As Is' Melrose Debut
As Is Designer Ayumi Shibata. Photo by Felix Salzman/LookBookLA.
The Slow boutique has been doing business for what may be an eternity on Los Angeles’ Melrose Avenue; more than 16-years. But the shop’s Japanese-expat co-owner Ayumi Shibata found a new wrinkle in a relatively old business.
On June 10, she opened the 900-square-foot As Is boutique in the Slow boutique’s former office space on the corner of Melrose Avenue and North Gardner Street.
The boutique celebrates vintage Americana, what with its merchandise of antique typewriters, camping gear and custom made Powerplant motorcycles. But the star of the boutiques’ show is Shibata’s As Is brand. The Native American-themed women’s line focuses on Navajo graphics, jersey and cotton materials and a style which favors a lot of layering. The line’s silhouettes include maxi-dresses, leggings, capes, long vests and drop crotch pants.
As Is might be the site of a rolling series of surprises. Boutique manager Chris Brunner said the As Is store plans to change its look every few months. “Who knows what direction we’ll take with this,” he said. Know this: there will be more footwear and jewelry.
Exterior of As Is boutique. Photo credit Felix Salzman/LookBookLA
