Church: WeHo's House of Fashion Worship
You know it's a good day when you can shop Trader Joe’s and L.A.’s newest house of edgy high fashion without having to move your car. Yesterday was a good day.
Church, a cavernous new boutique located on an otherwise fashion-free stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard, is filled with the kind of carefully curated gems that can only be rooted out by the truly eagle-eyed. It opened for appointment-only shopping this summer, but is just now welcoming the masses.
Here's the score on the hip new store:
The Structure: Helmed by former Maxfield employees Rodney Burns and David Malvaney, Church is housed inside a 5,000-square-foot former upholstery shop built in 1946. To ready the expansive garage-like space, a second floor was completely gutted to reveal soaring, sky light-strewn ceilings and exposed wood beams. Two-thousand-dollar dresses hang from old pipes, rope and splintered wood. Despite the store’s vast and open interior (and vaguely industrial bones), there's a warm, inviting feeling (could be the genial, chatty nature of its owners). Enter on Greenacre Avenue and don't expect signage—just look for a stainless steel door bearing a spray-painted cross to confirm your arrival.
The Finds: Over 50 lines for men and women—80 percent of them L.A.-based—pepper the store. And that doesn’t include the selection of 19th century Victorian sculpture, original Art Deco furniture or taxidermic curiosities also for sale. Fashionphiles are treated to a visual feast of wearable high design from the likes of Riser Goodwyn, Grai and menswear master Michel Berandi. Store bestsellers thus far include Raquel Allegra’s repurposed prison tees ($250) and high shine gold and silver animal-clasped jewelry from Lone Ones, a new exorbitant-priced local line that, until now, has only been available in Japan.
Other exclusives include the complete collection of sweet, vintage-inspired dresses and coats from West Coast clothier J.Mary. Also on hand are androgynous, unisex wares from Echo Park denizen David Hershberger’s Endovanera label—the most notable piece being a one-of-a-kind peacoat in navy with a major backside slit. Guys will find glee in preppy poplin button-front shirts from Andrew Buckler ($145) and plaid flannel pieces from Brett Westfall's Unholy Matrimony that are a noticeable nod to the crisp Seattle weather, circa 1994.
When it comes to accessories, Church is so not the place for logo-laced anything. Instead, expect decadent, oversize bags in plain exotic skins by Liana Reid and miniature suede fringe satchels from local leathersmith Cerre ($520). And ladies longing for legs worthy of a Lloyds’s of London policy will be that much closer in cobbler Ron Donovan’s sexy, sky-high suede platforms.
The Help: Attentive, friendly and non-harassing. We were the lone shoppers at the time of our visit, and after an initial greeting we were left to peruse in peace. But as soon as we wanted to browse baubles encased in glass, we didn’t even have to ask for the case to be opened—apparently the high priests of this Church are mind readers, too. We like that.
The Parking: A plethora of meters line Santa Monica Blvd. and the neighborhood behind the store is fair game until evening. Thrill seekers can park in the Trader Joe’s lot across the street and pray they don’t get towed, but we wouldn’t recommend it. This house of worship isn't protected from the wrath of parking enforcement--more commonly known as the devil.
The Standout: With an accordion skirt, deep-V neckline and sheer chiffon fabric, J. Mary’s sweeping, short-sleeve polka-dotted gown has naughty-and-nice down pat—and a space in our closet if we ever find that extra $4,400 laying around. (Donations accepted: Technically, the money is going to a church, after all.)
Church, 7277 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday. 323-876-8887.