The store will be located in the building that formerly housed the Luxe Hotel, which closed in September 2020, and will feature three stories, two levels of retail, a third-floor restaurant with 53 seats and a rooftop space with an outdoor terrace. Plans for the new retail store were approved by the Planning Commission on Nov. 13, 2025.

The new store would be Tiffany’s second-largest retail store in the U.S., after its flagship in New York.

The planned building will include large glazed storefront openings along the North Rodeo Drive frontage, aluminum facade panels and linear LED lighting integrated into the façade. The project will also feature one 20.7-square-foot building identification sign mounted on the front of the building and five business identification signs with black-painted, chiseled aluminum lettering.

Four vertical light channels incorporated into the facade would emit Tiffany blue-colored lighting at night.

Additionally, a Tiffany Atlas clock will hang above the primary entrance on the third floor, overlooking three trees in front of the store and serving as the main focal point of the front facade. The clock will be mounted on a sculptural pedestal and illuminated by a projector light built into the pedestal.

Following previous feedback from the Architectural and Design Review Commission, project applicant Gruen Associates increased the height of the upper band of the facade.

The project complies with the city’s zoning code and was approved as exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.

Commissioner Evan Myer recused himself from the vote for having a financial interest in property less than 300 feet from the project.

Vice Chair Terri Smooke expressed concern over the potential glare that could emanate from the reflective material on the facade.

“If there should be a need to calibrate the lights, you would be able to do that,” she said. “We don’t want any glare with all the reflective materials, which, and by the way, your material selections are beautiful, but because of all these reflective surfaces, we don’t want to have any glare, and since it’s a three-story building, there’s a lot of light with 12 bands of vertical light, according to this rendering. So that is a great deal of light, and we want to make sure that it’s not going to be blinding for anyone,” she said.

Ashok Vanmali, a partner at Gruen Associates, assured the commission that the lighting coming from the structure was indirect and that any potential glare would be minimal.

After questions from Chair Rebecca Pynoos, Vanmali said that the restaurant’s exhaust system runs throughout the building and ends on the roof, hidden within the parapet. The architects also adjusted the design to move the landscaping inward to avoid people stepping on it, only placing a guard rail around the skylight.

Pynoos added that the blue lighting coming from the front facade would contribute to the elegance of Rodeo Drive at night.

“I think this will be a nice enhancement to Rodeo. It will definitely be a different experience for Tiffany to be in this location, have this modern look, and the interior uses are very much meant to bring in a younger clientele,” said Pynoos, a Beverly Hills City Council candidate. “This is an elegant project, beautiful.”

The project is scheduled to be completed in 2028.

In other business, the commission approved five business identification signs for Mercedes-Benz at 242 N. Beverly Drive. The pop-up location will operate exclusively as a brand gallery and art installation.  

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One of the most anticipated celebrations is the debut of “The Clueless Suite” at L’Ermitage Beverly Hills, where guests can immerse themselves in Cher’s lavishly stylish world. The limited-time luxury experience, available from July 12 through Sept. 1, was created in collaboration with Paramount Pictures, “Clueless” costume designer Mona May, and Bloomingdale’s. 

The suite is decorated with stills from the movie, behind-the-scenes pictures provided by Paramount, and framed photos of Paul Rudd on the nightstand. It features yellow plaid upholstery, fluffy accent pillows, and an interactive “digital closet” display that brings Cher’s outfit-selecting computer to life.

“We just wanted this to be like Cher and Dionne invited you to come for a sleepover and stay the weekend,” interior designer Jordan Hackworth told the Courier. “We have the ultimate girly amenities, a game night area, and the most luscious pure silk bedding. We just wanted to really make a fantasy out of it, like what is Cher doing in 2025? We took a lot of inspiration from the movie, and it’s all done with a wink and a nudge. Nothing is taken too seriously. But we wanted to blend high fashion with Beverly Hills and make it girly and sweet.” 

The closet is meant to be like an extension of Cher’s, complete with a wardrobe inspired by the movie and curated by Bloomingdale’s and costume designer May. The whole experience is shoppable, and the booking comes with a custom garment, a $100 gift card to Bloomingdale’s, plus a VIP personal styling service at the department store. And because Cher never relied on mirrors, there’s also a Polaroid camera to photograph your looks before deciding on the perfect one. The suite also comes with a white Jeep Wrangler convertible to cruise around the city in, and beauty treatments fit for a Noxzema commercial.

“The boas, the pink and the yellow, the Mary Janes … it’s all kind of updated and current, and you can get inspired and have fun with colored clothes,” May told the Courier. “It’s basically about inspiring girls … As an artist, it’s incredible to be recognized 30 years later and have some of your work live forever. The sleepless nights, the stress, it was all worth it.”

From “CH” monogrammed bathrobes to a copy of Covert Bailey’s “The New Fit or Fat,” every inch is a nod to the film’s most memorable moments. The vanity is filled with colorful accessories, fuzzy pens, and copies of Cher’s report card, because convincing teachers to change your grades every other semester is no small feat. 

The 30th anniversary celebrations culminate in a festival at La Cienega Park on July 19, where Mayor Sharona Nazarian will officially proclaim the date as “Clueless Day.” Produced with Street Food Cinema, the ticketed event will include food trucks themed photo installations, a DJ, and an alfresco screening of the movie. 

Beyond the suite, other “Clueless”-themed events in Beverly Hills include a special July 10 Concert on Canon featuring “AS IF!”, a ’90s tribute band at the Beverly Canon Gardens, an outdoor screening of the movie at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Aug. 6, a Cher-themed spa package and special dessert at The Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel, which runs from July 15 to Aug. 15.

To learn more, visit https://lovebeverlyhills.com/articles/view/beverly-hills-celebrates-clueless-30th-anniversary. 

As if you’d want to miss it.  

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Last year, 52% of American newlyweds used an engagement ring with a lab-grown stone compared to just 12% in 2019, according to an annual survey by The Knot. 

This boom in popularity has hit the natural diamond market hard.

The price of mined stones has dropped around 26% since 2022, according to jewelry data analytics firm Tenoris. In 2024, De Beers, the biggest name in the natural diamond business, reported a 23% year-over-year decrease in revenue driven by a loss in demand for mined stones.  

This disruption is even being felt in the luxury shopping destination of Beverly Hills, where many retailers are now opting to sell both natural and mined stones. 

But while the future for the overall industry is uncertain, high-end local jewelers remain confident that Beverly Hills will continue to flourish as a mecca for natural stones.

“Just look at all the global brand jewelry houses building new salons in Beverly Hills,” said Beverly Hills jewelry designer Martin Katz. “That certainly confirms in my mind that there is an international confidence in the Beverly Hills market for genuine diamond jewelry.”

This confidence is founded in the fact that there will always be a customer base that appreciates the value of natural stones and will therefore be drawn to the concentration of top-tier jewelers in the city that specialize in rare and antique stones. 

“Although they [lab-grown diamonds] may look the same to the naked eye, they are not the same,” said Katz. “Natural diamonds are formed over billions of years deep within the Earth under extreme heat and pressure, making them rare and unique treasures from Mother Earth that appreciate over time.”

Or, as renowned local jeweler Jack Weir puts it simply, “Natural diamonds have charisma; lab-grown diamonds do not.”

Manufactured diamonds are chemically, physically and optically identical to natural diamonds, but instead of being created inside the Earth over the course of 1 to 3 billion years, they’re created inside labs in a matter of weeks. 

Akshie Jhaveri, founder of lab-grown diamond seller Grown Brilliance, vividly recalls the moment she understood the possibilities of lab stones. In 2020, her husband presented her with a group of natural diamonds and a group of mined diamonds and asked her to determine which was which. 

“He had two parcels of diamonds, and I really couldn’t tell the difference,” she said. “I thought, this is amazing, this is crazy, and this is an opportunity we need to launch on before it gets too common.”

She founded Grown Brilliance later that year, at a time when there were only two other major players in the market. Fast-forward five years and lab-grown diamond businesses are “a dime a dozen,” she said.

One of the first three storefronts she opened was just across the border from Beverly Hills on Melrose Place. In addition to engagement rings, the store does a fantastic business in statement jewelry pieces perfect for flaunting at a red-carpet event, she said.

“The high jewelry collections that we carry are all made in the exact same way that you would make a natural diamond piece. It’s all handset, hand-polished with very high-quality solid gold, and our customers love it,” she said. “No one can tell the difference, so why would you go and invest in something that you will only wear maybe two or three times a year?”

In addition to spotting a key market opportunity, Jhaveri also said she became passionate about selling exclusively lab-grown diamonds because of the ethical and environmental benefits.

Unlike traditional diamond mining, which can involve destructive land excavation and high carbon emissions, lab-grown diamonds are created in controlled environments with a smaller ecological footprint. Additionally, purchasing lab-grown diamonds helps avoid the concerns associated with “blood diamonds”—gemstones mined in war zones and sold to finance armed conflict.

Grown Brilliance’s rate of growth has exceeded Jhaveri’s expectations. She now has 14 stores in eight states, with more locations on the way.

Improved lab technology and increased production have pushed down the cost of lab-grown stones, which has only served to further increase demand for synthetic jewelry.

In 2018, lab-grown diamonds were sold at an approximate 20% discount to their natural counterparts. Now they are sold at an 80% to 90% cheaper price compared to mined stones, and some experts predict their price will continue to drop even further. 

Among them is William Logian, co-founder of RobinHood Diamonds, who sells some of the cheapest manufactured stones on the market by electing to decrease the markup passed on to customers. The prices of diamonds on his website start at just $119 for a 0.5-carat pear shaped stone. 

After working in the jewelry industry for three decades, including at top-tier companies like Tiffany & Co., Logian said the idea for RobinHood Diamonds was born from a desire to give back after surviving a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis. 

“I kind of was in a moral distress of having three kids and being faced with such harsh life realities,” he said. “Then I came up with this wonderful idea of RobinHood Diamonds, where we are going to concentrate on making luxury accessible for all, and we are going to work diligently and very hard to encourage everyone in the industry to stop overcharging for the lab-grown diamonds.”

Logian predicts that lab-grown diamonds are only going to continue to drop in price and take over more of the jewelry market. 

But what happens to the meaning of a diamond—a traditional symbol of luxury and elite social status—when it becomes accessible to everyone? High-end consumer demand shifts toward types of stones that hold on to their exclusive and irreplaceable nature.

“Obviously, the lab-grown diamond market is growing right now,” said Sasha Tarasova, head of sales for Jack Weir & Sons. “We have experienced impacts, primarily in shifting consumer demand towards colored gemstone rings as well as antique pieces and designer jewelry.” 

Jack Weir started his first diamond business in 1981 after he was inspired by the gorgeous diamonds he saw on a trip to Brazil. His son Wyler joined the firm in 2011, and the following year they renamed the brand Jack Weir & Sons. 

The Weirs consider themselves treasure hunters, traveling the world to secure the most beautiful and interesting stones to bring back to their Beverly Hills store. Because of the rare nature of their vintage jewels, the company does not suffer from increased demand for lab-grown diamonds.

“The people that we work with appreciate natural diamonds and specifically antique one-of-a-kind natural diamonds,” said Tarasova. “The old stones that we specialize in carry historical significance and emotional value. We consider them heirlooms, symbols of legacy as well as timeless investments.”

Some of the jewelry they offer is exceptionally rare. For example, they are currently selling a magnificent 1930s Art Deco, hand-cut Tiffany & Co. engagement ring. It’s a 5.03-carat emerald-cut diamond of G color with sparkling diamond accents, hallmarked with a signature and purity marks.

“It’s listed on our website for $188,000, but it’s a truly museum-worthy piece,” said Tarasova.

Acclaimed Beverly Hills jeweler Martin Katz is not concerned about the impact of lab-grown diamonds on his atelier for many of the same reasons, because his clientele appreciates the history and enduring value of natural diamonds.

“No two natural diamonds are alike, each one carrying its own history and story,” he said. “Much like the art market, an original work is far more valuable and collectible than a reproduction—even if an untrained eye cannot tell the difference between the two pieces.”

Katz has been in business in Beverly Hills for over 30 years and recently relocated to a penthouse salon in the Fred Hayman building, which allows him to spend more time designing jewelry and providing private one-on-one personalized service to his clients.

While Katz’s business is largely untouched by lab-grown diamonds, he anticipates they will continue to have a huge impact on the broader jewelry industry going forward.

“Some retailers will open just to cater to that [lab-grown] market as the profit margin percentages are massive compared to the margin on natural margins,” he said. “The mass market may be attracted to it, but the unlimited production of lab-grown stones keeps driving prices lower, so much so that the fashion industry will likely start using them in place of crystals.”

Tarasova also said she anticipates seeing more retailers enter the lab-grown business, while the natural industry will become more concentrated among the highest-end designers. And when it comes to the engagement ring industry, she does expect to see a continued growth in demand for colored stones and antique rings.

“People try to choose engagement rings that reflect their personality,” she said. “I’m sure a lot of people don’t want to be associated with something affordable and easily accessible.”

As the natural diamond industry adapts and contracts, both Tarasova and Katz predict Beverly Hills will remain a key marketplace where people come to seek natural stones.

“Beverly Hills is synonymous with luxury and heritage and timeless style,” said Tarasova. “The clientele here values craftsmanship, making it a natural house for a natural diamond market and destination for global shoppers who trust Beverly Hills with the highest standards of quality.” 

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The new Rolex Boutique opened to great fanfare on Dec. 4 at 312 N. Rodeo Drive. Operated by Gearys, the 6,200-square-foot building features a custom green twisted-glass façade designed to evoke the brand’s classic Oyster model.

“This project started a little over five years ago when Rolex wanted a bigger presence on Rodeo Drive,” Tom Blumenthal, President and CEO of Gearys, told the Courier. “My family has owned Gearys for over 65 of its 95 years. We’re well entrenched in this community, and this space was really just a perfect location. So, five years ago, the spark was lit.”

The new flagship took 3 years to design and 1.5 years to complete. Previously occupied by Dolce & Gabbana, the work plan included modifications to the exterior and the building of a third floor with a rooftop terrace.

Highlights of the new boutique include a stucco wall depicting the Los Angeles skyline, a green marble bar, green marble walls and a circular wood staircase connecting all three levels.

The second floor includes a cylindrical after-sales service area, where watchmakers are available to help clients with their timepieces. The third-floor rooftop is reserved for private events and to host VIP customers.

“It’s a wonderful partnership with Rolex that my family has had for over 25 years,” Blumenthal said. He added that the Rolex timepieces in highest demand are off-catalog, one-of-a-kind watches that are not available to the public and gem-set pieces.

 

In addition to a press conference, festivities included an evening event in which a portion of Rodeo Drive was closed off. City officials and dignitaries gathered to celebrate the newest addition to the famed street. Making a special appearance was tennis legend Roger Federer, who has long been associated with the brand.

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The revamped building has been transformed into a gleaming white structure with floating rectangular boxes, punctuated by high-contrast black architectural elements. Jasmine blooms from an undulating ribbon of hidden stairs. A crisp black flag emblazoned with the white House of Givenchy logo is hoisted above the rehabilitated geometric spire on the rooftop. 

Formerly Anderton Court Shops, the nearly 8,000-square-foot multistore, mini-mall complex was designed by American master architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Built in 1954, it is one of just two commercial buildings on the West Coast designed by Wright. On May 14, 2004, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. While many businesses have set up shop in its various storefronts over the decades, House of Givenchy is the first single-occupancy tenant in the building’s history. 

“For Givenchy’s first permanent store in Los Angeles, it was important to select a space that would resonate with our brand,” Valerie Leon, President of the Americas at Givenchy, told the Courier. “Given Hubert de Givenchy’s love of art and architecture, the Frank Lloyd Wright building felt like the right choice, and the opportunity to bring Givenchy to life there was amazing.”

According to Leon, the brand unearthed another connection between the building and the label’s late founder, designer Hubert de Givenchy. Wright was commissioned to build Anderton Court Shops by a local heiress in 1952 and began initial sketches that same year. Givenchy, a continent and an ocean away in Paris, opened his first boutique in 1952. 

For its Beverly Hills flagship, retaining the building’s historic character and integrity was the top priority for Givenchy, who collaborated with Victor Fuentes, principal architect at Lochte Architecture Group, and Flora Chou, associate principal and cultural resources planner at Page & Turnbull, in preserving and rehabilitating the rare architectural gem. 

With the goal of creating a one-of-a-kind space where shoppers could appreciate a full-sensory Givenchy experience, the original multistore concept was preserved but reimagined as completely separate shops and storefronts for the men’s and women’s ready-to-wear collections. Each has its own street-level entrance. 

The brand’s Fall 2024 Pre-Collection along with a variety of items from its very latest high summer collection “Givenchy Plage” are currently available in both shops. Limited edition pieces designed specifically for the opening of the Beverly Hills flagship are also available. These include the brand’s most popular best-sellers, the “Shark Lock” cowboy boot and “Antigona” handbag, reprised in studded white leather with turquoise stitching in homage to Givenchy’s new West Coast locale.

Next year, the fashion brand plans to begin phase two of its Rodeo Drive complex. “We have more work to do, but we didn’t want to wait forever,” Leon told the Courier. “We wanted to open as quickly as we could to start being able to have a new conversation with clients.” Leon wouldn’t reveal specific details, but said the plans included “a very special client experience opening next year,” adding, “Stay tuned, we have many more treats to come.”  

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Take the super-luxe One Beverly Hills, a mixed-use, high-end development designed to exceed California’s own ambitious sustainability goals. The Beverly Hilton and the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills received major energy-saving upgrades propelling both properties to the forefront of sustainable hospitality. The Darrow Office Building, designed by master architect John Lautner, will become a high-tech case study of adaptive reuse. And offices at 9000 Wilshire Blvd. and 433 N. Camden Drive recently underwent multimillion-dollar efficiency overhauls to achieve the highest levels of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification possible.

By combining stunning architectural design with state-of-the-art green technologies, these developments demonstrate that luxury and sustainability (and preservation and progress) can go hand in hand. They’re the next generation of green buildings set to transform Beverly Hills into the city of the future.

Earlier this year, the jaw-dropping One Beverly Hills broke ground. The project is led by Cain International alongside OKO Group, and Alagem Capital remains a committed partner. With a master plan designed by architecture firm Foster + Partners, the development will set a new standard for future sustainable developments in Beverly Hills and beyond. 

Helming the firm is world-renowned British architect, Norman Foster, an English lord best known for his sea cucumber-shaped tower in London, colloquially referred to as The Gherkin. For One Beverly Hills, he brought his future-looking touch to the designs, but behind the opulent facade, is a complex maze of precious resource-saving systems. “The project also aims to integrate various technologies to significantly reduce emissions and energy use,” Lord Foster told the Courier.

Renderings for the development show a sprawling 17.5-acre site with new Aman branded and operated properties (designed by Kerry Hill Architects) including a pair of 28-story residential towers, a 10-story, 78-suite luxury hotel, a private clubhouse and a fine dining restaurant.

Each structure will use a central geothermal system, harnessing the Earth’s constant soil temperature to efficiently create heat and hot water, and reject heat for cooling without the use of gas. A chilled water thermal energy storage system will reduce the number of cooling towers needed, saving millions of gallons of water annually. 

Along with a solar panel array and battery storage, the buildings will be outfitted with a high-tech electrical system that will allow them to maximize imported electricity in real-time intervals when grid generation is composed of renewable energy sources.

What promises to be one of the most breathtaking elements of One Beverly Hills is the 10 acres of botanical gardens and open space that will surround it. Thousands of new plantings of native plants, trees and shrubs will transform the Wilshire gateway—a total of 8.5 acres of carbon dioxide-absorbing parkland, with 4.5 acres publicly accessible. Global design collective RIOS, with its founding partner Mark Rios leading the team, was tapped to oversee the design. 

“Foster + Partners’ idea to cover the entire site with a green blanket was brilliant,” said Rios. “It fulfills the overall vision of Beverly Hills to be a ‘garden city.’ We hope to make that dream a reality by providing an authentic ‘California landscape experience’ to enable everyone to learn about and appreciate the natural beauty of our place in Southern California.”

Astoundingly, the extensive landscape will be 100% water sustainable. Stormwater and greywater generated from condensation inside residential towers and cooling towers will be collected onsite and stored in cisterns and recycled back into the landscape.

In addition, “The master plan design encourages multimodal transportation options, promoting walking, cycling and the use of alternative transport modes, including electric vehicle charging facilities,” Lord Foster told the Courier.  “With flora and fauna returning to the site, One Beverly Hills will establish a new model for sustainable master planning in the region, with a flavor that is distinctly Californian.”

Part of the master plan for One Beverly Hills integrates the existing Beverly Hilton and Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills into the unified site through cohesive landscaping. Both hotels received a significant upgrade to their heating and cooling systems, which typically account for more than 70% of a hotel’s power consumption. 

Recently, a 1.4 megawatt-hour energy storage system from Nostromo Energy was installed inside The Beverly Hilton and also serves the adjacent Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. The Israeli-based company’s patented IceBrick technology uses power from the grid when renewable energy levels are high to freeze water into ice. In the late afternoon and evening, when power demand reaches its highest levels, the ice is used for cooling instead of drawing fossil-based energy from the grid. The IceBricks chill the buildings for less than 50% of current cooling costs and reduce carbon emissions by 150-200 metric tons annually. This translates to more than 5,000 metric tons reduced throughout the system’s lifetime.

 “We are proud to partner with Nostromo to bring cutting-edge green technology to The Beverly Hilton,” said David Ecija, General Manager of The Beverly Hilton. “This partnership is an extension of our history as a forward-thinking property, focused on the future and what is good for our community.”

In addition to its energy-saving efforts, the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills also recently invested in a high-tech greywater system by Epic Cleantec. Water collected from sinks, showers and washing machines is captured, rigorously filtered and disinfected before it’s reintroduced back into the building for non-potable uses such as landscaping or toilets, which account for a quarter of total water usage. The new system reduces the hotel’s water consumption by more than 90%.

“We are dedicated to creating a healthier environment for both our guests and our employees. The Epic Cleantec greywater system is yet another way that we are putting sustainability at the forefront of all we do,” said Antonio Bugarin, General Manager at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills.

Over the years, the Lautner building at 9884 S. Santa Monica Blvd., originally designed for John Darrow in 1946, was home to various tenants—a nail salon, medical offices and a drug store. But under its current owner, the Angeleno Group, a late-stage venture capital and investment firm focusing on climate change-related technologies, it’s set to become a stunning state-of-the-art sustainable model of adaptive reuse. 

The Darrow Office Building’s brick facade with its iconic louvered shutters will remain virtually unchanged, save for the reinstatement of a few ornamental details that had been removed over time, and of course, the addition of the hotly contested third floor, a glass-walled, floating rooftop patio designed by acclaimed architect, Hagy Belzberg, who won an award for his trailblazing design of the Holocaust Museum LA.

Preserving this historical architectural gem while simultaneously showcasing futuristic tech was the goal. Putting Beverly Hills on the map as the destination for sustainable tech became a mission for Angeleno Group’s Co-Founder Yaniv Tepper. 

“Some years ago, when I was asked where to find the most interesting green building technologies in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills wasn’t high on that list. That’s not what people go there for, but I grew up in Beverly Hills,” Tepper explained. “I went to Beverly Vista and Beverly High. And for me to have to go see green technologies down near the Port of Long Beach or in Santa Monica, it pained me.” In 2021, the city of Santa Monica became the first local government in the nation distinguished with a Platinum certification under the LEED for Cities program. It was an honor that Tepper felt should belong to the city of Beverly Hills. “I wanted the city of Beverly Hills to be an example of these state-of-the-art technologies,” he said.

To that end, every facet of the company’s new headquarters, from the electric outlets to the windows, will be outfitted with cutting-edge, energy-saving and efficiency advancements, many from the group’s portfolio. 

Tepper plans to install what he calls “some pretty frontier stuff,” used mainly in residential applications. One example is the latest in intelligent circuitry from the tech company SPAN. It enables homeowners to choose their power source (the grid, solar or battery storage) and divert energy to high-use outlets where it’s needed most—all from an app on their phone. Visitors to the group’s new headquarters will be able to view the building’s energy consumption in real time via a giant SPAN screen in the building’s lobby. 

Revolutionary active lighting, which automatically adjusts supplied light levels and power usage to reduce waste, will be installed throughout the building. Solar roof panels will be maxed out, and the team is also looking into groundbreaking photovoltaic glass windows to shore up additional sun power. These look like ordinary windows, but cells hidden in the glazing convert sunlight into renewable energy, which can be banked and used when needed. In addition, four solar-powered electric vehicle charging stations will be installed onsite so employees, clients and visitors can charge their EVs during daylight office hours without straining the grid.  

 “We’re looking forward to this being the place where when people visit us, they’ll be able to see, touch and understand all these different green building technologies,” said Tepper. “They’re practical, they’re real, and they’re here.”

When it comes to working spaces, the city scores on the higher end of the national average with 27 LEED-awarded commercial buildings, according to recent statistics provided by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), which administers the complex LEED ranking system, the standard in evaluating sustainable building worldwide. “Because of the high number of luxury brands and high-end offices, Beverly Hills is a unique market for LEED and green buildings,” said Stephanie Gabriel, USGBC Pacific Regional Director. “These companies and brands are embracing LEED certification as part of their sustainability strategy and to enhance customer experience and satisfaction.”

Gabriel considers the remodel of the 46,000-square-foot office building at 9000 Wilshire Blvd. a stand-out example in Beverly Hills. “It implements green and sustainable strategies like water reduction and solar power generation while focusing on health and wellness with bicycle parking service and lots of natural light. This is why the project attained Platinum certification, the highest level a project can achieve.”

Another existing building deserving special mention, according to Gabriel, is the property at 433 N. Camden Drive. When StarPoint Properties, LLC bought the 12-story commercial office tower in 2018, it was the most expensive office building ever purchased in Beverly Hills. At a purchase price of $193 million, it still holds the record. The building recently earned its LEED Gold status after making a few small sustainability-related improvements. Simply replacing fluorescents and retrofitting lighting fixtures with LED bulbs throughout resulted in one of the most extensive cost and energy-related savings measures. StarPoint also received high marks for implementing a robust recycling program and reducing single-use plastics, such as bottles and utensils, across the entire building. 

“From an owner’s standpoint, investing in green renovations positions a building for long-term success. These green renovations optimize building maintenance, preserving the look and integrity of a building for years to come,” said Paul Daneshrad, Founder and CEO of StarPoint Properties. “Today, sustainability is expected; it’s part of our lifestyle. We believe that incorporating green elements into every project makes our environment healthier, and everyone—and every building—needs to contribute.” 

