Some of the offerings at the new FactoryLA store
FactoryLA Opens "Made in LA" Store
After months of planning, FashionLA has opened its store that sells only up-and-coming "Made in LA" brands.
Inside a spacious store whose brick walls reflect the building's 100-year-old heritage, nine brands of clothing, jewelry and accessories are showcased on rolling racks or portable displays that can be raised to the ceiling to make way for a special event.
"In August, we will be getting more women's clothing as well as menswear and shoes," said Leah Garvin, who is the force behind the fashion incubator and store, both called FashionLA.
The idea is to make this a hub for "Made in LA" brands. Garvin envisions having biweekly meet-and-greets where the designers whose clothes are in the store are on hand to meet their customers. "I'm thinking of partnering with downtown restaurants that could host an event and this would help get more customers into their restaurants," she said.
The front part of her airy space at 840 S. Los Angeles St. is reserved for retail. The back part of the space will be for a "Made in LA" showroom and an fashion incubator that should be running in October in time for the Spring 2014 season.
The vast walls inside the store are being used as an art gallery that will display one artist at a time. Currently, the Venice, Calif., artist Matthew LaPenta has his large blue canvases on the wall.
The nine labels stocked in the store right now are: Sarine Marie, Axthelm, Tears of Bleu, Good hYOUman, Echo + Air, Trisha Jane, Kimz Designs, Jakimac and Bagstil.
There is some good news for bargain hunters. The store is having a 30 percent off sale through Saturday, July 20.
