Los Angeles : Lucky Magazine

Show

If you've seen a modern home accessory in an interiors magazine in the last year or so, chances are good that you'll find it at Show. This isn't an exaggeration. Everything here subscribes to a cleverly unexpected yet elegant style: There are priceless-feeling porcelain dishes cast in the shapes of disposable paper plates and teapots emblazoned with delicately figured—but inverted—birds.
1722 N. Vermont Ave., 323-644-1960,
showlifestyle.com

Some Odd Rubies

Serene and understated, the airily populated racks here are suspended from the ceiling, lending the illusion that they're floating. Find a slew of the halter dresses and blouses—sewn from one-of-a-kind fabrics—that made the threesome behind this bicoastal boutique famous, alongside bits from other talents, like L.A. native Whitley Kros' tunics in bright blue and Liz McClean's tiered maxi gowns.
8024 W 3rd St., 323-782-0191

White Trash Charms Boutique

As the name suggests, the emphasis here is on jewelry that has a slightly irreverent theme (though the shop feels uspcale). There are sliver-thin gold charms in the shapes of Scrabble tiles and old-school Nintendo consoles.
1951 Hillhurst Ave., 323-666-9585,
whitetrashcharms.com

West Hollywood

Lucky's favorite stores in Los Angeles' West Hollywood neighborhood! (Updated September 2008)

3.1 Phillip Lim

The designer behind this overwhelmingly successful collection was 31 when he first started his line in 2005; now he can boast three gorgeous stand-alone boutiques. The Los Angeles shop was the third to open (there are others in New York and Tokyo), but it's arguably the best-looking, with painted foam walls and cool slate floors. An understated elegance is the abiding theme behind the clothes too, from lace-edged camisoles to pintucked blouses. There are also pieces from the organic Go Green Go collection.
631 N. Robertson Blvd., 310-289-0888, 31philliplim.com

A.P.C.

There are only three locations of this much-loved French retailer in the States. The outpost in West Hollywood—just off bustling Melrose—feels like a general store, with cement floors and simple iron fixtures. It's an appropriate backdrop for the wildly chic, straightforward wares, which are cut in utilitarian shapes (streamlined printed smocks, perfectly draped trench coats).
619 N. Croft Ave., 323-297-0414, apc.fr

Alexander McQueen

This 2008 addition to West Hollywood looks like it was carved from a single piece of white material. It's an inspired and streamlined setting for the highly structured silhouettes, though we're particularly taken with his forward-thinking accessories.
8379 Melrose Ave., 323-782-4983, alexandermcqueen.com

Balenciaga

There was a ton of hype when Balenciaga opened in early 2008, and the excitement was entirely justified. The space is huge, supremely cool (it's dotted with asteroid-like tables and has an exposed wood-beam ceiling), and packed with teetering stilettos and zipper-festooned handbags.
8670 Melrose Ave., 310-854-0557, balenciaga.com

BCBG Max Azria

The Beverly Hills branch is BCBG Max Azria's official flagship, but we like the glam new Melrose location best: It has piles of long dresses, along with more casual tops and countless bags and shoes.
8400 Melrose Ave., 323-782-0238, bcbg.com; plus other locations

Beckley

At celebrated L.A. restaurateur Melissa Richardson's first foray into retail, a fairyland theme prevails. Rebecca Minkoff bags rest on oversize crickets; a silver tree is dotted with Rupert Sanderson heels; and soaring sheets of metal with laser cutouts of flowers snake through the rooms, separating the eveningwear (Zac Posen gowns) from the casual selects (Paul & Joe tops).
8620 Melrose Ave., 310-652-3500