TrendThrift is a weekly column, brought to you by our resident fashionista, Kate McChesney, as a review of boutiques in and around the Los Angeles area.
Apartment Three is well known for being the beloved hipster gem on La Brea full of hot selections of both new and used clothing, accessories, and shoes. Located at 813 N La Brea in Hollywood, Apartment Three's cap-sleeved blouses and one-of-a-kind designer dresses are the favorites of their star clientele, which include Alyssa Milano, Hilary Duff, Christina Applegate, and Selma Blair.
The store is also well-known for their great After Hours Sales that turn out to be awesome parties. Last June, I went to their 3rd Anniversary Party/After Hours Sale and had so much fun eating Dolly Parton black icing cake and dancing to the tunes of DJ Jeramy while being fed free drinks by Apt3 employee/bartender Danny. This past Saturday's (May 12th) After Hours Sale, however, was a bit of a let down. The event was to promote Apartment Three's opening of their new gallery in downtown LA, as well as to celebrate the recent success of three-L.A., Apartment Three's exclusive online store.
More on Kate's Apartment Three experience after the jump...
I was looking forward to the event all week and arrived with friend Kate Moss look-alike, Sonia in tow at 9:45. The vibe was very blah and a little pretentious, which I've never felt at Apt3 events in the past. The evening's event was much fancier than other After Hours Sales, with hors d'oeuvres of fresh seafood cerviche, panceta wrapped shrimpies, and mini burgers and grilled cheese. The wait staff had trouble getting rid of the appetizers; the LA hipster diet seems to be increasingly vegan plus a pill cocktail. Needless to say, I downed a few cerviche and headed straight to the sale racks.
What made up for the lack of atmosphere were the great deals! $15 racks of hot vintage clothes plus a killer pair of white cowgirl boots for a mere $10. Oh if only I could fit into a size 6 1/2, I would be wearing them as I type! LA designers were all 20% off, which caught my eye until I spotted the gold chain choker with huge oversized buttons on sale for $46 (shiny things always distract me). Not a bad price for an original piece. On the men's side were racks of original Tees for $10 as well as boots and sneaks for under $45. Near the cash register were $5 party bags full of costume jewelry and vintage silk scarves. I didn't stay long at the party and ended up leaving after about an hour of mingling with fashionable guests and designers alike.
Although I wasn't so into this weekend's party, I do really dig the boutique and absolutely love owner Kristin Knouff's ideas for After Hours Sales. Particularly judging from my background in marketing, I think these open bar After Hours Sales parties are a fabulous way to promote her store.
Check out www.apartment-3.com for future events.
RATING$:
VIBE: $
HOOKUPS: $$$$
PRICE: $$$
Sonia says:
Kate Moss lookalike..thanks Katie =] love u.This is such a profound article baby.
T says:
K8~
UR articles never seem to surprise me. . . I wish pburgh had the same great style and deals
well done- cheers!
Lay says:
I am in love with Trend Thrift.
I read it every week to see what is hot in LA. Thanks Kate.
Lay says:
I am in love with Trend Thrift.
I read it every week to see what is hot in LA. Thanks Kate.