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After reading a perplexing nugget about how uber-hipstery Williamsburg, NY is all up in the Gucci and Ralph Lauren, we wondered if similar research might have been done in Los Angeles. And it has. Although the Shop It To Me study is not quite scientifically rigorous -- it only uses data collected from the site's users -- their analysis of Hollywood trends seems right on the money. According to the study (and born out by anyone with a pair of eyes), Hollywood shoppers favor more?well, not high-end stuff, but 'sexy' brands like Victoria's Secret, Betsey Johnson, and Steve Madden. There's also a big distinction between old-school Beverly Hills (the 90210) and Bel Air: those in the 90210 favor a combination of old-fashioned (Gucci, Ralph Lauren) and flashy (Juicy Couture, Guess), while the Bel Air residents favor newer, spendier brands. As the study put it, "Mom lives in 90210 and buys Ralph Lauren, while daughter lives in 90077 and shops for Vince cashmere sweaters and Prada bags." (Which doesn't account for the Juicy and Guess; is Mom an in-the-closet Cougar?)
And apparently the only brand that resonates in Santa Monica is MICHAEL by Michael Kors. Go figure.
· Williamsburg Loves Gucci and Ralph Lauren? One Study Says Yes [Racked NY]
· Shop It To Me, Unzipped: Los Angeles [Shop It To Me Blog]