- By
- Candice Chan
THE ELDER STATESMAN'S FIRST STORE
Eight years after Greg Chait founded his luxe cashmere line, The Elder Statesman, the 2012 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award winner has finally opened his first physical store in Los Angeles’ design district.
Tucked away on a side street just off of Melrose in West Hollywood, Chait found the perfect location “a little bit off the beaten path” for his charmingly bright and airy boutique. Chait collaborated with noted Southern California design firm Commune—whose previous projects include the recently opened Ace Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles as well as the Ace Hotel and Swim Club in Palm Springs—to create a warm, bright, and natural-feeling space that would “bring California inside.” Exposed alder-wood beams combined with stucco walls, copper roofing, and accents, as well as a back patio that features custom stonework, oversized lounge benches, and an array of local fauna, make it more like a friend’s beautifully curated home than a shop.
Much like the pieces from the Elder Statesman line—epitomized by bold colors, eye-catching textures, and a certain effortlessness—the store’s greatest strengths lie in its beautifully executed details. Movable and convertible shelving, custom-made hanging racks filled with denim-lined copper hangers, and locally sourced vintage furniture from design district spots like JF Chen and Lee Stanton have turned the space into a dreamy den of creativity. “We custom built all this stuff—from the racks even down to the hangers,” says Chait. “It’s like our clothes; I love the details. We have very few elements, but we put our heart into them, so I know they’re made right.”
While visitors will find some items at the store that are featured on the Elder Statesman’s site or at Net-a-Porter, there are just as many, if not more, pieces that can only be found by stopping by their physical space—not to mention the option to commission a one-of-a-kind piece in person. “We do so much custom work, but the world didn’t have a chance to see it [until now],” says Chait. Of particular note are the brand’s cashmere throw pillows, suede-bottomed sleeping bags, and of course their signature blankets. Also keep an eye out for the many handpicked items that Chait discovers on his travels round the world—like large natural crystals, copper bowls, and unique bolts of cloth—which he sends back to the store.
Chait soon hopes to host events and social gatherings at the space as well, using the gallery-like feel of the interior to display artwork and the relaxed patio space for easy-going fêtes—all of which will contribute to the store’s reputation as one of the design district’s top hotspots to visit.
The Elder Statesman is now open at 607 Huntley Drive, Los Angeles. For more information, please visit Elder-Statesman.com.
Candice Chan is a freelance writer living in Los Angeles. Her current passions, outside of writing, include home-baked goods and long hikes in the Santa Monica mountains.
- By
- Candice Chan
