Elizabeth Charles Brings Her Third Boutique to Newport Beach

Elizabeth Charles Newport Beach

Elizabeth Charles Newport Beach

Elizabeth Charles Newport Beach

Elizabeth Charles Newport Beach

Big retail names such as Bendel, Bergdorf and Bloomies may rule the department store world, but for women who prefer to answer the siren call of high-end boutique shopping, there has always been a separate set of heavy hitters, from L.A.’s Maxfield to  Dallas’ Fourty Five Ten, Ikram in Chicago and Elizabeth Charles in New York. Now, Elizabeth Charles, who has attracted a glittering fan base — including Kate Hudson, Emily Blunt, Jennifer Lopez and more — has recently opened the brand’s third store in Newport Beach. (The second is in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco.)

The boutique has made a name for itself over the last decade by keeping a tightly edited selection of under-the-radar designers and is hoping to do the same in Orange County, where it will join other designer heavy A’maree’s. In fact, the boutique has moved into the old A’maree’s space in Westcliff Court off of 17th Street.

Elizabeth Charles

Designer selection at Elizabeth Charles

“It was a bit random,” said Charles says of the third location. “One of the big malls approached us and really wanted us to open, but when we got here we were looking at the competition and found A’maree’s old space, and it was a no-brainer.”

But Charles didn’t just stock the old A’maree’s space with her goods and open the doors. Instead, she eschewed A’maree’s maximalist tendencies and started fresh. The new boutique is full of light, clean white shelving and a roster of designers that’s anything but typical — especially for Orange County. “The climate is the buyer,” Charles joked of Southern California’s balmy weather. “But we tailor the selection to each store. We feel with the customers here, we can go even more high end.”

Hermione de Paula Oversized Shirt Dress

Hermione de Paula Oversized Shirt Dress

Nicholas Kirkwood for Hermione de Paula

Nicholas Kirkwood for Hermione de Paula

How high end? The store’s racks are full of dresses from Carven, Peter Som, Roskanda Ilincic, doo.ri, Thakoon and more. “I consciously avoid anything mainstream or oversaturated,” said Charles, who buys for all three locations herself through trips to Europe, New York Fashion Week and more, “I get things ahead of the curve.” And she manages to get exclusives, like Karl by Karl Lagerfeld, which will make its brick-and-mortar debut at Elizabeth Charles boutiques this season. It debuted first online at Net-a-Porter.

Another exclusive? Flowing frocks from British designer Hermione de Paula (and the matching pumps by shoe empresario Nicholas Kirkwood — sans his signature architectural platform to better showcase de Paula’s watercolor-like prints) and super luxe and sexy label Cushnie et Ochs. “[Cushnie et Ochs] sells so well for us,” said Charles. “The cut is just stunning. Everyone who puts on a Cushnie just looks amazing.” Of course, swim is also available because, after all, OC is all about the surf. The boutique carries Pret-a-Surf, the swimwear line that is the brainchild of two Vogue editors, along with Peter Som and VPL. It still has to be practical, Charles stresses, which is why she carries Pret-a-Surf rashguards and their matching flip-flops alongside their suits.

Claudia Ross, Elizabeth Charles and Angela Tesselaar

Claudia Ross, Elizabeth Charles and Angela Tesselaar

So how did Charles manage to last a decade even when the economy fell as flat as a Tory Burch Riva ballet flat?

“Since the economy basically tanked, I really just stayed true to what I always did. The customers that shopped with me kept shopping and that true luxury shopper found me,” said Charles. “I’ve always stocked pieces that aren’t trendy. They’re classic pieces with good value and great quality.”

With a killer lineup of designers and styling services for shoppers, Charles just might get OC girls out of their Louboutins and into a pair of Laurence Dacade boots (who just so happens to design shoes for Chanel). Said Charles, “We start with what we know and we adapt. This is a great location with a great customer, so we’ll learn a lot.”

For more information, visit www.elizabeth-charles.com

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Author:Christopher Luu for Fashion Trends Daily

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