Rite of high-end shopping, Barneys Warehouse Sale, moves east

That biannual rite of high-fashion shopping, the Barneys Warehouse Sale, opened this morning with one huge change. The sale, an institution for 14 years in a hangar at Santa Monica Airport, has moved east, installing itself at the L.A. Convention Center.

Would Westside devotees of style make the trek downtown, literally leaving their comfort zone, navigating confusing freeway exits? (Even I got a little confused -- and I work downtown.)

Well, yes -- with varying degrees of enthusiasm.

"The convenience factor here? Not so much," said Brenna Egan, a laid-off fashion editor. "When it was at Santa Monica Airport, you drove in, there it was, you drove out. It was like a valet sample sale. Here," she said, gesturing toward the expanse of the convention center, "it's like a maze."

But Egan, who lives in Carthay Circle, brightened as she showed off her finds, including an Yves St. Laurent top marked down from $1,400 to $424.

"I'm willing to go the extra mile -- the extra 10 miles for 75% off."

Others?

"Bring it back to the Westside," grumbled a 65-year-old man who said he was in the TV business and would give only his first name, Jerry. "I live in the Marina. I never go downtown. I don't even remember where my car is, I'm so confused."

There was also grumbling about the $12 parking fee at the center (parking was free in Santa Monica). But the venue change attracted some new shoppers -- downtown hipsters like actress-bartender Rebecca Russ. She walked over from her apartment.

"I'm probably the only girl in the whole place with a Mohawk," she said.

-- Carla Hall at the L.A. Convention Center.

Photos: Shoppers look for bargains at the Barneys Warehouse Sale at the L.A Convention Center. Credit: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Chris Bucka]

I like the new look to the Blog!!!

[Gina C]

Westsiders complain about a sale at the convention center? I smell what seems to be elitism. Los Angeles isn't just about the damn westside. There's 10 million people in this big city and they don't all live west of Fairfax. Barney's shoppers don't attend Lakers or Kings games? You don't know what freeway exit to use? You don't like the parking cost? Whaaa.... Here's the biggest reason the mayor's "Subway to the sea" doesn't need to be built now. Apparently, the use of the Blue Line to the convention center didn't even enter their minds.

[Natalie DeJohn]

This even sounds fun/terrifying. A large maze filled with serious shoppers? I think I'd need to mentally prepare myself. :-) I love the pictures for this article, especially that first action shot.

[Jenna H]

Why is a laid-off fashion editor spending $424 (even if it was marked down from $5000) on shirts? The question should be, why would she admit it on the record? Totally out of touch with all the really hard-hit unemployed people out in the real world - not the Carthay Circle hoi-plloi.

[SoCalSage]

Gads ... perpetuating the myth that the "westside" deserves the continuation of being catered to. Way to go, LAT. No wonder folks in SoCal REALLY abhor LA media -- not too mention the mostly-snooty "westsiders."

[Bert Green]

Barney's will do fine at the Convention Center. The few sourpusses who can't manage to figure out how to get around their own city are hardly representative of the people of LA.

[Ikenani]

I actually live closer to downtown and prefer it at Santa Monica. I'd rather not pay $12 for parking if I didn't have to. It means I'll make lesser return trips for me. I don't even see a big difference in the space. I thought Barker Hanger had plenty of room. More than the NY sale even! I've been going to this sale for the last 10 years (twice a year!) and now I doubt I'll go as much if it stays in downtown. Bring it back to Barker Hanger!!