Los Angeles' Fashion District

[DaveofCali]

LAist blog has a great article on Downtown Los Angeles' Fashion District:

"Virtually ignored in most travel guides, this 90-block garment district is arguably the most underrated destination neighborhood in Los Angeles. The Fashion District is dismissed by many as an "off the beaten path" kind of area, when in fact it should be among the top two or three places every visitor to the city should see. That's because LA has become the clothing manufacturing center of America, and the Fashion District is its pulsing heart. More than that, it presents a one-of-a-kind experience only possible in Los Angeles, a funky cross between New York’s Canal Street and a Middle-Eastern bazaar (but with Mexicans). You can buy almost anything here, from shoes to toys to a new pet, and there's no place on the West Coast where you can stretch a 10 dollar bill farther. From the charm of its sidewalk cafés to the persistence of its street hawkers, this is the most frenetic, exciting urban experience in LA. It is also one of downtown's fastest growing neighborhoods, as thousands of new residents will attest."


continue reading the article at http://laist.com/2007/07/26/neighborhood_pr_6.php#more

[mello]

Yeah that was a great article, thanks for sharing it Dave. Never been there. But I really don't get it, what kind of clothes are made there, is it like Armani shit or what?? Labels we know of? I thought clothes were made in Asia?

So is this just cheap clothes... Please tell me what the deal is here Dave thanks. Oh and how much of that "90 block area" can you really buy stuff in?

[edluva]

to be completely honest, I nor any of the people I have spoken with about this "fashion district" have ever found the things sold there interesting. Most of the stuff is of low quality and imitation knock-off tackiness better meant for the Santa Fe Springs swap-meet. Aside from the bustling streetlife and delicious "hep-C hot dogs" of course.

But it's always been a fun little day trek.

[DaveofCali]

^ But then again, your always so pessimistic about L.A. that your annoying towards other L.A. forumers (I've asked around) and you are already planning to move away anyway...

[mello]

Dave, could you please answer my question. At least Edluva tried to answer my question. I mean really, is there quality stuff being sold in the Fashion District or is it just a place for less fortunate people to buy clothes for their often large families....

I mean I could just go down to Tijuana if I want to buy cheap clothes.

Thanks Dave...

[fflint]

Originally Posted by DaveofCali

^ But then again, your always so pessimistic about L.A. that your annoying towards other L.A. forumers (I've asked around) and you are already planning to move away anyway...

Unacceptable. If you cannot refrain from personally attacking those who don't share your taste in fashion, or your taste in anything else for that matter, then do us all a favor and don't post.

[VivaLFuego]

Looks interesting, sounds kinda familiar (but larger) to what's left of Chicago's Maxwell Street market (e.g. a predominantly Mexican bazaar where all manner of things are sold in an open-air unregulated market but with a focus on clothing, set in a semi-rundown yet almost-resurgent quasi-industrial area near downtown)

[ChrisLA]

I love the Fashion District, a very interesting yet unexpected part of LA.

As far as quality goes, it really just depends on where you shop. If you go into the alley, well 90% of the stuff is cheap. Then there are other spots where you can find decent quality clothes. I have bought a few suits down on Los Angeles street which caters to mostly men's clothing. Some shops sell cheap suits, and others sell better and more expensive clothes.

Also there are lot of fabric shops in the area. A friend of mine hired a interior decorator to decorate her condo, and pretty much most of the things came from the Fashion District. From my understanding that is a good place to pick up such items for your home.

So overall I say it just depends on where you shop in the area, its quite a large district. Now if you're looking for clothing with the quality of Rodeo Drive, or even Melrose, then its true you won't find Diesel, and such down in the district, but a mere knock off. These things I don't buy in the Fashion District, and I stick to the more well known stores in this case.

[dktshb]

The flower market is awesome! Cheap, great quality, and worth checking out. I would never consider buying clothes in the Fashion District but that's just me and my preference so I can't speak on the quality.

[dktshb]

Originally Posted by DaveofCali

^ But then again, your always so pessimistic about L.A. that your annoying towards other L.A. forumers (I've asked around) and you are already planning to move away anyway...

I don't see it that way, edluva pretty much calls it as it is and is a great spokesperson for the city. Thanks for posting the interesting article.

[LosAngelesBeauty]

Originally Posted by mello

Yeah that was a great article, thanks for sharing it Dave. Never been there. But I really don't get it, what kind of clothes are made there, is it like Armani shit or what?? Labels we know of? I thought clothes were made in Asia?

So is this just cheap clothes... Please tell me what the deal is here Dave thanks. Oh and how much of that "90 block area" can you really buy stuff in?

I would recommend that you come up to LA sometime and check it out yourself! (Since you're relatively close in SD) But to answer your question, from my experience, they sell pretty much everything from t-shirts to suits to perfume to, yes, designer-knock-off bags.

LA is the manufactoring center for fashion in the United States. It is the high-fashion casual capital of the world. Pretty much all expensive denim is designed and made here like 7 for all mankind, Antik, True Religion, Paper Denim, A&G, etc. Also, there are other well-known labels made here including: American Apparel, Monarchy, and LA Denim Atelier.


Photo from Ban Tshirts.com

[svs]

Although the majority of the stuff is cheap, you can find almost anything in the garment district including high quality mens suits if you know where to look. Also the flower mart is the biggest mart in the US and I believe the second biggest after the one in Holland.

[plinko]

From a consumer standpoint, my understanding is that for fabrics (for clothes, furniture, whatever), the 'Fashion District' really can't be beat in terms of quality and price. For clothes? Not so much (though I'm sure there are some wonderful tailers for things like suits).

Most of the fashion houses (local manufacturing) is further east though, centered around Alameda and points all the way out to Atlantic Blvd. in Commerce (Guess, ABS, Laundry, etc).

And while many high fashion companies have offices in the area and small manufacturing shops, the majority do their primary manufacturing in the Pearl River Delta in SE China.

[suga]

Originally Posted by mello

Dave, could you please answer my question. At least Edluva tried to answer my question. I mean really, is there quality stuff being sold in the Fashion District or is it just a place for less fortunate people to buy clothes for their often large families....

I mean I could just go down to Tijuana if I want to buy cheap clothes.

Thanks Dave...

A lot of people harp on Edluva, but he speaks the truth, the truth many folks overly smitten about LA cannot handle. But dave also gets a load of crap for loving his town obsessively, props to both of them for their passion.

The callejones/alleys have tons of cheap shit and plenty of good stuff if you are willing to look, but the experience is what makes the magic. I cant say anywhere in the US matches the vibe of the alley, its just magical.

[DaveofCali]

Originally Posted by suga

A lot of people harp on Edluva, but he speaks the truth, the truth many folks overly smitten about LA cannot handle. But dave also gets a load of crap for loving his town obsessively, props to both of them for their passion.

Los Angeles Beauty deserves props for loving L.A. obsessively, not me. I've already expressed my dissatisfaction with L.A. quite a bit before. But IMO, L.A.'s pro's still outweigh its cons and there's nothing like L.A. in the rest of the U.S.

[Echo Park]

I agree with those who say the clothes in the Fashion District is cheap looking and far more geared toward a swap meet in Santa Fe Springs than some shop on Melrose.

[DaveofCali]

Let me get this straight though, some people on this thread here are suggesting that L.A.'s fashion district is full of cheap stores and is thus worthless as an attraction or even as a neighborhood?

You guys obviously haven't gone farther away from Santee Alley if you've been there. About half of the district is just showrooms (which look much more formal than the stores) that are closed to the public and of which attract store owners from around the L.A. area and even around the west (like the california mart). Much of the stores that do sell retail also sell wholesale.

[Echo Park]

No one said it was worthless or not an urban experience. We're just saying the items sold there are not our taste. No need to get defensive.

[sf_eddo]

Originally Posted by DaveofCali

You guys obviously haven't gone farther away from Santee Alley if you've been there. About half of the district is just showrooms (which look much more formal than the stores) that are closed to the public and of which attract store owners from around the L.A. area and even around the west (like the california mart). Much of the stores that do sell retail also sell wholesale.

Like much of L.A. the most interesting parts of the urban experience to the average joe are often privatized.

Dave - the Fashion District is alright. I've purchased stuff there before. Everything is so cheap. I think you're being a little defensive.

[suga]

^
Although I agree with the assessment that too much of LA's attractions are privatized, I'd say it is unfair to note that as the epitome of the city (unless you are talking about what snobby/consumptive folks or tourists are attracted to).

The basis of this thread is a good example, much of the alleys are full of cheap products but a great destination to visit if you're into vibrant urbanity (that is dirty); my family almost always goes to the alleys to hang out and enjoy the atmosphere, if we're going to get some clothes/etc. there are tons of high end stores that you must search out (as they are not as prevalent in the main alley area around santee, good suits are northward and high end womens clothes are due east down 11th) and generally a shopping trip is structured much differently than a trip to "experience" the alleys.

Anyways, LA's main attractions are the biggest non-privatized aspects: our great weather and awesome geography. We are right next to some beautiful mountains (and great large hills) and abutted by lovely beaches. Becuase LA is so tourist/consumption oriented, it seems as if everything worth doing is at a cost, but most of the best things to do require little more than gas costs. Even tourist oriented locations are great place to hang out and not spend a penny: hollywood blvd, melrose, santa monica pier/promenade, venice beach strip, old town pasadena, etc.; you CAN shop at all of those spots but you can also not and have a good time (I do all the time). Not to mention all the great non-touristy areas to go: DTLA's various neighborhoods, broadway, K-town, dt glendale, the alleys, etc.