Stacey Spigel

Stacey Spigel

AT LA MARKET

Showroom Profile: Summer Somewhere

Cooper Design Space, Suite 824

(213) 488-0488

summersomewhereshowroom.com

Stacey Spigel spent 15 years working in the apparel industry in New York when she decided to decamp for warmer climates.

The former vice president of sales and merchandising for swim and resort line Mara Hoffman thought there was an untapped niche in the showroom business for a space dedicated to beachwear, swim and resort collections.

“I’ve always been a beach bum,” said the Virginia native, who opened her showroom, Summer Somewhere in the Cooper Design Space in June.

With the help of Richard Ruiz, stylist for Mara Hoffman, Spigel transformed the lofty corner space into a beach oasis, complete with a hammock hanging over a sandbox and display tables made from vintage surfboards.

The collections hang from suspended racks, and there is a vintage paddle with the name of each line hanging nearby. One wall features a wallpaper print of Gray Malin’s aerial photo of a beach covered in brightly colored umbrellas.

“We wanted to create a beach aesthetic because it is always summer somewhere,” Spigel said.

The showroom carries nine brands: New York–based Basta Surf, Kiini and LoveShackFancy; Montauk, N.Y.–based Surf Bazaar and Gypset; Los Angeles–based Lotta Stensson and TT Beach; Hawaii-based accessories line Samudra; and Australian collection Suboo.

Most swimsuits retail for about $200, and coverups range from $150 to $400.

Spigel works with swim and resort retailers, as well as large upscale department stores, chains and e-tailers such as Anthropologie, Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman, Free People, Intermix, Neiman Marcus, Net-A-Porter, Saks Fifth Avenue, Scoop and Shopbop.

Helping Spigel with sales is another transplanted New Yorker, Blair Nance. The third member of the Summer Somewhere team is Jessie West, who helps with the showroom website.

During Los Angeles Fashion Market, Spigel is hosting a cocktail party on Oct. 14 from 4 to 7 p.m. In keeping with the beach theme, the Lobsta Truck is providing lobster rolls.