With this spate of new and updated green buildings, Beverly Hills is earning its place as a beacon of sustainability, a distinction rightly befitting this legendary destination. 

“Today, sustainability is expected; it’s part of our lifestyle. We believe that incorporating green elements into every project makes our environment healthier, and everyone—and every building—needs to contribute.”

– Paul Daneshrad, Founder/CEO, 

StarPoint Properties

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According to a recent Deloitte survey, nearly 80% of 150,000 adults spanning 23 countries claimed to have made at least one splurge purchase to lift their mood within a given six-month period. What’s surprising is that these indulgences were made across the board, regardless of age, income or gender. In fact, the study may have even debunked the long-held “lipstick index,” which used women’s purchases as the primary barometer of splurge spending. Deloitte’s poll showed that men were equally as likely to make emotional purchases and spend about 40% more when they do.

The latest designer launches are the definition of retail therapy, with enough vibrant pops of color and glowing neon to send dopamine production into overdrive. Research has shown that many reap the same mood-enhancing benefits as spenders just by window shopping. So, in theory, merely pursuing these pages should elevate your mood without ever putting an item in your cart or a credit card on the counter. Happy shopping!

BRIGHTEN UP

1. Deliciously reminiscent of tri-color swirls of Neapolitan ice cream, the Trinity ring from Cartier features ribbons of 18-carat white, yellow and rose gold. $6,100 at Cartier, 411 N. Rodeo Drive,  310-275-4272 and cartier.com
2. Whether you birdie or bogey, you’ll win style points on the fairway with this golf bag from the summer capsule collection by Louis Vuitton and L.A.-based artist Tyler, The Creator. $31,500 at Louis Vuitton, 295 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-859-0457 and louisvuitton.com
3. This Dior Men fluorescent-green polo shirt was made for the sporty gentleman who likes to stand out in a crowd. $890 at Dior Men, 362 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-247-8003 and dior.com
4. Carry your summer haul in this chic hand-woven tote from Valentino. It comes with a matching drawstring pouch that can be removed and used separately. $3,885 at Valentino, 324 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-247-0103 and valentino.com
5. Named after the first female to complete a solo transatlantic flight, the Amelia sunglasses by Saint Laurent capture the effortless cool of the fearless aviator. $560 at Saint Laurent, 326 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-271-5051 and ysl.com
6. Add a pop of color to any neutral-hued ensemble with these Gucci Signoria neon slingback pumps. Green not your thing? They also come in an electric pink shade. $1,100 at Gucci, 347 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-278-3451 and gucci.com

ULTRAVIOLET DELIGHT

1. Emilio Pucci’s bold prints were the epitome of glamour in the 1960s. They still are. This Pucci one-piece swimsuit is timeless, with an upgrade—it’s made of UV-resistant fabric. $500 at Saks Fifth Avenue, 9570 Wilshire Blvd., 310-275-4211 and saksfifthavenue.com
2. From the HardWear collection by Tiffany & Co., this white gold bracelet is simple enough to be worn every day, but with a single link covered in diamonds, it holds its own when paired with formal attire. $21,000 at Tiffany & Co., 210 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-273-8880 and
   tiffany.com 
3. Imagine the delight of guests at your next garden cocktail party when they’re served libations in these amethyst-hued glasses from L’Objet. The gem-colored glassware is also available in highball, old-fashioned and wine glass styles. They are sold in a set of four and come in purple (pictured), amber, Bordeaux (a garnet and blue topaz color combo) and a rich emerald green shade. $200 at GEARYS Beverly Hills, 351 N. Beverly Drive, 310-273-4741 and gearys.com
4. Part of the latest Colormania collection from Louis Vuitton, this four-piece luggage set will put a smile on your face—before you’ve even made your travel plans. $49,000 at Louis Vuitton, 295 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-859-0457 and louisvuitton.com
5. A wide-brim straw hat is an indispensable summer accessory. This simple, classic version from Dior is destined to become your go-to this season. $890 at Dior, 309 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-859-4700 and dior.com
6. You can ride the perfect break on this gorgeous wooden Fendi surfboard, but if you’d rather display it as decor, we wouldn’t judge. $8,900 at Fendi, 201 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-623-3420 and
   fendi.com 

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From varsity jackets to pixelated camouflage prints and denim fringe, the line includes an array of ready-to-wear pieces, leather goods, shoes, jewelry, sunglasses, bedazzled accessories and more. The brand’s signature Damier checkerboard print runs as a throughline, with checkered details on nearly everything. Inside, Parisian streetlights decorate the space and a large bookcase with Louis Vuitton city guides on the shelves opens up to a secret room. Hidden behind the bookshelf in a dark room, the spotlight is on the crown jewel of the collection: the Speedy Bandoulière bag. The bag comes in bright colorways, decorated with Louis Vuitton’s signature monogram. Over the summer, the $1 million made-to-order Millionaire Speedy bag, with its gold hardware, chain strap and pendant-encrusted diamonds, went viral when it debuted. According to Emily Huang, Director of Corporate Communications at Louis Vuitton, the new Speedy bags are expected to sell out first. Williams also collaborated with L.A.-based artist Henry Taylor for the collection, which features miniature reproductions of Taylor’s portraits as an alternate suit embellishment alongside the iconic LV.  

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A timely event five years in the making took place on Rodeo Drive July 5. The occasion was the groundbreaking and blessing of the space for the new Rolex and Patek Philippe Boutiques. The prime real estate at 312 North Rodeo has housed an illustrious array of tenants over the years, from facialist Georgette Klinger to fashionistas Dolce and Gabbana.

Thirteen months from now, it will house the largest Rolex and Patek Philippe boutiques in the country.

Thomas J. Blumenthal, President & CEO of Gearys Beverly Hills, welcomed family members and invited guests to the ceremony, including his parents, uncle Bruce Meyer, cousins Evan and Emily Meyer, Mayor Dr. Julian Gold, Vice Mayor Lester Friedman and members of the Gearys executive team.

In his remarks, Blumenthal noted that “Rolex and Patek Philippe both asked us to expand and do it in a very thoughtful and experiential way on the famous Rodeo Drive. When we started thinking about where that’s going to happen, I discussed with my uncle and my cousin and my parents and asked when the Dolce and Gabbana lease was up. They told me June of 2023. That was five years ago.”

Fortunately, time did not stand still.

“We waited and this is a spectacular location. It is so fitting for the two brands that we represent in the US,” he observed.

Blumenthal unveiled three sleek renderings of what the space will look like on the Rolex side, the front façade, terrace and the Patek Phillipe side. He then asked Father Ed Benioff, Pastor of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills, to provide a blessing.

Benioff obliged by sprinkling holy water around the space, asking for “blessings and success” for the planned endeavor.

Then, in recognition of the ceremony as demolition day one, Blumenthal took a sledgehammer to some remaining fixtures.

A Champagne toast followed, along with dessert bites from The Farm of Beverly Hills. When it came time to add remarks of his own, Gold described Blumenthal and his family as “Beverly Hills royalty.”

“You have done so much for this street and city. This is the next chapter. I’m sure it’s going to be beyond spectacular. On behalf of our community, we thank you,” said Gold. And then it was time for one more toast to the successful venture to come.

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Think of this curated collection of summer’s hottest items as an analog way to browse before you buy.

ORANGE CRUSH

1. You’ll be lapping up compliments wrapped in this Hermès terry cloth beach towel. With its sherbet hues and retro ‘60s pop vibe, it’s more like a work of art than a poolside necessity. $680 at Hermès, 434 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-278-6440 and hermes.com
2. No need to worry if you lingered too long at the shore (and who could blame you?); you can forgo an outfit change in these crisp and stylish two-tone swim shorts by Brunello Cucinelli. They can go straight from the beach to the bar, and no one would be any the wiser. $595 at Brunello Cucinelli, 220 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-724-8118 and shop.brunellocucinelli.com
3. The sleek, knife-edge design of the “Atlas X” hoop earrings by Tiffany & Co. was inspired by the jeweler’s famed 1886 engagement ring setting, which started it all. Roman numerals, etched into the sides of the polished 18-karat rose gold hoops, are a nod to the giant clock that sits atop the brand’s landmark Fifth Avenue flagship in New York. $3,600 at Tiffany & Co., 210 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-273-8880 and tiffany.com
4. Made of turquoise, coral and 18-karat rose gold, this bangle from the “Perlée” collection by Van Cleef & Arpels masquerades as an everyday casual bracelet, but it’s been keeping a secret. Slide the larger stone to the side, and you’ll discover an elegantly hidden timepiece with a mother-of-pearl dial and diamond-studded bezel. $37,800 at Van Cleef & Arpels, 300 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-276-1161 and vancleefarpels.com
5. Whatever you may call it—a fanny pack, hipster, or belt bag—the hands-free capabilities of this luxurious leather version by Gucci are invaluable when you’re traveling or going anywhere with small children. $1,700 at Gucci, 347 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-278-3451 and gucci.com
6. Slip this bright and breezy Carolina Herrera skirt over a one-piece bathing suit for a quick cover up or pair it with a simple white tank and dressy sandals for a chic upgrade. $635 at CH Carolina Herrera, 230 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-276-8900 and carolinaherrera.com

ICE POPS

1. Move over itsy-bitsy, yellow polka dot bikini, this sunny, pineapple print one-piece bathing suit from Eres is just as playful but decidedly more grown up. $496 at Eres, 9566 Dayton Way, 310-246-1008 and eresparis.com
2. Raise a glass to this stunning David Yurman cocktail ring. With a pale pink morganite gemstone at its center surrounded by circling 18-karat rose gold ribbons studded with pave diamonds, it looks like a bottle of Rosé chilling in a bucket of ice. $6,900 at David Yurman, 371 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-888-8618 and davidyurman.com
3. The cotton candy pink shade of Balmain’s “Sponge” shoulder bag calls to mind the spun sugar treats served up at county fairs and amusement parks, and it’s made out of the season’s most quintessential fabric—terry cloth.  What says “summertime” more than that? $1,500 at Balmain, 8421 Melrose Place, West Hollywood, 323-230-6364 and us.balmain.com
4. A cooler is an indispensable summer accessory and this “Tagalong” cube by Igloo, available at Nordstrom, will become your go-to for beach days and long car trips. It comes in five different taffy-like colors such as turquoise, orange, pink and yellow. $59 at Nordstrom, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., 424-207-1177 and nordstrom.com
5. With a highly anticipated live-action film based on the beloved doll coming out this summer, it certainly feels like it’s a Barbie world right now. Hop on Funboy’s Pucci-esque Barbie private jet pool float from Neiman Marcus and take the next non-stop flight to relaxation. $99 at Neiman Marcus, 9700 Wilshire Blvd., 310-550-5900 and neimanmarcus.com
6. Elevate a pair of faded jeans or white ankle-cropped capris with these Fendi slides. Their tufts of bubblegum-pink mink fur and sculptural block heels will add drama to any ensemble. (If pink isn’t your thing, they are also available in denim blue.) $1,490 at Fendi, 201 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-623-3420 and fendi.com

SEA & SHORE

1. When it comes to sun protection, you can’t go wrong in a classic wide-brim straw hat by Prada. The beauty is in its simplicity—it’s artfully woven and decorated only with the brand’s understated triangle logo. $1,100 at Prada, 343 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-278-8661 and prada.com
2. Channel your inner action star in these Tom Ford “Bronson” sunglasses, named after the inimitable Charles Bronson, who dazzled audiences in the ‘70s with his tough guy persona and effortlessly cool style. $555 at Tom Ford, 346 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-270-9440 and tomford.com
3. This gauzy, eco cashmere, crewneck men’s sweater by Amiri is made right here in Los Angeles. Its cascading shades of aquamarine give the effect of rolling waves crashing against the shore. $1,190 at Amiri, 461 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-878-2996 and amiri.com
4. Stuff this easily packable Longchamp “Le Pliage Filet” knit bag from Nordstrom in your suitcase, and you’ll have the perfect beach tote on hand for transporting towels and sunscreen on your next tropical vacation. $110 at Nordstrom, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., 424-207-1177 and nordstrom.com
5. Part Birkenstock, part pool slide—all comfort, these surprisingly lightweight, arch-supporting, lambskin “Dioract” sandals by Dior are perfect for strolling along the water’s edge or roaming the city streets of some far-flung destination. $1,050 at Dior, 309 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-859-4700 and dior.com
6. Inspired by minimalist Japanese design and hand-crafted from teak, these “Porto” solar lanterns from RH offer a dramatic play of light and shadow—all powered by the sun. $335 each at RH, 8564 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 310-652-0323 and rh.com

SAND DUNES

1. Made from natural raffia woven into a simple box pattern, the “Cassette” crossbody bag by Bottega Veneta is neutral enough to pair with your boldest summer garb. $3,400 at Bottega Veneta, 320 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-858-6533 and bottegaveneta.com
2. These flat-front Bermuda shorts by Loro Piana straddle the line between casual and leisure wear. The combo of silk and linen gives them a luxe look, but they’re so soft and comfy, you’ll want to sleep in them. $725 at Loro Piana, 360 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-860-0765 and us.loropiana.com
3. A garden trellis trompe l’oeil wraps this Giambattista Valli frock (available at Saks Fifth Avenue). Its effect is demure and sophisticated, yet appropriately flirty. $2,935 at Saks Fifth Avenue, 9600 Wilshire Blvd., 310-275-4211 and saksfifthavenue.com
4. Proof that there is elegance in simplicity, the “Gates” bracelet by Harry Winston features a single 18-karat gold rosette surrounded by 29 round, brilliant-cut diamonds. To Winston, the symbol represented opportunity, new beginnings and good fortune. $5,100 at Harry Winston, 310 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-271-8554 and harrywinston.com
5. Smartwatches and fitness trackers have their uses, but neither offer what the “Calatrava” by Patek Philippe does—zero software upgrades. It’s the epitome of a classic wristwatch guaranteed to stand the test of time. $40,216 at Gearys Patek Philippe, 360 N. Rodeo Drive, #2, 310-887-4200 and gearys.com/patek-philippe
6. If even the sturdiest of succulents put your gardening skills to the limit, the collection of incredibly realistic faux potted cacti at Pottery Barn will fool everyone. $299 at Pottery Barn, 300 N. Beverly Drive, 310-860-9506 and potterybarn.com

ANCHORS AWAY

1. These round, navy blue, acetone shades from Chanel, with their matching gradient lenses and detachable beaded necklace, are so chic they would make Jackie O jealous. $1,375 at Chanel, 400 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-278-5500 and chanel.com 
2. Crisp navy blue, horizontal stripes cross a field of white on this short-sleeved cashmere and silk sweater from Dior. And an 18th-century seafaring vessel decorates the front, just to send the nautical theme sailing home. $1,250 at Dior, 309 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-859-4700 and dior.com
3. Renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama is back for a second collaboration with Louis Vuitton. Her trademark Infinity Dots are reinterpreted in this cheerful tomato red and bright white top-handled clutch. $3,400 at Louis Vuitton, 295 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-859-0457 and louisvuitton.com
4. The “Yacht-Master II” from Rolex is the king of nautical watches. Launched in 1992 for navigators and skippers, the regatta chronograph celebrates sailing’s rich history. $18,700 at Gearys Rolex, 360 N. Rodeo Drive, #1, 310-887-4200 gearys.com/rolex
5. When the sun suddenly disappears behind a band of rogue clouds and the temperature plummets, women can opt for a poncho or a shawl, but for gents, it’s one of those times when having a hoodie on hand is a lifesaver. This bright red version from Balenciaga is not only functional, but it’s also high fashion. $1,290 at Balenciaga, 338 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-854-0557 and balenciaga.com
6. What summer barbecue or lawn party is complete without a game of bocce ball? This set from Shinola, available at Gearys, comes with its own rubber-bottomed canvas tote so you can bring the fun with you. $295 at Gearys, 351 N. Beverly Drive, 310-273-4741 and gearys.com

GOLDEN HOUR

1. With bright and bold blooms in hues that evoke the sky just before twilight, these jersey-knit pants from Etro are an upscale alternative to yoga pants, but just as comfy on long flights. $690 at Etro, 9501 Wilshire Blvd., 310-248-2855 and etro.com
2. Fans of HBO’s hit series “The White Lotus” couldn’t get enough of season two’s Portia (played by Haley Lu Richardson), particularly the character’s quirky (and divisive) fashion sense. We think this silk scarf hat with its Nappa visor by Fendi is the posh vibe she was going for in the look that won over social media. $650 at Fendi, 201 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-623-3420 and fendi.com
3. The hefty weight of the “Maxi Iconica” ring by Pomellato is impressive. But its bevy of baubles—pink tourmaline, orange sapphires, blue sapphires, tsavorite, red spinel, tanzanite and amethyst—is downright dizzying. $7,800 at Saks Fifth Avenue, 9600 Wilshire Blvd., 310-275-4211 and saksfifthavenue.com
4. Add a pair of these colorful, metallic leather slides from Valentino and like magic, you’ll transform your outfit from dull to dazzling. $1,150 at Valentino, 324 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-247-0103 and valentino.com
5. Known for its sumptuous “silk calfskin” leather goods, Loewe elevates the lowly wallet with a buttery trifold in swimming pool blue. $650 at Loewe, 327 N. Rodeo Drive, 310-388-6771 and loewe.com 

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“Thank you for all you do for me,” Nicolas replied.

“You wear the finest clothes,” Bijan shot back. 

“I’m grateful,” responded Nicolas earnestly. 

“What are you going to do when you are 30? Huh?” Bijan pressed.

Bewildered, Nicolas asked, “Dad, did I do something wrong?” 

Bijan’s penetrating eyes meet his son’s. 

“I’m sorry for whatever I did,” said Nicolas as he watched his father disappear through the office door.

Racking his brain, Nicolas struggled to understand his father’s anger. Thursdays were Nicolas’ day off from the boutique. But this day, his classes at Pepperdine University ended early. He decided to cruise on into Beverly Hills and surprise his father. As it turned out, his father surprised him. 

Bijan returned holding a gorgeous jacket. Recognizing the garment, Nicolas sighed in relief. It’s the one they designed together in Italy six months earlier. Its price tag was half the cost of his Porsche. 

Wrestling his generous nature, Bijan wanted to give his son the very best but feared the trappings of excessiveness would impede Nicolas’ desire for growth and accomplishment. 

Bijan put the jacket on Nicolas, and they stood together, father and son, looking in the mirror, proud of their design. “It’s my gift to you,” Bijan said. They hugged. The moment was special, more than Nicolas could have imagined.

It would be the last moment Nicolas would ever share with his father.

Back home in Malibu, a few hours later, Nicolas received the call. His father had suffered a stroke and was being ambulanced to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. 

Arriving at the hospital, Nicolas was greeted by his older sisters and other family members. Bijan was rushed into surgery, but the doctors explained there was little hope. The former Mayor of Beverly Hills, Jimmy Delshad, the highest ranking Iranian elected official in the United States at that time, hugged Nicolas and looked into his eyes. “You are Bijan now. You are a man. Make us proud.”

“It was the push I needed to give me strength,” said Nicolas. Over the next several days the Beverly Hills Police Chief, along with many other family friends, visited him and his family at his father’s house in Beverly Hills. 

Bijan Pakzad never regained consciousness. The man who built the legendary House of Bijan, the most expensive boutique in the world and the one and only international sartorial design house born in Beverly Hills, passed away two days later on April 16, 2011. 

Unlike his immigrant father from Tehran, Iran, Nicolas Bijan Pakzad was born at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the same hospital that tried to save his father, and the same medical center his beautiful daughter came into the world.

Bijou Bijan, named in honor of her grandfather, was born this year on 2-22-22. Her welcomed birth presented beyond reason, an eerily impactful connection to Bijan’s birth of April 4, 1944 (4-4-44). Was it coincidental or a sign of Bijan’s presence, a north star in his son’s life? Nicolas believes his father is watching over him both in his personal and his professional life. 

For years, Nicolas has had a burning desire to spread his wings and fly. 

“Like my dad felt at my age, I too felt a calling to achieve my own ambitions,” says Nicolas, now 30 years old. “I didn’t want to look back 25 to 35 years from now and know that I didn’t at least try, try to build my own legacy.”

What held him back?

“In starting my own brand, I wanted to make the right decision respecting my father’s legacy, a new creative endeavor, an extension of his legacy. It’s taking his traditions, his teachings, his generosity, his principles, his perfectionism, his authenticity, all the things that drove him, and giving it a new modern interpretation.”

NB44, a new luxury brand set to launch late this year, is Nicolas’ own line of bespoke menswear that’s less buttoned-up and formal. Aimed at a more youthful, modern clientele, “It’s a new service and experience that the world craves in today’s changing times,” explains Nicolas. And the name, NB44? It’s Nicolas’ initials coupled with the number that honors his father’s birth.

Nicolas is settling into his new role as father himself. He and his wife Roxy Sowlaty, who once starred on the E! Channel series the “Rich Kids of Beverly Hills,” are enjoying this exciting new chapter as parents.

Roxy and Nicolas were friends first. Born and raised in Beverly Hills, Roxy was introduced to Nicolas by her high school pal, Rob Kardashian, and she and Nicolas began to date a few years into the friendship. Turning towards design after graduating from USC and Parsons New School of Design with a master’s degree, Roxy, today, is a talented and successful interior designer with her own firm specializing in high-end residential projects.

In Paris, on the famous Pont des Arts bridge, she happily accepted Nicolas’ surprise proposal and planned a grand wedding in Italy.
COVID-19 derailed it to an intimate, beautifully glamorous garden wedding in their backyard seen by, according to Nicolas, millions of interested viewers on social media.

While showing me through their extraordinarily designed San Ysidro Ranch style traditional home in Beverly Hills, formerly Taylor Swift’s residence, Nicolas shares, “This is all Roxy. I take no credit.” 

With a spring in his step, Nicolas leads me up the stairs to visit the nursery, a charmingly sunny, perfectly outfitted baby nest in Bijan yellow. I learn, “Yellow” was a possible name choice, but Nicolas would not hear of it. Bijou, meaning “gem” in French, is a tribute to Bijan, and the name Nicolas wanted for his daughter, though he and Roxy both affectionately call her “BB.” He leans over the crib railing and touches BB’s beautiful face. It’s clear he’s mesmerized by her cooing sounds, her delicate beauty and the miracle of her presence. 

“I’ve never loved Roxy more than I do now. And the whole process of the pregnancy and giving birth, a whole new chamber of my heart has opened up. I want 20 more kids, but I am sure Roxy would object.” 

Returning back down the stairs, Nicolas acknowledges the importance of the Beverly Hills community to him just as it was to his late father. A few weeks earlier, Dean Viana, a former Captain of the Beverly Hills Fire Department, had come by to meet Bijou and to give Roxy and Nicolas CPR training now that they’re parents. Having stayed in touch over the years, he was one of the heroes who had tried to save his father the night Bijan was rushed to the hospital 11 years earlier. 

“There is no doubt of the contributions my father has made for Beverly Hills and, likewise, the contributions Beverly Hills has made for my father’s international success. It was a great partnership.” Nicolas cites the example of the Bijan designed cars. For years the Bijan one-of-a-kind yellow Bugatti and Rolls Royce cars were, and still are, parked in front of the store on Rodeo Drive. Not only did the city allow Bijan to do this, the City Council voted unanimously to award the House of Bijan its own yellow parking meter to match its car, a spectacle that hundreds of thousands of visitors to Beverly Hills enjoy every year. 

But the parking meter and cars are just small pieces of the Bijan legacy Nicolas inherited. As a young boy, the late Bijan Pakzad admired his father, an industrialist, especially how he dressed for work. His parents sent young Bijan, one of five children, three brothers and one sister, to be educated at the exclusive Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland and in Italy. His focus was design despite his parents’ desire for him to study engineering. He opened his first boutique called the Pink Panther in the heart of a thriving Tehran. By the age of 30, Bijan knew he would never reach his goals in clothing design unless he went to America. 

“He wanted to go to Beverly Hills. There he believed he could build and achieve the American dream,” shares Nicolas.

Bijan emigrated to the United States in 1973 and, along with his 50% partner Mr. Daryoush Mahboubi-Fardi, bought a parking lot on Rodeo Drive, the site for his future store. Three years later, in 1976, they opened the newly constructed “House of Bijan” on the east side of the 400 block of what has become one of the most famous streets in the world. For almost 50 years now, the House of Bijan reigns as a premiere shopping destination of the world’s elite. 

Sitting down with Mr. Mahboubi in the Bijan offices, he provides this heartfelt description of his past business partner and best friend.

“The first impression when you met Bijan was that he was very personable. He treated everyone with respect and in return everybody treated him with respect,” Mr. Mahboubi says. “He was very passionate about everything he did in life. He had passion for family, for business, for design, for food. Everything he did, he did it with an extraordinary amount of passion. There was no filter blocking it out, or dimming the strength of his passion. And the third thing you felt about Bijan was that he was truly talented. Personality, passion combined with talent made for a very special recipe for success in this business.” 

Soon the House of Bijan was touted the most expensive store in the world. The claim went uncontested as Bijan, cloaked in courage and fortitude, obtained and sustained his vision: The finest, exclusive sartorial house of quality and design, coupled with unmatched personal service. The result was a financial windfall. 

“The proof is in his success and in the relationships he built,” says Nicolas.  

At a time when boutique owners aggressively encouraged customers to enter their stores, enticing them with marketing devices such as sales and discounts, Bijan locked his front door and said he would see customers “by appointment only.” 

His reasoning was misunderstood, Mr. Mahboubi explains. 

“The first day we wanted to open the boutique, Bijan said, ‘Dar, I have an idea. I want to make it by appointment only.’ The only business of its kind in the world that was paying huge amounts of rent on the most famous street, Rodeo Drive, was saying, my doors are locked. As though you have to qualify to be able to enter. But that message was actually 180 degrees different from what Bijan meant. What he meant to say was, ‘I respect my customers so much that when they come into my boutique, they should not be waiting or wasting their time.’ So, for example, if we have 22 staff members in the boutique when a customer walks in, all 22 members attend to one customer. No other retail operation has that kind of setup. And that is true respect for the customer and his time. And almost all of our customers are extremely important. Their time is extremely valuable.” 

The average client’s attention to shop and buy is surprisingly short. 

