Straight Shooters
When Baelyn Elspeth, a former model and dancer, met sculptor and jewelry designer Jessica Seaton a couple of years ago, the style connection was instant. Both boast what they coin "native prep" style in their respective wardrobes — which boils down to an unlikely mix of American-Indian-inspired boho and '80s-prep-school elements. That, by the way, looks totally effortless.
Opening a boutique to propulgate their cool-girl style was pretty much inevitable; Beau + Aero debuted on Santa Monica's Main Street a few months back, upping the seaside city's style quotient by, like, a million. Featuring vintage clothing and shoes and new jewelry and accessories — along with artwork from Incubus singer Brandon Boyd, Elspeth's boyfriend — the shop is a stunning little jewel box featuring rare, unsual looks primed for a second life.
We caught up with the retailing duo to talk about their stylish new endeavor...
HOT HOUSE FLOWERING: Beau + Aero in Santa Monica.
Style Section L.A.: Why did you decide to open Beau + Aero?
Baelyn: Jessica and I have...the same pace and style. We always spent hours shopping online and always gravitated to the same thing. We’d say, "If we had a store, we’d put that in the store." The space in Santa Monica on Main street is such a lovely space. We didn’t think we’d be opening this year, but it just all cosmically fell into place. It’s a magical little store.
You two have such great personal style. Break it down for me.
Jessica: We have the flair of someone who has the boho [look], but we do it with trouser and loafers.
Bealyn: We have the hippie dresses but we like to freshen it up with preppy things.
Does your personal style inform what you buy for the store?
Jessica: We’d never put anyting in the store we wouldn’t wear ourselves. It’s really hard to let some of the pieces go. Buying for the customer is something you do in retail, but we’re buying for ourselves.
Baelyn: We’ve found if we stick to that rule, we’re obsessed with everything in the store. Brandon always comes in and says, 'Did you try this on? Don't you want this?' But I say, 'If I took everything we had in the store we wouldn’t have a store.'
KITTED OUT: Elspeth and Seaton in vintage.
How much of the store is vintage?
Bealyn: The clothing is almost 100% vintage. Only two pieces are not vintage — a draped handmade jacket and capelet by Michelle Laine. All the shoes are vintage and all the bags are vintage. Jewelry and art is where it takes a new turn.
Jessica: And when it comes to the jewelry, everything is handmade. It's artisanal. I have a collection [called Jessica Seaton] that's hand-sculpted. Right now I'm obsessed with bones.
Baelyn: I love Jessica’s line. I wear all her jewelry and it’s my favorite in the store.
I didn't know Brandon was a visual artist...
Baelyn: He started drawing and gravitating town art before music. Music just sort of took the bigger picture for him because he got successful with his band. [The pieces] vibe beautifully with the store. He’s our silent partner and inspires us as well.
Where do you pick up all the vintage?
Jessica: We go to vintage expos, estate sales, stores.
Baelyn: I’ve been collecting vintage for years. I’ve had a collection of stuff that I’ve been saving and keeping. It’s always been an obsession to shop and find.
Do you feel like L.A. is a stylish city?
Baelyn: I think there’s a lot of bad style that you see, but good style tends to hide a bit more. There’s a whole wave of brands and designers that I find to be kind of cheesy. Then there are these little nooks of people who have progressive style. It’s below the radar here.
What do you consider to be good style?
Baelyn: I’m always about movement and wearing things that move well on the body. You have to ask, what makes you strut?
Beau + Aero, 2307 Main St., Santa Monica. (310) 452-7700.