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Daycations: Celebrity Style – Worthwhile Shopping in Beverly Hills
By Heather Turk
When you think of shopping in Beverly Hills, it’s only natural to think of Rodeo Drive. Home to some of the most prestigious designer names around–Armani, Gucci, Versace, Valentino–Rodeo Drive is arguably the most famous shopping street in the world. But when you live in Las Vegas, the iconic shopping destination just doesn’t have quite the same draw. After all, if we wanted designer fashions, we’d go to The Forum Shops at Caesars, The Shoppes at The Palazzo or Crystals at CityCenter.
But that doesn’t mean Beverly Hills isn’t still worth the trip. From off-the-beaten-path treasures to celebrity hot spots, the city is a shopping mecca–even if in some cases it’s just window shopping. Here’s a look at several spots that make it easy to “shop ‘til you drop” in Beverly Hills.
Vintage and Antique Finds
While it may be best known for the latest designer styles, there are stores in Beverly Hills that specialize in vintage items too; stores like The Paper Bag Princess (8818 Olympic Blvd.). Offering vintage couture and luxury collections, the 4,000-square-foot boutique showcases such designer names as Worth, Adrian, Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent and Givenchy. It also has an impressive vintage bridal department featuring collections from the 1930s through the 1970s. In addition to these offerings, The Paper Bag Princess sells an exclusive collection of vintage redesigns as well as a vintage-inspired contemporary collection by its owner Elizabeth Mason, who has dressed such stars as Julia Roberts and Jennifer Aniston.
Once you’ve found something fabulous to wear, it’s time for a visit to Claude Morady Estate Jewelry to help dress it up. Located in the heart of Beverly Hills (9615 Brighton Way, Ste. 338), this hidden gem offers the finest collection of antique, estate and contemporary jewelry around. Specializing in art nouveau, art deco and retro pieces, many of the shop’s breathtaking items are truly one-of-a-kind. The store also features an extensive and unique collection of estate diamond engagement rings guaranteed to leave any lucky lady saying “Yes!” Although prices generally aren’t cheap, some of the items are surprisingly reasonable, especially given their history (some pieces go back to the 1800s), and trinkets are still cheaper here than in big-name jewelry stores.
Designer Steals
For those who would rather accessorize with today’s designer styles but can’t afford today’s extravagant prices, Fashionphile (9551 Wilshire Blvd.) deals in authentic, pre-owned luxury handbags and accessories that look brand new, but forego that brand new price tag. Shoppers can browse through hundreds of items from all their favorite designers (Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Prada, Coach), available at a fraction of the retail price. Fashionphile sometimes even sells discontinued and limited-edition bags not available anywhere else, making their Beverly Hills showroom a hit with both budget shoppers and collectors alike.
Local Favorites on Beverly Drive
Of course, if you want to find a real deal, ask a local where they shop! In Beverly Hills, locals get their trendy wares and tasty treats on Beverly Drive, located just one block east of Rodeo Drive. In addition to such familiar retailers as Banana Republic, Gap and Pottery Barn, Beverly Drive is home to such Beverly Hills institutions as XIV Karats (314 S. Beverly Dr.), which sells jewelry at 50% off the wholesale price.
Thrifty fashionistas are sure to find something stylish at Anat B. (271 S. Beverly Dr.), which features the latest in women’s fashion. Just down the way, celebrity favorite A.sweeT. (253 S. Beverly Dr.) offers shoppers a truly sweet (and unique) style fix, selling candy, contemporary designer clothing and accessories all under one roof. Shoppers can check out the latest trends of the season from such lines as Torn by Ronny Kobo, Giles & Brother and House of Harlow 1960 while munching on sweets from 90-plus bins of bulk candy. Just make sure those chocolate-covered potato chips don’t melt onto your new designer duds!
