Monday, August 31, 2009

About THE "Woman on The Run"


Sometimes a woman needs a place she can go—a place she can escape to without being seen. To look, to touch, to feel, to buy. Something for herself. Something for someone else. She can buy something small, a Voluspa candle – a card - a tote for her weekend (though it’s not yet planned), hats, purses, lingerie, T-shirts that she won't want to take off, jeans that fit- AG Denim, Virtue, or no brand jeans that fit like brand jeans (but won't break your bank account), boots or flats to make dinner in (though she doesn’t really cook when there’s so much else to do). And for him – boxers that she wants to touch, scents that she wants to smell, shirts that she wants him to wear. For all this, she comes UPSTAIRS.
Why does she bother with Sunset? Because she doesn’t like Melrose. Because next door she can buy a cappuccino or at Gil Turner's, she can buy a bottle of wine, a pack of gum, or just glance at tabloids. Why Sunset? Because she can leave heading west to the Beverly Hills Hotel or east, to Silverlake and her downtown loft (even though she doesn’t have one yet, it’s on her list). So many things are.
Why Sunset? Because one small store has everything you need - where you can breathe – feel – and touch - Why Sunset? Because sometimes you just have to PARK.


Come Upstairs...
9109 W Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90069
On Doheny and Sunset

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Upstairs: The Story

It started with a blow dry. Modern Beauty. Doheny and Sunset. I was in a hurry and it was down the street from my very successful ex-husband's house. (I was paying a visit...nothing scandalous).
http://www.gsinet.org/images/SYDH/Blow-Dry1.jpg

This quaint little salon had conditioners and shampoos galore...straightening balms, mousses, and perfumes. I immediately thought of clothes and jewelry to add to this little mecca of "modern" beauty...
http://highvalleybooks.com/book_covers/modern-beauty-shop.jpeg
In the midst of a comb and a blow, I told the stylist: "Excuse me, but have you thought of expanding your beauty market?"
And, to my surprise, she said, "More lotions and potions, you mean?"
"No, not LOTIONS and POTIONS!" I replied. (Although more is better than less). "What about T-SHIRTS?!" I asked. " I carry a line of T's designed by me, for me, with MY face on them! It seems narcissistic, but I represent YOU, a WOMAN ON THE RUN. I'm Go Go Go-- always here, always there. I have no time to waste, so I don't always listen. I have too much to do and so little time!"
"Yes- I'm so crazed these days- children here, children there--"
"Yes- time is PRECIOUS! So, what do you say to buying my line?"
And there you have it, she took my shirts on the spot and in the next month, they SOLD SOLD SOLD.



Soon, my WOMAN ON THE RUN T-shirt line was asked to expand to the upstairs attic of Modern Beauty. Being a multi-tasker with multi-talent, I didn't turn this opportunity down. But, there was a HUGE challenge: the space offered was a dusty old attic with cottage cheese walls and BROWN carpet....totally unacceptable...not up to par. For three weeks straight, I remodeled this mold of a room, telling my boyfriend Vince I'd only be gone for an hour, when really, the plan was ten.

Little by little, what was dust became glitter. Independent LA designers started asking to be a part of this scene. What was once an attic with just my T-shirts became a hidden treasure trove of chique, but affordable designer clothing, gifts and more....


Another Stairway to Heaven, don't you think?

See, a WOMAN ON THE RUN is a woman of success. She's innovative, creative, and she's always thinking of the next big thing. And, a WOMAN ON THE RUN makes time for a trip UPSTAIRS...even Jordana Brewster comes Upstairs. Tangerine comes Upstairs. Bevin Price comes Upstairs, and Sela Ward and Vanna White come Upstairs. So now YOU, YOU must come Upstairs.