A Fashion Writer's Unique Jewelry Spot on Melrose Avenue

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Los Angeles has more stores than anyone could physically tackle, but somehow we always keep returning to the usual suspects. To break out of the rut, we've asked some local shopping and fashion gurus to provide their hidden retail gems—those unique stores around LA that we might not all know about. Cue the Beatles: We're about to get a little help from our friends.

Image via Google Maps

Natalie Alcala is a freelance fashion and culture writer, and a native Angeleno. When she's not spreading the sartorial good word for outlets like BlackBook Magazine, Refinery29 and StyleCaster, she brings her personal fashion and travel musings to the masses via her own blog, Natalie's Menagerie. A recent addition to the contributing roster at Racked LA (Wahooo!), she likes to champion quaint little shops either in the middle of nowhere, or in this case, smack dab on Melrose Avenue.

"Maya is an unassuming jewelry haven that sits smack in the middle of Melrose's hustle and bustle. Despite it's prime location, people rarely venture inside because they're either on a mission for a specific item elsewhere, or they're distracted by the more commercial (and generic) boutiques nearby. Not many people know that Maya has been around for over 40 years and carries Hollywood's largest selection of body jewelry. I try to stop by every few weeks because the owner travels the world for new treasures to stock the store with, and I always like to have first dibs on them. From handmade tribal ear wraps and belly chains to authentic cowrie shell chokers and warrior cuffs, this is the place to go if you want statement jewelry with a story."

· Maya [Official Site]
· Natalie Alcala [Official Site]
· All Shopping Confidential Posts [Racked LA]

Maya

7360 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA