New Store Alert: Via Mimi

Via Mimi, a women’s apparel boutique opened on Santee Street last week. We stopped by yesterday to check it out and found the boutique offers everything from evening dresses, to women’s tops, skirts and sportswear. Expect to find department store brand names such as, Morrell Maxie, Louise Ricci, Moshita, and Susanna.

While much of Via Mimi’s inventory caters to an older female audience, the boutique's unique selection of gorgeous evening gowns and affordable jewelry and accessories is guaranteed to please all age groups.

Our favorites: Leopard bracelet, and pearl and rhinestone cluster earrings

Jewelry and accessories range from $10-45.

Insider Tip: Via Mimi will be adding more inventory over the next few days. Plan your trip to Santee Alley soon to get first-dibs!

See something you like, but wished it fit better? Via Mimi offers on-site alterations. They also speak Spanish.

Via Mimi
1333 Santee St.
213-748-6464

Store Spotlight: Black Cat Dulcci Vetan

Santee is constantly changing. New stores emerge, sometimes they close, but one store has remained in business for the past 22 years. Black Cat Dulcci Vetan is a veteran on Santee, formerly at the Santee Fashion Alley, it moved to its location at 1336 Santee Street four years ago.

Black Cat specializes in prom and evening dress and carries some of the most sought after brands including, Jovanni, Paparazzi by Mori Lee, Mac Duggal, Faviana, and their signature Dulcci Vetan.

“We have already begun selling for prom,” said Valla Fahimian, owner of Black Cat. “Beaded dresses, both long and short, are very popular this year.”

Also popular according to the Black Cat staff, is the “trumpet” silhouette (pictured above in pink), which is the second most requested after style after the “fully-beaded”. Another big request from shoppers is detail, whether embroidery, beading, lace or appliqué.

Black Cat aims to make the shopping experience as easy and enjoyable as possible for the shopper. Friendly staff is on hand to help with fitting rooms and finding sizes. They also offer special ordering for sizes or styles they don’t have in stock, as well as on-site tailoring.

Black Cat is open 7 days a week.
Mon-Fri: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m

1336 South Santee St.
213-748-0878
blackcatfashion@att.net

Spotted: Santee Alley in Seventeen Magazine

Ever seen a dress you love and wonder where you can get it? Well, we recently spotted some of our vendors in Seventeen magazine's Winter/Spring Prom 2012 issue. Check it out!

La Femme
Where to buy: La Femme, 1312 Santee St.

 

Scala

Where to buy: Social Occasion, 1205-A S. Santee St.

Hello Hipster

Maybe you’re kinda hipster. Maybe you just like cats. Either way, we’ve noticed a new Hello Kitty-inspired eye wear trend in the alley that you’re bound to love. Sure, we’ve already seen just about everything Hello Kitty: clothes, accessories, make up, cell phone cases, etc. But these aren’t Hello Kitty per se. They just remind us of the cute little cat with the bow on her head, and they’re only $5 a pop!

Mobile Bedazzle: Art on the Go?

Rhinestone encrusted leopard print phone case

They’re everywhere. You can see them hanging on walls from ceiling to floor, some slightly more blinding than others, yet all incredibly ornate and exquisitely detailed. They’re meant to protect, but more alluring are the pretty rhinestones that promise to beautify even the ugliest of cell phones.

From animal prints to 3-D designs, bedazzled phone cases are taking over the cell phone accessories shops in the Fashion District. What at first glance might be dismissed as a mass-produced fad, close inspection will more often than not reveal surprising detail. It’s kind of like art on the go, to keep your creativity sparkling (pun intended) every time you reach for your phone.

Skull and princess crown "pop-up" jewel design

Not all phone cases are created equal. Prices range from $10 for a standard rhinestone encrusted case to $20-$25 for “pop-up” jewel designs. If you want a specialty design, think pop culture characters and one-of-a-kind pieces, prepare to shell out $40 or more.

Insider Tip: If you find a case you absolutely love, take it. It probably won’t be there next weekend. Vendors say their most popular designs will sometimes sell out within days of their arrival. If you’re favorite is sold out, come back in a few days. They're always adding new inventory.

