welcome hunters

This unconventional boutique brings hard-to-find international labels to Los Angeles' east side.

by Laurel Pinson

When Robin Cervar and Jason Gillis founded this forward-thinking shop in 2007, their goal was to feature emerging designers whose collections were not yet available in the U.S. "On the one hand, it's a challenge," admits Gillis. "But it's also incredibly exciting to introduce new lines to an unfamiliar audience." Nestled among art galleries in the equally up-and-coming Chinatown area of Los Angeles, the store pays homage to its neighborhood with a dramatic pagoda exterior and a hushed, minimalist interior. And there's plenty to get excited about on the racks: oversize silhouettes from Finnish designer Daniel Palillo, vivid knits from Reykjavik-based Mundi, and draped tops from Best Behavior in Copenhagen. 454B Jung Jing Rd., 213-687-9905, welcomehuntersla.com