World Class, Next Door
The simple act of shopping has become so fraught with contradictions, it’s no wonder that we’re all paralyzed. We don’t know if it’s patriotic to spend big or, in these uncertain economic times, wildly irresponsible. Sometimes it feels unsafe just going to the mall, and other times it’s a source of reassurance to get out and mingle. Why can’t shopping just be a relaxing day out?
It still can be. Now that many of us are sticking closer to home for the holidays, turning a shopping trip into a day- or weekend-long excursion may have new appeal. Orange County’s premier shopping spots, South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa and its nearest rival, Fashion Island in Newport Beach, have been refining their attractions, with an emphasis on cherry-picked designer collections. The high-end malls--located five miles apart--cater to sophisticated fashion connoisseurs, time-pressed families and anyone who finds shopping an inseparable part of the holiday ritual.
The centers also offer a sense of ease, adventure and a break from the routine for many visitors outside Orange County. Alexander Aledia, 32, and his wife, Chris, 31, frequently drive 11/2 hours from Valencia with their infant son to Fashion Island because “this is the only place we like to walk around,” Alexander said. It doesn’t take long to run across groups of tourists from such disparate places as Japan or Utah.
Though Los Angeles boutiques may set the pace for avant-garde fashion, many don’t offer free parking, kiddie trains or some of the best designer, children’s or affordable fashion, all under a few million square feet of shingles. Combined, the malls offer more than 500 stores, many of which aren’t found elsewhere in Southern California--or the nation. South Coast Plaza snagged the new Yves Saint Laurent boutique in the region and also claims the only boutiques in Southern California for Jil Sander, Sergio Rossi, Pottery Barn Kids and Donna Karan New York, to name a few.
Though Orange County has had a reputation for fuddy-duddy fashion, mall owners have aggressively sought out new store concepts and exclusive European brands and mixed them with amenities that help make the shopping experience more relaxing and entertaining. Anton Segerstrom, a partner in the family-owned South Coast Plaza, said he hopes that the center, which last year drew 21 million visitors who spent nearly $1 billion, could draw more regional residents from its 100-mile radius of shoppers. After all, many long-absent visitors may not recognize some portions of the centers. Two years of renovations and improvements have transformed South Coast Plaza and its surrounding theaters, restaurants, hotels and spa into something that Segerstrom just can’t call a mall.
“We call it a ‘shopping resort,’” he said, while dining at Troquet, an award-winning French bistro on the center’s third floor. A new pedestrian bridge over Bear Street links the former Crystal Court to the main mall. The center is within walking distance of the Westin hotel, the Orange County Performing Arts Center and a row of restaurants including the highly rated Gustaf Anders and the new Morton’s of Chicago.
Since 1999, South Coast has added 70 new stores, which gives the place the feeling of attending a well-planned dinner party for the world’s leading trendsetters. “A lot of companies, such as Gucci and LVMH [fashion conglomerate LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton] see this as a one of the must-have locations,” Segerstrom said. Many top designer brands from Italy, France and the U.S. are neighbors, while a few surprise guests now populate the west mall where Crate & Barrel and Macy’s Home Store emphasize home decor. Even a mall staple such as South Coast’s Banana Republic is a two-story behemoth with more and better merchandise than the typical store. Kiosks and carts don’t block South Coast’s wide walkways, which eases the path of your stroller and your elbows.
About five miles south, the open-air Fashion Island shopping center boasts not only serene koi ponds and ocean views, but also a 115-foot natural Christmas tree, the first and only NIKEgoddess, the first West Coast Via Spiga shoe store, and Orange County’s only Neiman Marcus, which is adding a third floor. Fashion Island offers the only Orange County location for 30 retailers, and several, such as Japanese Weekend Maternity and Stuart Moore jewelers, are exclusive to the mall in Southern California. More stores and restaurants are to come with an ongoing expansion. The center manages to feel intimate, though it holds 240 stores, including anchors Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Robinsons-May and Neimans, and dining hot spots Fleming’s Prime Steak House and chef Roy Yamaguchi’s Roy’s Pacific Rim Cuisine.
Southern California may not offer natural evergreen trees, snowmen and other traditional symbols of the winter holidays, but we go with our strengths. We really know how to shop. Following is a list of some of the centers’ newer and notable stores.
South Coast Plaza
Agnes b.: Sunlight filters through skylights in the year-old store, which stocks a wide range of sportswear, outerwear, luggage, cosmetics, jewelry, watches, eye wear and even books. Celine: In this 3-month-old store, the French sportswear interpreted through the eyes of American Michael Kors seems perfectly suited to the more genteel members of the fashion cognoscenti. The store offers $1,300 leather skirts, $835 linen jackets and already boasts a waiting list for the season’s hot, high-heeled boots.
D&G; Dolce & Gabbana: The racks of young-spirited Italian sportswear are more densely packed than the Milan flagship. Finding the $145 riveted denim jeans or $240 graffiti-printed pants is no hassle here.
