Wood floors and leather arm chairs make Secret Headquarters feel more like a gentleman’s study than a comic book store. Among titles and characters that you may not recognize, there’s enough inventory of mainstream comics so even non-junkies (like us) can poke around and find something fun. Customers can subscribe to their favorite series through the store and come pick them up on new release Wednesday, which owner Dave Pifer says is his favorite part of the job. “The ordering process makes it easy to get to know the customers personally.” In the interest of getting personal, we had a few questions for Dave.
Why this store, now, in Silver Lake?
Me and my business partner wanted to open a skate shop, but it really wasn’t a good area for it. This side of town isn’t serviced by a comic book store. We have a lot of customers coming from Echo Park and down town, too.
What’s been flying off the shelves?
Currently, Walking Dead, a zombie series with a soap opera like following. And we’ve been selling more Batman comics with the movie release of Dark Knight.
What are you most excited about in-store right now that's maybe not flying off the shelves?
I’m going to shout out Fear Agent. The lead character is like a drunk Han Solo. I just cannot get people to read it.
Get ready for your closeup...in high-definition. The makeup industry has seen a growth in the use of airbrush makeup since now everyone can your pores, and, especially, that scar, and that blackhead, and that forming zit you didn't even know was there. Temptu is one of the companies at the fore of the industry and has recently opened a showroom, lab and open studio for makeup artists and regular 'ol consumers to learn about its product, equipment and expertise.
The West Coast Showroom—which is in a lofty industrial open space, featuring some very cool light sculptures by Jason Rogenes—hosts monthly seminars, including High Definition Airbrush Makeup, Special FX Palettes and Pro Transfers and Body Art.
Director of West Coast Operations Ava Scanlan told Racked: "Initial response has been great—and we’ve had a lot of makeup pros from all walks—celebrity makeup artists, film and tv makeup artists, and circus makeup artists from all over LA."
Temptu did the makeup for Jared Gold's last fashion show, which was over-the-top theatrical and pretty damn spectacular. Check it here.
Temptu 201 North Westmoreland Avenue, Suite 133 (213) 739-1800 Mon-Fri 9:30am-6pm Website
Today's Street Scenes subject is Jocelyn, shot at Hyperion Avenue and Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake. Vote on whether you like or dislike her outfit below—your choices are 'Perfection!,' 'So Close,' 'I feel strangely ambivalent about it,' or 'Who Did This To You?'
Jocelyn is wearing Brass Plum shoes from Nordstrom, jean knicker/capris and lamb-skin hoodie jacket from Heathen by Spencer Hansen, vest from an unknown Hillhurst shop, and vintage 1920s hat.
Today's Street Scenes subject is Jay, shot at Hyperion Avenue and Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake. Vote on whether you like or dislike his outfit below—your choices are 'Perfection!,' 'So Close,' 'I feel strangely ambivalent about it,' or 'Who Did This To You?'
Boutique Bird. on Melrose Place has redesigned its website, the result a pretty, streamlined shopping experience, its signature pink feather maintained. Shop by category (accessories, coats, shoes, swimwear, tops, etc) or designer (such as Repetto, VPL, Hanro, Heimstone, Isabela Capeto, Beatrez), with sub-categories in shoes (sandals, flats, pumps) and accessories (jewelry, lingerie, candles). The site also has brief designer/label descriptions, and a 'Wishlist' section to amass potential purchases. Product pics are also a bonus, which showcase the merch well, as with the Luc Kieffer large Lucite zip bangle shown right that goes for $165. [birdla.com]
Silver Lake's design/lifestyle/home decor/gifts boutique Yolk has also relaunched its site. Categories here range from accessories, bath, books and dining to kids, kitchen, lighting and textiles. The brick and mortar shop is sizable with tons more product in-store, but the new site has a curated selection from lighting options from Design House Stockholm to Victoria's Swedish Eggwhite Facial Soap, all with great gift potential. [yolk-la.com]
Thanks to a tipster, we got wind of Mercado quite some time ago, and a recent visit to the new shop lived up to the hype.
Longtime Silver Lake inhabitants Michelle Weaver and Chelsea Iovino wanted to open a lifestyle store unlike any other in their neighborhood. Mercado Boutique, which opened Memorial Day weekend, doesn’t carry the same redundant brands of clothing, stationery and housewares that other lifestyle stores rely on to attract customers. Weaver and Iovino traveled to locations like Paris, Italy and Amsterdam in search of rare merchandise like Hut Up merino wool sheeps and rabbits, and they are currently the only store in the US to carry Aruzu Firuz’s vinyl cut-out floor coverings.
But they didn’t let their love for all things exotic distract them from worthy local designers, so you’ll also find jewelry collections from LA-based designers like Helen Carallo and Julie Fisher’s Knot Too Much To Ask and necklaces by Daniel Hernandez.
Mercado Lifestyle Store 3517 West Sunset Boulevard; (323) 662-2600 Mon 11am-5pm; Tues-Fri 11am-7pm; Sat 10am-7pm; Sun noon-5pm Website
Quiksilver is expanding its sports-centric scope with its women's fall '08 collection, which will launch in-store and online July 15. Per the release, the collection includes a full range of "woven tops, dresses, denim and staple items like soft organic cotton tees, light outerwear and comfy knits"—86 styles in all—and ranging from a very affordable $34-$138. We're enthused by the lookbook (shown above), which definitely has a youthful appeal, but doesn't look young. True to its Huntington Beach roots, the line is filled with Cali-friendly pieces, such as a gray knit jacket with double-breasted buttons, tanks with a front pocket, and floaty, cotton tops.
Locals get to shop the collection first Saturday, June 21 at a pre-launch event at The Closet boutique at 3002 Main Street in Santa Monica from 1pm-6pm. Along with the collection, there will be a Summer Solstice BBQ, plus drinks, DJ and fashion show.
Today's Street Scenes subject is Ben, shot at Hyperion Avenue and Monon Street in Silver Lake. Vote on whether you like or dislike his outfit below—your choices are 'Perfection!,' 'So Close,' 'I feel strangely ambivalent about it,' or 'Who Did This To You?'
Streetwear/sneaker spot Undefeated has a whole series of Regional Strike tees, which have included locales from Tokyo to Santa Monica and Los Angeles. Per Highsnobiety, the Silverlake edition comes out this Saturday, May 31, and is exclusive to the Undefeated Silverlake shop on Sunset near Sunset Junction.
· Undefeated Regional Strike Series | Silverlake [Highsnobiety]
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Boutique Bird. on Melrose Place has redesigned its 
