La Dolce Avita
Los Angeles–based Avita is a sophisticated, yet sporty and fun line of contemporary cashmere sweaters, capes and accessories.
“We wanted to create a live-in cashmere, a second skin to wear,” said owner and designer Amanda Shi, who grew up in her family’s cashmere business in Hong Kong.
The name Avita, which comes from the Italian word “vita,” meaning “life,” conveys Shi’s design philosophy and the live-in feeling of the collection, which can go from day to night.
The collection, which launched in October 2003, is made in sensual cashmere and a silk/cashmere blend, making it extremely comfortable and wearable. The line has clean, classic lines with simple design options and unique details and is offered in multiple color combinations. Buyers can choose from existing color combinations—such as tangerine and baby pink, powder blue and orange, and toffee and hot pink—or create new combinations for a customized look.
The line includes a core group of basic long-sleeved sweaters in V-neck, boat-neck and crew-neck styles. Shi varies the look each season by adding details such as contrasting circular patches, athletic stripes, asymmetrical necklines and hemlines, and colorful ribbed necklines and cuffs. Other popular styles include a front-striped hoodie, a patched-sleeve boat-neck sweater, a striped poncho and a V-neck belted top with an asymmetrical hemline. The line also includes a skirt and accessories such as hats, gloves and scarves.
Avita is currently in several Southern California specialty stores, including Tryst, H. Lorenzo, Fred Segal Fun, Planet Blue and Diane Merrick. Wholesale prices for silk cashmere pieces are $32 for a tank, $69 to $89 for sweaters and $119 for a patched zip-front jacket. Cashmere styles wholesale for $79 for a short-sleeved boy T-shirt, $109 to $129 for sweaters and $239 for a full-length cable coat. Cashmere accessories run $39 for gloves, $49 for a patched hat, $89 for a patched scarf and $249 to $289 for wraparound shrugs. For more information, call (213) 670-0000.
—N. Jayne Seward