“We only get 20 to 30 minutes from the customer,” says Mr. Mahboubi. “In those 20 minutes, we can either sell them $20,000 or $2 million and we choose to sell them $2 million (when) they’re capable of buying $2 million. We’re capable of showing them, to their satisfaction, $2 million worth of merchandise, in their exact fit, their exact taste, their exact color palette, and their exact fabrics that they love. We specialize in this. We kept the business very small, but we kept adding to the value of each customer.”

Mr. Mahboubi claims that many designers have tried to copy what they do.

“Nobody has ever succeeded in copying what our formula is or what our recipe is. It’s very unique. For example, everybody makes a suit and everybody pays from $1,000 to $3,000 for hand stitching, cutting and sewing. But nobody pays $2,000 per yard for the fabric. So, a sports jacket that takes 3 1/2 yards to pay $6,000 to $8,000 just for the fabric is unheard of. But because we know nobody else would actually dare to do that, we do it. And we do it with very special colors.” 

By 1985, from his second boutique located in Manhattan, the New York Times reported that Bijan had amassed 15,000 customers including kings, U.S. presidents, prime ministers, iconic movie stars, superstar entertainers and influential religious leaders. “Simplicity and honesty” best describe his clothing line, Bijan said in the article. In 2002 the New York boutique closed leaving Beverly Hills its original and only flagship boutique, allowing Bijan to remain solely in his favorite City of Beverly Hills and close to his young family.

Adding fragrances to his empire, Bijan began designing and manufacturing perfume for men and women in 1988, which earned him three prestigious Fragrance Foundation Awards, including one launched in partnership with Michael Jordan in 1997. In an article in the Los Angeles Times in 2001, Bijan Perfume and his fashion business had $3.2 billion in sales. Bijan’s designed perfume bottle is featured in the permanent exhibit of the Smithsonian Institution. 

As the only son, youngest child, and heir apparent to the House of Bijan brand, the weight on Nicolas’ shoulders was incomprehensible when his father died. Just 19 years old, a sophomore in college, a part-time employee of the business, Nicolas struggled to find his footing. Days later, when he turned on his computer, he found almost 5,000 emails, condolences from people Bijan had touched. 

One such letter came from an Iranian writer, Shirin Sadeghi, assigned to write Bijan’s obituary for the Huffington Post. In it she wrote, “He dressed President Obama, the Queen of England, Ronald Reagan, the Sultan of Brunei, Prince Charles, Bill Gates and any number of others of the powerful and wealthy of this world. But more than anything he dressed the soul of so many of us young Iranians in America who felt unwelcome and unsure of where we fit in within this massive country that had so much to do with what happened and was happening in our homeland. ‘The reason for my success is because I’m Iranian,’ Bijan said once. We never doubted it, or forgot his words.”

Bijan was revolutionary, not only as a clothing designer but also as an immigrant. Instead of being ashamed of his roots, he not only was proud of it; he used it as a part of his unique style. His authenticity began with his unwillingness to conform or completely assimilate. 

The House of Bijan’s website quoted Bijan, “The world said to conform, the world said to settle for less. The world said to compromise and no one would know. So I made my own world.” 

He didn’t change his Iranian name, his accent, or his ideals of dressing when he came to Los Angeles. He didn’t focus on his disadvantages or the people who resented him because of his former nationality. 

While he communicated through the vernacular of “broken English,” the powerful meaning behind his words was always understood. Nicolas considers that his father used his broken English to give himself more latitude with making his points and to “award himself permission to speak words that might ordinarily be considered inappropriate, but with an amusing charm and naivete.”

“Not willing to conform took serious courage,” says Nicolas, the kind of courage that became Nicolas’ guiding light. He had to accept the reality of his father’s sudden death, and push forward. “It is what it is and there’s nothing I could do about it. You sink or swim,” he says. And the affirmations of his father’s legacy, through the stories in the emails, truly helped. 

Nicolas remembers his father’s words, “You must be kind to everyone you encounter. Treat everyone with respect. Be polite, gracious, with everyone you meet. Because you never know who they are, or how they may come back in your life.” 

Nicolas’ parents had first met professionally when Bijan had hired Nicolas’ mother, Tracy Hayakawa, a model, for his fragrance lines. She, along with their children, would later be featured in countless ads, billboards, commercials and magazines in tribute. Half Japanese and half Irish, the exotic beauty was “the love of his life,” Nicolas shares, even though they were divorced by the time Nicolas was a year old. “My dad was in love with my mom until the day he passed away,” a gift Nicolas is grateful for as a child of divorced parents. Their relationship remained extremely amicable throughout Nicolas’ life. 

A product of many cultures, Iranian, Japanese, and Irish, Nicolas is proud to be an Iranian American as well as a Japanese American. But growing up, he was challenged by his inability to fully communicate through language with many of his family members, especially his Iranian grandfather. Bijan brought his entire family from Iran to Newport Beach, California. Nicolas’ grandmother, who is still alive today, is full Japanese. 

When Nicolas was a toddler, his mother began a relationship with the American billionaire businessman and philanthropist, David H. Murdock. Among many positions, Murdock was the Chairman of Dole Food Company, owner of the Hawaiian island of Lanai, and later would develop the luxury Sherwood Estates and Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks. His mother married Murdock a few years later, and young Nicolas was raised on the Murdock farm in Thousand Oaks. Shuffling between his weekdays on the sprawling farm and weekends in Beverly Hills with his father, Nicolas had a privileged life. Whether he was meeting royals or rulers of countries with his father, or running on pineapple plantations and christening cargo ships in Germany with his mother, there is no doubt Nicolas was exposed to the finest things life offered.

For father-son one on one time, Bijan would take Nicolas on long day trips in the car. Cars were a passion they both shared. Bijan had amassed a pristine car collection including designing multimillion-dollar cars in partnerships with Rolls-Royce and Bugatti and enjoyed sharing his love of automobiles with his impressionable young son. Often surrounded by people, this was Bijan’s way of bonding with Nicolas away from his staff. Cruising to the beach, on Sunset Boulevard, or up and down the coast, “that was our thing on Sundays,” Nicolas recalls fondly. 

“I remember the first conversation I had with my father about my future. We were driving on the 405 Freeway, about to get onto the 101 Freeway. Just me and him. I remember this; it’s engraved in my mind. He said, ‘I started my career with relatively little. Look where you’re starting. What you’re starting with. You could be as big as Ralph Lauren. You could be as big as Giorgio Armani.’ And by the way, Ralph Lauren and Giorgio Armani, they looked up to him. But the point is he was trying to instill in me that I cannot take for granted what he had created for me.”

This conversation did not intimidate Nicolas. Instead, it helped to mold him and make him feel confident. It also prepared him for what was to come all too soon.

“These profound discussions came from a point of this amazing love, from him to me. Losing your dad at 19, a complete shock in my life, a lot of people would ask themselves, ‘Oh my God was my dad proud of me? Did I make him proud?'”

Nicolas has no doubts.  

“Every day he was telling me how proud he was. It gave me a sense of ‘surety.’ I was very disciplined by him. He would be tough and hard on me, but he would always show so much love. And even after he would yell at me as parents yell at their children when they deserve it, because God knows I deserved it, he would embrace me after. I knew I just had to sit there and let him discipline me. And then after, he would make an appearance in my bedroom or wherever I was and try to spend quality time with me.”

Growing up with his mom and stepdad during the week and his father on the weekend gave Nicolas, he believes, the right balance. He just had to make sure to call his father every single day. 

“That was the rule, no matter what. You have to imagine, me being away from my father during the week was tough for him. I’m sure he felt like he was losing me. If I broke that rule and didn’t call him one day, I was scared to call him the next day. When I finally did, he’d ask why I didn’t call. Then he’d hang up on me. And I’d call him back or I’d be in more trouble. I know now, it was a lesson. I had to be present in my father’s life.”

While walking through Nicolas’ beautiful home during our interview, he points to a photo in his home office of his mother holding him as a baby and offers proudly, “Bijou is identical to her.” 

Nicolas has always been close with his mother. He describes her as a “very strong, powerful woman. She had to be to have been married to such incredible and powerful figures with her children. She’s my biggest supporter, my bodyguard, my protector.” 

Behind his desk, he leads me to personal letters, many from dignitaries including U.S. Presidents Bush 41, Clinton, Bush 43, Obama, and Trump and says, “I’m hoping for President Biden, too.” All contain the recurring theme of gratitude to Nicolas for helping them look good. There are also several signed photos of Muhammad Ali with whom Nicolas was very close to as well as a red glove signed by the two biggest boxers in the world, Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alverez. He explains, “They’re rivals as big as Ali and Frazer. They fight each other but they came together to sign this glove for me.”

On his desk sits a little leather sign, “It can be done.” It was his stepfather’s, and he shares, “I believe Mayor Lili Bosse has one on her desk, too.” He smiles, “I’m in good company.”  

Recently Nicolas celebrated his stepfather’s 99th birthday. Even after Nicolas’ mother and Murdock divorced when Nicolas was a teenager, Nicolas still credits him for instilling life’s values and teaching foundational lessons. 

“Mr. Murdock really did guide me from a boy to a man. And even after my father passed away, he was still guiding me from a boy to a man,” Nicolas says with reverence.

Nicolas’ mother shares, “David gifted little Nicolas his first car at 10 years old, a small two-seater truck to drive around the farm, a stick shift no less. I would often come home to find little Nicolas not studying with his tutor, but out driving the tutor around the ranch giving guided tours. It was something else to drive with him. He always enjoyed the company of adults and could relate with them as no kid could. Adults also always gravitated to young Nicolas; I believe they could see the ‘uniqueness’ and enjoyed his company.”

She goes on to explain how close Nicolas and his father were at the end of his life and how Bijan groomed him to take the reins. But, she adds, “At 19 Nicolas needed more time with him. The irony is that had Bijan not passed, Nicolas would not have had the opportunity and obligation to step into those very large shoes which he has done with such grace, dedication and love. He had to grow up very fast suddenly and navigate some very complicated matters and relationships; it was heartbreaking. But as Nicolas does, he won over hearts and proved himself and has grown into an extraordinary businessman in his own right. It is uncanny sometimes when Nicolas will do or say something exactly the way his father would have said or done or even ‘reacted’ to as a man now. Something Nicolas could not have learned from Bijan. It is almost as if Bijan himself is inside of Nicolas… Forget that Nicolas is the spitting image of his father down to his toes quite literally,” she laughs.

As a child, Nicolas loved hanging out on the farm with the horses, chickens and the cows, riding dirt bikes, driving his truck and going to school in Calabasas. He wanted nothing to do with clothing design or fashion.

“To be honest, if I was my father, I would have been a bit panicked,” Nicolas chuckles. 

But when girls came into the picture, the landscape changed. 

Nicolas remembers realizing, “this sartorial, handmade, beautiful clothing made in Italy, business, fancy cars, and all of these celebrities like Michael Jordan and the Presidents… I don’t care if the other option in my life was becoming the president of the World Bank, I’d say no.” Laughing assuredly, “I’m good with fashion.”

At 13 Nicolas knew he was “taking over the business.” He told his father, “I’m going to tell you how to do it!” But it wasn’t until Bijan was gone that Nicolas realized what a creative and authentic visionary his father was. 

“My father questioned conventional wisdom with respect to retail. He rejected or disrupted the status quo. He built the most expensive, most exclusive, highest quality men’s brand in the world and then told people they couldn’t have it. It was genius.” 

At the House of Bijan, exclusivity is critical. Most items are labeled and numbered like fine art. Usually only one or two pieces are made of the same design. Bijan would explain that his discernable client is intelligent and wants to feel as if he is wearing something unique and made just for him. Bijan firmly believed the cost of each garment had to reflect its production.

He also mastered the art of understanding and servicing the customer. 

“When somebody walked in to meet my father for the first time, he would say, ‘Who is this person that is in front of me?'” recalls Nicolas. “‘Is he conservative? Is he confident? Does he want to be perceived a certain way? But in reality, he’s not that way?’ Clothes speak very loudly or the presentation of somebody speaks very loudly. And even if they say, ‘I don’t care about clothes.’ That also says something. When you dress somebody, you have to understand who they are. You have to be able to understand what they want, even if they can’t tell you. My father did this so well.” 

Nicolas learned the art of customer service from his father. He shares that when he was 27, he met the “biggest retailer in the world, who also happened to be the richest man in the world.” He complimented Nicolas saying, “Customers rule, and you live it.” This is a motto for Nicolas’ new business. 

Customers did rule for Bijan, but he didn’t shy away from challenging societal conventions. As a disruptor, controversy surrounded some of his ad campaigns. Nicolas calls it his “provocative positive” style. The promotions had purpose. “They were not reckless, like some of the campaigns today,” he says. An example was Bijan’s ads in 2000 that featured a nude rotund model named Bella. Bijan defended the ads saying they paid homage to painters, Peter Paul Rubens, Henri Matisse and Fernando Botero, some of whom are in his own collection. “I embrace the beauty of all women,” Bijan said. The backlash turned to acceptance when Tina B

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As part of her Business with Bosse initiative, Mayor Lili Bosse visited the Flour Shop on June 9 inviting the community to sample their sweet treats. Flour Shop, which opened on South Santa Monica Blvd. in August of 2020, is known for their colorful desserts and signature Explosion Cake that explodes with rainbow sprinkles when cut. Attendees posed with Bosse in front of the shops floor-to-ceiling painted rainbow, received a free cake ball and a Flour Shop discount code to use at a future date.

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According to Rite Aid employees, the company notified staff on March 7 that its doors will be closing on March 21. 

“We expect Rite Aid may sublease or work to negotiate an early termination of the lease,” the city’s Chief Communications Officer Keith Sterling told the Courier. “In either case, we expect Rite Aid to pay the full rent due under the lease. In anticipation of the vacancy, we will take steps to begin marketing the space.”

According to Sterling, the city was ready to begin preliminary talks to renew the lease with Rite Aid on Bedford. 

“Like all retail businesses, we regularly review each of our locations to ensure we are meeting the needs of our customers, communities and overall business,” the company said in a statement. “During our December Q3 earnings call, we announced that we would be closing 63 stores across the U.S. approximately 2 percent of our total locations. A decision to close a store is one we take very seriously, and those decisions are based on a variety of factors that retail businesses consider such as overarching business strategy, lease and rent considerations, local business conditions and viability, and store performance. We review every neighborhood to assure our customers will have access to health services, be it at Rite Aid or a nearby pharmacy.” 

While the Bedford location will no longer exist, Rite Aid is encouraging customers to transfer their prescriptions to the nearby Canon Drive location. As stated by Rite Aid, the company provided associates at this location with other job opportunities at nearby pharmacy locations.  

“Rite Aid has been an excellent tenant at this location for more than 30 years and we are disappointed to hear about the closure,” Sterling said. 

Nearby boutique pharmacy Mickey Fine is hoping to take on customers left without their drug store of choice. “If you are not a Mickey Fine customer already, please consider breaking free from the chain drug stores and joining us as Rite Aid on Bedford is closing this week,” read a March 14 email. 

In response to the announced closure, community members remember the chain drug store fondly. In a March 16 Instagram post, Vice Mayor Lili Bosse remembers the drug store as “a staple in our hometown. We all felt sad when we heard that corporate was closing 63 locations and Bedford is one of them starting March 21. I will always remember running in for greeting cards, candy (yes candy), and just whatever I needed.”

“This is a big loss to the community,” resident Anthony Ferrara told the Courier. “That pharmacy was a good alternative to the Rite Aid on Canon, which is always busy and chaotic. The one on Bedford also provided a good shopping resource, almost like a convenience store, to residents and employees of all the offices and businesses in area.” 

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Leasing activity reported by the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce shows that the city remains a sought-after destination for business owners. Dozens of new shops and restaurants have opened in the city this year, with at least 20 more set to debut in 2022. Additionally, hotels such as The Maybourne Beverly Hills and the Beverly Hilton are continuing to invest in their spaces with luxurious renovations planned for next year.

“Businesses were up significantly over 2019,” Chamber President and CEO Todd Johnson told the Courier. “There were not very many that I talked to that were worse off. I think the industry that took the hardest hit is: one, the restaurant world, and two, the hotels.” On Dec. 28, Lawry’s The Prime Rib on La Cienega Boulevard announced the restaurant would be temporarily closed for dining-in due to “unforeseen challenges and staffing issues related to the pandemic in recent weeks.” The announcement came shortly after Lawry’s canceled the Lawry’s Beef Bowl, an annual tradition in which the Rose Bowl teams are invited to dine at the Beverly Hills restaurant. Lawry’s is still fulfilling to-go orders.

“Our business is good, it’s not off the charts, but if we had a stronger quarter one of this year, we would be beating 2019,” Duke Hagenburger, the General Manager of menswear store ISAIA Beverly Hills, told the Courier. “We’ve been here for six and a half years, and we had a phenomenal 2019. And then, like everyone else, we had a tough time in 2020. We’ve seen it build back up, starting in the spring and going through summer, into the fall and the holiday.”

Located at 9527 Brighton Way, Hagenburger attributes some of the store’s stability to its highly localized clientele. “We’re not relying on people to come into town to buy from us,” he said. “It’s a relationship-based business.” Known for Italian hand-made menswear, ISAIA offers a tailormade Neapolitan shopping experience. 

“We are fortunate, as a family business, to not have production issues,” Hagenburger said. “Yes, it’s a little slower and our deliveries are later than normal, but not ridiculous. With omicron, I think we’ll have a little bit of fluidity in the first month or two of 2022, but the customer is definitely back in and they’re ready.”

Last year, Tara Riceberg, owner of Tesoro Beverly Hills, worried about not having customers in her shop. This year, she worried about not having enough product. “Thankfully I was able to order from various sources to fill my shelves with beautiful and purposeful objects,” Riceberg told the Courier. “I think I had a strong holiday season because the city provided valet parking on Canon and I kept the store open on Friday and Saturday for late night shopping.”

With fewer street meters to make room for outdoor dining parklets, Riceberg was concerned that her store would suffer due to the lack of street parking. Soon after she voiced these concerns to the city’s Small Business Assistance Task Force, “my loading zone meters were removed and the valet was there,” she said.

With the omicron surge, Riceberg is anticipating a dip in sales. She plans to strengthen online and curbside pick-up again. “At the end of the day, the health of my team and customers is my priority.” She added, “I’m really proud of the city’s efforts to help small business survive and thrive during these challenging times.”

The city’s efforts in these challenging times have definitely paid off, if the roster of new businesses is any indication. Openings expected in 2022 include Jon and Vinny’s (454 N. Bedford Drive), Breadblok (260 N. Beverly Drive), Jeni’s Ice Cream (445 N. Beverly Drive), Beverly Bar (434 N. Camden Drive), Full Proof Pizza (371 S. Doheny Drive), Lorenzo California (9529 S. Santa Monica Blvd.), My Thai Thing (9632 S. Santa Monica Blvd.), Maple & Ash (235 N. Beverly Drive), Erewhon Market (233 S. Beverly Drive), Philz Coffee (233 S. Beverly Drive), Tommy’s (235 N. Canon Drive), Great Art Space (9465 S. Santa Monica Blvd.), The Shade Store (9565 S. Santa Monica Blvd.), Velverie (9737 S. Santa Monica Blvd.), Sweetgreen (245 N. Beverly Drive), ASRV (340 N. Beverly Drive), Sotheby’s Auction House (350 N. Camden Drive), Maddox Gallery (425 N. Canon Drive), All’Antico Vinaio (9523 S. Santa Monica Blvd.) and Shake Shack (9601 S. Santa Monica Blvd.). 

“I think it’s pretty encouraging, to be honest,” Johnson told the Courier. “Other cities are really struggling, and our spaces are getting filled up. I think the brand, and the fact that you’re able to work in Beverly Hills or have a business is still very alluring to people. When I talk to the other Chamber presidents, they tell me that things are kind of tough.”

Additional reporting by Samuel Braslow 

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From Tesora to Tiffany and TASCHEN, this is where to find the perfect last-minute gifts for your host or hostess in Beverly Hills.

It’s been dubbed the city’s best gift shop – and with good reason. Tesoro means ‘treasure’ in Spanish and Italian and that is exactly what you will find here – a treasure trove of unique items for every age group. Owner Tara Riceberg has curated a celebration of function and beauty in her small shop next door to Umberto on Canon Drive. The diverse bounty ranges from ANNA New York gilded crystal agate serving platters to Ron Robinson’s Apothia line, eucalyptus shower tables and almond foot balm.

Yet some of her go-to favorites for hostess gifts are Christian Lacroix stationary or a puzzle. “Maybe I’ve never been to your house, and I don’t know if you are vegan or drink,” she told the Courier. “These are amazing gifts for a 90-year-old to a 30-year- old.” For a kitchen favorite, she recommends the Gastro Obscura with salt from Sweden. “You hand grate the salt and pepper over the food. This is for someone who lives North of Sunset,” she added. Riceberg also recommended something unique for unwinding: Lavender dryer sachets. “You pop your PJs in the dryer with these before bed and the scent aids sleep. It’s $20, and great for a girlfriend.”

Every gift over $20 can be packaged in hand-painted custom gift-wrapping paper on request. “It elevates the gift-giving experience,” she said. “All hostess gifts are pre-wrapped for grab and go.” And, you can’t beat the valet parking right in front during this hectic last-minute shopping season.

We know that Gearys is a local staple for high-quality gifting and you can find lovely candles and diffusers past the jewelry cases, but for something with a little more flair, look no further than the Georg Jensen collection. This brand is loaded with sleek and stylish hostess gift ideas, such as stainless steel Champagne stoppers for $39, a fancy deck of cards in a silver case, $59, and simple photo frames starting at $69. Another great gift find upstairs at Gearys is a Baccarat Biseau Budvase for $170, which would look lovely in any home.

For great gifts for your host or hostess to enjoy after the party, The Beverly Hills Hotel carries branded sleep masks, pillowcases, coffee mugs and PJ’s with a pink and white stripe. This is also a gift for friends and family that you might be traveling to visit around the holidays. Who wouldn’t want to receive a little piece of Beverly Hills that you can only get from the famed “Pink Palace.” Prices start at just $36.

If you know the person you are visiting is planning a trip soon themselves, head to Scandia on Beverly Drive for a Down Travel Attache?. This gift looks like a pillow but unfolds into a plush, throw-sized comforter filled with European white down and finished in a cotton sateen that’s available in seven colors for $270 each. The brand also offers Scandia Home 100% cashmere blankets and throws produced in one of Italy’s finest family-operated mills. Each is beautifully gift-boxed ranging from $598- $1,785. Hand towels for the powder room are also a wonderful gift idea, and Scandia carries an array of 100% linen versions with hand embroidery for $48 each.

If you know your host or hostess likes to use name cards for dinner guests, Paper Source on Brighton Way is the place to find packages of up to 50 in all the popular colors for $7.95. They also stock Sugarfina candy cubes with gummy bears from rose to Champagne flavors for $9.95 and small votive candles including the popular Roland Pine, which also make great table setting gifts. You can also go whimsical and bring a small stocking stuffed with holiday sunglasses adorned with antlers or trees, along with novelty ornaments that have the likeness of RBG (Ruth Bader Ginsburg) to Betty White for $22.95.

Conceived by celebrated French designer Philippe Starck, TASCHEN in Beverly Hills is the store’s first outpost in the U.S. It continues to thrill with showstopping coffee table books. Current bestselling tomes include

“Portrait of a City,” a tribute to Los Angeles with photos going back to the 1800s; “The James Bond Archives” – a historic look at all the films – or the Pucci book wrapped in vintage fabric. And, depending on your hosts’ interests, there are books on everything from fine arts to architecture and sneakers to car collecting. A standout is “The Library of Esoterica, which covers the history of witchcraft, and before you give this one the side-eye, the store manager told us they can’t keep it on the shelves. Prices range from $40 to $250 and up.

Although they are known for jewelry and trinkets, tried and true Tiffany gifts include the Elsa Peretti Bone candlesticks and cake plate ($3,000 and $500, respectively). New this year are simple, yet elegant crystal ornaments that evoke a tree or bell shape for $375 per set, along with Modern Bamboo single old-fashioned glasses for a whiskey on the rocks by the fire.

One of the perennial holiday joys is browsing through the Neiman Marcus Christmas catalog for over-the-top purchases, but you can also pick-up a few last-minute hostess gifts at the Wilshire Boulevard store. Best- sellers included the Jonathan Adler Botanist Backgammon game ($395), which is exclusive to the store; Versace Kitchen Apron ($395); a Jo Malone Dining Candles Collection, $70 for a set of four; or Nest Fragrances Holiday Classic Candle & Diffuser sets start at just $7.

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Gucci

If the friend you’re gifting is a serious foodie, the newly Michelin-starred Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura Beverly Hills, has partnered with one of the pastry world’s most distinguished and creative minds, Roy Shvartzapel, to create two limited-edition Panettone for the Holiday Season. Both sweetened breads (one with orange and gianduja, the other with candied orange and raisin) are packed in a beautiful limited-edition collectible tin designed by Gucci. (It is available at the store for $150 each.)

Like everyone in business during the past few years, Christian Navarro at Wally’s was searching for new products due to logistical issues. “We are always looking for unique high-quality products,” he told the Courier. Or, in some cases, it’s best just to go back to a tried-and-true old favorite.” 

To that end, Navarro has rediscovered and recommends Henriot Champagne, which has been around for 100 years and is a great quality bottle for a fair price (NV Henriot Blanc De Blancs Brut, $70). For a new rosé, the Lady A hits the top of the mark this season with a label designed by Damian Hirst for $20 a bottle. “It’s the best, least expensive you will find,” said Navaro. Finally, for red wine drinkers, no holiday table is complete without a Pinot Noir from Oregon such as the Nicholas J. for $60.

First Light is a small New Zealand company that produces some of the world’s best grass-fed Wagyu cattle. This environmentally conscious cooperative of family farmers is responsible for naturally marbled beef with Omega 3’s that is Certified Humane, Halal and sustainably raised with zero antibiotics, hormones or GMOs. This beef is also served at mat? on South Beverly Drive and can be ordered individually via Thrive Market starting at $8.99, but you might want to look into the meat lover’s box for $209.99, or check out steakclub.firstlight.farm for monthly deliveries. 

For a sumptuous gift basket, Eataly at the Westfeld in Century City has an array of condiment baskets for any cook or Italian food lover. Two great finds for bringing to your host or hostess include The Truffle Feast gift box ($299) with 12 styles of truffles from pasta to pistachio chocolates or the Taste of Natale box ($134.91) with a highly sought-after Tartuflanghe (black truffle sauce). 

