KEY POINTS:
As we were blowing down Melrose in Los Angeles on the weekend, we stopped to try and find a casual Lebanese place to grab some falafel. Just then the heavens opened and we were ducking for cover. Amazingly, I saw across the street a newly opened English Laundry store. It's my all-time favorite shirt brand - Elegant, Arrogant English by Christopher Wicks. I couldn't believe my eyes.
The store opened a couple of weeks ago and was full of shirts that weren't on the website, as well as a new range of belts, wallets, jackets and a ladies range called English Rose. Irresistible.
Four shirts, a belt and a wallet later, I was talking to the very friendly assistants who told me that Christopher himself was scheduled to come in that afternoon. We couldn't wait but I left him a note.
Next day he called on his way to Hong Kong and we exchanged stories of Manchester in the 60's and how he got the whole business started. He tells me they are expanding in Australia through Myer and David Jones and looking to open three stores in Las Vegas.
The store is at 7519 Melrose Avenue, or you can visit the website here.
Christopher is sharing the space with a Fender/Jimi Hendrix branded funky fashion store. If you are a music lover, there are some great t-shirts, shirts and jackets here as well.
For me, Melrose is still the coolest street in the world for eclectic street fashion. Robertson Blvd has become the upper scale destination in LA. As I posted recently, the Peter Alexander store is tremendous and the new Chanel store next to the famous The Ivy restaurant is a brand new concept in luxury - inside/outside - wow! A real Lovemark experience.
Don't you just love great retail.
Kevin Roberts
