Haute Hippie Opens First West Coast Store at L.A.’s Sunset Plaza

Haute Hippie Los Angeles

Haute Hippie Los Angeles

With a huge celebrity following and a unique combination of luxe bohemian and modern vintage, it’s surprising that Haute Hippie is just now opening up a West Coast store. The brand, which has three stores operating in New York City, is available at most department stores, but its new digs in Sunset Plaza will be the only place west of the Mississippi you can find the complete range of offerings from the label. While it’s not a completely obvious choice — after all, main shopping drags such as Robertson Boulevard, West Third Street and Beverly Drive more are where most contemporary brands plant their roots — there was nothing more L.A. than the Sunset Strip to Trish Wescoat Pound, the creative director and president of Haute Hippie.

Haute Hippie Los Angeles

Haute Hippie Los Angeles

“I wanted to have a bit more respect for the Los Angeles community and not be another retailer popping up in the obvious locations that could potentially host a brand,” said Jesse Cole, chief executive officer of Haute Hippie to WWD. “There is a resurgence in West Hollywood with Equinox, SoulCycle and Drybar next door. I saw that there was parking, and my wife and I are SoulCycle enthusiasts, and I just felt that the area was synonymous with our brand. Why not take this leap of faith and put our store there?”

Haute Hippie rubs shoulders with fellow fashion heavy-hitters such as Nicole Miller, a new Zadig & Voltaire location, Calypso St. Barth, BCBG Max Azria and more, so it won’t be short on company or celebrities, which frequent the shopping center thanks to BLT Steak and a slew of menswear stores including Hollywood mainstay H. Lorenzo and bridal boutique St. Pucchi.

“When we first opened up our pop-up store in South Hampton, we estimated a number and we did 150 percent above that number in that first season,” said Cole when asked about the brand’s expectations for the West Hollywood location. “I do recognize what is happening in the world, and I do recognize that we are new and we are sort of off the beaten track.”

Inside, shoppers will find a different environment than that found in Haute Hippie’s New York locations. Whereas those stores focus on surrounding the clothes with and air of rustic elegance, the Hollywood location dials up the elegance. Not too shabby for a store that sits right at the base of the Hollywood Hills. Antique chandeliers and mirrors fill the space, as well as a cozy shearling bench and cowhides on the dark wood floor. The store carries the whole breadth of the Haute Hippie brand, including an expanded assortment of accessories, which will continue to grow in the coming seasons. Most department stores only buy the brand’s separates, so to make the new store a true destination, there will be a wider range of unique pieces (think heavily embellished outerwear, evening wear and more) as well as a selection seasonal merchandise.

Haute Hippie Los Angeles

Haute Hippie Los Angeles

Cole notes that the Hollywood store is just the first step in a push for more openings. He added that 2014 could see two more openings in Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Brentwood or Malibu possible locations as well as shops in Miami, Houston and Dallas.

Haute Hippie is located at 8605 Sunset Boulevard, at Sunset Plaza. For more information, visit the official Web site at www.hautehippie.com.

Images courtesy WWD

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Author:Christopher Luu for Fashion Trends Daily

Christopher Luu is a Fashion Trends Daily Senior Writer and Menswear Editor.