Old School Ode
Not all vintage shopping is created equal. There's vintage shopping — you know, where the pieces are by important designers and prices are through the roof. And there's vintage shopping — a treasure hunt of anonymous pieces that allow you to really express your individual style. And in our experience, when you mix door number two with price tags so low they cause you to do a double take, the most memorable outfits are made.
Enter Sivan Bendavid, who late last month opened Studio Vintage in Studio City and singlehandedly answered our fashion prayers. Bendavid, 26, spent nearly five years in sales at BCBG's showroom before deciding to do her own thing. And she's created a well-curated vintage shop full of mostly label-less looks for under $50 (hard to do in a town where house coats stained with baby food can command a cool $100). Not to mention a just-right mix of Blanche Devereaux-esque 80s glitz that compliments the store's simpler styles.
On a recent visit it took every ounce of will power to not buy the entire store. This is why:
The Structure: Located in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it brick storefront just over the hill in Studio City, Studio Vintage is open, light and organized. A few racks of mostly dresses, jumpsuits, tops and jackets dot the store perimeter while denim, shoes and more dresses fill a cozy back room. The store is clean — don't expect any of the floor-to-ceiling piles that usually overwhelm in most vintage stores — and, thankfully, no old-school mothball smell, either.
LOW KEY, LOW PRICED: A mannequin houses some of Studio Vintage's laid back pieces.
The Finds: Since last October, Bendavid has been trekking all over town to source her wares, buying batches of clothes out of the back of cars, basements and wherever else she can score cool goods at great prices. And her mission has so far been accomplished with a hearty selection of looks from the 70s, 80s and 90s. We found an amazing tribal printed early 90s maxi dress with an open back ($36), a super mod black and white mini sheath ($32) and a fringed leather vest that was half the price of one we picked up a few years back ($46). There are long and short jumpers galore — including a cute yellow gingham number ($26) and a brightly printed short romper ($26) that looks like something Lisa Turtle would have loved. A rack of formalwear unearthed a simple 1970s peach column gown that reminded us of Halston ($36) while a Navajo-style jacket channeled Opening Ceremony's Pendleton collaboration for a mere $36.
There are accessories, too, including a tub of scarves and ascots that are $7 each. And a shoe selection that included multiple pair of classic, visibly worn Ferragamo flats for $25. A small selection of silk, bamboo and bead-encrusted clutches and bags don't rise above $40 each. And Bendavid plans to add new merch to the mix on a weekly basis.
A NOD TO THE CRISP SEATTLE WEATHER: A rack of denim and flannel proves that not everything in a vintage store need be sequined.
The Staff: Bendavid is friendly, helpful and honest when asked for her opinion. She'll help you if you need it and offer suggestions, but is perfectly content chilling behind the counter while you do your own thing, too. When we stopped in, a pair of friends were playing dress up and gushing over Bendavid's niceness and her merchandise.
The Parking: A snap. We found an open meter on Valleyheart Drive., the side street just north of the shop.
The Standout: Since digging through inexpensive racks of gear is how we shop best, dozens of pieces quickened our pulse. But a breezy metallic silk blouse by Pierre Cardin looked like something Barbie would have worn in the 1960s and made us smile with glee. We must have good taste — at $67, it was the most expensive piece found in the place.
4070 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Studio City. 818-509-1977