Another top spot for holiday hostess baskets is The Cheese store on Beverly Drive. They also have a rare and limited Vacherin mont d’ore gooey cheese that is sold in a self-contained wooded round box for $55. This special fromage from France is only available seasonally. This is also the time of year to buy white truffles from Alba, which start at $400 per ounce. The store has them available, and you can even buy one fresh truffle and place it in a festive small box. In addition, they are the main retailer in Beverly Hills for Chocolates from Coco Suisse, priced from $6 to $20.  

Gourmet food distributor La Megara, specializes in a variety of food and home wholesale products made from the finest quality ingredients imported from Tunisia and the Mediterranean. The best-sellers include organic olive oil ($11.99 for 750ml), sardine tins, jars with harissa or tapenade, plus you can also order a set of their 3 small olive wood bows, salad hands or cutting boards to go with the gift starting at just $10. These are all finished with wax for a longer lifetime and treated with olive oil. You can order online at lamegara.com or if you are a local, please call 310-887-7044 to arrange for a pick-up at the Canon Drive office.  

Celebrity favorite for special occasion cakes, Sweet Lady Jane, opened on South Beverly Drive over the summer. Known widely for the triple berry cake, the “Beverly” cake was created specifically for the 90210-location. This confection is a yellow butter cake with layers of chocolate mousse and vanilla cream, frosted in chocolate ganache and covered in a chocolate glaze with delicate flowers and leaves of 24-carat gold leaf. The six-inch is sold for $60, eight-inch for $80. They also have an assortment of Hanukkah and Christmas cookies and other specialty holiday cakes that would be a welcome treat.

For coffee aficionados, long-time favorite European spot, ORO Caffé on Santa Monica Boulevard is under new management. They are currently selling Columbine ground coffee from Africa ($7.95 per 200 grams). Or, drip coffee from Costa Rica, Columbia, Brazil and Ethiopia by Mondo. The medium roast, 100 percent Arabica coffee is creatively packaged in 10 individual servings per box with its own pop-up filter that you can place in a cup and just add water ($14.99), which makes a great gift for home or even the office.  

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“I think [COVID] is probably the most devastating thing that could’ve happened to the local economy, if not the world, that we’ve all seen in many of our lifetimes, and hopefully it’s the last thing in our lifetimes,” said Johnson.

In the U.S. about 164,000 businesses closed in the first seven months of the pandemic, according to Yelp.com data. California fared the worst at nearly 40,000 closures, half of which were permanent. 

Locally, the City of Beverly Hills reported that its top revenue generating industries were down a combined 18% during the pandemic. These include property tax, sales tax, hotel tax and business tax.

 Johnson said the Chamber’s first goal is to simply recognize fully vaccinated companies by announcing them on their website and in their newsletter. The Chamber’s hope is that the list will give customers an added sense of safety when visiting the businesses and help drive renewed vitality in the local economy.

“It’s not browbeating anyone that’s not 100%, all we’re doing is saying, ‘Hey congratulations, you’re 100% vaccinated,'” said Johnson. “We’re just trying to take a topic that’s obviously very political and just find the good in it by applauding businesses who are fully vaccinated, and then we’ll continue to acknowledge businesses that reach that as time goes on.”

Thus far, the “fully vaccinated” list includes O’Gara Coach Company, Runyan Capital and the Chamber’s own offices. The Chamber defines 100% vaccination as “all employees are fully vaccinated or have a medical or religious exemption.” Fully vaccinated businesses in the city are encouraged to reach out to the Chamber to be listed.

“Runyan Capital is an office of five that interacts with clients face-to-face frequently, so I encouraged everyone on our team to get vaccinated at their earliest opportunity,” the firm’s founder and owner Jeff Runyan told the Courier. “From my perspective, we help our clients with managing their wealth and the safety of their investment portfolio. So for us to do our part to protect ourselves and protect our clients’ health, it only made sense to be vaccinated.”

In Los Angeles County, about 74% of people 12 years or older are now fully vaccinated,  according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More than 67% of eligible California residents are fully vaccinated. The U.S. is still seeing high COVID-19 hospitalization rates for children ages 5 to 11, according to the CDC, which is now encouraging vaccinations for that age group.

“I’m a member of the Chamber and the Beverly Hills Rotary Club, and a longtime goal of Rotary International has been to rid the world of polio,” said Runyan. “They have worked tirelessly for nearly four decades to achieve this. So, if Rotary International can contribute to accomplish a worldwide goal through vaccinations and vaccinations contribute to the safety of our community, our city–ultimately our county and the world–it wasn’t about me making a choice at all.”

In Beverly Hills, about 25 new businesses have opened or signed deals in 2021 to open soon, according to Chamber staff. Johnson said Beverly Hills businesses may have fared better than their counterparts in many neighboring cities during the pandemic but there is still a need to push economic recovery forward.

“There’s a lot of good things happening in Beverly Hills,” said Johnson. “We have to get past all this stuff and we will as a city. It’s going to be much brighter down the road but we have some tough things to get through.” 

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“My goal is to mentor and prepare new and dynamic leaders that will guide the street forward creatively, providing businesses with opportunities to network, share resources and explore innovative ways to expand in a safe, healthy and responsible way,” said Gohari. “Maor, Kiersten, Kay and Mark bring a wealth of retail, hospitality and business acumen to respond to changes in retail, shape exciting new experiences and propel Rodeo Drive into the future.” 

Established in 1977 by Fred Hayman, the RDC helps enable Rodeo Drive to thrive and advance as a leader in luxury. At the time, Hayman was chairman of the association and president of Giorgio, the iconic Rodeo Drive boutique. One of the committee’s goals was originally “to promote Rodeo Drive as America’s answer to the glamour of Rome’s Via Condotti, London’s New Bond Street and Paris’s Faubourg St-Honoré,” and included a campaign to attract national and international attention to Rodeo Drive. 

With international travel restrictions lifting next month and the holidays quickly approaching, occupancy rates are on the rise. The season will kick off officially on Nov. 18 with the annual Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting celebration and performances for all along the length of the street.

The infamous three-block stretch is home to more than 100 of the world’s leading luxury brands in boutiques designed by architects and designers including David Chipperfield, Rem Koolhaas and Frank Lloyd Wright. In addition, the Michelin-starred Gucci Osteria di Massimo Bottura is also on Rodeo, bookended by two of the top hotels in the world, The Beverly Hills Hotel and The Beverly Wilshire. The street has seen ongoing development with new flagships, pop ups, and relocations recently for Baby Dior, Brioni, Chanel, MCM, Moncler and Ferrari.

Additionally, plans are underway for the highly anticipated LVMH Cheval Blanc Beverly Hills hotel, designed by architect Peter Marino.  

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Reminiscent of a Louis Vuitton workshop, one stage features a selection of the Maison’s trunks in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes, exotic leather goods, and made-to-order collectibles from the brand’s games and home collection. Another stage is designed as a Parisian apartment decorated in a monochrome palette, where gowns worn by Hollywood starlets are on view beside one-of-a-kind leather handbags, recherché watches and fine jewelry displayed in LV trunks. A third stage evokes a beautiful seascape with a beach set up, displaying an orange surfboard designed by multimedia artist, Alex Israel, featuring three custom-made fins. Next to a lifeguard house, a picnic on the beach displays a monogrammed trunk with neatly housed flatware and cutlery that serves four. Modular furniture pieces designed in new colorways by Damien Langlois-Meurinne and Tokujin Yoshioka made their North America debut in the space, juxtaposed next to hard-sided trunks throughout. 

Wearable pieces are dispersed throughout the space, as well, including classic bag styles for men and women such as Capucines, Keepalls, and Sac Plats that have been reimagined in unique finishes and colors. Select pieces from the new Louis Vuitton x Fornasetti collection are also displayed in the Savoir Faire Universe and available to purchase. 

To learn more, visit www.louisvuitton.com. 

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As part of the Chamber’s Work Plan contract with the city, the shop local program will be rebranded from the existing “My Beverly Hills” branding to “Now Beverly Hills.” At its Aug. 31 Chamber of Commerce Committee Liaison meeting, City Council Liaisons Mayor Robert Wunderlich and Vice Mayor Lili Bosse provided feedback and approved a rebrand design concept presented by Symblaze, a full-service digital agency contracted for the task. Reinvented as Now Beverly Hills, the new design features the word “Now” inside the city’s iconic shield, with Beverly Hills appearing underneath the shield, in orange, pink, and turquoise color variants. 

The new logo will be used for new street pole banner designs, social media assets, website branding and more. Having garnered support and suggestions from council liaisons, Symblaze will develop additional campaign designs to present for final approval from the City Council at its Sept. 14 Study Session. With funding already incorporated into the city’s contract with the Chamber, the launch of the rebranded Shop Local program is expected to proceed in October 2021. 

“For Beverly Hills, that shield shape is very powerful,” Josh Morgerman, co-founder of Symblaze, said. “People all over the LA Metro area and beyond, they know that shield as a Beverly Hills thing.”

Last year, the program encouraged people to patronize local restaurants by running an outdoor dining campaign, featuring businesses that were participating in the City’s OpenBH program. During the 2020 holiday season, the “My Beverly Hills” program launched a “Shop Local, Get Local” campaign where locals who shopped at retailers in the city could use their receipts to be entered into weekly contests, raffling gift cards to local restaurants. The shop local program is complimentary to partake in, with over 4,000 email subscribers and steady attendance at mixers. 

“I think Beverly Hills now can speak to a resident and encourage me, as a resident, to shop and dine in the Beverly Hills of the now, what is currently here,” Vice Mayor Lili Bosse said. “I feel that it also makes people who don’t live in our city, who were coming to visit either as tourists or if they live in West Hollywood or Westwood, they know what we have now.”

“I was thinking that the symbolism of it would be that it’s uniting something different and preserving something that’s the same,” Mayor Robert Wunderlich said of incorporating the Beverly Hills shield into the rebranding.

“It’s the recognizable iconic figure,” Bosse said. “Everybody knows that’s our shield, but you know what, this is us now.”

To learn more about the shop local program, visit http://www.mybeverlyhills.net/.   

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In years past, the lighting ceremony has attracted crowds of more than 10,000 people. Currently, gatherings of that size are classified by Public Health as mega events, and require all attendees to wear a face mask, regardless of vaccination status. To help accommodate these guidelines, the Rodeo Drive Committee (RDC) will be handing out custom branded face coverings with a clear center. 

“Our goal is to make it feel like one big party that’s just extended, so you don’t really feel like you’re missing anything,” Kathy Gohari, president of the Rodeo Drive Committee, said. The event will require an overnight street closure of Rodeo Drive from Wilshire Boulevard to South Santa Monica Boulevard, a portion of Brighton Way and Dayton Way. In addition, the RDC has proposed to have an enhanced audio system and playlist for the five weekends between November 18 and Christmas Eve. 

“I think our goal is we want a wonderful holiday lighting evening,” Bosse said. “But the goal is to have a vibrant holiday experience from that day through the holidays.” As planning moves forward, Bosse hopes to confirm that retailers along Rodeo Drive intend to remain open later during the holiday season. Gohari noted that the RDC is asking merchants to extend business hours for three nights: Nov. 18, 19, and 20. 

“We are asking the brands to put their money where their mouth is,” Gohari said. “So, we really want a partnership from everybody.”

She added that many of stores are already very much vested in the holiday programming, and plan to have small cocktail parties kept within their sidewalks and stores. 

“We have reached out to many of these merchants and we’re asking anybody who has a rooftop to create their own installation to create their own moments of VIP rooftops, and to add to the celebration by creating different levels that they can invite guests to,” Gohari said. 

The RDC is requested funds totaling $529,776 for the holiday lighting celebration, and an additional $11,500 to fund the citywide holiday music. The holiday lighting celebration is funded by the Tourism and Marketing budget, funds that have already been approved by the City Council.  

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Hernandez has spent her life in clothing. Her parents, who migrated from El Salvador, worked in garment factories producing items for Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger. She began designing clothes herself at a young age, attending the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) before working at brands like Seven7 and Lane Bryant. At 24, she founded GLAUDI, named after her mother, Gladis (in attendance at the show).

Hernandez has been involved in fashion shows her whole life, but she realized that the affairs would not be the same after the pandemic. No more indoor catwalks with throngs of fans, press, and celebrities crowding close together. But she was also put off by the virtual alternatives some brands opted for.

“I feel like fashion shows are made to see in person, because you have to look at the clothes, you have to send a message through how you present your collection,” Hernandez told the Courier.

But as the pandemic progressed, Hernandez noted how different forms of live entertainment innovated to keep audiences safe. For her show, she drew inspiration from drive-thru movies and shows where she “could bring my mom, my cousins, and we just go in one car.”

Hernandez wanted the show to do more than just celebrate her designs–she wanted to celebrate the idea of celebration itself after more than a year of canceled plans, delayed reunions, and virtual parties. “This whole fashion show was inspired to celebrate family and to inspire people to celebrate again,” she said.

After six months of planning and a few postponements, she felt the show went better than she could have anticipated. “It was magical,” she said.

The show set up small stages down Brighton Way, where models wearing GLAUDI stood, sat, and in one instance, swung. The Beverly Hills Police Department closed off the street from Rodeo to North Camden Drive, allowing crowds to mingle, gawk at the clothing, and enjoy crepes and cotton candy. But when the main event began, organizers cleared the street to allow permitted cars through to peer out onto the beaming, waving models. After all the cars had passed, Brighton turned into a block party deejayed by one of GLAUDI’s own models, Esther Anaya, who played along with the music on her electric violin. The models represented a range of sizes, shapes, and ages, in line with GLAUDI’s mission of inclusivity.

Others agreed with Johana’s assessment, including Mayor Robert Wunderlich, who attended the show. “What Johana brings to her clothing is imagination,” he told the Courier. “You can see it in what she’s doing tonight. What an imaginative way to celebrate her imaginative designs.”

“It’s a great use of public space to be able to liven up the city.”

Vice Mayor Lili Bosse, who advocated for nightlife in Beverly Hills through her Beverly Hills Open Later Days (BOLD) initiative and also went to the show, said the event represented the future of the city.

“What Johana has done is so out of the box, so visionary, truly creative, and really represents what Beverly Hills is made of,” she told the Courier. “During COVID, there were some blessings. It forced us to think creatively and I believe that this model that she has created for us today is a wonderful jumping off point for other businesses and our community to keep reimagining our city.”

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However, retailers throughout the city are increasingly worried about security. “I would say the one thing that I have noticed a little bit more than before COVID is just a little bit of a safety and security issue,” Sabaa Kamal, owner of Kamal Beverly Hills boutique on Bedford Drive, said during the meeting. “I’ve noticed a lot more homeless people kind of wandering into the store…I have gotten more calls from the sales associate on the floor worried about homeless people coming in and picking up some rings off the shelf and walking out with them. This was not as big of an issue before.”

Kamal’s store offers a curated selection of clothing, bridal gowns, jewelry, and accessories meant for formal events in a highly personalized, luxury environment. “I think a lot of people that had put off weddings and special occasions, are now finally going on those vacations,” Kamal said regarding an uptick in sales seen recently. Kamal noted that she moved to Los Angeles specifically to open her store in Beverly Hills. “It’s a luxury statement in of itself, and so I think that’s why I was drawn to the Beverly Hills location… I think we’ve had clients that place orders just to be able to say, ‘oh I got this from Beverly Hills.'”

Other retailers, such as Tara Riceberg, owner of Tweak and Tesoro, have opted to keep the shop door locked. 

“I don’t think we need to rely on the BHPD or Ambassadors to help us with a rogue vagrant when we can prevent the issue by simply keeping our doors locked for the safety of our staff and clients,” Riceberg told the Courier. “Even though we are seeing an increase in homeless people in Beverly Hills, it’s still much safer than in L.A.  I now keep my door locked at my shop on Beverly Boulevard. It may seem less inviting but it’s no different than being buzzed into a jewelry store in Beverly Hills.”

Johana Hernandez, the haute couture designer behind the brand GLAUDI, has three boutiques: one in Beverly Hills, one in Downey, and one in Orange County. “I have to say that Beverly Hills has been the one that’s been more challenging to get back to normal,” Hernandez said. 

Hernandez added that, “with the robberies and protests, it’s just kind of made people not want to choose the Beverly Hills store location. They would rather go to Downey or the OC location.”

For Hernandez, much of her sales result from trunk shows. “And because of COVID, we haven’t done those things. But on July 25, thanks to the city of Beverly Hills and the OpenBH program, we’re doing a drive by fashion show which is the first in the city.” Hernandez hopes the event will bring more customers to her Brighton Way location. Because Beverly Hills gives brands a global platform, the designer hopes to welcome more people, not intimidate them. 

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On hand to accept the award, Tom O’Gara, CEO of the company founded in 1976 said, “Despite the hurdles presented to us by 2020, I am proud that my Rolls-Royce team has earned this award. Taking care of some of the most demanding and discerning clients in the world wasn’t easy managing a virtual relationship, but my team adapted new skills and processes to ensure acquiring a previously owned Rolls-Royce was just as much a luxury experience as acquiring and owning a new one.” 

In town to present the award was Martin Fritsches, President and CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars North America, who added, “With more than a century of history for the brand, and with more than three of every four Rolls-Royce cars ever built still being on the road provenance is critical to the brand. The Beverly Hills team understands that finding that second home for a Rolls-Royce commission is important to maintaining and growing the brand. We started 2021 with the strongest quarter of new commission deliveries, we have also seen the highest level of Provenance deliveries during the same period.” 

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Looking to the Future of Beverly Hills with Mayor Robert Wunderlich

The event kicked off with a conversation between the newly installed Mayor, Robert Wunderlich, and Chamber President and CEO, Todd Johnson, outlining his vision for Beverly Hills during his term.

“We greatly support the distinctiveness of our small businesses,” Wunderlich said. “But I think what we want to support more is the uniqueness of the operations here. We want them to feel different. We love our small businesses, and there are heartening success stories there as well. I mean there’s Xi’an and Cafe Roma with their outdoor dining. They joined together to create an outdoor space that they could share, and both benefit from. It’s an example of a rising tide that lifts us all. Being a place that will support outdoor dining that wants to have the residents and visitors come there…let’s create an attractive environment, and it’s good for all of us.”

Despite the pandemic, Wunderlich noted the successful opening of AMIRI on Rodeo Drive and Sant’olina restaurant on the rooftop of the Beverly Hilton. Johnson noted the Chamber, in partnership with the city, offers counsel for businesses in Beverly Hills that need help applying for a loan or PPE preparedness. Similarly, the city’s OpenBH program proved invaluable for restaurants, retailers, salons and faith-based businesses who might have otherwise closed permanently due to pandemic related restrictions. 

“We might have had an image in the past, maybe people thought we were aloof, maybe people might have thought we’re haughty, we’re Beverly Hills. And in today’s world, I think we have to demonstrate that we want things that fit us, and we want things that fit our brand. But we’re here to help.”

Restaurant Reinvention with the Original Celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck

Wolfgang Puck joined Johnson to discuss restaurant reinvention, the art of hospitality and his Spago flagship restaurant on Canon Drive. “This is the mother of all of the other ones,” Puck told Johnson about Spago. “People always ask me, why do you spend so much time in Beverly Hills. I said this is the mother. I have to take care of the mother because she’s found all the other venues.”

“It’s an iconic location,” Puck said of Spago. “I think the city is iconic. I think the press you can get here is better than almost anywhere.”

By applying for a Special Event permit through the city’s OpenBH program, Spago installed an outdoor dining tent directly in front of restaurants’ existing brick and mortar to accommodate more customers. While the City Council extended the program through the end of the year, the future of outdoor dining remains uncertain. “I hope I keep it forever,” Puck said of the structure. “Why? Because I have a big kitchen, so we can do parties outside or parties inside. And I think in the end, we’re going to have more people working, so it benefits everybody.”

“I would not use the inside of the restaurant for like a la carte business,” Puck noted, should the tent remain permanent. “I will use it for parties. Or I would use the outside for party business, and the inside for a la cart business.”

State of Luxury with Ann Shatilla

Emmy Award-winning TV news producer and strategic communications PR consultant Ann Shatilla held her annual “State of Luxury with Ann Shatilla” signature event. The event shared insider tips and advice for luxury PR and marketing in an increasingly virtual market. “Today’s luxury client is deliberate and careful about purchasing and spending,” Shatilla said. “Clients now dig deeper into two things: the meaning and the purpose of the brand that they connect with.”

According to Shatilla, luxury keywords for 2021 are: transparency, values and ethics. “Brands that are putting their company values into action are seeing the results during this pandemic. Many of today’s consumers are actively looking to buy from a company associated with social, environmental, and political ideals.”

In defining luxury business for 2021, Shatilla underscored five points that companies should keep in mind to reach their consumers. “Remember this: cultural values, race, gender, sexual equality and income equality.”

The biggest disruptor defining luxury in 2021 is comfort and wellness, according to Shatilla. “Comfort and wellness are set to define luxury across the board for the rest of this year and beyond,” Shatilla said. “Call it comfort consumerism. It’s an alignment of luxury and well-being. People are now choosing purchases in the pursuit of consolation, luxury is no longer about a price point, it’s about relevance.” 

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“Businesses generally succeed in Beverly Hills,” Todd Johnson, President and CEO of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce told the Courier. “There’s some that don’t for different reasons, but, for the most part, it’s the safest city in the country. Regardless of what’s taken place, we’re still extremely safe, extremely friendly and walkable.”

Each year, the Chamber, in partnership with the city, travels to New York City in the fall and San Francisco in the spring to scout new businesses to bring into Beverly Hills. The trips are made by Todd Johnson, who is accompanied by the Mayor, Vice Mayor, and the City Manager. 

According to Johnson, the Japanese sportswear brand Onitsuka Tiger, which opened in February at 474 N. Rodeo Dr., came as a result of the Chamber’s trip to New York in the Fall of 2019. The Rodeo Drive location is Onitsuka Tiger’s third brick-and-mortar store and its second flagship in North America. “We were pretty intricate in helping them get through the process of opening,” Johnson told the Courier. 

To celebrate the Beverly Hills opening, the 2400 square foot Rodeo Drive location will carry exclusive limited-edition items including sneakers with “Beverly Hills” embossed on the side. The Rodeo Dr. store is also the first to sell the Onitsuka Tiger brand’s children’s collection.

“When prospective businesses reach out to us, we put them in contact with real estate guys that can help, landlords and that kind of thing to help them find exactly what they’re looking for,” Johnson said. “We’re in talks with probably a half a dozen other businesses, including a lot of restaurants that are in New York who are interested in coming out here.”

The city’s efforts to help restaurants expand their outdoor dining capabilities manifested with the OpenBH initiative, which allows businesses to temporarily expand to adjacent areas such as parking lots and the public right of way. However, even with OpenBH, new restaurants looking to obtain an Open-Air Dining Permit must still pay hefty fees. “Any restaurant is able to obtain an OpenBH permit free of charge, but permanent outdoor dining continues to be subject to the City’s normal application process and associated fees (with the exception of the lease fee),” Ryan Gohlich, Director of Community Development, told the Courier. “The City has always charged a fee for these types of applications, and the fees are based on periodic fee studies that are conducted to ensure that the City’s fees are in-line with the cost of providing services and the staff hours associated with application processing.”

On South Beverly Drive, six new establishments are opening, including the upscale bakery Sweet Lady Jane (214 S. Beverly Dr.) and a new 100 percent grass-fed Wagyu steakhouse called Mat? (239 S. Beverly Drive), founded by the group behind Sugarfish, where Panera used to be. 

“There are some vacancies on South Beverly, but it’s also a very walkable neighborhood and walkable,” Johnson told the Courier. “It’s also just a little more affordable than up in the triangle.”

Total Body Nutrition, a sports nutrition shop, recently opened at 193 S. Beverly Dr., and San Francisco-based coffee chain, Philz Coffee (233 S. Beverly Dr.) is slated to debut soon. SBE’s affordable to-go sushi spot, Krispy Rice, and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream shop are also opening soon on the 200 block of South Beverly.

After a slew of slow months and incalculable losses, existing retailers on South Beverly are excited to have new neighbors and hope for more pedestrian traffic.

“Things are slowly picking back up,” Adriana Caras, owner of LeSwim (238 S. Beverly Dr.) swimwear boutique told the Courier. “And now, suddenly, it’s like a surge. I have been busy all day. So now with everything opening, I’m kind of on the fence if we should extend our lease past April and stay longer.”

“I’m honestly very excited about having all these restaurants open up,” Jenny, the manager at Peruvian retailer Cottoniere (245 S. Beverly Dr.) told the Courier. “It’s been super dead here, we almost had to close. We’re hoping that when the new restaurants open, more people will come through.”

On Canon Drive, Nusr-Et–a new steakhouse helmed by Turkish chef Nusret Gökçe, known globally as the “Salt Bae,”–is expected to open on April 30 next to Spago. Spanish restaurant Tatel (453 N. Canon Dr.) is also opening at the former Nic’s Beverly Hill location, but has yet to announce a date. Jennifer Fisher Jewelry, a celebrity cult-favorite jewelry brand, recently opened its door at 450 N. Canon Dr. Christian Louboutin, known for luxe, red-soled shoes, also opened a Los Angeles flagship at 477 N. Rodeo Dr. in March. 

With the advent of the parklets and more outdoor dining, the business triangle has been vibrant with new energy and crowded streets. As a result, some retailers have even started staying open later, as more people are out shopping and dining.  “We’ve always been wanting a little more energy and nightlife, because Beverly Hills kind of rolls its street up at 6 p.m.,” Johnson told the Courier. 

Coming soon to North Beverly Drive is the popular salad chain, Sweetgreen (245 N. Beverly Dr.) as well as Erewhon Market (399 N. Beverly Dr.), the upscale health-food store known for its organic, locally sourced and sustainable groceries.

Taking over the former Roxbury Café location, Impasta (459 N. Roxbury Dr.) is offering fan-favorite pasta dishes with zero and low-carb noodles options. “I wanted to open Impasta in Beverly Hills not only because there is a certain type of prestige and notoriety associated with it,” Harrison Litvack, owner of Impasta, told the Courier. “But from a business standpoint, it’s central geography in the greater Los Angeles area allows people to access our yummy and nutritious food more easily.” While the physical restaurant space hasn’t opened yet for patrons looking to dine-in, Impasta began taking to-go orders in February. 

