The Santee Alley

Spotted: Santee Alley in Seventeen Magazine

2012-02-24T16:35:00.000-08:00

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.

It's the weekend, what you doin'?

2012-02-23T12:58:00.001-08:00

Dresses from AP Design

Get out the house, wanna see you movin’… Okay so maybe those weren’t the best lyrics ever written, but we think Lil’ J was on to something. The weekend is the best part of the week, and if you’re anything like us, chances are you already have plans. And let’s face it, that LBD you’ve been wearing all winter needs a break from the spotlight. You’ve got about 48 hours to find something new to wear. Where, oh where are you going to find the perfect outfit? We’ve put a list together of our most popular party stores just for you. No need to thank us!

AP Design
1231 S. Santee St.
213.748.2383

Kiss Fashion
1028 S. Santee St.
213.744.1620

Cherry – 4U
1049 Maple Ave. (Alley)
818-943-1256

Yessi Fashion
1104 ½ Santee (Alley)
213-748-0944

System
1022 S. Santee St. (Alley)
213-749-9886

Gina’s Fashion Clothing
1042 S. Santee St. (Alley)
213.741.2148

Duet

1120 S. Santee St. #H
213-747-2645

Friday Night

1037 Maple Ave. (Alley)
213-748-7018

Hello Hipster

2012-02-21T15:17:00.000-08:00

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!

Prom Dress Trends 2012

2012-02-17T18:56:00.000-08:00

Between all the red carpet award shows and Fashion Week madness our brain is overloaded with images of pretty dresses, which inevitably lead us to think of prom. To keep the inspiration going we’ve compiled a list of our favorite red carpet and catwalk looks and their prom-friendly alternative. You can also find a list of our prom and special occasion vendors here. Enjoy!

The High-Low (aka Mullet)

Dress by La Femme Fashion

Rose Huntington-Whiteley
in Antonio Berardi
at the Elle Style Awards.

Fully Beaded

Dress by Night Moves.

Adele in custom made Giorgio Armani
at the Grammy Awards.

Peplum Skirts

Alice + Olivia Fall 2012

Dress by Flirt

Tea Length

Top and skirt by Ema Savahl

Emma Stone in Alexander McQueen
at the SAG Awards

Neon

Emily Blunt in Oscar de la Renta
at the SAG Awards

Dress by Paparazzi by Mori Lee

Origami

Charlize Theron in Christian Dior at the Golden Globes

Dress by Terani Couture

Metallic

Marchesa Fall 2012

Dress by Night Moves

Sheer Skirts

Fabiola Fall 2012

Dress by Flirt

Mobile Bedazzle: Art on the Go?

2012-02-15T15:22:00.000-08:00

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

2012-02-13T19:20:00.000-08:00

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

2012-02-09T11:42:00.000-08:00

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

2012-02-08T10:13:00.000-08:00

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

2012-02-06T09:19:00.001-08:00

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

2012-02-02T16:14:00.000-08:00

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

Shopping 101: Santee Alley Shopping Vlog

2012-02-01T10:33:00.000-08:00

We came across this video on our Twitter yesterday. For those of you who've yet to visit us or need some extra inspiration to come down and shop, here's a little preview of what you can find at Santee.

We'd like to give a special thanks to Missy Lynn for sharing her shopping experience. You can follow her on Twitter @Start2FinishMUA.

Enjoy!

Santee Alley does Valentine's Day

2012-01-27T13:25:00.000-08:00

It’s that time of year again. You either love it or hate it, but we think Valentine’s Day should be for everyone. Whether you’re single or looking to buy something for that special someone, we’ve got you covered. In fact, we are dedicating ourselves to making this Valentine’s Day as easy as possible for you. Stay updated on our blog for more V-Day ideas. They’re coming soon!

We’re currently obsessing over heart-shaped pendants and bright red hues, like these from Bellisima Accessory.

Bellissima Accessory
1016 Santee Street, #1
Los Angeles, CA 90015

Madera Owner Launches Signature Denim Line

2012-01-05T10:50:00.000-08:00

Loyal shoppers of Madera, the on-trend, fast-fashion retail store in the Santee Alley, can now rejoice: Owner Maribell Madera is launching her own denim line called Rock & Love.

Almost a decade ago, the Calico, Mexico native opened up shop in the Santee Alley with her first store named after her family name. Her store sells all things trendy that one would find at a Forever 21; lace tops, juniors evening dresses, pleather jackets and printed tank tops. Now, she has three successful stores planted throughout “The Alley”, giving shoppers fashionable clothing at an affordable price. So as a retail veteran who understands what shoppers want to buy, Maribell saw a demand for bejeweled, yet comfortable jeans in the marketplace. Together with her brothers Juan and Luis, the Madera trio designed and produced a line of jeans that are now selling in the Madera stores.

These stretchy jeans made from a blend of cotton, spandex and polyester, come in a selection of washes, from light to dark to grey. They also come in a variety of rhinestone decorations on the back pockets. Maribell says they are competitively priced, but rest assured they will be within the Santee Alley price range. Rock & Love is also available for wholesale.

The rack of Rock & Love jeans now selling inside Madera stores

The unique back pocket embellishment

Stop by Madera and check out the denim line at their locations:

1040 & 1041 Maple Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90015

(213) 745-4515

300 E. 11^th Street

Los Angeles, CA 90015

(323) 365-4686

Winter New Arrivals: Cool Layers

2011-11-11T09:58:00.000-08:00

Get your winter fashion at the Santee Alley!

In the season's cold-weather, layering is key to staying warm and looking stylish. Our picks displayed above are great for layering. And what's even better is that they rock this season's hottest trends: fur, texture, sweaters, leather, prints and coats.

Find these new holiday picks at the following list of stores:

Madera

1040 Maple Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90015

Kiss Fashion

1028 S. Santee Street, Suite B

Los Angeles, CA 90015

Gina's Fashion Clothing

1042 S. Santee Street

Los Angeles, CA 90015