Where the Wild Things Roam
Don’t be alarmed if you’re driving down Main Street in the heart of the Los Angeles Fashion District and see a bold, zebra-striped building near 8th Street.
Sam Cui, the owner of the two-story cinderblock structure, decided to have a little fun and also attract attention to his new accessories store, called Simply in Style, which opened Sept. 1.
Cui commissioned Eric D. Montenegro to create the large black-and-white stripes that add a new dimension to the area. “We decided on zebra stripes because they are very trendy right now,” Cui said.
Montenegro has never covered a building in zebra stripes, but that hasn’t kept him from spending the last month putting his mark on the fashion district.
The interior of the new store, located at 818 S. Main St., lives up to the wild zebra stripes outside. The long, narrow space with white walls and hardwood floors is highlighted with hot pink and bright amethyst accents. An abundant supply of reasonably priced bracelets, necklaces, earrings and brooches, many made of rhinestones or cubic zirconias, cascades like glittery curtains.
Esther Kim, who works at the store, said most of the jewelry is made at Cui’s jewelry factory in Zhenjiang, China. All the costume jewelry is plated in rhodium to prevent tarnishing. Kim said they are hoping the store helps the area become even trendier, given all the lofts and art galleries popping up on the street.
Eric Montenegro, painter of the zebra stripes