Dupuis: A branch of the family-owned Mexican chain offers decorative south-of-the-border housewares and furniture. Giorgio Armani: The Italian mastermind of fashion carved an elegant, month-old boutique for his top label in the former Emporio Armani site (Emporio moved down the hall). Looking and even smelling like his Milan flagship, the store ups the ante for luxury retailing by giving $11,000 beaded jackets and $100 accessories acres of space: Gucci: Unlike the Milan store, the assortment here hasn’t already been decimated by trend seekers. The $2,850 zipper-leg leather pants were in stock next to Gucci logo baby carriers or a simple, $1,235 velvet sheath dress.
Laundry: The store, which is celebrating its one-year anniversary, features an in-depth selection of the brand’s contemporary women’s sportswear.
Louis Vuitton: Though the year-old store carries apparel designed by Marc Jacobs, the real strength here is the luggage, handbags and other accessories. Still, it’s hard to resist a cashmere cardigan with fluffy mink pouf buttons.
Jacadi: With more merchandise in more sizes than the St. Germain boutique in Paris, you almost don’t mind paying slightly more than the French prices for the imported luxury children’s wear.
Polo Sport: Ralph Lauren has mixed up all of his labels into one smallish boutique in the former Mossimo location. Shoppers will encounter $1,500 leather jeans next to $178 plaid shirts, next to more moderately priced active wear from the Polo Sport line.
Pottery Barn Kids: The catalog was such a hit that a store had to follow. Scenarios from the catalog come to life here with rugs, beds, linens, lamps and even $250 red, rocking cars.
Roxy: Teenage fans of the sassy girl’s line can indulge in all things Roxy at the only all-Roxy store. Silver Feet: Indulge yourself with shoes by Marc Jacobs, Costume National, Christian Louboutin and even kid sizes of Prada.
TSE: Some of the finest, most fashionable cashmere sportswear has its own boutique.It’s a nice neighborhood with Prada, Christian Dior, Chanel and Hermes.
White Rabbit: A branch of the La Jolla children’s bookstore is a source for Harry Potter titles as well as books for youngsters up to high school age.
Yves Saint Laurent: Now that Gucci owns the venerable French label and Tom Ford designs the ready-to-wear, there’s an edgy new vibe radiating throughout the 9-month-old store’s black interior. The shelves hold the original inspiration behind fashion’s current obsession with peasant dressing.
Zutopia: The kid sister to Wet Seal offers ‘tween girls glittery jeans and even pink, feathered wings to give their fashion fantasies flight.
Also worth a visit: Air de Paris for Jean Paul Gaultier denims; Crate and Barrel Home Store for furniture; Diesel for radical jeans; Frette or Yves Delorme for luxury linens; La Perla for pricey, pretty Italian lingerie; Loro Piana for the ultimate in cashmere; and Sears for tools and stuff you really need.
Fashion Island
Apple Computer: The sleek, slick computers now have a just-opened home of their own, and place for techies to come play.
Between the Sheets: If it’s embroidered, gilded, fringed, beaded or a $320 toilet paper holder, it’s probably for sale at this luxury bed and bath store.
Big Boy’s Toys: An open-air booth features reproductions of old-fashioned pedal cars, some in limited editions for $235 to $600.
Boss Hugo Boss: Guys who wear no socks with their loafers and shorts love the minimal, contemporary feel of the $100 to $1,000 German sportswear. European Home: A brightly patchworked, $1,500 ottoman will draw you in out of curiosity. Then you can inspect the $300 pillows thick with large, silk flowers.
Girl Mania: The brand-new clothing and accessory store for girls 4 to 12 is decorated like a lavish bedroom that includes a karaoke dance stage and makeup room. .
J. Jill: The women’s sportswear catalog company just opened a store where fans can experience in real life the fit and feel of these relaxed, casual clothes.
L’Occitane en Provence: Anyone who has ever schlepped 10 pounds of olive soap bricks back from France will appreciate the proximity of this French-bred line of bath and body products.
NIKEgoddess: The country’s first all-women’s NIKE store offers coordinated color-palettes and a deep selection of apparel for everything from yoga to running to skiing. This Little Piggy Wears Cotton: This wildly colorful children’s toy-and-clothing packed store may be as much for adults as for kids. Books, dolls and mini ukuleles compete for attention with firefighter costumes, games and a bright array of clothing.
Quiksilver Youth: The only store of its kind on the mainland, the teen-friendly emporium offers a deep selection of the hot brands by Orange County manufacturer Quiksilver and its sister brand, Roxy Teenie Wahine.
Sara: Like the Montana Street original, Sara offers contemporary women’s fashion.
Stuart Moore: Find ultramodern jewelry, often featuring ultra-large stones, in a nontraditional, light and airy store.
Via Spiga: Named after the famous Milan shopping street, the collection of high-fashion shoes, boot and bags offers a lot of European style, but be prepared to pay in the range of $300 for boots and $170 for pumps, mules and more.
