THVM, The Store That Cured Skingraft's Jonny Cota of His Hatred of Shopping

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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.

Photo by Jesse Fiornio

Jonny Cota, the founder of Los Angeles-based design house Skingraft hates shopping. Well he did, at least, until he stumbled upon THVM Atelier, a spot in an odd corner in DTLA that carries some of his favorite lines, including Moonspoon Saloon. According to Cota, you either get it or you don’t, and luckily at THVM, it’s the former. Which is why the space now ranks among his top spots.

I hate shopping. Whether it is the intoxicatingly perfumed retail employees in Hollywood or the brain-swelling thump of blasting top 40s music, I have always struggled to enjoy shopping. However, when I found THVM Atelier's warehouse retail space in a lost corner of Downtown LA, I finally found a retail experience that I love and have finally discovered...shopping is fun. THVM Atelier carries their THVM collection of intelligently fitted denim and locally produced jersey tops along with a few other select lines like Endovanera, Raquel Allegra and Moonspoon Saloon, one of my personal favorites. The clothing ranges from neutral designer basics to alien-inspired leather scenarios from another planet. The space, situated in an old dusty warehouse just steps away from Skid Row, is laid out spaciously and beautifully with special attention to fashion-inspired art installations and a noteworthy simplicity that makes shopping inspiring and easy. THVM Atelier is one of those rare places where as soon as you walk in -- from the collections to the layout to the installations -- you get it. You just get it.

THVM is appointment only (at least for now); get yours by emailing caiti@thvm.com. They're located on Palmetto, downtown.
Story by Yale Breslin

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1317 Palmetto, Los Angeles, CA