviar" video is screening on the Key Club billboard and another across from the Andaz Hotel as part of a public art project, sponsored by ForYourArt and Regen Projects gallery. Madonna had used the 8-minute vid in her “Sticky and Sweet” tour.

Minter also designed a tote that came out this month for New York-based Intermix, which has a boutique on Robertson Boulevard. A percentage of net proceeds from bag sales benefit Bright Pink, a nonprofit breast cancer awareness campaign targeting young women.

As you might have surmised by the bag collaboration, Minter, 61, flits around with fashion. She shoots regularly for Allure and has photographed ads for M.A.C. (a commission resulted in “Green Pink Caviar”) and Tom Ford Menswear. But Minter's oeuvre resembles more of a deranged take on fashion photography by portraying designer heels caked with grime or makeup so over-applied that the result is grotesque.

This week, Intermix, Regen Projects owner Shaun Caley-Regen, ForYourArt's Bettina Korek and designer Kimberly Ovitz hosted a premier screening of “Green Pink Caviar," which will play on both Sunset Boulevard billboards in West Hollywood through Dec. 31, feted by guests such as Band of Outsiders' Scott Sternberg and LD Tuttle's Tiffany Tuttle, Magda Berliner and actress Kristin Minter (Marilyn's niece). 

We spoke to Minter about her new artwork, the Intermix bag collaboration and working with Madonna and Tom Ford, after the jump.

Shopping: Weekend update

Sales

On Friday, Fred Segal Melrose launches its fall pre-sale.

Ron Herman will be taking 50% off retail on women's and men’s fashions from Dries Van Noten, Alexander Wang, Lanvin, Current/Elliott, Elizabeth & James, Anna Sui, Ann Demeulemeester, Maison Martin Margiela, Vince, Etoile Isabel Marant, Free City, Citizens of Humanity and Twenty8Twelve.

Fred Segal Feet is discounting entire stock by 50% off retail. Women’s shoes on markdown include Chloe, YSL, Valentino, Sergio Rossi, Yohji Yamamoto, Versace and Giuseppe Zanotti. Men’s footwear encompasses Prada Sport, Gucci, John Varvatos and Lacoste.

8100 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 651-4129. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. www.ronherman.com

Sample Sales

On Friday, Swedish ready-to-wear label Odd Molly holds a sample sale of up to 80% off retail prices featuring current season fashions starting at under $50 for all production sizes (XS to XL) in the Cooper Building showroom. Credit cards accepted with minimum of $200 purchase.

860 S. Los Angeles St., Lobby J, Los Angeles. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. oddmolly.com

Events

Tonight, Creative Recreation footwear sponsors MDA Night of Spirits, a charity comedy showcase to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Assn. Comedy Store headliners Bobby Lee, Whitney Cummings, Pauly Shore and others will perform at 10 p.m. Open bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres served until 1 a.m. Tickets are $50 and available online at www.mdanightofspirits.com.

The Comedy Store, 8433 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 8 p.m. to 1 p.m.

On Saturday, Smiling Planet, an L.A.-based company that make eco-friendly children’s gear and dishes with BPA- and PVC-free recycled plastic, hosts children’s book writer and illustrator Freddy Deane at Lost & Found boutique. Deane will read from “A Baby in the White House” and “Smiling Planet” throughout the day.

6322 Yucca St., Los Angeles, (323) 856-5872. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. www.smilingplanet.net

-- Max Padilla

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Photo: Helena Christensen in Odd Molly, courtesy of Odd Molly.

Weekend shopping and events guide

Sample Sales

Loft Seven Sunday: Sample sale party featuring looks from eco-luxury brand Linda Loudermilk plus 30 other designers marked down up to 70%. The sale will be at the Haas Building. Complimentary beverages will be served. Cash and credit cards accepted.
219 W. 7th St. Penthouse, Los Angeles. (213) 489-2259. www.loftseven.com

Spas

Kinara ongoing through Sept. 30: If you overindulged with sun this past summer, Kinara is offering back-in-shape skin specials. Book five facials or microdermabrasion treatment and the sixth is free. The new Kinara body facial ($170) features a rice flour exfoliant, lactic acid body peel and lecithin body mask performed in a Vichy water treatment room. Spend $250 in spa services and receive a complimentary eye cream. Get a pedicure on Tuesdays through Thursdays and receive a complimentary red carpet pedicure peel.
656 N. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 657-9188. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday (retail and reservations). 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. www.kinaraspa.com

Events

Prep Party Saturday: September is national emergency preparedness month, and Zero Minus Plus home store at Fred Segal Santa Monica will host a prep party for Southern Californians. Australian master builder Karl Champley and preparedness expert Leslie Fastenberg will provide tips on readying your household for emergencies.

500 Broadway, Santa Monica. Noon to 4 p.m. www.fredsegal.com

-- Max Padilla

More store news and events

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Sunset Plaza Tent Sale starts Saturday

Chi-chi boutiques pool their wares under the big top at the Sunset Plaza Tent Sale. Starting Saturday and running through Aug. 30, participating stores include Badgley Mischka, BCBG Max Azria, Nellie M. Boutique, On Sunset, Ottica, Sunset Kids and T. Pettersson. Expect to find Catherine Malandrino $40 tops and bottoms and $75 to $200 dresses; Leona Edmiston $29 bags and $50 dresses and Traffic denim starting at $70. Zadig & Voltaire tops are $25 and dresses $60 to $80. Designer sunglasses start at $95.

8600 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

-- Max Padilla

Store news and upcoming sales

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Manila meets Melrose Avenue

Designer Oliver Tolentino’s new store and atelier on a stretch of Melrose Avenue just west of Robertson Boulevard is a far cry from his family home in the provinces of the Philippines, where he learned to sew as a child. 

Tolentino has made a name for himself over the past two decades as one of the Philippines' most sought-after wedding dress and evening gown designers. His clientele includes Asia’s biggest pop stars as well as Imelda Marcos, for whom he recently created an 80th birthday dress. 

The new space on Melrose (he also has a boutique in Manila) houses his ready-to-wear and couture collections, many made from native Filipino fabrics such as piña (pineapple fiber). He also has a rack of Barongs (a sheer, tunic-style shirt worn like a tuxedo in the Philippines) and wedding dresses with intricate embroidery and hand-sewn, pleated satin appliques. 

Though he’s made the leap across the Pacific to try his couture skills stateside, Tolentino hasn’t forgotten where he came from -- his 35-person production team still makes everything in the Philippines, and he incorporates traditional Filipino craftsmanship into clothing. However, you wouldn't necessarily notice the cultural influence in some pieces, such as the striking red gowns displayed in his store’s front window.  “Some women stop in and comment, ‘Wow, it looks like Valentino’” the designer says. “And I say, ‘It’s not Valentino, it’s Tolentino.” 

Oliver Tolentino Boutique, 9003 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, Calif. 90069

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photos: A runway look, above right, from designer Oliver Tolentino, who is shown above left. Credits: Oliver Tolentino