As if being a girl in the new Downtown wasn’t awesome enough, now we have an array of great boutiques to help us brand our…“braving the new frontier image”
Of course the ladies of FIDM and the fashion district can lend a hand when it comes to inspiring us girls when it comes to what to wear while mixing and mingling around the Historic Core. There are also plenty of business women in Downtown who sport the “office look” to a tee, allowing us to see what a more contemporary working woman might wear while strolling down the concrete runway during lunch break. But what about the downtown girl who prefers to work, live and play in Downtown? What do we wear, and as if the whole world was watch what would we say is our signature look.
Shop Walk and 6th Street may have the answers as they give way to some wonderful choices…
Buttons & Bows LA is a timeless and unique designer resale boutique, located on Main Street, in between 7th and 6th street. This classy boutique offers a variety of fabulous vintage and modern designer wears for women and men. Buttons & Bows LA has become a popular destination spot for the lovers of fashion in the downtown LA community, and also the visitors alike.
BBLA offers periodic contest where purchasers of their merchandise can submit photos of themselves wearing their pieces in hopes to win a $100 gift card.
They also participate in Shop Walk, the Historic Core’s alternative to Art Walk inviting locals to come shop at a discount when ever Shop Walk occurs.
BBLA which is celebrating its one year anniversary this April, opened in the spring of 2012 by Karen Marley, daughter of the reggae legend Bob Marley, and Monique Aquino, a true fashionista with an extensive and impressive retail background, in continuance of an already blooming and successful online resale business the two ladies had established a few years previously.
Buttons & Bows LA has an eclectic, fun, and very fashionable inventory of designer, vintage, tops, bottoms, dresses, shoes and accessories. Some of their tasteful designer wears include: all Leather Bags, and the Chanel Pretty in Pink Signature Tweed Jacket.
A few of their cool and inspiring vintage wears are: Tapestry Print Blazer, Nicola 100% Silk blouse, the black and seductive LeCabaret Tassel Bra, and Vintage 100% Real Rabbit Fur Coat. Some of BBLA’s fun and eclectic tops and bottoms they carry includes: Margiela Circle Tank, Of Two Minds Strappy Silk Tunic, Alexander McQueen Blazer, and Seneca Rising Peplum Flirt Skirt.
Every woman loves a good, all purpose dress, and to note a few that this fabulous boutique offers are: St. John Black & White Dress, Herve Leger Bond Me Dress, Catherine Malandrino Maxi Dress, and Barneys Co – Op Call Me Pretty Slip.
Some of the brands of clothing and accessories that the boutique sells for men include, but are not limited to: Comune, Fred Perry, Mugler, Raf Simons, Opening Ceremony, Pendleton, and many more.
Shop Walk heroines Karen Marley and Monique Aquino of Buttons and Bows LA quickly become popular for those seeking the latest in affordable and unique designer fashions. Karen and Monique opened the doors of Buttons & Bows LA in the spring of 2012 on 7th and Main, in continuance of an already flourishing online resale business the two had established a few years previously. The two alongside gal pal, Leah, feature eclectic jewelry from some of the hottest designers to boot, everything is meticulously BBLA will be moving its inventory to the old Flea Store location recently vacated by long term resident Caryn Hoffburg…We miss you Caryn…good luck with your new endeavors. Welcome to Spring Street Buttons and Bows.
Flamingo Vintage partners and vintage clothes collectors Candice Molayem and Karina Powers just opened their first boutique after countless years of collecting vintage items. The one of a kind items are handpicked from looks admired from the 40’2 to the 80’s. Find these items inside their freshly decorated store on 6th and Spring, for a style that promises to give the wearer an original style reminiscent of the days of old.
Both Flamingo and Buttons and Bows will participate in Shop Walk, a community event involving most of the boutiques in town. ShopWalk takes place varies times a year and unlike the Art Walk doest cater to a set schedule. The event allows visitors to check out the boutiques involved and take advantage of discount specials and reception style h’orderves and beverages.
UNIQUE BILL: Just north of 6th on Spring is Unique Bill offering its own specialty designs of consignment women’s wear. Unique Bill is enjoying their second year on Gallery Row and has managed to compete by offering up unique second hand items that can only be found at their location.
Buttons & Bows LA’s inventory primarily comes from people who bring in their used wears. BBLA provides their buying guidelines on their website.
The boutique’s address is: 111 West 7th Street, Suite R11. Their hours of operation are: Monday through Friday, 12pm – 7pm and Saturdays from 11am – 6pm. Buttons & Bows LA are closed on Sundays. www.buttonsandbowsla.com
