This story is part of L.A. — We. See. You!, the second issue of Image, which explores various ways of seeing the city for what it is. See the full package here.
1. Louis Vuitton
The French luxury brand continues its love affair with all things California through the recent release of On the Beach, the fifth of its Golden State-inspired fragrances created by master perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud. The unisex scent is a blend of yuzu, a citrus fruit from East Asia, neroli from Tunisia, aromatic herbs and cypress. L.A. artist Alex Israel’s “Untitled (Flat)” gradient series, inspired by ocean views, is on display through the fragrance bottle and packaging as well as on an accompanying surfboard and a fragrance trunk and travel case. On the Beach fragrance, $265 for 100 milliliters and $390 for 200 milliliters; On the Beach Boite Flaconnier fragrance trunk, $8,650; travel case, $625; and themed surfboard, $12,900. us.louisvuitton.com
2. Gradient Studio
Santa Monica-based designer Stephanie Schur brought her fashion and floral roots together for a sustainable collection of handcrafted and hand-dyed slip dresses, which use natural vegetable dyes from flowers, plants, roots and seaweed. The pieces are made from organic silk and deadstock lace. Women’s day and night slips are $495-$595; slips for children are $145. gradientsilks.com
More from issue 2 of Image
Darian Symoné Harvin talks to Lauren London about Nipsey Hussle, acting, and how seeking truth is an act of love
We wanted to know about the real L.A. So we asked our favorite Angelenos to show us
Ismail Muhummad meditates on how Noah Purifoy imagined a future where people aren’t discarded
E. Tammy Kim talks to the activists who have the antidote for the erasure of East L.A.
Julissa James profiles the L.A. designer who remade the cobija into luxury fashion
Ian F. Blair talks to Kenturah Davis about language and the tradition of Black art from the foothills to South L.A.
3. Amiri
This hometown label’s nappa leather basketball bag is a standout and so L.A. The made-in-Italy bag has a chain strap with custom hardware and toggle closure. $2,490. amiri.com
4. Jacquie Aiche
Secret Garden, the jewelry designer’s latest collection, has a California vibe through the use of guava quartz, beads, pearls and opals. In the mix of pieces, some of which have a butterfly design, is this diamond and kunzite crystal necklace. (Kunzite is said to activate the heart chakra and have healing properties around self-expression and acceptance.) $6,625 (shown here); various styles available from $4,000 to $7,000. jacquieaiche.com
5. APL
In time for warm days, Beverly Hills-based Athletic Propulsion Labs has a new capsule collection of its Lusso slides. The limited-edition unisex footwear is made from Nappa leather and comes in colors red, orange, moonstone, coastal blue, pristine and caramel. $175. athleticpropulsionlabs.com
A fun list of the best things to do in L.A. in May, June and July.
6. Noon Goons
The L.A.-based skate/surf brand from founder and creative director Kurt Narmore celebrated its fifth anniversary this spring with a Vans collaboration. Now among the pieces from Noon Goons’ spring and summer 2021 collections is this “Surf Attack” hoodie, which comes in pink, ash gray and black. Sizes range from XS to XXL. $159. noongoons.com
7. Garrett Leight California Optical
The L.A. optical brand took inspiration from 20th century staples, themes and icons: Pop Art, counterculture, the 1960s Los Angeles lifestyle and culture, to name a few. GLCO’s latest eyewear drop for spring and summer 2021 takes style cues from artists, writers and musicians including Andy Warhol, Jim Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Ken Price, Craig Kauffman and Arthur Miller. $330-$390. garrettleight.com
8. Marcell Von Berlin
Bring the heat to the pool this summer by wearing the label’s men’s swim trunks with an abstract fire print. $150. us.marcellvonberlin.com
9. Alexander McQueen
The British brand’s new Curve calf leather bag comes in colors including lime green, chrome green, Welsh red and ultramarine blue. With brass hardware with a silver finish, a black leather lining and room for a cellphone, the bag can be worn as a crossbody or on your shoulder. $1,490. alexandermcqueen.com