If all that shopping worked up a sweet tooth that even chocolate-covered gummy bears and astronaut ice cream can’t fix, head to Famous Cupcakes (168 S. Beverly Dr.) for a quick snack. Their fresh-baked, European-style treats can be enjoyed with half-off guilt, as all of Famous Cupcakes’ creations are made with all-natural, organic, kosher ingredients. Must-try flavors include the Cookies & Cream (chocolate cake filled with chocolate mousse and topped with Oreo buttercream frosting) and the Peanut Butter Chip (milk chocolate peanut butter cake topped with peanut butter buttercream frosting). Yum!
Kodak Moments
While you’re in Beverly Hills, it’s only natural to want to see where some of your favorite TV shows were filmed and all of your favorite celebrities shop. “Entourage” fans will surely recognize Urth Caffé (267 S. Beverly Dr.) as the place the boys would frequently “do lunch.” Be sure to snap a quick picture as you “hug it out” with your best friend or significant other over a cup of fresh roasted, whole bean organic coffee.
If “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”, “Cougar Town” or “Desperate Housewives” are high up on your TiVo list, swing by CRIB Style for Kids (9435 Brighton Way), a hip kids’ clothing boutique that’s drawn such celebrity moms as Mariska Hargitay, Courteney Cox and Marcia Cross through its doors. Who knows? You might discover one of Hollywood’s newest moms searching for something for her little angel while you’re there.
If you head on over to Wilshire Boulevard, you’ll find the titans of shopping: Neiman Marcus (9700 Wilshire Blvd.), Saks Fifth Avenue (9600 Wilshire Blvd.) and Barneys New York (9570 Wilshire Blvd.). While browsing through any one of these fashion meccas you’ll quickly discover that Rodeo Drive isn’t the only place stars like Victoria Beckham and Katie Holmes like to shop!
Finally, if you want to get up close to a true Hollywood legend, visit Edelweiss Chocolates (444 N. Canon Dr.). A Beverly Hills tradition since 1942, the chocolate shop was the inspiration behind the classic episode of “I Love Lucy” where Lucy and Ethel get jobs at a chocolate factory after Lucille Ball saw Edelweiss’ conveyer belt in the back.
These are just a few of the many places visited by some of your favorite celebs. If you want to go on a more extensive walking tour of all the chic boutiques, extraordinary restaurants and hip hotels popular with the Hollywood crowd, visit the Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau (239 S. Beverly Dr.; www.beverlyhillsbehere.com). Here, you can pick up a copy of their “Walking in the Footsteps of Celebrities” map, or you can simply download it from their website. You’ll want to give yourself at least 2-3 hours to do everything, as you’re sure to find some places where you’ll want to stop and browse. With all these must-see destinations, you’ll find that it’s more than easy to spend an entire day shopping in Beverly Hills–regardless of your credit card limit!
Rest for the Weary Shopper
If you’re going to shop like a star, why not sleep like one too? Rest and recoup from a long day of shopping and walking at one of these boutique hotels for around $150-$300 a night.
Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel (360 N. Rodeo Dr.; www.luxehotelrodeodrive.com) offers guests an experience unlike any other, as it’s the only boutique hotel located on Rodeo Drive. Delivering affordable luxury, the classic, comfortable and contemporary 88-room hotel offers guests the same high-end amenities they would find at larger hotels, sized to a more intimate scale.
Inspired by the relaxed ‘patio lifestyle’ of mid-20th century Southern California, the Avalon Beverly Hills (9400 W. Olympic Blvd.; www.avalonbeverlyhills.com) offers 84 rooms, suites and penthouse studios set around a dramatic pool terrace with private cabanas. Remodeled and re-opened in 1999, the vintage, pet-friendly hotel previously served as Marilyn Monroe’s residence for nearly two years and was frequented by the likes of Mae West, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
Other boutique hotels worth checking into include The Crescent (403 N. Crescent Dr.; www.crescentbh.com), which features the city’s only indoor-outdoor lobby and lounge, and the Hotel Beverly Terrace (469 N. Doheny Dr.; www.hotelbeverlyterrace.com).
