Given the considerable buzz, we knew we had to get over to Confederacy soon. At BOXeight, one boutique owner asked: "Have you been to Confederacy? I feel like it's all anyone's talking about." Seriously, there hasn't been this much excited chatter regarding a boutique opening in sometime. Part of this is that co-owner Ilaria Urbinati (who owns the shop with Danny Masterson and Aly Mawji) has made quite a name for herself as a stylist and buyer, formerly heading up buying at Satine and Milk. What would she do with her own store?
We have to say, it seems like the choice of setting up shop at 4661 Hollywood Boulevard, just east of Vermont, makes a lot of sense. Confederacy is upscale—labels include lots of Rag & Bone, Andre 3000's Benjamin Bixby label, APC and Shipley & Halmos for guys, Alexander Wang, Zac Posen, Mayle, Loeffler Randall for women—and in the East Hollywood/Los Feliz area and heading east, these designers are not particularly represented, meaning Confederacy has full reign on buying these collections without stepping on existing boutiques' territory.
There are essentially two boutiques—the women's in front, the men's, along with shoes and bags, in back—and you feel like you're leaping to the East Coast upon entering the exposed-brick space. The merchandise, divided by designer for the most part, is well-suited for someone who spends time on both coasts, with ample representation from LA labels, such as Rose, Jenni Kayne, Cynthia Vincent and Current/Elliott.
We'll be curious to see the affect of the boutique on the area. On a Sunday, we were surprised that we couldn't find any street parking on the stretch, and wondered if this was Confederacy's doing. But once inside, there was a steady flow, nothing crazy, and realized the heavy traffic was at neighboring costume shop Ozzie Dots in preparation for Halloween.
· Now Open: Confederacy on Hollywood Boulevard [Racked]
· Neighborhood Watch: Hollywood Boulevard, East of Vermont Avenue [Racked]
· Sellebrity Storecasting: Danny Masterson, Ilaria Urbinati to Open Confederacy on Hollywood Boulevard [Racked]For more stories from Racked LA, go to la.racked.com.
