Inside the retail gems of Los Angeles fashion culture Clutch Fire

From iconic names like Maxfield and Dover Street Market to inventive concepts like Departamento and Mohawk General Store, Los Angeles offers a dynamic mix of multi-brand retailers that reflect a distinct lifestyle and design ethos. While cult favorites like Terminal 27 and Fred Segal have closed their doors, these thirteen boutiques have endured, standing strong against economic shifts and the rise of online retail. FashionNetwork.com explores their stories and current standing (for context, see Part 1).

The Webster at the Beverly Center – where style meets high standards

Founded in 2009 by French entrepreneur Laure Hériard Dubreuil, “The Webster” first launched as a pop-up in a beautifully restored Art Deco building on Collins Avenue—once the historic Webster Hotel, built in 1939.

With a background in merchandising at Balenciaga and Yves Saint Laurent, Hériard Dubreuil set out to curate a fashion-forward mix of luxury labels, including Gucci, Chloé, Burberry, Loewe, and Acne Studios, alongside emerging designers such as Rhude.

“We present outfits that blend different brands,” she explains. “Unless it’s for a brand-exclusive event, we don’t separate by label. Our curated styling and store atmosphere are key to creating a unique shopping experience.”

The Los Angeles location, which opened in 2020 inside the Beverly Grove shopping center, was designed by celebrated Tanzanian-British architect Sir David Adjaye—famed for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi. The striking space features cathedral-like architecture, signature pink columns, and a video installation by artist Kahlil Joseph wrapping the outer dome.

“The Webster” now spans thirteen locations across the U.S. and Canada, including flagship sites in New York, Houston, South Beach, and Bal Harbour. In California, it’s also present in Palm Springs and Costa Mesa (inside South Coast Plaza). The most recent additions are in Las Vegas and Austin, with a Dallas store on the horizon.

Teller at Platform, Culver City – a bold, feminine perspective

Opened in 2021 at Culver City’s Platform shopping center, “Teller” was founded by Jaime Fishbein, wife of Platform co-founder David Fishbein. The boutique celebrates “the women of our city” and carries around 60 independent and international labels that define modern sophistication. Think Proenza Schouler, Anine Bing, Staud, By Malene Birger, and Mattau—paired with accessories from brands like MM Druck, Oliver Peoples, and Bembien.

“Teller” also launched its own house brand, offering everyday essentials, starting with a minimalist T-shirt line.

Designed by Mike Moser Studio, the store’s interior draws inspiration from 1930s Mexico, featuring curved alcoves, pistachio concrete floors, and troweled plaster walls, with tiled accents and a sculptural fiberglass chandelier by Greg Lynn.

In January, “Teller” opened a second location in Montecito at The Montecito Post. It mirrors the Culver City assortment, with exclusive additions like Tove, Anna October, Simkhai, and Olympia Le Tan.

Just steps away is “The Optimist,” a menswear concept also created by Fishbein and Joseph Miller. The space, styled by designer Jeremiah Brent, resembles a chic apartment with a mix of contemporary and vintage furniture. It stocks around 50 brands, spotlighting European and Scandinavian labels such as AMI, Samsøe Samsøe, J.Lindeberg, and Les Deux.

“The Optimist” also offers its own line, Lemain, which focuses on elevated basics, including T-shirts, trousers, jackets, and knits, all crafted for natural, comfortable daily wear.

Goop in Brentwood – where wellness meets wardrobe

“Goop” began in 2008 as a weekly newsletter penned by Gwyneth Paltrow, covering topics such as wellness, beauty, fashion, and travel. Over time, it evolved into a lifestyle empire, launching skincare, supplements, apparel, and eventually physical pop-up shops in cities like New York and Dallas.

In May 2017, “Goop” opened its first permanent store at Brentwood Country Mart in Los Angeles. Designed by acclaimed New York firm Roman and Williams—known for their work on Ace Hotels—the boutique is styled like a curated home.

The space showcases “Goop’s” take on living well: avant-garde fashion labels like Totême, Rosie Assoulin, Proenza Schouler White Label, Dôen, and Heirlome, alongside “Goop’s” exclusive in-house line, G. Label. Introduced in 2016, G. Label offers high-end wardrobe staples, including cashmere sweaters, blouses, blazers, and understated dresses with versatile appeal.

“Goop” now operates additional boutiques in cities like New York (Bond Street), Sag Harbor in the Hamptons, Montecito (inside Rosewood Miramar Beach), Larkspur, and even Hawaii (inside the Mauna Lani Resort).

Mameg in Beverly Hills – quietly cultured

“Mameg” is a discreet yet iconic boutique founded by Sonia Eram in the late ’90s. Originally next to the Martin Margiela store in Beverly Hills, it recently relocated to 417 North Camden Drive, opposite the Gagosian Gallery.

Now housed in a Victorian brick building designed by Johnston Marklee, “Mameg” embraces a refined aesthetic. Inside, custom furniture and preserved features, such as the zigzag table, highlight the store’s charm.

Labels on offer include Loewe, Marni, Walter Van Beirendonck, Balenciaga, and Y/Project. Eram’s deep connection to the art world is reflected in the boutique’s adjoining courtyard, which features monumental bronze sculptures, such as “Laokoon” by Per Kirkeby—on loan from Michael Werner Gallery.

“Mameg” shares the space with this prestigious gallery, known for championing modernist icons like Hans Arp and Francis Picabia, as well as contemporary European artists including Enrico David and Florian Krewer.

Des Kohan on Fairfax – a curated lifestyle destination

Desiree Kohan, who previously worked with fashion giants such as Prada, Gucci, and Miu Miu, has established a niche reputation for sourcing emerging talent.

After a stint in Europe, she opened her first Los Angeles boutique in 2005 on Miracle Mile. In 2021, “Des Kohan” relocated to a mid-century brick space on Fairfax Avenue in West Hollywood.

Designed entirely by Kohan, the space seamlessly blends minimalism with warmth, featuring vintage finds such as Frank Lloyd Wright plywood chairs, an Angelo Mangiarotti travertine table, and Roche Bobois pieces. A tea bar and lounge areas complete the gallery-like atmosphere.

The 450-square-meter space features fashion collections alongside art. Featured designers include Damir Doma, Helmut Lang, JW Anderson, Khaite, and Róhe.

The Stronghold in Venice – crafted for longevity

Founded in 1895, “The Stronghold” was Los Angeles’ first branded clothing manufacturer, specializing in denim and workwear. By 1912, it was the city’s largest garment factory, even appearing on-screen—Charlie Chaplin wore “Stronghold” overalls in “Modern Times,” and Henry Fonda donned their denim in “The Grapes of Wrath.”

After going defunct in the 1940s, “The Stronghold” was revived in 2004 by Michael Cassell, who found a vintage pair of jeans in an abandoned mine and resurrected the brand using archival patterns and original production techniques.

Its Venice boutique, located at 1625 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, is outfitted with tailor’s benches, antique sewing machines, and custom furnishings. The in-house range includes raw denim, chambray shirts, canvas jackets, overalls, and utility pants.

“The Stronghold” also stocks heritage brands like Alden (handmade shoes), Gitman Vintage (shirts), Filson (bags), Lewis Leathers (jackets), and Fox River (socks).