Tracey Ross' iconic L.A. boutique to close. What's next on Robertson?

Tracey Ross, the L.A. boutique owner who has been a fashion fixture in Los Angeles for close to two decades, will close her namesake shop New Year's Eve.

Ross opened her store on Robertson Boulevard in 1990 before moving up to Sunset Plaza in 1996. The hipper-than-thou boutique has drawn a dedicated following of top stylists and celebrities, such as Ashlee Simpson, Jessica Simpson, Mary Kate Olsen, Avril Lavigne, Jennifer Lopez and Britney Spears, who needed a police escort to get outta Ross' Sunset Plaza store this past April.

Asked the reason for the closing, Ross tells WWD, "Of course, it's the economy."

Darn. No more shopping for hip designers like Vivienne Westwood, Derek  Lam, Roland Mouret and Chloe, or picking up fashion and pop culture books,  expensive handbags and cutting-edge accessories.

Oh wait, we can't afford them anymore anyway.

We have a feeling this is just the start of the high-fashion small boutique closings.

And definitely not a good harbinger for an interesting 2009 awards-season fashion show.

If there even is an awards season ...

Photo: Tracey Ross will close her boutique on New Year's Eve. Not so happy New Year. WireImage

Comments

[christina]

It is a great loss and it should not be treated lightly. It is an amazing feat to gain success and achieve her level of accomplishment and I for one see this as only the beginning of a domino effect. I would like to see the fashion industry arise from the ashes with far more innovation and creativity related to design presentation and distribution.

[Nance Mitchell]

Tracey is a trend setter, always a leader!
Los Angeles will have a great loss!
Bring her back. . .
NM

[Dean]

Kitson is the next to close. Don't ask how I know

[Gabriel]

Is this the END of fashion that everyone talked about in the 90's?

Are we really all poor now? I am still shopping, keep the money moving everyone, and we won't loose more people like Tracey. I hope to see her back soon.