FASHION DESTINATIONS
LA Fashion District
Although most business in the LA Fashion District remains wholesale, shoppers can still search for bargains, with more than 1,000 stores selling to the public at wholesale discounted prices. Shoppers can find bargains of 30 to 70 percent off retail prices on apparel and accessories for the entire family. Most of the district features high-end independent stores – although fashionistas can find discounted brand names as well. Sample sales take place the last Friday of the month.
Beverly Hills
Internationally renowned for its exclusive, high-end stores and retail experiences, Beverly Hills has long been an iconic destination for serious shoppers. Whether stopping by the fashion houses on Rodeo Drive; perusing the upscale stores on Department Store Row; or finding one-of-a-kind accessories in the countless boutiques on Brighton Way, Canon Drive and South Beverly Drive, fashion seekers will find the freshest runway releases, coveted designer capsule collections and bespoke pieces in a setting of unparalleled luxury. Along world-famous Rodeo Drive, you'll find Prada, Gucci, Valentino, Dior and Cartier. Make sure to check out some of the newest offerings on the famed shopping street, like the renovated Ralph Lauren flagship or Emporio Armani’s sleek new space.
Camarillo Premium Outlets and Old Town Camarillo
For those who want high fashion on a low budget, Camarillo Premium Outlets an hour north of Los Angeles in Ventura County offers 160 brand stores at bargain prices, including Coach, Michael Kors, Polo, Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch and Tommy Hilfiger. Those looking for local fashions can explore a variety of boutiques in Old Town Camarillo, such as Rockin Edge, where visitors can find edgier fashions by Hollywood designer Melissa Kantor, whose clothes have been worn by Slash and Alice Cooper.
Fashion Island – Newport Beach
Boasting panoramic ocean views, Fashion Island inspires with more than trendy clothes. Its 200 specialty boutiques and department stores range from Orange County’s only Neiman Marcus – featuring Tom Ford’s shop where Real Housewives sightings are common – as well as Elie Tahari, Trina Turk, Kate Spade and Jonathan Adler. The center recently elevated its California-designed portfolio with a must-have list of stockists, including St. John Knits’ new lifestyle boutique debuting February 2018.
Oakland
Shoppers seeking the unusual versus the biggest names will find fun and unique fashion and design offerings in Oakland, a city long known for rebels. Viscera’s 3-D printed jewelry features distinctive geometrical-shaped jewelry designs, while Oaklandish specializes in Oakland-inspired urban wear. Football fans will love Beast Mode, a lifestyle and athleisure brand created by Marshawn Lynch. Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf is one of many fans of Lesley Evers, an Oakland designer specializing in women’s fashion.
DESIGN DISTRICTS
West Hollywood Design District
Anchored by the 1.2 million-square-foot Pacific Design Center, the West Hollywood Design District boasts over 50 years of rich design history on the three intersecting streets of Beverly Boulevard, Robertson Boulevard and Melrose Avenue. Design studios for Commune Design, Waldo Fernandez and David Phoenix call these streets home, while showrooms for Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Peter Dunham, Michael S. Smith and Kelly Wearstler invite visitors to get inspired and furnish their homes.
San Francisco Design District
San Francisco's expanding Design District boasts more than 50 premier showrooms that cater to the public, many of which line Townsend and Henry Adams streets and the Design Center. An influx of new residential housing and tech businesses over the past year has sparked expanded hours at many stores and eateries, making it easier to hunt for home design treasures from antiques to contemporary. Shoppers can take a free two-hour designer-led tour of the Design Center, which includes a complimentary consultation tailored to the part of the home they’re decorating.
Cedros Avenue Design District (North San Diego)
The Cedros Design District offers more than 85 one-of-a-kind-shops, boutiques and galleries, plus, unique home and garden stores. Great boutiques which speak to the artistic visitor include HIS Men's & Kid's Store, Gerhard, Tucci Boutique, Pink Lagoon, Cedros Soles and The Leaping Lotus, which boasts more than 120 shops under one roof including clothes, jewelry and furniture. Must-stops for home furnishings include Bon Bon Home & Garden, NATIVA Interiors, and Bixby & Ball.
La Jolla Design District
In the La Jolla Design District shoppers can explore full-service home design boutiques. Prospect Street overlooks the ocean and features small boutiques, antique emporiums and art galleries. Girard Avenue offers everything from Armani to upscale stationary stores, while the Upper Girard Design District highlights modern home and lifestyle stores that carry one-of-a-kind pieces.
Little Italy (San Diego)
Known more for its amazing Italian eateries, San Diego’s Little Italy boasts great fashion and design stores. Shoppers on Fir Street can find boutiques with ultra-stylish clothing, accessories and shoes, while on India Street, they can explore art galleries and design stores. The Kettner Art & Design District offers unique shops and gallery spaces featuring modern art, contemporary home furnishings and more.
Mill Valley Design District
Located a half-hour north of San Francisco, the Mill Valley Design District presents innovative design-focused businesses on and off Miller and Locust avenues. Great stores range from the newly opened 7 on Locust, a curiosity shop celebrating unique home décor and lifestyle products, to Poet and/the Bench, showcasing handcrafted jewelry in a light-filled gallery/workshop space.
Uptown Design District (Palm Springs)
Along a two-mile stretch of North Palm Canyon Drive just north of downtown, Palm Springs’ Uptown Design District boasts more than 50 unique boutiques, shops, and galleries within stunningly restored Midcentury Modern buildings. After Martha Stewart gave Uptown the thumbs up after a 2009 shopping spree, other celebrities followed from Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes to Leonardo DiCaprio.
FASHION WEEKS
LA Fashion Week
LA Fashion Week is one of the leading fashion weeks across the globe, taking place every March and October and presenting international fashion collections — many of them from the West Coast— to buyers, media and the public.
Fashion Week El Paseo
Fashion Week El Paseo, the largest consumer fashion show on the West Coast, takes place every March at The Gardens on El Paseo in Palm Desert.
SF Fashion Week
SF Fashion Week takes place every September in San Francisco, highlighting talented up-and-coming local designers in San Francisco Bay Area.
California Inspires Top Designers
Best Places to Soak Up California Style, from Fashion Weeks to Design Districts
California – with its dramatic landscapes, hip urban centers and Hollywood celebrities – inspires the world’s top designers, trendsetters and tastemakers. These creative icons continue to put the Golden State on cutting edge of the latest fashion and design trends, making it a must-visit destination for those who want to soak up California style. From fashion weeks and design districts to couture boutiques and designer outlets, style fans can find whatever’s in vogue.
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