How many times have you been caught checking out another girl and then mentally “pinning” everything she has on? In our new series, straight from the streets of L.A., we visit with the ladies who define that effortlessly cool style that California has put on the fashion map.
In our latest installment, we’ve taken a chic peek inside Desiree Kohan’s namesake boutique, Des Kohan. A gem of a store, Des works overtime collaborating with brands like Juan Carlos Obando and Gabriela Artigas. The store is bubbling over with hard-to-find clothing and accessories (80 percent of the store is exclusive), all scouted by Des and her fashion maven friends in Los Angeles and on her travels. We chatted her up how she got her start, what inspires her, and of course, which pieces we all need to own this spring. (glamour.com)
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Des in a Splendid T-shirt, Des Kohan pants, Dries van Noten shoes, necklace found in the souk in Istanbul.
The best part of her job: "I love that every day is different—one day I am meeting with clients and stylists in the store, the next I am in a design studio working with the very best designers choosing exclusive pieces for the store. But the best part is being in the store; you never know who is going to walk in. It is like a big open living room waiting for old friends to come visit!" |
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Handbags and jewelry, smartly displayed.
How she got her start: "I was a trend forecaster for Gucci, Prada, Miu Miu while living in Milan, where I met everyone I needed to know in the fashion industry. Then I designed my own collection, which was sold at Neiman Marcus, Saks, and other A+ stores in the U.S. But I realized I wanted to keep my designs exclusive, so I opened a store. Everyone I needed to know, all my contacts for the designers I wanted to showcase were already close personal friends, so the rest is history." |
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Bare monogram rings, they can be engraved through the website.
What she loves most about working in the fashion industry: "I love the traveling—it kind of feels like being "on tour" but for the fashion industry. You see the same people every season and just pick up where you left off. The events and exhibitions during Paris Fashion Week top the charts! It is a mad rush of energy." |
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In a necklace she found while at Istanbul Fashion Week, when she was shopping in the souk.
The best-selling item in the store: "Our Bare 14-karat-gold twinkle rings! They make great gifts, and they're nice stacked in between the rings you already own. They're perfect rings for styling!" |
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Here they are, how cute!
For spring, she's most excited about...: "The Dusan event we are having early May in the store. We are having a private sit-down dinner afterward for journalists and stylists. Events in the store are always fun and high-energy, but even more than that is supporting Dusan and welcoming him and his team to L.A." |
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Dusan shirts, perfectly displayed.
How she finds new designers for the store: "I have scouts in Europe and New York that look for designers for me. I also count on my friends to be my eyes and ears; some of the best designers came to me via friends. The Rodarte sisters years ago called me to tell me that they found the best designer for me, and it was a match made in heaven." What she's excited to wear this spring: "I love long dresses for spring, preferably white with a bold bright shoe and or belt." |
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Morgan Jean necklaces, Art Forms in Nature by Ernst Haeckel book.
The one thing every woman must have in their wardrobe: "I always try to convey to my clients the importance of buying one great piece that you invest in rather than five T-shirts and one simple top or dress. Something that works for any occasion day to night. I always feel you need to have a standout pair of pants, preferably in a bold color and European cut. That way you can dress it down with a gray T-shirt for a casual day or dressed up with color or silk on top." |
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194T stripe T-shirts and sweatshirts
The best purchase she's ever made: "A Hussein Chalayan black overcoat. It kind of looks like a wool gown. I get stopped in the streets of Paris every time I wear it." Her favorite jeans: "If you can believe it, up until six months ago I never even wore jeans because we don't carry denim. So I wear what my friends in the industry send me. At the moment I am wearing R13." |
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In her R13 jean, with jewelry by Gabriela Artigas, Nancy Newberg, and Bare. Vintage bumble bee ring.
Her favorite pair of shoes: "My favorite flats are my Alaia suede black ones with little balls on them that I bought them five years ago, and they are still going strong! My favorite heels to work in are Dries van Noten. He always designs comfortable shoes. My clients laugh at me and call my Dries van Noten shoes my "shop shoes." |
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Here she is, in her Dries "shop shoes"!
If you can't make it into the store, you can shop all of Des Kohan's amazing finds on the website. |
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