At 434 N. Camden Dr., Beverly Bar restaurant is also gearing up to open, with a menu focused on American-style food. J Watson Fine Art will be opening at 9410 Dayton Way, enticing art collectors and enthusiasts with the gallery’s collection of limited-edition paintings by artists such as Pino, Vidan, G. Harvey, Morgan Weistling, Antoine Blanchard, Peter Max, M.& I. Garmash and more.

In perhaps the sweetest news of all, John Kelly Chocolates chocolatier boutique opened at 9523 S. Santa Monica Blvd. Their specialties include truffle fudge and walnut-caramel clusters. 

In addition to the new storefronts, Johnson pointed to other projects underway in the city.  “You’ve got the One Beverly Hills project coming, the Chanel store remodeling, the LVMH hotel… and Saks has big plans for that little section down on Wilshire where Barney’s used to be. I think we have so much to look forward to over the next year.”

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Nominees are selected on several criteria, including: exemplifying a particular way of life that helped to strengthen the economy of the city; fostering public appreciation and civic pride for the character and quality of the city; possessing artistic or aesthetic values and unique characteristics of an architectural style, type, period or method of construction; association with community members businesses, institutions or events that are important to the cultural heritage of the city; possessing a unique location with singular, physical characteristics; or having educational value to the city and the community at large. 

The first three recipients of Golden Shield recognition plaques include the site of the Dona Maria Rita Valdez de Villa Homestead, located at Sunset Boulevard and Alpine Drive; the original location of Lawry’s Restaurant on North La Cienega Boulevard; and the original Giorgio Beverly Hills Boutique, the first luxury boutique on Rodeo Drive.

The fourth Golden Shield went to Nate ‘N Al’s Delicatessen, situated within Beverly Hills’ Golden Triangle on 414 North Beverly Drive. First opened in 1945, it is the third oldest Jewish deli in the Los Angeles area, following Greenblatt’s in Hollywood (1926), and Canter’s in the Fairfax District (established 1931). “The deli expanded over many years and was a popular gathering place for local residents and luminaries in the entertainment industry,” Mark Odell, the city’s Urban Designer, said at the March 2 meeting. “The delicatessen also represents the rise of the Jewish population in Los Angeles in the 1940’s and rapidly became a gathering place for the Jewish community.” The Deli has served as a longstanding neighborhood hub, regarded as an iconic Beverly Hills institution. 

The fifth Golden Shield nomination went to the Gearys Beverly Hills flagship boutique located on North Beverly Drive. Gearys first opened its doors in 1930 at 357 North Beverly Drive in a Spanish Colonial Revival style structure designed by architect Harry E. Werner. H.L. Geary founded the shop and operated as a small neighborhood specialty store formerly called the H.L. Geary Art & Gift Shop, offering picture framing services, art supplies, fine dinnerware and tableware, as well as unique gifts for the home. By the late 1930’s, the store had been rebranded as Gearys, and expanded into the building next door, at 351 North Beverly Drive, where it is still located today. The plaque would be placed on the sidewalk of the entry to Gearys. 

The sixth Golden Shield went to the former George and Ira Gershwin Residence at 1019 North Roxbury Drive. The home was built in 1928 in the Spanish Colonial revival architectural style by architect Don Uhl. “The home was built for silent movie picture star, Monte Blue, and later rented to composer and lyricist brothers, George and Ira Gershwin,” Odell said. “While living in the north Roxbury drive house, the Gershwin’s wrote many iconic American songs. The house was later occupied by famous singer Rosemary Clooney in 1953 until her passing.” While the home was demolished in 2005 and a new residence was built on the site, the Gershwin Residence is thought by city officials to be worthy of honor as a culturally significant site where significant achievements were made in American musical history.

“I love, love, love this program,” Councilmember Lili Bosse said. “I think the Golden Shield program is just magnificent. The three that we’re looking at today are very exciting because I see them as icons and truly like the heart and soul of our community. And really why we love our city is for reasons like Gearys Beverly Hills, you know, a family business, beloved, who’s been in our community for over 70 years.”

Bosse added: “I think this is very exciting, and I wholeheartedly support it and I thank the Cultural Heritage Commission for such a fantastic vision, and I am very thrilled to support it.”

To learn more about the Cultural Heritage Commission, visit http://www.beverlyhills.org/departments/communitydevelopment/planning/commissions/culturalheritagecommission/. 

The next Cultural Heritage Commission meeting is scheduled for April 14. 

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During a busy Thursday of alfresco dining at Il Pastaio, three men descended on Shai Belhassen during one of his thrice weekly meals at the Beverly Hills institution. “I just saw them walking down, then running towards me with a gun,” Belhassen told the Courier. One of the three men, who he described as young, Black, and wearing sweatsuits, put a gun to his head while another began to take off his watch, a Richard Mille that Belhassen valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

Belhassen says that he then “grabbed the gun” from the suspect and “fought him to the ground.” They continued to wrestle on the ground when another patron, Drew Handcock, approached to intervene.

“I saw the guys wrestling. I thought it was just a drunken fight between friends or something. So I stood up, because I’m 6′ 4″ and a giant, and I was walking over there to settle it down and then I hear one shot ring out,” he told the Courier. “I immediately turn and then three more shots ring out as I’m grabbing my girlfriend and our friend and throwing them inside the door and diving in.”

But even with his quick action, his girlfriend, Amanda Shawshan, was injured in the volley. Handcock noticed the blood once inside the restaurant. “She was bleeding…on the back of her calf,” he said. Emergency services took Shawshan to Cedars-Sinai, where she was treated for the injury. Handcock said that Shawshan only needed a single stitch and was doing well. 

The commotion from the shooting rippled down Canon Drive, with diners at other restaurants fleeing inside for shelter. Just moments before the gun fire, a man running north on Canon yelled out, “He has a gun, run,” according to Ashley, who works at a restaurant down the street. Almost immediately, the shots rang out from Il Pastaio. “Everyone from our restaurant ran inside and I think everyone was worried that there might be more coming.” She says the police arrived almost instantly.

Belhassen said that he continued to fight with one of the suspects for over a minute after the gun fired, at which point he wrested the gun away. “They realized that I had the gun [and] they ran away,” he said. “I could have pointed and shot at them, but I didn’t want to. For some reason, I don’t know why.”

According to BHPD, one other victim suffered physical injury during the incident, but was treated at the scene. 

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The Courier’s Fine Autos Contributor, Tim Lappen, also is the Fine Autos Editor for Haute Living, Haute Time, Haute Residence and Haute Auto magazines and online and a partner in a Century City law firm, where he chairs his firm’s Family Office Group and the Luxury Home Group. He can be reached at TLappen@gmail.com and his website is www.LifeInTheFastLane.org.

Someone once said, “It’s better to be lucky than smart.” That may not have been the most intelligent phrase ever uttered but it came to mind when the Fates smiled on me and I had the chance to drive two of McLaren’s wonderful creations, about a week apart, So, like a good Angeleno, I decided to ask McLaren if I also could cover a third McLaren, which wasn’t yet in production, but which did exist as a full-fledged rolling exhibit.  

To take a step back–McLaren is a supercar company founded by a famous New Zealander, Bruce McLaren, who was an accomplished racer in the 1960s. He won his first Formula One race at the age of 22, the youngest winner ever at that time. He founded the car company soon thereafter. From 1992 – 1998 the company built 106 cars called an “F1,” which was the fastest production car of its time (over 240 mph) and was sold for a then unheard-of price of over $800,000. They have now obtained legendary (even cult) status as one variant sold for close to $20,000,000.

Fast forward to 2010, when McLaren became a car manufacturing company in its own right. Over the winding, high-speed and banked road of the past ten years, McLaren has created some of the most desired cars on the planet. 

This piece is about two of those successes (and the third one not out yet, but with pre-orders predicting success). Luckily, I recently had the pleasure of experiencing all three – driving two (the GT and the 720S Spider) for a week each in the area around my home and, of course, through Beverly Hills. I attended the press launch of the third (the Elva) at a luxury home which had just hit the market in . . . Beverly Hills.  I see a pattern developing here.

The McLaren GT

The first of the cars we’ll discuss today is the GT, the most “usable” of the McLarens in that it is designed to accommodate passengers and luggage for grand-touring ride out of town and even across the country. The concept was to reimagine what had mostly been a rather heavy car used for touring, a two-door of some length and heft which helped it smooth out the road’s imperfections. McLaren’s guiding principle was to create a commodious supercar (as “oxymoronic” as that may sound), with the power and agility to hang with the best of them and yet allow the driver and passenger to arrive after a long drive feeling fairly refreshed and happier for the experience. How did they do that?

Well, first off, McLaren knew that the suspension would be key and, given that McLaren built a solid reputation on suspension engineering, they were up to the task. The McLaren “Proactive Damping Control” suspension analyzes the road conditions and adapts rapidly so as to provide the GT with the ride which this car requires. Secondly, like all recent McLarens, the center cockpit is a “MonoCell II T” carbon-fiber tub (chassis), which results in a huge weight savings and provides exceptional rigidity (non-flexing) to the center of the car. Add to that the increased ride height, to allow better ground clearance and more room for the suspension to travel and thereby absorb whatever the road throws at it.

At under 3,400 pounds the GT is well below the weight of most grand touring cars, yet it doesn’t scrimp on power. Its twin-turbo V8 pumps out about 620 HP and does it with 465 lb. ft. of torque so that’s good enough to hit the top speed of over 200 MPH after running 0-60 MPH in about 3.2 seconds. Yes, this is a car that can turn in blistering performance while coddling the occupants . . . and their luggage.  

Pity that my time with the car didn’t allow a jaunt from L.A. to S.F. or a road trip of epic proportions in a blast to New York. However, I truly enjoyed my time behind the wheel of the GT and I have no doubt that either of those experiences would have been great fun and allowed me to prove McLaren’s marketing tag line about the GT: “Time for what you love, space for what you need.”  While not as radical as some of the other McLarens I’ve driven (I am looking at you, Napier Green 675LT), it wasn’t designed to be. This is a touring car, as noted, so it’s meant to provide a comfortable ride with a sound that is pleasant but not disruptive, yet the McLaren DNA was ever-present, and I mean that in a good way.  Pricing starts at about $210,000.

The McLaren 720S Spider

Aside from the GT, McLaren creates cars under three other main banners – the “Sports Series”, the “Super Series” and the “Ultimate Series”. The 720S coupe and Spider and the 765LT (for “long tail”) are the only models in the Super Series. More powerful than the GT and the Sports Series of cars, the 720S Spider relies on a V8 twin-turbo motor boasting 720 HP and 568 lb. ft. of torque, which motivates this fast drop-top to a 2.9 second 0-60 launch on the way to a 212 MPH top speed (slightly slower with the top down).

With a dry weight of under 3,000 pounds, this truly is a svelte car, which is apparent when pushed through the canyons and up through the twisties. And that is what this car is all about–great comfort and fun with the top down on a sunny day, when out for a cruise, then startling quickness which seems to come out of nowhere to propel the car faster and faster, which then can be reined in on demand with excellent brakes.

Not sure you want the top up or down during the drive?  It needs only eleven seconds to go from up to down or vice-versa, it also can be done while underway (up to about 30 MPH) so changing your mind often is allowed. 

Also, the car is a stunner with the top up or down, especially as the roof cantrails (the length of metal supporting the outer edge of the roof) are visible whether the top is up or town, and they’re now even glazed so you can see through them.  There’s no lack of visibility when driving this car in either configuration.

Driving impressions?  WOW!  This car is English but it’s a plate full of Huevos Rancheros. The speed is one thing, but the feeling of that speed can be quite another and, as with other super-quick McLarens I’ve driven, it feels even faster than it is (not that 0-60 in under three seconds isn’t quite rapid, in and of itself). This car felt like I was wearing it, so amazingly responsive with just the right soundtrack coming from the tail.  It was a wonderful experience, my favorite McLaren yet (I’ve driven most of the other models, other than the F1, P1 and Senna). What’s not to like? Pricing starts at about $315,000.

The McLaren Elva

Finally, but certainly not least, is the Elva, a beautifully designed car born of the wind and, along with the McLaren Speedtail and the Senna, a member of the elite McLaren “Ultimate Series”. (“Elva” means “she goes” in French and was the name of the company which made Bruce McLaren’s open-top racers in the 1960s.) The Elva uses the wind for interesting purposes, even channeling it through and below the hood and then back up in front of the cockpit to create an air dam of sorts, obviating the need for a windshield. It’s about as close as you can get to the feeling of riding a high-performance motorcycle while seated next to a passenger.   

Utilizing the newly anointed Active Air Management System (“AAMS”), the airflow is directed up and over the cabin to provide an unusually un-turbulent calm for the driver and passenger. McLaren describes it as providing all of the adrenaline without any of the distraction. Unfortunately, the car shown at the launch was not available to drive, but  I will take their word for it as everything I’ve read about McLaren’s promises have come to fruition.

I haven’t even heard the motor yet –a V8 with 804HP and over 590 lb. ft. of torque–but it boasts a new exhaust system, utilizing four pipes (two pointing higher than the other two), with each pair given a different tuning to provide a harmonious symphony compared to other McLarens. I hope that they release it as part of a mixtape. When fitted into the Elva, the lightest road-going McLaren yet (not formally announced but said to be less than the McLaren Senna, which weighs about 2,650 pounds!), the Elva is reported to hit 125MPH in about 6.7 seconds (which used to be a rare performance time for 0-60MPH!).  

I hope to update this article with driving impressions but until then, I will have to dream about the Elva like the rest of you.  And, did I mention, production is limited to only 249 units and the pricing in the range of $1,700,000.

There’s a certain trait which I think is woven into the DNA of McLarens–they all feel faster to me than they are, and as they are very quick in their own rights, that feeling is highly addictive. If the “thrill of high-performance motoring” is something that you likewise crave, I commend you to try out one of their models, which run from the lower $200,000s on up into the multiple millions (for the cars currently being made–some older McLarens can be way more expensive than that).  To me, the nicest thing about McLarens is that I never want to give them back at the end of my allotted time. “Yes, I know that I promised but that’s before I had so much fun.” Besides, my trips through Beverly Hills were so limited by quarantine-related regulations, mostly picking up take-out food and a few in-person meetings, I think that they should let me have the GT and 720S back for do-overs, plus give me the Elva, once the quarantine is over and I can make proper use of the cars.  Until then, you and I will have to make do with what we have. I hope that you’ve enjoyed reading about these machines as much as I enjoyed driving and then writing about them. 

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The Economic Sustainability Plan was presented by David Bergman, director of the urban planning and economics firm Lisa Wise Consulting. “Sustainability, to our mind, really was the ability to react to unknown changes in the environment [and] to be able to absorb shocks,” said Bergman. 

The city first enlisted Lisa Wise Consulting to draft an Economic Sustainability Plan in the wake of the Great Recession, which forced the city to make large cuts to its budget. The City Council at the time felt that austerity on its own would hurt the city more in the long term by dealing a blow to the services expected by its residents and guests. This, in turn, would harm the city’s main revenue sources: the taxes from hotel guests (Transient Occupancy Tax), sales taxes, property taxes, and business taxes.

The city contracted with Lisa Wise Consulting once again in 2018 to update the plan for another four-year period. The update was nearly finished when COVID-19 stuck a stick in the spokes. “We asked Lisa Wise Consulting to look at the trends that were existing pre-COVID, what trends came out of COVID, and then which of these are going to be lasting trends in the retail, hotel, and commercial sectors,” said Deputy Manager Gabriella Yap.

“The City, like all other municipalities, will be affected by the COVID-19 crisis for years to come,” the report reads. “The approach to this Economic Sustainability Plan Update is not to overcorrect from the COVID-19 pandemic, but rather focus on economic strategies and actions that increase the City’s resiliency to market downturns and geopolitical risks and uncertainties.”

The report notes how key sources of revenue for the city were already facing difficult circumstances. For years, the retail market has received bleak prognoses as consumers spent more and more money online. Even luxury markets, which enjoyed relative insulation from the trend, saw declines. But following the explosion of COVID-19, these trends accelerated, and Beverly Hills experienced a rise in commercial vacancy rates.

More than any other business in Beverly Hills, hotels have suffered the most in the era of COVID-19. But even prior to the freeze in international travel, Beverly Hills saw increasing competition from other regional rivals like downtown Los Angeles and West Hollywood. 

“They wake up every morning wondering how they can eat your lunch,” Bergman said about West Hollywood.

Beverly Hills has over 10 million square feet in office space. Following shelter at home orders in response to the virus, many of those square feet became vacant. But, again, even prior to the mass migration to Zoom, Beverly Hills saw the decline of major tenants in entertainment and media.

“When HBO moved from Santa Monica, they didn’t move to Beverly Hills,” Bergman said. He added that he expects major shifts in how Americans work in the wake of the pandemic, saying, “We’re going to see dramatic long term employment destruction.”

But Bergman and the report also provided solutions and opportunities to combat these trends. He stressed the importance of pivoting away from international to local customers. “Public opinion surveys are suggesting that, although we’re all anxious to get out of our house, we are reluctant to engage in a lot of tight public spaces like airplanes,” he said.

The report makes dozens of recommendations in an “action plan” for the city. The recommendations range from increasing height limits to accommodate development, to implementing valet-only parking on Rodeo Drive, to rebranding city staff as the “Business Concierge Team.”

Councilmember Lili Bosse felt that the schedule outlined by the report for some of its goals dragged its feet. “It’s a great report, but the timeline on a lot of the action items is too far out and I feel very confident that this council, along with the input of our community, can get a lot of this done much sooner.”

Councilmember John Mirisch, however, sounded a note of caution. “While there are certain things that we can and should do as soon as we can, there are other things we need to be a bit cautious about,” he said.

In another agenda item during the Feb. 16 Study Session, the Council reviewed the new state eviction protection and how it fits together with its own protective laws. It also received a staff report that detailed issues in its rental protections for tenants impacted by COVID-19.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed on Jan. 29 an extension to the state’s eviction moratorium through June 30. The bill, Senate Bill 91, also establishes the State Rental Assistance Program to allocate the $2.6 billion in federal rental assistance California will receive. The program funnels aid to both renters struggling with payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic and also landlords.

Under the measure, landlords are prevented from evicting tenants who pay at least 25 percent of their rent and attest under penalty of perjury that they have been impacted economically by COVID-19. The State Rental Assistance Program will begin accepting applications from property owners and tenants in March.

The councilmembers reflected that the city had to do more to educate its residents about the protections in place for them. “Not a day goes by that I don’t hear from quite a few tenants who feel like they’re not getting the information they need,” Councilmember Bosse said.

Deputy Director of Rent Stabilization Helen Morales highlighted a legal forum on Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. to provide an overview of the new and existing laws regarding tenant’s rights. More information is available at www.beverlyhills.org/rent.

Finally, during its Regular session on the evening of Feb. 16, the Council honored the 12 years of public service by Director of Community Development Susan Healy Keene, who is retiring later this month. City Manager George Chavez ticked through a list of accomplishments, which include updates to the city’s General Plan, improving mobility and transportation in the city, preserving the city’s history in her work with the Historic Preservation Programs. Most recently, she helped establish the Rent Stabilization Office. 

But Chavez also revealed a little-known fact about Keene. “Susan has a secret talent,” he said. “She’s a stand-up comic. And she has kept us entertained her entire 12 years that she’s been here with us. Thank you for all the laughs Susan.”

“We’ve been so lucky to have you. And I hope that we haven’t given you too much new material for your stand-up comedy,” Councilmember Bosse told her.

“There’s still more challenges ahead, but I think there’s many more great opportunities. So, I thank you again for the opportunity I’ve had here,” Keene said.

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Spotlight on Rodeo Drive

The Louis Vuitton Men’s Temporary Residency is enlivening Rodeo Drive with a bright red bespoke “shipping container” façade, black and white patterned window coverings and giant inflatable cartoon-like characters (explained below) hovering above the entrance and on the roof. The installation is expected to generate the same level of attention as the wildly successful “Louis Vuitton X” exhibit that celebrated Louis Vuitton’s legacy of artistic collaborations. That activation was in place for five months in the same space in 2019. Alas, the Louis Vuitton Men’s Temporary Residency will be in Beverly Hills only through early March. And current Health Orders dictate a 25 percent maximum occupancy level at any given time. Fortunately, one needn’t be inside to enjoy everything the Temporary Residency has to offer. QR and Snapchat codes on the exterior walls allow bystanders to  interact with animated characters and generate shareable content. More surprises await inside, as discovered by the Courier during a sneak preview before the official Feb. 5 opening.

The 1,600 square-foot retail space stages the Louis Vuitton Men’s Spring-Summer 2021 Collection in  red shipping containers, which will be available for purchase. On the floor, black and white tiles are arranged in hypnotic patterns. An entire wall is taken up by a video screen playing a permanent loop of “Menswear Moments” from current collections. Inside the containers, displays feature jackets, sweaters, shirts and bags in vibrant blue, orange, yellow and green. The collection’s edgy “cartoon” mascots are visible as designs embedded on bags and accessories, even serving as stuffed toys affixed to some pieces. As set forth in more detail in the Jan. 15 Courier Exclusive (“Louis Vuitton Men’s Temporary Residency Heading to Beverly Hills”), the characters came to life during the early days of the pandemic.

The Journey’s Origins

When it became clear last year that fashion weeks would not go on as usual, global brands vied to outdo each other virtually. None incorporated as imaginative a means as Louis Vuitton Artistic Director Virgil Abloh. He debuted a short film at Digital Fashion Week in Paris in June 2020, entitled “The Adventures of Zoooom with friends.” Part animation, part live-action, the film introduced a surreal but laid-back cast of animated characters. Their ranks included Joe, the huge, anthropomorphized orange dog reclining at the building’s entrance. Joe’s signature look includes a mod suit and a set of shades in the familiar black and white checkered patterns that are emblematic of the collection. Joe’s cohorts include a birdlike creature, as well as a unicorn, a green dragon, purple dinosaur and a big, smiling flower, among others.

In the film, the disparate crew sets out for adventure in Paris. They then hop aboard a barge loaded with shipping containers carrying signature Louis Vuitton trunks. Presumably, the Spring-Summer 2021 collection has been packed inside. The collection was given the name “Message in a Bottle,” a fitting ode to the theme of venturing out into the unknown. In the summer of 2020, the same could be said of every industry, not simply fashion.

A few months after the film’s debut, the Zoooom with friends characters resurfaced in the live runway shows in Shanghai and Tokyo. This time, however, they took the form of giant inflatables. The gang next appeared at a Temporary Residency at the Miami Design Center in December. That activation disassembled and traveled to Beverly Hills in a truck caravan of–what else–bright red shipping containers.

The Collection

The Chicago-born Abloh is the first African American to head a French luxury design house. He is outspoken on issues of inclusivity, diversity, and the need to set examples for others. One of the central themes of his Men’s Spring-Summer 2021 collection involves the timeliness of fashion. As such, the collection invokes four methods of upcycling: new looks made from recycled material, looks repeated from the Fall-Winter 2020 collection, looks freely created by the studio during the lockdown using recycled material and new looks created from existing ideas. It is a serious through-note in a collection that is above all, a whimsical amalgam of several different influences. As WWD noted in a September 2020 review of the Tokyo runway event, accessories included “hats reminiscent of Johnny Depp’s Willy Wonka and sunglasses that recalled the device worn by LeVar Burton in ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation.'”

Abloh credits the Ghanaian heritage of his parents as well as visits to a Parisian toy store as inspiration for the “puppets, patterns, palette and accessories” found in the collection. Glancing around the Rodeo Drive installation, it is easy to see the connection. The fashion press last year credited Abloh with brightening up an otherwise subdued time with his playful designs. The same can be said about the Louis Vuitton Men’s Temporary Residency on Rodeo Drive.

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As set forth in detail in the Jan. 15 Courier Exclusive (“Louis Vuitton Men’s Temporary Residency Heading to Beverly Hills”), the installation will showcase the Louis Vuitton Men’s Spring-Summer 2021 collection. It also highlights the imagination, cultural inclusivity and grand tradition of one of fashion’s finest houses.

The Louis Vuitton Men’s Temporary Residency most recently took shape at Miami’s Design District. Described as nothing short of “magic” by the local press, the activation utilized customized shipping containers, oversized inflatables and interactive QR codes. Those signature elements have now crossed the country, ready to star in a Beverly Hills iteration.

Look for a special preview of the installation Feb. 4 on BeverlyHillsCourier.com and in the Feb. 5 print edition of the Beverly Hills Courier.

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The upcoming residency will mark the second time the French luxury house has created a must-see experience at the northern end of Rodeo Drive. First came “Louis Vuitton X,” the temporary art and retail project open for five months in 2019 that drew both large crowds and extensive international press. The Louis Vuitton Men’s Temporary Residency will be in place a much shorter time–it closes in early March–but promises to be every bit as engaging. It also comes with a narrative six months in the making. Hailed in the fashion press as one of last year’s most memorable experiences, the Courier has exclusive details about what to expect when it arrives here. In a nutshell: expect nothing ever seen before.

Designed to showcase the Louis Vuitton Men’s Spring-Summer 2021 Collection, the installation’s showstopper is a bright red shipping container “entrance.” The shipping container motif continues on the ground floor, as a backdrop for 1,600 square-feet of retail space. Exterior details of the activation include vinyl window coverings as well as giant inflatable balloon characters,  a leitmotif of the entire project. Onlookers – even those stopped in their cars – will be able to share the experience digitally, courtesy of Snapchat codes affixed to the building. Additional details about the project will be provided in subsequent issues of the Courier.

City Support

The Beverly Hills City Council has already given the Louis Vuitton Men’s Temporary Residency a green light. The Council approved requests for expedited special event and building permits, and also waived provisions of the city’s sign ordinance at its Jan. 12 Regular Meeting.

“During these most challenging times, it is inspiring that Louis Vuitton will once again bring an innovative and creative global happening to our city. This out-of-the-box exhibition incorporates all safety COVID-19 protocols while it showcases our city at the forefront of trendsetting and vision,” Councilmember Lili Bosse told the Courier. The Rodeo Drive Committee (RDC) had previously bestowed its support for the installation.

“This exciting pop-up will add to the visual allure of the street and draw new visitors,” said RDC President Nicola Cagliata, in a letter of support.

Of course, the maisons of Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH) are long-standing fixtures in Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive. In addition to Louis Vuitton, the luxury conglomerate operates retail spaces in the city for brands that include Rimowa, Loro Piana, Fendi, Celine, Christian Dior, Bvlgari, Berlutti, Sephora, Hublot and Tag Heuer.

