Letarte Bikini top and bottom ($98 each), Letarte cashmere sweater ($378), Letarte Skull pants ($218), Amy Grace necklace ($158), Letarte multi-color open cardigan cover up ($288), white bathing suit top and bottom seperates ($98 each)
WHAT’S CHECKING
Swim, Sunnies and Sandals in Malibu
Situated opposite the Pacific Ocean right off Pacific Coast Highway, the Malibu Country Mart is a relaxed lifestyle destination shopping spot for locals, celebrities, families and tourists.
At the height of summer, many of the stores are reporting strong swimwear and accessories sales from classic contemporary styles to ready-to-wear designer collections.
LETARTE
3900 Cross Creek Rd. #7
www.letarteswimwear.com
Letarte is a family-owned swimwear company out of Maui, Hawaii. Started by sisters Michele and Lisa, everything is designed and handmade in the United States. While their Malibu store exclusively carries Letarte swimwear, they carry complementary Sol Angeles apparel in addition to various other accessories lines.
This season, triangle bikinis that offer traditional coverage are a top swim seller, according to Noelle Scott, Malibu store manager. “Our customers value the quality of each piece, which has built a loyal following in the year and a half that our store has been here.”
Letarte crochet shorts ($148) and their skull crochet pants ($218) have been bestsellers also, along with various 100 percent cashmere pieces as coverups.
KITSON MALIBU
3939 Cross Creek Rd. #C-110
www.shopkitson.com
“Venroy and Hartford are doing very well for us this season,” said Courtney Saavedra, director of marketing and public relations for Kitson. “The Malibu [male] customer has really embraced Venroy,” which originates from Sydney. “It is a great fit; the fabric is luxurious, comfortable and lightweight; and the colors are strong.”
Hartford, known for rich fabrics and an authentically vintage feel, has also been popular among Kitson’s male customers. “The colorful, fun prints are a huge hit with the Malibu customer,” Saavedra said. Hartford trunks retail for $165 to$178, and Venroy retails for $95 to $195.
While Kitson does carry women’s’ swimwear, it chose not to comment on its bestsellers. A sales associate did say, however, that both Havaianas sandals and all styles of Birkenstocks are selling well with male and female customers.
CURVE
3835 Cross Creek Rd. #17
www.shopcurve.com
Holding up its reputation for staying “ahead of the style curve,” retailer Curve has not been able to keep Proenza Schouler’s first summer swim collection in stock this season. “They have been selling out immediately,” said Alaina Etue, senior stylist.
Print-heavy bikinis have been popular among Curve’s clients this season, such as Pfeiffer’s gingham bikini (top $160 and bottom $120), and black-and-gold print string bikini (top and bottom $170 each). Giada Forte’s striped bikini has also been a top seller ($275) for its relaxed and flattering fit.
For more-adventurous customers, Dion Lee’s one-piece scuba-material body suit ($390) has been a favorite for its “versatility and transitional wear,” Etue said.
Local Los Angeles company Gladys Tamez Millinery’s wide-brim hats have been a huge hit ($300–$400) for all age groups this summer.
CANVAS
23410 Civic Center Way #D1 and #C2
www.canvasmalibu.com
With sister stores around the corner from each other, Canvas Man and Canvas Woman both carry the swimwear line Solid & Striped, a contemporary line with classic cuts out of New York. Canvas Man has carried the line for a couple years and has done so well with it that it started carrying bikinis (separates retail for $80 each) and one-pieces ($160) in the women’s store. The women’s swim line has done very well thus far this season, according to Jac Forbes, who owns the boutiques with her husband, Arlington Forbes.
Both boutiques also carry Oliver Peoples sunglasses, which retail for $350 to $450 and are sold year-round.
This summer, Canvas Woman has been doing “very well” with OTZ Sandals ($95) and the Lex Dray “Malibu” beach tote ($175), which is “extremely durable.”