Don’t know where to start shopping? Try here:

Cellular Space 1059 & 1293 Maple Ave. (in Santee Alley)
323-271-6091

Celluares Accessories
1037 Santee Alley
323-979-8831

Royal Cell Phone Accessories
1119 C. Maple Ave. (in Santee Alley)
323-286-2084

Springing for Neon

Gloria Accessories 1013 S. Maple  Alley

While clouds hang above most of LA, spring has officially arrived at the Fashion District. Bold prints and bright neons pop against the cloudy-sky gloom, wearing off our ugly weather blues. From fluorescent tribal prints to wigs in shades that rival Katy Perry’s signature blue, this spring’s forecast screams electric fun.

Cherry - 4U 1049 Maple Ave.

Color is making a splash in the heels department, with stilettos in every spring worthy shade under the sun. Staying true to the zig-zag and chevron trends seen on the Spring 2012 runway, the Missoni-esque prints can be seen on wedges and flats alike.

Madera 1040 & 1041 Maple Ave., 300 E. 11^th Street

Leave the LBD at home. We’re grooving to a whole new color pallet. Sherbert celery, coral or tangerine, whatever you choose is bound to get you noticed.

Valentine’s Day Shopping Guide: Pet Lovers Edition

In this final installment of our Valentine’s Day Shopping Guide, we bring your attention to the most lovable companions: our pets. According to the 2012 U.S. National Retail Federation, the average pet lover will spend about $5. With this in mind, check out some of the best and budget-friendly pet shops in the Alley.

Angels Pet
312 E. 12th St. (#5 in Santee Alley)
213-749-3510

Puppyroo 321 E. 11th Street
213-744-9970

Valentine's Day Shopping Guide: Calling All Single Ladies

Being single on Valentine’s Day can be rough. We know. We’re single too. But while the love birds fret and fuss over what to buy their better half, we’ve decided to treat to our single-selves to a well-deserved Valentine’s Day present. So what if we’re buying our own dinner on the 14th? We’re going to look good doing it. In fact, we’re going to look so good, you’re going to wish you were single too.

Our first stop: JD Lady Fashion. No ruffles or frills here. Treat yourself to sexy lace and fierce animal prints. JD also carries a variety of accessories and handbags to complete your look.

JD Lady Fashion
933 Santee Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015
213-623-5212

Valentine's Day Shopping Guide: For the Woman Who Loves You Most

She’s the classiest lady you will ever know and the one person who truly deserves diamonds and pearls for putting up with you. Heck, she’s been doing it your whole life. So why is it that on the day we’re supposed to honor love and friendship we tend to overlook the person who loves and cares for us the most? Mom deserves better.

Surprise her with something as beautiful and special as she is. We love this brooch from Hanna Accessory. We’ve seen a lot of brooches and shiny jewelry before, but nothing that compares to this one. In fact, that’s kind of how we feel about Mom.

Not a brooch fan? Hanna’s carries a wide selection of unique rhinestone jewelry and accessories.

Hanna Accessory
1120 Santee Street, Unit G
Los Angeles, CA 90015
213-749-7456

Valentine's Day Shopping Guide: For the Tech-Savvy Gals

Whether you’re shopping for your sister or your girlfriend let’s face it, shopping for girls is hard. Don’t know her size? Don’t know what she likes? Don’t matter. I present to you the guaranteed-she-will-love-it Valentine’s Day gift: adorable cases for her electronics.

Chances are your loved one has a cell phone or E-reader of some sort, and it’s quite probable she drops it on a regular basis. Lucky for you Cebu Handbags & Accessories just stocked the most adorable cell phone and tablet cases for V-Day. Show her how much you love her by helping her take care of what she loves most. The best part? It won’t break your bank account like having to replace her broken electronics.





The phone case doubles as a wallet, with just enough room for all the essentials, and they come in every girly color you can think of.

These tablet covers come in black, tan, and red.
For more styles, colors, and designs, visit Cebu Handbags & Accessories at Santee Alley.

Cebu Handbags & Accessories
1022 Santee Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015
213-744-1746