Beckley's Best
"It started out as just a few piece that I felt I couldn’t find in the marketplace when I was buying," said Melissa Akkaway, owner of West Hollywood's Beckley boutique, chatting about her chic new private label collection, Beckley by Melissa. "Or I would find things, and they wouldn't be at an accessible price point."
Leather leggings, for one, couldn't really be had for under $900. In Akkaway's collection, they're $540. A leather bolero — to throw over tank tops and ball gowns alike — was another piece she couldn't locate for a reasonable price. So she created a rocker-y crinkled leather model selling for $400. "It's really important to me that prices remain accessible," said Akkaway. "I never want to alienate anyone."
The line's prices, which range from $40 for a tank top to $665 for a French lace dress, aren't exactly chump change. But Akkaway didn't skimp on quality, noting, "These are not throwaway clothes."
The looks themselves are accessible enough — designed with the al fresco California lifestyle in mind. There are sexy '70s-inspired pieces including a faux-fur vest and a sheer tie-front blouse, along with '80s-esque looks, i.e. a classic bustier dress and simple black harem pants.
Akkaway, who's already designed the line's Spring 2012 collection, said she's eager to grow the line, and eventually open a third Beckley boutique (there's also a shop in her native Las Vegas.) Said the retailer, "Once you start launching into the design world and looking at fabrics, things get very exciting." Judging from her first outing as a designer, we couldn't agree more.
Beckley by Melissa is available at Beckley boutique, 8620 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. Open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.