Side Trips
Five-Digit Price Tags: In the 2200 block of South Sepulveda Boulevard, across the street from Designer Labels for Less, is the atelier of one of the most exquisite dressmakers in the world, James Galanos. His place is the inconspicuous white building with the vault-like front door. Galanos, also known for his high prices, dressed Nancy Reagan for the 1981 and 1985 presidential inaugural balls.
*
Topless Joint: The topless swimsuit was conceived by Rudi Gernreich in his design studio at 8460 Santa Monica Blvd., near La Cienega. The area was the center of the L.A. art scene in the ‘60s.
*
The Politically Correct Home Office: Sebastian International, the Woodland Hills hair-care products company, has created a miniature rain forest in its headquarters. The firm’s free, kids-only tour is offered Mondays and Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Reservations are required: (818) 829-7322.
*
Humble Beginnings: Some local designers, like rock ‘n’ roll bands, launched their rockets to stardom in their own garages. The surfwear line designed by Mossimo Giannulli began in a garage at 747 Balboa Ave., Balboa Island, in Orange County. Robin Piccone began her meteoric swimwear business in the garage of her house in Venice.
*
Wholesale Shopping: The Los Angeles garment district surrounds the CaliforniaMart at 9th and Main Streets. Primarily a wholesale market, the Mart is open to the public on the last Friday of each month for sample sales. The surrounding blocks contain shops for wholesale and retail shopping.
Many large fashion manufacturers have factories south of downtown in Vernon and Commerce. Cross Colours, a division of Threads for Life, and Francine Browner are in Commerce; David Dart is in Vernon.
*
If You Must Go to a Mall:
* Del Amo Fashion Center, the largest mall in Southern California, with 350 stores. Hawthorne and Sepulveda boulevards, Torrance.
* South Coast Plaza, the deluxe, upper-crust mall. The San Diego Freeway at Bristol Street, Costa Mesa.
* Sherman Oaks Galleria, the Valley Girl mall, immortalized in a song by Frank Zappa about his daughter, Moon Unit. Ventura and Sepulveda boulevards, Sherman Oaks.
