Sabrina Showroom

Cooper Design SpaceLobby D(213) 670-0044

Life has been busy for Deborah Shapiro, who officially opens the Sabrina Showroom in the Cooper Design Space just in time for Los Angeles Market Week.

This is the first independent business venture for Shapiro, a first-time aunt, newlywed, former model and graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. Shapiro spent the last five years at the Jillian Kirk Sales showroom at The New Mart and has been renting space from Kirk for the past four months, while her own showroom was under construction.

The 30-year-old entrepreneur decided to branch out on her own after the birth of her niece last year. She credits her husband, an allergist, for giving her emotional support—and helping renovate the new space, which is named for her niece.

The 760-square-foot showroom, located in the lobby of the Cooper building, will house five new lines: Eva Franco, a line of halter and wrap dresses and skirts with wholesale prices between $68 and $118; Lilo, a line of lingerie that “lies low” on the hip and sells for $9 to $18; Adrienne Bui, a contemporary collection with a European flair and wholesale prices between $78 and $150; Alana May, a line of lightweight and sexy T-shirts that wholesale for approximately $30; and Doris Ruth, a ’40s-inspired collection with wholesales prices between $100 and $200.

Shapiro said she chose all new and small lines based on her past experience at Jillian Kirk, where she helped to launch Louis Verdad. “Getting Louis so new and fresh and helping it grow made me realize I wanted to do the same with my own thing,” Shapiro said. “I wanted to keep it small and tight to make sure I have time to focus my attention on each line.”

The showroom’s lines have already picked up orders from retailers such as Ron Herman Melrose, Blonde in Santa Monica, Calif., and Scoop in New York.

With $250,000 in sales already, Shapiro said her goal for her first year is $5 million.

The pink, brown and white showroom, designed to be comfortable and homey, includes a bar, coffee tables, couches and crown moldings. —Jessica Kantor