While we’re all about ringing in the New Year and diving head first into 2014, we couldn’t let December come to a close without giving a virtual toast to our gorgeous hometown of Los Angeles. From fabulous fetes and epic store openings to Cali-centric trends, it’s a been a very chic 12 months for our beloved city! Here, a few of our favorite moments…
1. Sick Startups
LA's tech scene continues to thrive, bringing on a host of exciting new sites we can't get enough of. Among our favorites: Joe's Jeans designer Ambre Dahan's designer resale destination Walk In My Closet and bloggers Geri Hirsch and Erin Falconer's video tutorial mecca, LEAF. We're also nerding out over StyleSaint's clothing line as well as Pose and Little Black Bag's shopping-centric partnership, which promises to be epic.
Photo: Walk In My Closet.
2. Fresh Stores
From go-to brands like Topshop, Isabel Marant and Tommy Hilfiger to smaller labels like Haute Hippie and Elisabeth Weinstock, Los Angeles ladies enjoyed shopping in a slew of new stores in 2013. This month marks the opening of Muji and Acne's game-changing mega flagships, putting a stylish cap on this maj year in LA retail.
Photo: Isabel Marant.
3. Great Parties
Los Angeles will take any excuse to get dressed up and 2013 was no exception. From the uber-glam Baby2Baby and WACPA galas to Kenzo's California-inspired skate park soiree, there were plenty of fabulous fetes that made 2013 something special. And let's not forget about the Oscars, ladies!
Photos: @thezoereport and @rachelzoe.
4. LA-Friendly Trends
Could there be a better time to be getting dressed on the West Coast? From crop tops, culottes and cami dresses to new takes on Birkstenstock sandals, today's top trends are easy, breezy and built for dry climates. Just saying!
Photos: Alexander Wang, spring 14; Houghton, spring 14.
5. California-Inspired Collections
Hedi Slimane's ultra-cool take on West Coast grunge was one of our favorite collections of 2013 but Saint Laurent was far from the only brand to take inspiration from California. Rodarte, Tommy Hilfiger and J.Crew were just a few of the other fashion folks that celebrated the left coast this year.
Photos: Saint Laurent fall 13, Tommy Hilfiger spring 14, Rodarte fall 13.
6. Pop-Up Stores Galore
With loads of interesting spaces and places to set up shop, Los Angeles continues to host some of fashion's coolest temporary retail destinations. This year's favorites include Mlle's Melrose Place boutique (think: perfect leather everything) and Citizen of Humanity's appointment-only destination in West Hollywood along with unisex concept shops Objects Collected and Alchemy Works in the Arts District.
Photo: Mlle.
7. 2014 Excitement
With The Row, J Brand and The Kooples slated to open their first US retail destinations in Los Angeles in 2014 and the city ranking as the third most Instagram-worthy place in the world this year, we have a feeling next year will bring even more stylish excitment our way.
Photos: The Kooples, fall 13; J Brand pre-fall 14; The Row spring 14.