With the Louis Vuitton Men’s Temporary Residency in Beverly Hills, the company winds down a story that is outwardly playful, yet inwardly profound. Symbols abound in the vision of Louis Vuitton Artistic Director Virgil Abloh, some more nuanced than others.

On the surface, the shipping containers are not a far stretch for a company whose roots go back to the trunk manufacturing business. Louis Vuitton has been synonymous with luxury travel for almost two centuries. But, in 2020, the pandemic brought travel to a halt, upending traditional fashion weeks in Europe.

Zoooom with Friends

When Men’s Fashion Week in Paris was canceled last June, Abloh saw it as a chance to bring fashion to the people.

“Instead of the doom and gloom, sort of panic approach, I looked at it like, ‘Oh, this is the new frontier that we’ve been asking for in fashion,'” Abloh told WWD in July. “We’re in a new era. I feel like this is the pandemic of 2020 with the hard stop between fashion as it was before, and I’m interested in this sort of investigation.”

Abloh moved forward digitally, creating a short film called, “The Adventures of Zoooom with friends.” The combination live-action, animated work introduced a cast of animated characters inspired by Abloh’s trip to a Parisian toy store.

The vividly colored coterie, including a purple dinosaur, a dragon, an orange dog named Joe, a unicorn named Zip and various bird-like creatures spend Paris fashion week engaged in (at times psychedelic) antics across the city. Many are adorned in the signature black-and-white checkered suits, bell-bottoms, brightly hued jackets and retro-looking tees that mark the Spring/Summer collection.

The film closes with live-action shots of workers at the ancestral Paris home of the house’s founder. The men pack up LV trunks laden with finery into a shipping container. Before the doors of the shipping container close, however, the animated Zoooom with friends gang manages to stow away. They set sail on a colorful barge from the Seine to the sea, on a fashion adventure that will eventually take them to Shanghai, Tokyo, Miami and finally, Beverly Hills.

Egalitarian Message

The notion of taking the collection to an audience rather than the audience coming to the collection is Abloh’s way of “embracing the global community of Louis Vuitton,” according to the source material released with the collection. It also adds an egalitarian message that has marked Abloh’s tenure at Louis Vuitton.

Born in Illinois to immigrants from Ghana, Abloh is the first American of African descent to be artistic director of a French luxury fashion house. He has a degree in civil engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and studied architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Abloh first gained notoriety as creative director for Kanye West. He subsequently launched the luxury streetwear label Off-White (a favorite of Rihanna and Beyonce), and collaborated with Nike. Abloh joined Louis Vuitton in 2018, and the same year was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world. The Men’s Spring/Summer 2021 Collection (aptly named “Message in a Bottle”) is Abloh’s fifth for Louis Vuitton. Accordingly, the numeral “5” appears as a prominent creative element thereof.

In a “manifesto” published last summer, Abloh reiterates a commitment to “continue to hire diverse candidates, financially support BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and LGBTQ+ causes, shed light on BIPOC-owned companies and LGBTQ+ individuals, work on public-facing initiatives featuring BIPOC role models and LGBTQ+ and will assist organizations promoting a more inclusive workforce.”

As Abloh told Vogue last September, “I’m very much cognizant of the time that I couldn’t get into fashion shows myself, cognizant of my friends going to Paris and I couldn’t go because I couldn’t afford a plane ticket. I was just watching [fashion shows] via social media and through my friends.”

Now, every fan of fashion can have a front-row seat in what Abloh hopes will be a cultural exchange. Moreover, the fantastical animated stars of Zoooom with friends are meant to serve as more than mere entertainment. They “represent a fundamental belief in inclusivity, the core of the French House’s approach to menswear,” according to collection source materials.

Indeed, the Zoooom with friends crew plays a prominent role throughout the journey.

Passage to Asia

After “setting sail” from France in July, the Zoooom crew “resurfaced” in August in Shanghai, the first of two Asian venues to hold in-person debuts for the collection. Actually, Zoooom with friends had transmogrified into huge inflatable balloon creatures. They maintained a looming presence on the live runway shows at the port of Shanghai and on the roof of Tokyo’s International Cruise Terminal. Both shows were livestreamed around the world.

Inflatable iterations weren’t the only form of shape shifting for Zoooom with friends. The runways in Asia were full of bags, garments and accessories integrating the characters into designs. Some items featured plush Zoooom figures attached to them. A lexicon for the collection described this process of “Zoooomification” as a “three-dimensional technique of integrating the Spring-Summer 2021 characters of Zoooom with friends into garments and accessories, effectively adorning and animating pieces. Conceived during the lockdown-fueled digitalization of the world in 2020, Virgil Abloh employs this technique to make fashion ‘jump through the screen.'”

In addition to the characters, another central theme of the collection is “upcycling.” Utilizing the mantra, “No season is an old season,” Abloh defined his Upcycling Ideology as “a set of anti-obsolescence ideas to counter overproduction, waste and the culture of disposability.” A new Upcycling Signal Logo will attach to reconditioned pieces.

At Sea Once More

After a successful run in Asia, the traveling “Message in a Bottle” installation ventured off to sea again. The collection made its North American debut with a Temporary Residency at the Miami’s Design District’s Jungle Plaza. Described by the Miami Herald as one of the “crown jewels” of Art Week, the residency included bright red shipping containers and the giant Zoooom with friends balloons. Document Journal described the installation as “part runway, part P.T. Barnum performance, replete with the accoutrements of modern technology in an experiential fashion show that activates AR, Snapchat, and QR codes that allow visitors to partake in, and take away from, the traveling show in the form of unique sharable content.”

The activation folds up in Miami on Jan. 25. It then travels once again, this time by land. A caravan of the now-emblematic shipping containers will head west. The residency debuts on Rodeo Drive at the same time the “Louis Vuitton: Walk in the Park” public experience winds down in Paris. The Paris residency on Rue du Pont Neuf and the Louis Vuitton Maison Vendôme contains both physical and digital elements, including the chance to interact with the Zoooom characters and augmented reality experiences through the LV app that will also be available for users worldwide on Jan. 22.

Here in Beverly Hills, the Louis Vuitton Men’s Temporary Residency will be bound by  state and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Orders. At present, those orders mandate a reduction to 20 percent capacity based on square footage. The space will be open to the public and utilize a reservation system for entry. The Courier will publish exclusive details regarding early access for readers in future issues.

For a month, at least, the installation will provide Beverly Hills with a colorful reprieve from the lingering pandemic and political disarray. It’s also an opportunity to experience a moment in fashion history. “This is my invitation to move forward together with awareness, hope, and determination. You are witnessing unapologetic Black Imagination on display,” said Abloh.

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“Due to the on-scene investigation and immediate crime follow up, we believe the arrest [on Dec. 27] is connected to the Saint Laurent crime earlier in the week,” BHPD Spokesperson Lt. Max Subin told the Courier. He could not elaborate on the connection between the arrests and the other crimes, citing the ongoing investigation.

The Yves Saint Laurent robbery occurred around 5:35 p.m. when about eight suspects walked into the luxury store and seized “items including purses, and fled,” Subin said. According to initial estimates of the haul, the suspects made off with $50,000 of merchandise. “As they were fleeing, the security guard was sprayed in the face with a substance believed to be pepper-spray.”

A few nights later around 6 p.m., a woman who had witnessed the suspects running out of Yves Saint Laurent noticed a crowd congregating near Fendi. She snapped a picture on her phone, and then moments later, filmed as 10 suspects bolted out of Fendi with products in hand and ran into three cars idling outside.

“It was like in the span of a couple minutes,” Josh Lekach, a relative of the woman who posted the video told the Courier. The woman wished to remain anonymous. “They were congregating and then they went in and then grabbed stuff and then left.”

Initial reports calculated the loss at $67,000 in goods.

According to Subin, BHPD patrol units located one of the vehicles from the scene, found items from Fendi inside, and arrested the four occupants inside. “The suspects arrested last night for robbery were all juveniles and released to their parents,” he said.

The BHPD Detectives Bureau and Crime Impact Team (CIT) are currently investigating both crimes and working to locate the other two vehicles that got away.

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It’s been a challenging year and with stores open at only 20 percent capacity, shopping could also be tricky this holiday season as well. If you missed Black Friday and Cyber Monday, here are some inventive gift box ideas for everyone on your list.

For the Travel Connoisseur:

Assouline Publishing is known for producing stand-out volumes. This holiday season, they are packaging a colorful set of coffee table travel books ($95 each) featuring scenes from Comporta to Capri. In addition, “Travel by Design” was just released this fall with images of more than 100 locations in 60 countries, from exotic islands to global cityscapes, ancient civilizations, luxurious resorts, and more. You can find them in Beverly Hills at Gearys, Neiman Marcus or Assouline.com.

For the Art Aficionado:

MoMA Museum has teamed up with celebrity favorite cool-kicks brand Vans for a one-of-a-kind sneaker collaboration with artistic motifs from its collection starting at $80. The shoes have become canvases with Pollock, Van Gogh, Kandinsky, Monet and more. The gift boxes can be ordered with a matching sweatshirt for the full casual-cool lounging look which have all embraced this year. Vans.com

For Dark Chocolate Lover:

The owners of popular Porch Gallery in Ojai have launched Beato Chocolates. The artisanal 72 percent dark chocolates with fleur de sel feature the artwork of world-renowned sculptor Beatrice Wood who made Ojai’s Happy Valley her home and studio. You can also buy the large assorted bars (four for $48) inspired by Wood’s Dadaist work with unique combinations of roasted marcona almonds and smoked paprika, and a bar that also pays homage to the town’s famed pixie tangerines with artistic packaging. beatochocolates.com

For the Gluten-free Baker:

Many of us have taken up bread baking during the pandemic. Newly-opened Breadblok of Santa Monica will do the heavy lifting for you by producing gluten-free loaves of chestnuts sourdough bread available for nationwide delivery. They are packaging this along with other carbs in a holiday box for $149.99 that includes Provencal olive oil and fig jam. breadblok.com

For the Coffee Addict:

Beverly Hills mainstay coffee shop Alfred’s is always adding interesting merchandise to the mix, including this season’s make-your-own vanilla latte DIY kit. The package includes espresso beans, oat milk, vanilla syrup, stainless steel straws, a to-go tumbler and tote bag for $70 that will make 20 drinks.  Available at Alfredla.com. And, for a gift of coffee for a good cause, the Southern California-based Special Needz Coffee provides opportunities for adults with special needs and/or mental illnesses to work in the community. Their medium and espresso roast whole bean and ground coffees can be included in gift baskets along with customized mugs, face masks, T-shirts and other merchandise that supports the work of the organization. www.specialneedzcoffee.com.

For the Tequila and Rosé fan:

Everyone’s favorite sugar-gummy store, Sugarfina in Beverly Hills, has a new Candy Bento Box collaboration featuring Codigo 1530 signature Rosa tequila (aged in French oak barrels) with Tequila Grapefruit Sours and Top Shelf Rosé Roses candy. The box retails for $35, and because this is the first time, they have combined alcohol and candy in the same package, it’s being sold on ReserveBar.com.

For the Foodie:

Goldbelly is a national gourmet food service that will box up and ship your favorite meals to your door. If your significant other is missing mushroom lasagna from Gramercy Tavern in New York, Commander’s Palace turtle soup from New Orleans, or your kids are craving Hattie B’s fried chicken in Nashville or Pike Place chowder from Seattle, surprise them with a holiday delivery. The company also offers live Zoom cooking classes with top chef partners. Prices start at $45. Goldbelly.com

For the Beginner Home Cook:

For something hyper local and vegan-veggie friendly, CropSwap is offering a Golden State Papayas Pizza Party Box for $40 that includes fruits and vegetables from local farmers, the pizza dough, Drake’s Family Farm goat cheese and a jar from The Count of Monte Pesto. These new experimental subscription boxes also include a breakfast kit and pantry staples. cropswap.com

For the Fun Wellness Guru:

There is a plethora of CBD products on the market but this is a sparkling hemp-based CBD-infused craft cocktail pack featuring limited edition original artwork from Collective Project, which supports the global art community. Available starting at $17.99, flavors include Raspberry-Hibiscus Rooibos, Cucumber, Lemon-Lime and Mango, Pineapple-Coconut that will all mix well with your favorite at-home spirits. collectiveproject.com

For the Fitness Expert:

Since we can’t frequent the Shape House in West Hollywood right now to rid our bodies of all those toxins (who couldn’t use a pre-or-post-holiday detox?), while running into local celebs, MiHigh is a portable infrared sauna blanket packaged in a black gift box. This magic blanket claims to burn up to 600 calories in a 30-minute session while elevating your heart rate and calming the mind.  And, you can do this while lying on the sofa watching Netflix for $499. Mihigh.com

For the Fashionista:

Local celebrity stylist and designer Rachel Zoe has launched a seasonal bespoke subscription box of upscale fashion and lifestyle accessories. The collections features jewelry, scarves, handbags, sunglasses, home and beauty products. CURATEUR memberships start at $349 per year or $99 per box. curateur.com

For the Hair Care Fanatic:

Pureology has undergone a renovation with new formulas that are 100 percent vegan, and is now offering them in gift boxes at Sephora.com or in the Beverly Hills store. Known for helping hair color last far beyond the salon, (and with salons being closed, we all need that right now), Pureology Holiday Kits for men and women are $70 and include brightening, strengthening, volumizing, and smoothing themes.

For the Eco Beauty Buff:

With at-home pampering in high-demand, LOVEGOODLY is a new LA-based bi-monthly box that delivers 100 percent toxin-free and cruelty-free, products. Expect clean mascara by EVIO, vegan collagen night cream from London-based Professor Herb, a nourishing eye serum packed with cranberry seed oil for an antioxidant fix, and an orange and tea tree hand sanitizer that also fits in your handbag. Each purchase (starting at $40.00) also gives back to animal welfare non-profit, Farm Sanctuary. lovegoodly.com

For “High Maintenance” Skin Care:

For a more intense approach, West Hollywood’s luxury beauty hub Violet Grey, owned by Cassandra Grey, has just released a Violet gift box of “best sellers” including 111 Skin Y Theorem Bio-Cellulose Mask, U Beauty Resurfacing Compound and Westman-Atelier Lip Suede Les Rouges. The box contains over 13 products valued at over $1,000 for $425. Violetgrey.com

For Ringing Out 2020:

Petrossian caviar on Robertson is crafting special gift boxes this year that include varieties of products for picnics and at-home celebrations such as blinis and crème fraiche with mother of pearl spoons. You can also add Champagne, chocolates and appetizers from the $300 to $700 dollar range. Petrossian.com

The post The Gifting Scene in Beverly Hills appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

This year, it’s perhaps more important than ever to go beyond the traditional table scape, spark excitement and spread holiday cheer.

“I find that people are really decorating their homes tremendously this year. They went all out for Halloween and they’re doing it for Christmas. People are doing their holiday shopping early,” Melissa Clark, owner of Brentwood General Store told the Courier.

“This holiday season might not be as big or as busy,” said GEARYS Beverly Hills president and CEO Thomas Blumenthal. “But it can be as meaningful, as this time of year is a reminder of what’s real, what lasts, and what brings true meaning to our lives. Lighting holiday candles, taking out treasured decorations, remembering a friend with a gift–these rituals of the holidays connect us to the value of our traditions, whether shared in person or by FaceTime.”

Unlike other years, we might not be able to fly home and see some family members in person. We might not pass by the kitchen and get a whiff of Grandma’s famous brisket. Clark is seeing a big demand for holiday gift baskets and hampers customized with provisions ranging from pastas to sweets. It’s all about sending family members a little bit of home. We may not be attending our favorite holiday parties or kiss under the mistletoe, we can still foster and nurture meaningful connections, both old and new.

The experts at GEARYS advise us to step back and look at our surroundings with fresh eyes. This year, it’s important to surround ourselves with beautiful objects, eat off exquisite plates and invest in our homes. After all, it’s where we work, eat, play, teach, relax, exercise, and more these days. While dining experiences won’t feel exactly the same, there’s no better time to create a new world in an all too familiar space. Now is the time to marry old traditions with new ones. Call your grandmother and ask for her recipes. While we can’t go see her, we can still bring the scent of her kitchen into our homes.

Whether you’re hosting your immediate family, relatives, or members of your “pod,” we’ve asked some of Beverly Hills’ top retailers to share tips for making this holiday season extra special. From repurposing objects, personalizing each table setting, or gifting, experts divulge secrets key to hosting unforgettable, COVID-appropriate entertaining options.

Work With What You Have

According to Liz Barbatelli, owner of the high-end linen store, E Braun & Co., now is the time to let go of hesitations you might have about bringing out your best plates or tablecloths because they are “too nice.”

“I think people have become kind of casual and probably frustrated with always staying at home,” Barbatelli told the Courier. “I think the best way to make the holidays special this year is to really act like they’re the same. Act as if you were having a big party or having your whole family instead of an abbreviated amount and dress your table accordingly with all of your linens, fine candlesticks and flowers. Get out items that you might already have and that you haven’t been using.”

Flatware

Most of us have been staring at the same plates for eight months and are ready to change the aesthetic. Given that it’s not a traditional celebration, this is a great opportunity to introduce, experiment and play with non-traditional items and schemes.

“I think people are just taking this as an opportunity to elevate whatever they do have at home, because everyone has a different starting off point when entertaining,” Kiki Von Gregsamer, director of marketing at GEARYS told the Courier. “Whether you’re having a few people over, family or just yourselves, bring it to that next level. Adding some different elements piece by piece is a great idea. A lot of times you see pretty, simple white dinnerware and want to add in a few pops of color here and there. It’s the small details that really count when you’re putting a table scape together.”

Instead of purchasing the same set of flatware, Von Gregsamer suggests investing in a set that includes a variety of preselected patterns. Alternatively, instead of using your favorite set of plates rendering the table uniform, mix and match your favorites so that no two setting is the same. Abandon the idea that flatware is prescriptive; you don’t need to use a complete set.

Serving

Now is the time to explore individual, yet interactive, culinary experiences that incorporate statement entertaining pieces.

“The Christofle MOOD Party 24 Piece Flatware Set is a beautiful piece,” Von Gregsamer told the Courier. “That is definitely a statement piece when you see it sitting on the kitchen counter. You take the top off and it has all the flatware for people to just grab and dig in. You can place this in the center of the table and have a lot of different appetizers. We call that ‘kitchen island entertaining’ because it’s just gathering around a safe space. And it’s also conducive to people being able to keep their distance when gathering together for the holidays.”

Reimagine the Dining Room

For those who are planning a socially distanced get together, Tara Riceberg, owner of Tweak and Tesoro, suggests setting up two tables outside for a change of scenery and some fresh air.

“We have seen some setting up a different dining table per family so you’re not all around one big table,” Riceberg told the Courier. “What I have found is I’ve been selling doubles of items. Instead of somebody getting one cheeseboard, they’ll buy two different ones so there is one for each family.”

When it comes to outdoor dining, candlelight is essential when setting the table to create a warm atmosphere. “Scented candles elicit holiday cheer and setting the tone with fragrance is important. Cypress, cedar and pine needle candles just immediately bring forward the comforting coziness of winter and the holiday season,” Riceberg told the Courier.

Holiday candles in general have been huge sellers for Clark. “Usually, we don’t see the interest until December. Candles have really gone crazy this year. We’re shipping them constantly and delivering them to our clients locally,” she said.

Blankets may also be in order for al fresco dining this holiday season. Riceberg recommends providing guests with soft blankets on each chair to ward off the winter chill.

Stemware

Use a variety of different champagne flutes when toasting the New Year, so you’ll knows which one is yours. Mixing it up adds some interest that the symmetry of a matched set lacks.

“Baccarat’s ‘Bubbles in a Box’ champagne flutes really play into that whole thematic of personalizing each table scape for your guests,” Von Gregsamer told the Courier. “Sometimes our clients like purchasing some of these as gifts to place on their setting for each of their guests to take home. It’s a trend that lends itself to the times because you can assign a different one to each of your guests.”

Personalization 

Make each place setting unique. Place decorative “giftables” on each plate or use different colored glasses. The unexpected is a welcomed surprise. Find ways that you can repurpose objects in unexpected ways. Creativity is key to using items in a way that veers from their intended function.

“Even if it’s like a little flower, or the Baccarat crystal butterfly or even different place settings, everyone would have a presentation that is unique. And if it’s kind of in a similar color scheme then it’s still complementary. Other ways to make sure there is diversity in the table scape is by playing with linens, napkin rings or using different chargers at each setting,” said Von Gregsamer.

Ornaments

Looking to create a new tradition? Consider gift pieces that have a dual purpose. For example, place a collectible ornament to prop up place cards, which guests can then take home. Thoughtful, personalized touches like this are an unexpected holiday treat that guests will cherish.

The Menu

This year, instead of cooking traditional family favorites for dozens of guests, try a new recipe or gift a cookbook and inspire a friend to do the same. Since holiday entertaining this year will be smaller, take advantage of being able to reconfigure the menu.

“If I had 30 people coming over for dinner, I would do my recipes that are tried and true,” Riceberg told the Courier. “Because I only know that I’m cooking for four this year, it’s a great time to experiment with a new stuffing recipe or try making a roast chicken instead of turkey for Thanksgiving.”

Riceberg added, “If you’re hosting, the pressure is on, especially if it’s a big get together. But for something small or intimate, I feel like it’s the ideal time to experiment and change it up a bit.”

For dessert, switch it up by swapping pumpkin pie for individual boxes of assorted cake balls or mini cupcakes as a COVID-19 friendly treat. Alternatively, a petite assortment of sweets from a local chocolatier will add a festive pop of color on top of any table.

The post Home For the Holidays appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Compared to Lucy’s luminescence, all the diamonds ever mined here on earth are but a speck of dust. Then again, they’re infinitely more accessible. Lucy is 50 light years away.

Here in Beverly Hills, the diamond trade is certainly lofty by earthly standards.

Jeweler Jacques Mouw’s family is renowned for buying and cutting one of the largest diamonds ever mined on this planet. The 353-carat rough diamond was cut into the fifth largest pear-shaped diamond in the world, named “Premier Rose” after Mouw’s mother.

These days, business at Jacques Mouw Precious Jewels on Brighton Way is thriving, despite the pandemic.

“People are coming to us. They aren’t going on exotic cruises right now, so they’re buying jewelry,” Mouw told the Courier.

Martin Katz is similarly upbeat. His business, Martin Katz Ltd. has served as the gold standard in Beverly Hills jewelry for more than three decades. For two of those decades, he has operated from his eponymous boutique on Brighton Way.

“People are battle fatigued with the pandemic. They’ve been locked in their homes with very little access to anything that makes them feel better, from travel to entertaining. As a result of that, disposable income is pretty good because they’ve saved a lot of money. We have surprisingly but happily discovered there is pent up demand,” Katz told the Courier.

He noted that clients are increasingly interested in larger items.

“Certainly, people are buying to cheer themselves up and build some sense of normalcy. What I’ve really been surprised about is the request for large, important stones. Quite recently, we have sold sapphires and diamonds in the 20-30 carat range,” he said.

The pandemic may have changed our social calendar. But, the calendar itself moves forward. Birthdays and anniversaries still take place. Couples continue to get engaged, all of which helps jewelry sales,
said Katz.

“Milestone events are definitely motivating purchases right now. I think there’s a sense of ‘who knows what this pandemic is going to bring? I’d rather have this asset to pass to my kid.'”

M. Kantor & Associates has operated on Dayton Way since 1970.

“I’ve been doing this for 51 years and I’ve never seen a jump like this. People are interested in high quality, larger stones that they believe have intrinsic value. That’s why you see the lines at the fine jewelry stores,” the firm’s principal Michael Kantor told the Courier.

The notion that fine jewelry will last a lifetime and then some is definitely propelling sales. According to the De Beers Group Diamond Insight Report, 90 percent of consumers feel it is important to give a gift to a loved one this holiday that holds its value over time.

That’s an encouraging sign for an industry whose bottom line suffered dramatically in the early months of the pandemic. Fortunately, sales have not only rebounded, they’ve improved. According to Edahn Golan Diamond Research & Data, U.S. fine jewelry sales were up by 10 percent over 2019 by late summer.

Additional factors favorably affecting jewelry sales include the time spent at home in recent months. People are reflecting on their lives and relationships with gratitude, said De Beers. Moreover, everyone is looking to break the monotony a bit.

“People are wearing their jewelry, even around the house,” said Katz.

Susie Fox is a trendsetter in jewelry for every day.

“I don’t create things that will just sit in a jewelry box. I create things for people to enjoy all the time,” said Fox.

Fox launched her business in Silicon Valley and is newly-open in Southern California (susiefoxjewelry.com). Her designs incorporate 14k and 18k recycled gold with conflict-free diamonds, ancient beads, vintage artifacts and precious and semiprecious stones.

“We’re selling a lot of jewelry now. I can’t keep up with demand. In the beginning of the pandemic, during March and April, we were really quiet. Then all of a sudden around Mother’s Day we were up 20 to 30 percent over what we normally do every year,” said Fox.

Fox employs two full-time jewelers to create her pieces. Although business is up, her operations have definitely changed. “I source all my diamonds, emeralds, sapphires and rubies. I curate them myself from around the world. I work a lot with old European-cut diamonds. We would go around the world to shows in Basel and other places. Lately, that aspect has been difficult,” she said.

Nonetheless, Fox is still fulfilling a big client demand for items such as custom engagement rings and scattered diamond designs.

“Right now, people are working from home, but they still want to treat themselves. Smaller items that clients can wear every day are particularly hot,” said Fox.

“Clients are asking for little, fine necklaces or small earrings. I do a lot of stacked bracelets and layered necklaces. Lots of people are also asking for charm necklaces and custom charms that are meaningful to them,” she noted.

The layering trend is “huge” at Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills. “We are seeing it on wrists, fingers, and necks,” said Neiman Marcus Vice President, Divisional Merchandise Manager, Precious Jewels, Larry Pelzel.

Pelzel told the Courier that Beverly Hills patrons are definitely looking for brands that will help them stand out during the holiday season. “They are looking for necklaces, cuff bracelets, and more wearable jewelry from modernist brands such as Messika, Anita Ko, Nikos Koulis, Spinelli and more,” he said.

At West Hollywood’s Peri A, clients are looking for jewelry that is not only modern, but “fun, interesting and different,” said Christine Moon. She is creative director and partner in the jewelry boutique on North Robertson Boulevard.

“Our clients want to see pops of color combined with fine gemstones. They want things like diamonds on bright hot pink acrylic backgrounds,” Moon told the Courier.

