The day after the ROSEBOWL FLEAMARKET,

I had a local guide me to various shops in LA.

 

BROOME STREET GENERAL STORE

A general store with a cafe in SILVERLAKE.

Hmm, how should I put it... it's quite common, but

guidebooks portray it as an absolutely wonderful shop.

When I actually went there, I was impressed, but didn't stay for more than 5 minutes.

If you get the chance, you might want to see if it's worth the trip to the LA suburbs.

By the way, I won't be going there again (lol).

 

MOHAWK GENERALSTORE

Another famous store in SILVERLAKE.

They have good things, or rather, expensive things.

I was surprised when I saw the price tags on each item! If you look at it differently, it's the ultimate select shop,

but they must be very trusted by the local celebrities, otherwise their existence makes no sense.

The nearby MOHAWK MEN was closed for interior renovation.

I would have liked to see that one.

 

SURPLUS VALUE CENTER

A USA military surplus store in SILVERLAKE.

This place is interesting!

They have everything related to military, from camouflage uniforms to gas masks.

If you wanted to start a war right now, you could get everything except guns and gunpowder.

All the clothes are genuine mil-spec, so people who are into this kind of thing could easily spend a whole day here.

 

BAZAR

A select shop in ABBOT KINNEY.

The buyer is Japanese (or half-Japanese?), so the selection and display have a Japanese feel to them.

It's not that big, but the store is comfortable and has an atmosphere where you can leisurely browse.

I visit every time I come to LA, and the approach changes each time, so it's nice that I don't get bored even with repeat visits.

However, many of the items are things I saw at ROSEBOWL the day before, so I was surprised by the price tags (lol).

 

AMERICAN RAG CIE

The real American Rag in LA BREA.

Unlike the stores in Japan, they don't have original clothes. It's 100% selected clothing, vintage clothes, miscellaneous goods, and a cafe, each in its own section.

I visit here every time, and no matter how many times I come, it always feels exactly the same. Even the display and the merchandise don't seem to change.

Normally I'd get bored, but for some reason, I don't get bored with this store.

Perhaps it's their skill in creating space and their value as a true lifestyle shop,

I think it's a shop where you can truly feel the local way of life.

 

WASTELAND

The first store that comes to mind when you think of vintage clothing stores in LA, located in MELROSE.

Since I don't know what it was like in the old days, it's hard to say, but they hardly carry any vintage clothing,

it's more of a store for brand-name used clothing. In Japan, it would be like R〇GTAG.

Guidebooks might say "you might find a bargain?", but you probably won't find one even if you search all day.

 

 

SLOW

A large vintage clothing store in MELROSE. I also visit this one every time.

This store feels more resolved, and the selection of vintage clothing seems to have no wavering or hesitation.

While I can't quite feel the commitment to being "vintage," the interior and display sense are good.

Even so, I truly feel that Japanese stores are far superior when it comes to commitment to vintage clothing.

 

It feels a bit late to bring them up now, but FRED SEGAL and RON HERMAN.

Usually, when you see the authentic versions of these, you think, "The real thing is indeed good~",

but for these brands, the Japanese Ron Herman already seems to be superior.

Although you can certainly feel the reality of California culture.

 

RRL

This is a bit of an extra, but it's based on my personal taste.

It's characterized by a relaxed atmosphere, quite the opposite of the New York store.

The store itself is a renovated garage, sunny and open.

The items they carry are the same as those in the Omotesando store, and the prices aren't much different.

The staff are cheerful and truly embody the "CALIFORNIA NICE GUY" vibe!

 

That's all.

 

LA generally feels unchanged no matter how many times I visit.

In contrast, NY sees rapid changes in both shops and goods.

Perhaps the land prices in the LA suburbs are cheaper, making it feasible to operate there?

However, even within that unchanging nature, there are shops that bore you and shops that reassure you.

That probably comes down to the difference in the brand's concept and reality.

 

End

 

posted by K. Ichikawa