Shopping: MartinMartin upbeat on downtown
Husband-and-wife designers Eric Martin and Diane Moss-Martin, co-founders of moody Los Angeles-based brand MartinMartin, chose a blinding white color palette for their first-ever boutique — an optically striking choice, considering that their collections are almost wholly all-black looks.
The lofty space is about as minimal as it gets, echoing the label’s pared-down aesthetics.
The white walls are roughly 18 feet high, backdropping unembellished wall shelves and a dramatic, industrial-style clothing rack that runs from floor to ceiling down the length of the store’s interior. A mezzanine level — which will double as a showroom for the brand — hovers above.
“It’s going to be a very dark, clean environment,†said Moss-Martin a few days before the store was to open downtown on Sept. 10. “Very simple.â€
Diane, who co-designs the 10-year-old label with Eric, added that the shop will also double as an event space, where monthly guests such as “a famous surfboard shaper and photographers†make special appearances.
The duo chose downtown as the locale for their first retail endeavor because of its outlaw spirit. “This region is kind of like the new frontier,†said Eric. “We didn’t see 3rd Street or Beverly Boulevard or Abbot-Kinney as being an appropriate reflection of our brand — which is coming from the left, and very dark. Downtown reminds us of SoHo in the ‘80s.â€
The boutique, which is housed within a circa-1912 building, carries the men’s and women’s collections, hand-made boots (of the combat variety), handbags and accessories. Prices range from around $220 for knitwear to $2,500 for the most detailed leather jackets.
The brand’s Japanese-feeling, goth-lite aesthetics aren’t for everyone — few men feel comfortable in full-length black skirts and only the most theatrical woman would embrace a funnel collar rivaling the width of her shoulders.
But the Martins are unapologetic in their artiness. “We embrace the shape of the Orient, the tailoring of Italy and the casualness of the American lifestyle,†Eric said. “We come from an anti-fashion place … but always very luxurious.â€
713 South Los Angeles St., (213) 746-4585. By appointment Monday and Tuesday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/martinMARTIN/41809832427
EVENTS
Hairroin’s Foxy Fridays ongoing Fridays: Get a pro blow-out, classic pin curls or beachy waves for a mere $35 at this trendy Hollywood salon’s ongoing new Foxy Fridays promotion. The full-service hair haven essentially transforms into a styling-only salon every Friday night, featuring DJs and gin cocktails.
1553 Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 467-0392. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
https://www.hairroinsalon.com
Hurley Bigfoot art exhibition through Nov. 17: Surf ‘n’ skate brand Hurley debuts its newest art exhibition, “Bigfoot: Ominous Compositions from the Magic Mountains,†at its Space Gallery in Costa Mesa. Bigfoot, a nature-loving, heavy metal-obsessed contemporary artist from the Bay Area, has been a major influence in the skateboard industry for more than a decade, designing radical skateboard graphics and footwear.
1945 Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa. (949) 548-9375. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
https://www.hurley.com/hspace
Nordstrom Beauty on Location Saturday: Book an appointment with a beauty consultant to check out the newest makeup, skincare and fragrance releases from major beauty brands at this one-day event.
346 West Hillcrest Dr., Thousand Oaks. (805) 418-4500. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
https://www.nordstrom.com
Nordstrom Fits America Wednesday and Saturday: Get a complimentary bra fitting and help raise funds to fight breast cancer at one of two Nordstrom Fits America events in SoCal. For every bra purchased, $2 will be donated by Nordstrom and participating brands to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. Call to make an appointment.
Wednesday at Nordstrom Glendale Galleria, 200 West Broadway, Glendale. (818) 502-9922. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at Nordstrom Santa Barbara/Paseo Nuevo, 17 West Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara. (805) 564-8770. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
https://www.nordstrom.com
Go Glam with the Glammy Awards Saturday: Join KTLA-TV Channel 5 entertainment reporter Sam Rubin at Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza for a presentation of fall beauty trends. Entry to event requires the purchase of a $25 store gift card, but the card is redeemable toward any cosmetics purchased on the day of the event.
3333 South Bristol St., Costa Mesa. RSVP to (714) 824-4805. 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
https://www.bloomingdales.com
Victoria’s Secret Bombshell launch Tuesday: Stand in the statuesque presence of supermodels and Victoria’s Secret “Angels†Adriana Lima, Lily Aldridge and Candice Swanepoel as they meet and greet fans at the Victoria’s Secret Beauty store at the Grove to celebrate the launch of Bombshell, a fruity new fragrance from the brand. Customers will get a free Bombshell T-shirt, a cosmetics makeover by the glam squad that works with the Victoria’s Secret models and get their photos taken for a mock cover of the famous lingerie catalog.
189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles. (323) 634-9177. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
https://www.victoriassecret.com
OPENING
Tiffany & Co.: The famous jewelry store has debuted a new shop at the recently revamped Santa Monica Place mall. The 3,700-square-foot store carries the brand’s famous diamond rings, watches, charms and Elsa Peretti and Frank Gehry collections, among other signature items.
395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica. (310) 395-4080. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
https://www.tiffany.com