Big sellers at Peri A include whimsical enamels from Italian jewelry designer Bea Bongiasca and New York-based designer Audrey C. Another favorite is the new Milanese label EÉRA that creates gold and diamond-adorned earrings, cuffs and necklaces with snap hooks that can be detached and linked together to create a “build your own” effect.

Peri A, like other local jewelers, is dealing with a decline in international business from Asia and the Middle East. Nonetheless, sales are doing quite well. The boutique is set to open an outpost soon in Aspen. She also confirms what analysts report as a nationwide trend in the fine jewelry arena. That is, clients still want to come into the store.

“I think online is a space where you see more of the discount jewelry. In this business, people really want that personal touch. They want to try things on,” said Moon.

Based on current trends, she predicts that 2021 will be a big year for chains, chokers, neon colors and enamels. The Italian labels she works with are showcasing bright, fun colors mixed in with diamonds and semi-precious stones for an edgy look.

For the classic, refined Italian look, Buccellati is without equal. At the fine jewelry design house’s Rodeo Drive boutique, pendants are big sellers at the moment.

“Naturally, people are not traveling and attending events as frequently as they once were. Thus, I believe there is a current desire for beautiful, impeccably crafted, wearable jewelry. For example, the house’s Macri Classica pendant is a piece with eternal style, that you never have to take off, and can wear for every occasion,” Lucrezia Buccellati, co-creative director of Buccellati, told the Courier.

She also cites the cascading Hawaii Pendant Earrings and Macri Cuff Bracelet as trendsetters for the holiday season.

According to De Beers, consumers are interested in buying fewer, better things this holiday season. That bodes well for jewelry purchases. Katz has a more philosophical explanation for the vigorous jewelry sales right now.

“Many people I know who were ill with the virus, especially the over 50 set, realize that this is your time here on earth to enjoy. We’re not in a dress rehearsal. I try to enjoy everything more now.”

He added, “From what others tell me in the industry, we feel rather positive about the holiday season. They’re seeing a lot of activity overall. It’s not as steadily predictable as it once was. But, you can’t deny that people are looking for very nice things.”

The post Diamonds and Stars appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The daylong event focused on the challenges and opportunities businesses face in the midst of a global pandemic. The interactive virtual format included a variety of panels, webinars and breakout sessions with time for live Q&A’s.

The day kicked-off with the “State of the City of Beverly Hills” conversation between Mayor Lester Friedman and Southern California broadcast icon, Fritz Coleman, streamed live from the grounds of the historic Greystone Mansion. Barring any major changes related to COVID-19, Friedman told Coleman that the City Council has many projects in the works right now.

“We have the One Beverly Hills project, which is a combination of the old Wanda Robinson May project and the Beverly Hilton project, which is now one combined piece of property that is going to be developed,” said Friedman. “We’ll make it an absolutely beautiful area with gardens and buildings, both residential and hotels, that is coming our way. We also have a project in our golden triangle area by LVMH, which is a hotel and it is going to be called the Cheval Blanc. So, that is also a proposal that is coming forward to us. We’re really lucky that we’re having development that is going on, that is going to be out there, and we are moving forward with all of those projects.”

After the Mayor’s address, Stan Kasten, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Dean Spanos, owner and Chairman of the Board of the Los Angeles Chargers spoke about the economy of professional sports and the effect of COVID-19 on their teams’ financial models.

Emmy Award-winning TV news producer and strategic communications PR consultant Ann Shatilla held her annual “State of Luxury with Ann Shatilla” business seminar. This year, Shatilla had an in-depth conversation–held and broadcast virtually–with Anish Melwani, the Chairman and CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton Inc. North America.

With over 70 Maisons, LVMH is known worldwide as the leader of luxury, present in all five major sectors of the luxury market: fashion and leather goods, perfumes and cosmetics, wine and spirits, watches and jewelry and selective retailing. When asked to elaborate on how to access consumers during this time, as well as understanding needs and wants, Melwani said, “The brands that are the most well-known, the ones that have the strongest image and the strongest reputations for quality and heritage are performing the best right now.”

  He added, “Customers today don’t want to invest in a piece of fashion via ready-to-wear or leather goods that they don’t know will still be in fashion when they can finally go out and travel or go to parties again. They absolutely want the feeling of accomplishment, of pleasure, of happiness that they get when they purchase a luxury product. We’re seeing that they’re looking to invest in pieces that are timeless and that they know they will be happy that they purchased when this is all over.”

Following the State of Luxury, Amir Nematipour, the executive sous chef at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, gave viewers a peek inside the hotel’s culinary reopening.

Additional sessions explored the future of global air travel with Justin Erbacci, CEO of Los Angeles World Airports; urban mobility; the world of commercial real estate post COVID-19, featuring top experts in the field discussing what 2021 will look like for the market, and where investment opportunities may be. Other sessions included the economic importance of the 500+ billion dollar beauty industry with Sennen Pamich, president of Coty Professional Beauty and Retail Hair, North America and Mary Atherton, communications director at Coty Professional Beauty; the future of the entertainment industry and how the arts are surviving with the Recording Academy’s Qiana Conley, BAFTA’s Matthew Wiseman, and the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts’ Rachel Fine.

The Fall Collaborative concluded with the Chamber’s 2020 Best of Beverly Hills Golden Palm Award Honorees, highlighting businesses in and around Beverly Hills that represent excellence.

The Chamber presented honorees with awards in two categories: Above and Beyond and Innovation, with an additional award given to small businesses in each category. The 2020 recipients of the Above and Beyond award went to Cedars-Sinai Health System and for small business, to Meraki Fitness. The Innovation award went to Spago Beverly Hills, and UMBERTO for small business in the same category. The Fred Hayman Visionary Award was presented to John Bendheim for his contributions and advisory positions that have made him instrumental in leading the business community.

To learn more, visit https://beverlyhillsbtbcollaborative.vfairs.com/en/.

The post Beverly Hills Chamber Hosts Virtual “Back to Business” appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“The Chamber is fortunate to lead a world-class community of the most unique and innovative businesses. Each year, we celebrate the amazing business community and honor exceptional winners.  The awards selection process was challenging with so many deserving entries,”said Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Todd Johnson.

Fred Hayman Visionary Award Honoree

The Fred Hayman Visionary Award honors “an individual(s) or business who has brought their unique vision of Beverly Hills to life by positively uplifting, supporting, and influencing the business and residential communities and beyond.”

This year’s winner is Courier Publisher John Bendheim. “John Bendheim is a staple in the community of Beverly Hills, both personally and professionally. His contributions both financially as well as advisory positions, have been instrumental in leading this community forward for many years and he continues to do so,” said the Chamber’s statement.

Above & Beyond Award Honorees

Above & Beyond Award honorees are “businesses who lead by example by going above and beyond in their business practices and while contributing to causes supporting the Beverly Hills and surrounding communities.”

This year, the award winners are:

Cedars-Sinai Health System

“Cedars-Sinai Health System has been a force in the Beverly Hills and greater Los Angeles community, especially since the pandemic outbreak. They have been great leaders in fighting the COVID-19 virus and dealing with the hospitalizations of patients with it,” said the Chamber.

Meraki Fitness (Small Business)

“Meraki Fitness Owner Anna Stavaridis immediately pivoted at the beginning of the pandemic by converting her services to a virtual environment, welcoming existing and new Chamber and community members. While balancing a wide dimension of impacts from the mandated quarantine, Anna immediately provided online services to adapt to our new world, adopting technology with ease, and guiding others to shift their businesses as well,” said the Chamber.

Innovation Award Honorees

The Innovation Award honors “businesses who excel in having created and implemented an original idea, which demonstrates marketplace success and practical development.”

The honorees are:

Spago Beverly Hills

“When in house dining reopened and then quickly pivoted again to only outdoor dining, Spago Beverly Hills had already arranged to be one of the first dining establishments to utilize Open BH. They applied for both a dining permit and liquor license immediately and were able to utilize the stunning art mural wall that was erected to help mitigate some of the Metro construction issues as well as the streetscape. In addition to these efforts, they have been extremely careful regarding mandates with their staff (testing regularly) and guests regarding safe distancing, masks wearing, sanitizing ensuring the utmost safety for all,” said the Chamber.

UMBERTO (Small Business)

“UMBERTO Beverly Hills, a 12,000 square foot salon, home to 20 cutting, styling and coloring chairs – (offering color, highlights, balayage and keratin treatments) seven nail stations that offer gel, nail art, manicures and pedicures, has transformed its parking lot into a luxury outdoor salon. The “Open Air Salon” has a vacation vibe with music filling the air. The space is covered by white sails, white mirrors and pots of white roses throughout the space. The asphalt has been painted light and dark gray stripes to give it a carpet-like feel,” said the Chamber.

The honorees will be  recognized during the Beverly Hills Back to Business Fall Virtual Collaborative on Oct. 21.

The post Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce Announces Golden Palm Honorees appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

From Compton to Couture. From learning in sweat shops to presenting on the biggest Fashion Week runways around the world, Johana Hernandez is a Latinx millennial sensation. Creator and owner of GLAUDI, known for her wedding gown, special occasion, red carpet haute couture designs, Ms. Hernandez, is launching her first men’s collection. Due to the pandemic, instead of launching her collection in late September at the Ritz during Paris Fashion Week as she usually does for 2020, Johana has pivoted. As a new member of our business community, she has brought Paris to Beverly Hills by premiering, in this Beverly Hills Courier world exclusive, her “first men’s and women’s bespoke suits” campaign.

Johana Hernandez’s meteoric rise began at her parents’ knees. The two El Salvadorian immigrants shepherded their daughter to their jobs in the factories producing garments for global brands, including Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger. As a young girl, with familial generations of humble garment makers before her, Johana learned clothing construction and manufacturing processes. In her early teens, she began designing as a hobby with her mother. Attending FIDM, she was plucked by Bebina Jeans and quickly became a head designer. At 19, she was featured in the Wall Street Journal for her designs, which included casual sportswear. Leaping to international brands, she landed at Seven7 Jeans for several years as a knits and jeans designer as well as a designer for plus size retailer Lane Bryant.

In 2011, at age 24, without financial backing, she founded the family business “GLAUDI,” named after her mother Gladis. Driven by her early childhood experiences, and her devout Christian faith, Johana built a company where she implemented a culture for her employees to be compensated fairly and treated with respect. She also insisted her company be guided with the purpose to help others. It’s no wonder the moment California was mandated to shut down earlier this year, Johana turned her factory of design into making masks. Thousands of GLAUDI masks were donated to hospitals for frontline workers, the LAPD, and security officers and their medical teams at L.A. County prisons.

GLAUDI’s flagship stores are in Beverly Hills and Downey, with additional ateliers in Downey, Chicago and Istanbul, Turkey.

Johana also addresses the needs of the underserved from Compton to El Salvador, having funded the construction and supplies for a school in El Salvador. Her thinking, “If your goal is to just become rich and famous, it’s super empty. But if your goal is to give work to people, to build schools, to give back to the community, that’s leaving a legacy. And that’s my dream for our brand.”

After fifteen years of hard work, vision and innovation, Johana shines as a confident, energetic, phenomenally creative young woman who credits her faith for her success. As a hopeless romantic, she oozes positivity and passion in everything she does. She goes as far as blessing each dress, if her clients welcome her to do so, and she signs each GLAUDI wedding dress sketch with “What God has joined together, let no one separate.” Mark 10:9.

Mentored by Nichole Richie and John Varvatos, she was featured on NBC’s “Fashion Star.” In 2013 she was nominated to be part of People Magazine Espanol’s one of the 25 most powerful Latinas. In Latina Magazines’ 30 Favorite stars under 30, she joined Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez. As a judge on “The Fashion Hero” airing worldwide and on Amazon Prime, Johana searched for everyday models of all shapes and sizes to become GLAUDI ambassadors, focusing on taking the rejected to be respected.

Besides adorning some of the world’s most beautiful women, a multitude of Latina superstars, and international celebrities, she has been featured on CNN, Fox News, Spectrum 1, ABC 7, Telemundo, Univision and in the New York Times, Vogue, Elle, Cosmopolitan, and Harper’s Bazaar. On Sept. 19, the host of the Creative Arts Emmy’s, Nicole Byer, Netflix’s series host of “Nailed it,” chose to wear Johana’s creation to present the awards on the international telecast.

Johana’s goal is to inspire, “I came a long way from Compton to Beverly Hills. If I can do it, you can do it, too!”

September is Hispanic Heritage month, and we are living in unprecedented times. Let’s refresh the conversation. Please join us as we celebrate a young, accomplished fashion designer in our community, who, with an uplifting voice, helps us celebrate the happiest moments in our lives.

Lisa Bloch: Our world is filled with uncertainties. Is this the right time for wedding celebrations? How has your business been affected?

Johana Hernandez: It’s true about our world, but ‘love is not cancelled.’ It never is. Weddings are being done. They’re just smaller. Or they’re doing virtual ceremonies and the bride wants, more than ever, to look beautiful on her special day. Or they’re planning small, out of town weddings and we make dresses that fit the location. They’re still booking me because it takes about six months to a year for custom dresses, and three to six months for our collection dresses. I just don’t know how we’re going to handle next year when I have so many weddings all at the same time.

Why did you choose to open your boutique in Beverly Hills?

It’s the capital of fashion. I’m the youngest designer business owner in Beverly Hills of Salvadorian descent. I’m the first Salvadorian-American to do Fashion Week, six seasons already, at the Ritz in Paris. I like to do things that are different and to bring something new for everyone to love.

Known for your exquisite bridal collections, why have you decided to design a men’s collection?

I’ve always wanted to launch a men’s line, but it was never the right time. My dad died two months ago. His short name was “Rey.” In Spanish it means king. I want to respect and honor men like my father. So, I felt it was the perfect time after losing him and feeling how important men are in our lives. As women, we need to love them. As a female designer, I can help to empower men, as I appreciate them and honor them. It’s time to get back to business. I want to empower men through the men’s suits, the same way I do women with women’s suits and gowns.

Please tell us about your power suits.

GLAUDI’s suits are custom and comfortable. They are made to fit every shape and size. All of us have different shapes. Fit is so important. I embrace all body types. For guys too. Men come in every shape and size. Every suit is made to measure.

You know when you are wearing a suit that doesn’t feel right. At GLAUDI we believe that if you are not comfortable, you won’t be able to achieve what you’re trying to do through presentations or to enjoy your event. Choosing the right fabric and making it fit right is the only way to go. I have stretch in some of my fabrics. They are soft and fresh and breathable, so you don’t feel hot in them. They fit correctly so that when you sit down, nothing is bulging. It makes you feel good about your body. It makes you feel confident and bold so you can focus on what is at hand.

Women can be strong and successful, and at the same time, beautiful and feminine in a GLAUDI suit. A man is strong and successful and gentle in a GLAUDI suit. It all shows in how the suit fits. That is why we spend time customizing each suit for each client. We have tons of patterns, but my goal is to make suits that are comfortable to wear, are flattering, and reflect a bold, confident person. I know so many amazingly successful men who have businesses, or who are getting married, and they want something from me. But for a girl to make a man’s suit is not normal. Usually men design for men. It’s beautiful to be able to respect men and give them what they want.

For women’s suits, I definitely add more tailoring to shape women better, instead of looking boxy. My pants are higher waisted to bring attention to the right places and to be more complimentary. I’ve created special shoulder pads that are not too high, but give you a strong structure, yet don’t make you look tired with bad posture. These are the little details that make a difference.

What is special about the GLAUDI bridal dresses?

Everything is special for our GLAUDI brides as our dresses take thousands of hours to create. All are handmade. I sketch and design in front of the brides who choose to do custom gowns and the brides who shop from our collection, they get to have a personal bridal stylist. All designs are made to fit each bride perfectly.

At GLAUDI brides never settle for a dress. I make their entire fairy tale wedding come to life as we also have dresses for bridesmaids and mother of the bride. When it’s complete, it brings joy to all of us. And now that COVID is here, I know a lot of brides are having smaller weddings. We are launching our bride tuxedo suit in white with this campaign. Bridal suits are so polished and elegant for women.

You would schedule an appointment online or over the phone with our stylist or with me. In our first meeting, I sketch in front of my clients, so they see everything coming to life. They get a dress that is made for them. We do tricks with corsets and bras inside of the dresses to help women look their very best on her wedding day. Most girls cry when we photograph them in the dress for the first time as they can’t believe they look so beautiful.

And your GLAUDI Men’s “Rey” collection?

With our new men’s tuxedo suits to complement the bride, we are doing some new things. When men get married in their tuxedo, they want to dance and have fun. It’s a real celebration. So, I think about the fabrics I use to make them feel comfortable to be able to move. I add stretch to their suit. This is super exciting because no one has done this. It still looks structured and beautiful, but they can easily move. We are also making for grooms the ability to tell their love story with printed photos in the lining of their blazer. It’s really fun.

Please tell us about your red-carpet collection, as well as the fabrics you choose.

This is the collection I always show at Paris Fashion Week. It is designed for women who are bold and not afraid to shine. When she walks into a room, she doesn’t have to say a word. Her dress speaks for itself. This is the girl who is noticed on the red carpet. It is worn by the woman with confidence.

We use the best fabrications from all over the world, Italian laces, silks from Paris and Italy, and made in our atelier in Istanbul.

I noticed in one of your big fashion shows you employed a young, energetic model with Down syndrome. Can you tell us about her and your decision to include her in the show?

It was New York fashion week this past February 2020. When she came out on the runway, everyone was cheering. It was really special. I added her to the collection because I feel every girl could feel beautiful no matter what. She is now modeling all over the world. I think there’s a lot of girls that need to see that there are girls like them achieving their dreams. It’s empowering. I feel like we are all made to be equal and to just be uniting, loving and kind. Anyone can achieve anything.

Did you dream about one day designing a luxury brand?

I always wanted to design clothes that would help people. We give work to a lot of people because we make all of our garments by hand. We don’t mass produce. So, when you get a suit or a dress, it’s all hand made. You’re giving work to people that are here in the U.S. mainly, or in other countries, people who are humble. We are helping families through fashion.

Your faith is very important to you. You do regular Bible studies in your store. During COVID, are you doing them virtually? Tell us about “God is Fab.”

It’s my Instagram handle. I created it to mentor girls and inspire women to get their confidence back through faith. I love to empower women to help them find purpose and God given talent no matter what religion we are from.

Who’s your mentor?

Hmmm, my parents and God, to be honest.

What’s your biggest challenge?

I’m usually the only Hispanic in the room as a luxury fashion business owner and designer. Being a Latina designer, I put in triple the work. Unfortunately, there are still people that feel Latinos aren’t made for this, when my family has been in fashion for generations. Sometimes I don’t get opportunities because of my skin color, because I’m Latina. Now I have decided to let my work speak for itself.

When I was younger, I didn’t notice it was weird. Until my assistant, one time, said something to me. She was like, did you see that everyone looked at us? We were like the only Hispanics. She made me open my eyes. Sometimes I literally feel like I’m Rosa Parks and that feeling inspires me more to succeed, to bring everyone together through fashion.

And in Beverly Hills, since you have arrived, how has it been?

My neighbors have been really great to me. And we’ve been helping each other out during COVID. I feel like Beverly Hills, once you get in and people get to know you, it’s like a little family and they want to help. There are some (neighbors) who have been around for many, many years. They’ve been super welcoming. We talk about lots of things. As a millennial, I have strengths in places where I didn’t even know. Like they need help on social media which I’m happy to help them. It’s what I love about being here. There’s a community, especially with the business owners. The Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce has so many services to help us. And that’s really great to have because you feel you’re a part of something.

I imagine you may be feeling conflicted. As you just shared, you have experienced inequalities and injustices in your lifetime, and understand the Black Lives Matter message. And yet you’re also a business owner, who has worked hard to open a boutique in Beverly Hills, only to be thrust into a position of having to protect your valued business. Are you caught between two worlds?

I grew up in Compton. My friends were super diverse, like me. We’ve always mattered to me. Originally, I thought it was a bad thing being born and raised in Compton, but now I’m grateful for it as I am making a difference. We were very conservative Christians. We had nothing to do with gang violence or crime. As I grew older, I’ve come to embrace that part of my story. People need to know that it doesn’t matter where you come from, we should treat one another with love and respect.

Now I am really glad I can share my story. It’s not about where I came from or the color of my skin. We’re here to make everyone who wants to feel empowered and beautiful, to feel and look that way. And I’m just excited that it’s a place where you get to meet people from all over the world.

International travel has been curtailed. How has this changed your business model?
I don’t target tourists. I don’t target celebrities. They find me. My brand has a look. If the client is local, they visit us in the store. I love to have good relationships with my clientele. If the client is from out of town, we work through emails and through zoom.

What was the reaction from the Latino world when you opened in Beverly Hills?
Oh my Gosh. Everyone was super proud and excited. We were in all of the Latino media. Like it went viral. Even the president from El Salvador sent a message on social media about it. It’s very inspiring. I love being that designer who makes you feel like, why not?

What inspires you?

I’ve traveled around the world, designing. And in every country, in every language, I meet the same girl. Like me, a woman who’s confident and who wants to achieve goals. Even the guys. Like they all want to fall in love. They all want to achieve their dreams. They just speak different languages. GLAUDI is for everyone. Don’t look at me just as a Latina designer. I am a designer. Don’t see color. See the beautiful collections and wear them and feel confident. I want to unite everyone. You know what I mean?

I sure do. Where do you see yourself in five years with GLAUDI? What do you hope to have accomplished being a part of the Beverly Hills community?
I want to continue here in Beverly Hills, of course. I want to present my designs internationally. I’m already showing in Paris and I’m going to Italy, to Milan. Across the United States, I really want everyone to get a little piece of what we do. I want it to always be about empowering people and taking them to the moon to celebrate the most special events. We design for the happiest moments in your life. That’s the time where you come for a dress or a design. I want to be able to help you celebrate, and not let it be about this year’s color. It’s about feeling good. It’s about you.

Johana Hernandez, this has been an honor and a pleasure. You are one extraordinary young woman, a role model and an inspiration. As the wedding and red carpet emperadora (empress), Beverly Hills is lucky you have chosen our City to be GLAUDI’s home. Congratulations for being the Beverly Hills Courier STYLE’s first Fashion icon! And welcome to our community!

With respect and appreciation,

Lisa Bloch

www.glaudicollection.com

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8-lxxfZkjw[/embedyt]

Instagram @GLAUDIbyJohanaHernandez

9608 Brighton Way
Beverly Hills, CA 90210

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The Courier first broke the story that EDD fraud is impacting the City in its Sept. 11 issue.

Subsequently, BHPD released a statement on Sept. 16 providing additional details about the investigations. “Earlier this month, the Beverly Hills Police Department learned criminals were fraudulently obtaining EDD benefits loaded onto EDD debit cards using stolen identities. The monetary value placed on the cards by EDD can be as high as $20,000. Cardholders are able to withdraw up to $1,000 per day, per card. Suspects have traveled primarily from out of state to obtain these fraudulent EDD cards in California. The suspects will most often have numerous EDD cards in their possession with other people’s identities, along with large amounts of cash. They will then use the cards to lease short-term rentals, rent luxury vehicles, dine at restaurants and purchase high-end merchandise,” said the statement.

In California, the EDD allows individuals eligible for Unemployment Insurance, Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave to receive payments in the form of a Bank of America debit card. The card can be used to make purchases and withdraw cash. The EDD also offers Digital Cards–a prepaid Visa debit card–similar to the physical card option. Both forms of EDD cards are being targeted by individuals in Beverly Hills and throughout the county and state.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the EDD has paid out more than $81.8 billion in unemployment benefits since March. A Sep. 10 report released by the Department shows a startling sudden influx in initial unemployment claims from recent weeks.

For the week ending Aug. 22, the total number of people claiming benefits in all programs was 29,605,064, an increase of 380,379 from the previous week. For the week ending August 29, the state of California saw the largest increase in initial claims nationwide, with the addition of nearly 23,000.

In mid-August, Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer issued a warning, alerting the public of thieves using stolen Social Security numbers to apply for and receive unemployment relief–in the form of EDD cards–in their unknowing victims’ names. “All this is adding extra strain to our state’s over-burdened unemployment network at a time when record numbers of Californians desperately need benefits,” Feuer noted.

On Sep. 14, BHPD officers arrested a Kentucky man after confiscating two handguns and over $30,000 in cash found on his person. The arrest, which the BHPD confirmed also involves EDD fraud, took place outside of Cartier, a boutique specializing in fine jewelry and luxury timepieces. The Courier obtained an exclusive video from the scene that captured the suspect repeating, “I’m not from here,” while officers seized cash and other contraband.

On the same day, the BHPD released a community alert describing the trend as: “Suspects posing as customers may possess fraudulent EDD cards that are not in their name; High dollar amounts are preloaded on the cards; Purchase of high dollar items with the fraudulent cards or large amounts of cash.”

Working with businesses to mitigate further escalation, the BHPD urged retailers to require all customers to present a valid form of government ID, ensuring the name on the credit card matches. Businesses were also advised to limit one EDD card per customer as payment and require a physical card as opposed to a digital wallet.

The Courier has learned that the parent corporations of prominent retailers in the City are urging an immediate, indefinite hold on accepting EDD cards as a form of payment.

On Sep. 16, luxury retailers such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Vacheron Constantin and Piaget began informing customers prior to entering that EDD cards would no longer be accepted. Most businesses in the Triangle have since followed suit–including restaurants.

In an effort to strengthen anti-fraud operations, the BHPD is working with local, state and Federal law enforcement agencies, including the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, California Highway Patrol, the United States Secret Service, U.S Postal Inspector’s Office, U.S. Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service.

“There are millions of tax dollars being spent fraudulently as a result of this trend,” Police Chief Dominick Rivetti said in the Sep. 16 release. “The Beverly Hills Police Department is also working closely with our business community to keep them well informed of this trend in an effort to mitigate these crimes within our City.”

The BHPD is encouraging the public to call the Department at 310-285-2125 or submit an anonymous tip by texting BEVHILLSPD followed by the tip information to 888777.

The post BHPD Confiscates Nearly $3 Million in EDD Fraud Arrests appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The PTCP organization is a grassroots collaboration of community members, artists, nonprofit organizations and businesses. Together, their mission is to “help communities create visual displays of solidarity for racial equality, justice, and progress.”

On Sept. 18, ten local artists and projectionists will paint the panels of Beverly Center facing La Cienega Boulevard. To further illuminate the featured works, the center’s exterior walls will be lit in celebration of the community effort.

