David Hayes Moves West

Designer David Hayes has moved his headquarters from The New Mart in downtown Los Angeles to Robertson Boulevard in Beverly Hills.

The new location will serve as Hayes’ design studio and showroom as well as a retail boutique for his well-heeled clientele.

A wrought-iron floral design covers the glassdoor entrance of the art nouveau–inspired headquarters. An aromatic tropical floral display invites visitors into the 1,200-square-foot studio and boutique, which boasts a scenic Roman garden mural, a marble reception area, changing rooms with silk tapestry touches, ornate fixtures and furnishings, and modern glass shelving.

The Los Angeles–based designer put his signature stamp on just about everything inside the gallery-like setting. He designed and created furniture covers using his own high-quality silk brocade and silk jacquard fabrics and selected the baroque-style furnishings.

Hayes got his start nearly 25 years ago designing ready-to-wear and eveningwear for celebrity clients including Nancy Reagan, Esteacute;e Lauder, Joan Collins and Sophia Loren. He is constantly updating his collections with highend fabrics and dazzling embellishments. New to his collection is a line of accessories featuring metal and beaded choker necklaces, metallic clutch bags, and crocodile skin handbags. With retail price points ranging from $600 to $1,300, Hayes’ ready-to-wear and eveningwear is in line with highend clothiers Escada and St. John Knits.

Among Hayes’ Holiday 2005 offerings are a brown tweed cardigan and matching skirt with silk ribbon trim, a tuxedo jacket paired with a yellow silk chiffon ruffled bustier dress, a silk chiffon rhinestone-embellished mock turtleneck paired with palazzo pants, and a wool and cashmere wrap jacket and skirt suit paired with a silk blouse and scarf.

Hayes’ collection is also sold at upscale department stores and boutiques, including Saks Fifth Avenue stores nationwide, Frances Brewster in Florida, Vassari in Philadelphia and Auer’s in Denver.

The David Hayes Studio and Boutique is located at 185 N. Robertson Blvd. in Beverly Hills. For more information, call (310) 360-6649. —Claudia Figueroa