“Beverly Center is proud to partner with PTCP and this group of talented local artists to provide a public space to showcase their meaningful work as a way to create positive change in our community,” said Jackie Plaza, Marketing and Sponsorship Director of Beverly Center.

The walls of Beverly Center will be filled with images that depict what “a world that works” could look like evoking a sense of community, equality, justice, and peace. The temporary public art displays will collectively serve as a creation of solidarity for racial equality.

“This partnership demonstrates how art-based activism (artivism) may provide a visual heartbeat for civil rights reform efforts in the face of quarantine and the inability to physically gather. In the absence of direct human presence, art provides voice and visibility,” said a sppkesperson for PTCP.

The temporary public art display will be located at the northeast corner of Beverly Center, at the intersection of Beverly and La Cienega Boulevards.

The live painting will take place between 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. The initial lighting of the Beverly Center building exterior is at 7 p.m., and the visual projection art will be visible at 7:30 p.m.

Artists involved in the Beverly Center PTCP project include Brittney S. Price, ShowzArt, Joe O’Neill, BANDIT, Mufasa, Jaime Guerrero, Shannon Knox and Imani Gray.

The post Beverly Center Paints the City appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The bakery, which opened on Aug. 17 on South Santa Monica Blvd., saw locals lined up outside in anticipation of a chance to sample the legendary sweet treat.

“We’ve been working on opening this location for about a year,” Holly Ohanessian, director of retail told the Courier. “We were supposed to open earlier in the year, but COVID-19 slowed us down. But it didn’t really stop us from moving forward. We feel like there’s still a demand for cake and celebrations.”

Inside the Flour Shop, colorful décor commands the senses. With a floor-to-ceiling painted rainbow, walls are stocked with kits to make your own cake at home, sprinkles, food coloring, frosting, and all the baking or party supplies required for a colorful celebration. At the counter, patrons can choose from an array of bite-sized cake balls with flavors such as rainbow vanilla, chocolate chip, cookies n’ cream, carrot cake, Nutella and peanut butter. The bakery also offers an assortment of explosion cakes, cookie cakes, rainbow cakes, cakes crafted to look like burgers and donuts, and push-pops.

“We’ll eventually turn that into a little party space,” Ohanessian told the Courier. “We can close off a section and host birthday parties and things like that. We love to celebrate the birthday lifestyle. We’re all about putting smiles on people’s faces and spreading joy and rainbows.”

Currently, the bakery has two outdoor dining tables and hopes to offer indoor seating pending the Public Health Order. “If we feel like we need to expand, we will,” said Ohanessian.

https://flourshop.com/

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In 2016, California voters elected to join a growing list of states to allow recreational marijuana with the passage of Proposition 64, or the Adult Use of Marijuana Act (AUMA).

A key element of Prop 64 was its emphasis on local control. The original text of the proposition explained, “The Adult Use of Marijuana Act sets up a comprehensive system governing marijuana businesses at the state level and safeguards local control, allowing local governments to regulate marijuana-related activities.”

But in April 2019, a group of 25 local governments claimed in a lawsuit that the agency in charge of regulating weed within the state, the Bureau of Cannabis Control (BCC), had run afoul of that original promise. By passing a regulation that allowed for weed delivery “to any jurisdiction within the State of California,” BCC had circumvented local ordinances that banned such deliveries.

The lawsuit faced a setback on Aug. 6, though, when Fresno Superior Court Judge Rosemary McGuire issued a tentative ruling in favor of the BCC. The ruling centered on whether some cities even had standing to sue the BCC, pointing out that some of the plaintiffs lacked explicit ordinances banning cannabis delivery.

According to the ruling, “the issues here are not yet appropriate for judicial resolution due to the hypothetical nature of plaintiffs’ alleged injury. This is because some of the plaintiffs either do not have an ordinance regarding commercial cannabis delivery…or do not ban such delivery.”

But as Beverly Hills spokesperson Keith Sterling pointed out, the ruling may not apply to the City.

“The tentative decision doesn’t appear to affect the City of Beverly Hills since we do indeed have regulations in place,” he told the Courier.

Beverly Hills passed its own local control of the cannabis industry in Aug. 2017. Under Ordinance No. 17-O-2734, the City banned all commercial cannabis activity, including “all deliveries of cannabis or cannabis products.” The ordinance made an exception for medical marijuana.

Judge McGuire’s ruling “invited” plaintiffs without standing to withdraw from the case. Those local governments with ordinances that conflict with the BCC’s regulation, such as Beverly Hills, must now submit evidence of the ordinances.

The judge noted in her ruling that all the parties in the suit had represented themselves as having relevant ordinances. A trial brief on behalf of the plaintiffs stated, “Each Plaintiff alleges that it has adopted ordinances or resolutions regulating–or in some cases prohibiting–commercial cannabis deliveries within its jurisdiction.” This, the ruling noted curtly, was “not supported by the evidence.”

The judge granted an extension for approximately one month, for the parties to submit further briefing on the issue of ripeness of the issues.

According to Sterling, the City will “await the final decision and determine what, if any, action may be necessary.”

The post Beverly Hills Avoids Setback in Cannabis Delivery Case appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The bucolic grounds of the Hotel Bel-Air, with swans floating by the entrance bridge, has always been an ideal spot for an escape. The property is offering a new staycation experience with a relaxed check-in and check-out time based on guests’ schedules. “We have seen a large increase in reservations from drive markets and many are booking our staycation offer, which allows guests to check-in and check-out at their preferred times,” General Manager Denise Flaunders told the Courier.

According to Flaunders, guests like to maximize their time on the property lounging poolside or relaxing on their private patios with landscaped gardens. To add to the specialized experience, visitors can now order a bespoke picnic basket, have a romantic candlelight dinner in their room and even order ingredients to leisurely mix up their favorite cocktails. The staff will also arrange in-room wellness amenities with a bubble bath experience, yoga instructor on the patio or an aromatherapy treatment. “Our guests do not have to travel far to feel like they are truly getting away for a much-needed vacation,” added Flaunders.  Of course, the Wolfgang Puck-helmed patio restaurant is available anytime to outside guests as well.

Former CEO of GBK Productions, Gavin Keilly, who produced VIP/celebrity gifting suites every awards season, has channeled his talents into GBK Brand Bar at the Kimpton La Peer. The shop features everything from bathing suits to CBD sundries, doggie-duds by Chanel and Badgley Mischka, to designer masks from Gucci and Prada.

While you’re shopping, sip wines by the glass or selections from the coffee bar. Food options include caviar, vegan cheese and rosé all-day on the first Saturday of the month. Taco Thursdays bring $2 tacos and complimentary drinks with a street party scene.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Brian Ogawa, the former executive chef from Nobu, makes sushi which you can take to go or eat in on the back-patio of the hotel.

If you’re craving a more urban atmosphere, missed during your annual culture trip to New York, downtown L.A. has new skyline offerings.

While many downtown hotels are temporarily closed, the London and Williamsburg, Brooklyn import, The Hoxton, reopened in late July on Broadway. The Pilot rooftop restaurant is a cozy spot for an all-day menu featuring black truffle pasta, wood-fired Neapolitan pizza or Spanish paella for two (weekends only). After 5 p.m., order the Olive Oil Gin martini with grappa and St. Germain. Should you have one too many, a staycation is not a problem. If you’d like to have a small gathering with close friends, colleagues or family, “the apartment” on the second floor is also available for rent with a private kitchen and conference-screening room.

Another mid-century modern newcomer drawing an artsy, eclectic crowd, The Wayfarer opened in early August on Flower Street with an enviable skyline view from The Rooftop bar and lounge that specializes in Tiki cocktails. Currently, they are open for dinner Thursday through Sunday and brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For a little more culture wrapped up in a historic building, the Hotel Figueroa is celebrating 94-years on Aug. 14. The hotel was originally opened as a safe haven for women travelers in 1926, and today is continuing its ongoing Featured Artist Series?partnership?with Society6, showcasing the works of local, independent female artists.

For complete seclusion, Nobu Ryokan Malibu is accepting reservations for only eight of the 16 luxury ocean view accommodations, complete with deep teak soaking tubs and indoor-outdoor fireplaces, to allow for full social distancing. You can also have Nobu sushi and sake delivered in-room from the famous restaurant thanks to a special menu for guests.

There is no need to leave your personal space or the soothing waves unless you feel like taking a sunset walk along the shore.

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Beverly Hills announced its citation policy in April, when the state’s number of COVID-19 infections was trailing behind counterparts on the East Coast. Those numbers have now taken a turn for the worse. In the last few days, California has unseated New York as the state with the highest number of viral cases in the country.

Along with other cities in Los Angeles County, Beverly Hills has tapped the breaks on reopening the economy in recent weeks. Los Angeles County began to relax closures on businesses including salons and bars on June 19, but by July 13, had re-imposed restrictions on indoor services as infections rose.

As of July 23, Beverly Hills has issued approximately 42 citations out of a total of 4,292 contacts made with individuals and businesses, said City spokesperson Keith Sterling. Twenty-five of the citations were issued to individuals for not wearing face coverings; two for not social distancing and 16 for businesses out of compliance with safety mandates.

Cited businesses as of July 23 include: Benheart; Caffé Roma; Chef Ming’s Kitchen; Estiatorio Louka; Heritage Wines; MCM; Pliny; Prospect Gourmand; Rite Aid; Via Alloro; Blasteran; the Office Building at 340 N Camden; Pauly Solo Fitness; Ocean Prime; Gelato-Go and Frida Cantina Frida Mexican Cuisine.

The Courier was unable to obtain comments from the cited businesses before press time but will include them in next week’s issue.

“All persons shall wear face coverings when they leave their homes or places of residence if that person has potential to come within six feet of another person not a member of their household,” wrote Beverly Hills Mayor Lester Friedman in a reminder email sent out on Friday. Face coverings must also be worn by all employees at businesses and restaurants in the City.

Under the City’s Municipal Code, the penalty for individuals cited for not wearing a face covering is $100 for the first offence, $200 for the second, and $500 for the third and subsequent offenses. Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Manhattan Beach, and Calabasas have all announced similar steps in enforcing the safety measures.

Los Angeles County Director of Public Health Dr. Barbara Ferrer issued a sobering statement this week: “Every family that loses a loved one to COVID-19 is left with a void in their lives that they will never be able to fill. A lax attitude to this virus can be deadly for someone you love. You could be infected, not know it, and pass the infection to someone you love who may not be as lucky as you. Please be caring of those around you, wear a face covering, maintain physical distancing and practice hand hygiene. It can save lives,” she said.

Beverly Hills will staff booths throughout the business district and parks on Fridays and Saturdays to answer the public’s questions about face coverings and safety measures.

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“This is really not a sales tax increase. It’s a revenue protection measure,” said Councilman John Mirisch at the July 14 City Council Study Session.

The upcoming ballot measure, which requires a majority of the vote to pass, would only be levied if a sales tax initiative for either Los Angeles County or a Special District qualifies for an upcoming election and is approved by Los Angeles voters. In the absence of such a measure, county agencies would be able to take money that would otherwise go to Beverly Hills.

Of the current  9.5 percent sales tax on all purchases made in the City, 8.5 percent goes to the state, Los Angeles County, and other special districts (such as Metro for Measure M), while the remaining one percent is returned to the City. If the proposed additional 3/4 cent sales tax does go into effect, the City would retain the entire increase as general fund revenue.

In forecasting out potential revenue from the 3/4 cent sales tax increase, the July 14 staff report authored by Policy and Management Analyst Cynthia Owens forecast a $15.9 million increase for Fiscal Year 2020/21. The total potential revenue to the City from sales tax, if the measure passes, would be $37.6 million. In making that forecast, Owens compared that to the total potential revenue from sales tax the City would have realized for FY 2018/19, which would have been $65.5 million. The FY 20/21 revenue includes a “realistic” predicted decrease due to COVID-19, according to Owens.

“It should be noted that the maximum sales tax rate increase in Beverly Hills could decline in future years below the 3/4 cents currently available due to other future county sales tax measures,” Owens warned the City Council.

Given that the maximum tax rate allowed under the law in L.A. County is 10.25 percent, Owens characterized the proposed upcoming Beverly Hills ballot measure as a safety protection measure in order to allow the City to keep those potential sales tax revenues for local purposes.

While the City Council was united in its direction to staff to prepare the measure in time for the November ballot, all five Council members expressed displeasure with having to bring a tax to the voters. Particularly given how impacted everyone’s finances are as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Council members underscored the importance of effectively crafting the ballot measure language.

“In my mind this is unfortunate,” said Vice Mayor Bob Wunderlich, who criticized the public policies that had placed Beverly Hills in this position. “Only the people who don’t take this protective measure will be bearing the burden for others.”

Of the 88 cities in Los Angeles County, Owens said that 31 cities have approved sales tax rates above the Los Angeles County base amount of 9.5 percent, with 25 of those having approved increases up to the maximum amount of 10.25 percent. Most recently, on July 6, the West Hollywood City Council voted in support of placing a 3?4 cent sales tax initiative on the Nov. 3 ballot.

“I think the appetite for that 3/4 cents in sales tax is going to be very high from any of the districts that surround us. Now it doesn’t protect us from the state, but certainly it does protect us from the county and Metro, and anybody like that. I think this is a good idea,” said Councilman Julian Gold.

The Council is expected to vote on the ballot measure language later this month in order that it can be ready by the Aug. 7 county deadline to qualify for the November ballot.

The post Beverly Hills Voters Could Find Sales Tax Measure on November Ballot appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Louis Vuitton e-card 

For the first time ever, Louis Vuitton has launched a customizable e-card in celebration of Mother’s Day with #WELVMOMS. Through an interactive card-making experience on louisvuitton.com, you can create a personalized Mother’s Day e-card incorporating iconic Louis Vuitton and Mother’s Day-themed patches and animated gifs. The card is complimentary, with no purchase required. 

Peninsula Tea 

If your Mother is a fan of the famous afternoon tea in the Living Room at the Peninsula Beverly Hills, you can bring the tradition to her. The complete tea service is available to go this weekend with an assortment of savory tea sandwiches, pastries, scones, seasonal preserves, and a selection of teas. The price, including a bottle of Nicholas Feuillatte Champagne, is $150 and serves two. To order call: 310-975-2767 or Rebeccagoldberg@peninsula.com 

Olive & June 

The popular Canon Drive salon has released a signature Mother’s Day Studio Box this year for $55. This package holds a salon-quality manicure, complete with essential tools such as a handle for easier application, and long-lasting polish. It also includes a limited edition #oliveyourmani print bandana, with 50 percent of the proceeds donated directly to the Olive & June manicurists. oliveandjune.com 

Sugarfina 

Local gourmet candy company Sugarfina has new treats designed for Mom this year, including a fun partnership with another local favorite, Alfred’s Coffee. Sugarfina’s signature little gummy bears now come infused with a cold-brew blend loaded inside a reusable drink container. Additional creative ideas include the seven-day gummy bear cleanse with Pressed Juicery filled gummies. Or, simply opt for the all-day rose bears. https://www.sugarfina.com/mothers-day-gift-guide 

OnlyRoses 

While the Beverly Hills Brighton Way location might be closed, this unique floral company is still operating with delivery in Los Angeles. If you want to give a gift that will hold a long-lasting memory, OnlyRoses offers beautiful flowers that will last for at least a year without water. 

The hand-picked selection of inspiring Infinite Roses is not only stunning but ethically grown in Ecuador. Prices start at $115.00 https://www.only-roses.com/mothers-day-collection 

Platform, Culver City 

The cool outdoor mall holds a bevy of gift ideas for Mom that can be ordered right up through May 10, for drive-by pick-up. The bounty includes soft cotton robes from Parachute, a gold- plated “mama” necklace from Yolk boutique, plush mohair blanket-throws from the Optimist, journals and Lifehood candles from Poketo, along with Resurrection hand wash and lotion from Aesop. https://www.platformdrivethrough.com/shop/4 

Barnes & Noble 

Since Mom might have extra time on her hands, give the gift of reading this year. The giant Barnes & Noble bookstore at The Grove has a drive-through pick-up to make it easy. Just pre-order online from a section of thousands of books including special interest topics such as gardening or cooking. You can also order Mom a puzzle that features succulents, butterflies or famous works of art. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/mothers-day-gifts/_/N-1pes 

Jardesca California Spritz Set 

Whether you are brunching in person or at distance this Mother’s Day, local and refreshing Jardesca is a botanically infused, all-natural, low alcohol aperitif in a bottle. For this special day, they have produced a “spritz kit” that includes everything you will need to make the lighter drinks that are perfect for a day tipple or two, and for $89 there will be enough ingredients for eight cocktails. https://jardesca.com 

Milk Bar Cake and Truffles 

For a Mother’s Day special offering, Milk Bar’s Strawberry Shortcake Cake is available. This multi-layer layer vanilla cake can be ordered online, picked-up at the Melrose store, or delivered to Mom’s door via Postmates and Caviar. You can also order the Cake Truffles made with strawberry-studded vanilla cake, soaked in strawberry milk and rolled in strawberry shortcake crumbs. https://milkbarstore.com/ 

Soho Home 

If your Mom is into design and travel, send her a piece of Soho House private club’s interiors collection, Soho Home. The retail line features a selection of furniture, tableware, textiles and Cowshed spa line of beauty products. Every piece is inspired by or used in the bedrooms, restaurants and lounges in the Soho Houses around the world. https://www.sohohome.com/us/gifts 

The post 10 Last Minute Mother’s Day Gifts appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“I’m really enjoying finding productive and creative things for kids to do,” Jill Lefferman, owner of GIFTED told the Courier. “I have kids myself and it’s hard to find things that are not just video games and non-screen activities to keep them busy.” Although her retail space on South Beverly Drive is closed, her shop is still open. “I have no set hours. The idea is that if you need it, I’ll help you.” Lefferman offers a shopping experience over FaceTime, text, or over the phone, with same day curbside pick-up and delivery requiring no human-to-human contact. “When I saw what was happening, I stocked up on puzzles, crafts and games,” Lefferman said. 

On a busy day, Lefferman will assist as many as eight customers and fill their orders. “My biggest seller is puzzles. I think the reason they are so popular right now is because they take a long time to do and it keeps people engaged. But also, it’s an equalizer and people of all ages can do it together,” she noted. 

When the City mandated all non-essential business closures, Lefferman put a sign up on her store window with her contact information for those interested in virtual shopping. With residents walking more to get outdoors, the increase in foot traffic in front of her store has led to an uptick in new customers. “With Mother’s Day coming up, I’m going to be really focused on wellness gifts. I want to offer online classes via Zoom for kids wanting to learn how to make beautiful cards that they can make for mom,” Lefferman said. 

GIFTED is not the only shop pivoting to meet the moment. The owner of the gift shop Tweak, Tara Riceberg, told the Courier, “Although my doors are closed, my shop is still open. I can do text messaging or FaceTime and I’ll walk around the store with them while video chatting. One of the things I’ve loved is that when I’m Facetiming with somebody, it truly feels like the same kind of human connection is still there. It really is just the two of us on the phone in a very present way,” said Riceberg, who began the virtual offerings on April 1. Riceberg also offers Facetime shopping at her other store, Tesoro on Canon Drive, which carries home décor items. Riceberg’s late mother first opened Tesoro on Canon 17 years ago. 

Among her most popular items for kids are puzzles, logic games, craft kits and pens that puff up when heat is added, transforming any card from two dimensional to 3D. “Also, scenario games have been great,” Riceburg added. “The kids have to figure out how to put the pieces together to solve each scenario in the game.” Many Teak customers are looking more for experiences than objects. 

Recently, a group of moms in the community asked Riceberg for help putting together a care package going to a family battling COVID-19. “The parents were severely sick with the virus, and I thought to myself, ‘Oh my gosh. How do you even take care of two kids in elementary school when you can barely function yourself?'” So, she set about to fill an order finding gifts, games, and self-sufficient activities that do not require adult supervision for the children to keep busy with. 

To Riceberg, gift giving isn’t simply about exchanging goods for money. It’s an art, a joy for both the giver and receiver, representative of sincere appreciation for another person. 

“Just because kids’ birthday parties aren’t happening, don’t forget the birthday gifts. How do you tell an eight-year-old that they get nothing for their birthday? And Amazon isn’t shipping non-essentials so there’s no guarantee you’re going to get anything if you buy from Amazon. But I’m local and I could have something at that house the same day,” she said. 

The post How Small Businesses are Helping Parents Keep Their Kids Busy appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

“It’s a new thing for all of us, and we’re trying to keep up. I think people are panicking more than what they need to do. There’s a lot of product available. But we need more time than usual to bring it in,” Saeedian told the Courier. 

The only independently owned market in Beverly Hills is located at 303 N. Crescent Dr. Current hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

“From seven to eight in the morning, we are open for our seniors and people who have challenges. We’ve had to adjust to the shorter hours (they were previously open until 9 p.m.) because we’re working so much harder to catch up,” said Saeedian. 

By “catching up,” Saeedian means a literal scramble to find inventory for his store. His usual supply channels are not always consistent of late. He suspects they may be prioritizing deliveries to large grocery chains. 

As a result, there are some empty shelves at the Beverly Hills Market. 

But, Saeedian and his wife Angela are putting in 13-hour days to stay in business. 

“We may not have the same merchandise that we usually carry. I am calling as many different sources as I can. We are driving around, picking things up and putting them on the shelves. Right now, a lot of people want lentils and rice, which can be hard to find. We’ve gone to restaurant supply houses and bought things in bulk. We’re repackaging it ourselves,” said Saeedian. 

He has also become a social media marketer, posting photos of newly arrived products on Facebook and Instagram. 

“People are sharing my posts with each other, which is great,” said Saeedian. 

Despite the increased workload, Saeedian has not raised any of his prices. In fact, some items are lower than usual. Eggs, for example, he is sourcing from restaurant supply houses and selling them in packages of 30 for $9.99, as opposed to $4.99 per dozen, pre-virus. 

The Beverly Hills Market has always been an extended family affair. In addition to Angela, his sister Janet and dad (who has since passed away) have helped with the business. 

His employees are also part of the family. Saeedian has not laid off a single one. 

“Our kitchen closed, so we added the kitchen people to the grocery staff. They need to support their families, so they are helping to stock the shelves. We constantly have guys cleaning up the store,” said Saeedian. 

All employees are wearing gloves and masks. Saeedian encourages customers venturing to the market in person to do the same. 

Aside from the dry cleaner next door, Saeedian sees very few other business owners these days. That’s tough for someone known for his community involvement. 

“When I ran out of product, I could have walked away. But Beverly Hills has been supporting me for years and now, I want to repay the City. I’m blessed to be in a position where I can do it. We’ve gone through earthquakes, some riots. But nothing ever like this. It is an unknown, but we will be here through it all,” said Saeedian. 

In return, he asks only this: 

“I want everyone to be nice to each other. Acknowledge those that are still out there working. In any business you visit, thank the people who are jeopardizing their own health. Ask for their name, introduce yourself. There are times when my employees aren’t taking lunch breaks. Let’s remember we are all in this together.” 

The post Beverly Hills Market & Deli Carries On During the Crisis appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

The acquisition – a hot topic in the business press of late – was confirmed in a statement by Maybourne on Dec. 23. 

The statement omitted financial details. But, published reports list a purchase price in the range of $415 million. If accurate, that would make the sale of the 201-room Montage (by Ohana Real Estate Investors) one of the most expensive per room on record. 

Formerly the Savoy Group, Maybourne traces its origins back to the late 19th century. It is widely recognized as one of the global leaders in the historic luxury hotel space. The company is known for carefully renovating and maintaining significant properties, while invigorating them with the flair needed to win over an international clientele. Hallmarks include award-winning restaurants, creative culinary partnerships and newsworthy interior design. 

Maybourne has also made headlines of its own over the past two centuries. Most recently, a bitter six-year legal battle culminated in the 2015 sale of a nearly 64 percent interest in the company. The sellers were Britain’s billionaire Barclay brothers. The buyer: Constellation Hotels Group, owned by a Qatar sovereign wealth fund. 

The Montage Beverly Hills purchase is the first in the U.S. for Maybourne, which plans to “reposition” and renovate the hotel to bring it more in line with the London properties. In its statement announcing the sale, Maybourne indicated that “the acquisition is part of a global expansion strategy bringing Maybourne’s European luxury concept to new markets across the globe. Other hotels will be announced in due course.” 

“We are excited to have our first property outside of London, and where better than the city of Beverly Hills,” said Maybourne’s Paddy McKillen. “We plan to bring some of the inspiration and creative energy to Montage Beverly Hills that has made our London hotels so successful and much loved, but we never forget that the most important element of all our hotels is our staff and our guests.” 

When reached at their Knightsbridge headquarters on Christmas Eve, a spokesperson for Maybourne indicated that additional details about future plans for the Montage will be forthcoming in the New Year. 

The post Montage Beverly Hills Acquired by Maybourne Hotel Group appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.

Zagar describes the Wig Fairy Salon as a full-service, upscale wig salon that is founded on community outreach and philanthropy. Zagar told the Courier she knew that it would take more than simply offering natural-looking wigs to women who could otherwise not afford them. Rather, she wanted to tackle the problem by offering a myriad of resources and by building a community and a network of answers for women with questions about how to deal with their hair loss. 

By partnering with the Brave Program, Zagar hopes to address the needs of women looking for a solution to remedy their condition. She explained that the Brave Program, a 501(c)(3) organization, was created as a resource for women facing various conditions that cause hair loss. “Often times after the diagnoses in a doctor’s office, it is forgotten how much more there is to think about as patients move forward,” said Zagar. She explained that the Brave Program serves as a hub for a holistic application process for women to receive assistance with financial and medical needs related to their conditions, as well as a resource for providing realistic human-hair wigs to revitalize their confidence. 

Zagar commented that thanks to the generosity of The Wig Fairy Foundation’s donors and volunteers, she has been able to begin the process of meeting the need for high quality wigs among women facing hair loss, but there is more work to be done. So as part of the community outreach, the Wig Fairy Foundation has extended an invitation to the Beverly Hills community to attend the launch of the Brave Program at Wig Fairy Salon (located on 161 N. La Cienega Boulevard) on November 14 at 7:00 p.m, in order to learn more about the Brave Program’s goals and how anyone can help. Those interested in attending can RSVP at thebravelaunch.eventbrite.com.

The post Beverly Hills’ Wig Fairy Foundation Offers Help for Women Facing Hair Loss appeared first on Beverly Hills Courier.