Intimate News~Unique California Boutiques

By Moira Nelson

I’m in sunny southern California for a few days – for both business and pleasure.  While here, I had the pleasure of spending a lovely afternoon with boob and bra expert, Elisabeth Dale, author of bOObs- a Guide to your Girls and founder of The Breast Life.  We took a lingerie tour of Los Angeles and its environs beginning with the award-winning luxury lingerie boutique, Faire Frou Frou.

Faire Frou Frou is located on Ventura Blvd. in Studio City, Ca.  This lovely boutique evokes the nostalgia of old Hollywood glamour.  The mother-daughter team of Gail and Alison Rubke carefully curate a selection of the world’s finest lingerie which can be best described as elegant, ultra-feminine and sophisticated.  And I commend them for including independent, emerging designers and brands in their collection.

This tiny space is chock full of discoveries!  Just inside the front door is a table featuring the retro-inspired brand Dottie’s Delights which is designed and hand-made by Stephanie Kuhr in Chicago.  For me, the highlight of Faire Frou Frou was the discovery of a new brand, Gold Hawk.  Gold Hawk is a local Los Angeles-based brand which includes silk camisoles, tunics and nightgowns.  And Alison made a point to show me how each of the Gold Hawk pieces can easily translate into “innerwear as outerwear.”  She commented, “Even the floor-length silk gown would look fabulous with a pair of boots and a chunky sweater.”  Thanks for the tip, Alison!  Every time I picked up a piece of lingerie that grabbed my attention, it carried the Gold Hawk label! I look forward to learning more about this elegant line.  Just a few of the other brands carried at the store include Zinke, Cadolle, Naked Princess, Marlies Dekkers, Ari Dein, The Lake and Stars, Fortnight, Janine Robin, Claudette, Fleur of England, La Fee Verte, Skin, Araks, Else, Deborah Marquit and Result Wear Shapewear.  If you’re looking to embrace your inner Glamourpuss…. head to Faire Frou Frou!

Next, Elisabeth and I ventured “over the hill” into Hollywood to visit Jenette Goldstein at Jenette Bras on Melrose.  This funky, retro boutique was opened by the spunky Jenette Goldstein in 2009 and caters to D Cups and Up.  Jenette says that full-breasted women are “overdeveloped and underserved.”  This bra fit salon specializes in quality bras from Europe including Prima Donna, Twist by Prima Donna, Marie Jo, Empreinte, Freya, Panache, Anita and Simone Perele among others.  The boutique is a bit “off the beaten path,” but if you’re looking for a true bra fit salon, this is the place to go.  Jenette says that the women that walk into her store are on a mission… they are looking for a properly fitting bra which she says “is indispensable for a chesty gal!”  Clients come to Jenette Bras from all over because true bra fit stores are few and far between.  Jenette also carries a small selection of lingerie, slips and shapewear from brands including Samantha Chang, Lindsey Roscoe and my friends, the Dirty Dolls.  My favorite piece in the store is an under-the-bust shaping slip by Twist by Prima Donna.  This shapewear piece is functional and practical, yet sexy as all hell….  To quote Jenette, “You will rock that hourglass, honey!”

After having a bite to eat in a local watering hole, Elisabeth and I headed west on Melrose only to discover that the boutique What Katie Did is closed on Sundays!  This did not deter us from continuing our lingerie road trip.  Our last destination was the Addiction Nouvelle Lingerie boutique on Robertson in West Hollywood.  This minimalist, modern space caters to a young contemporary consumer and carries the brands Mimi Holliday, Valery, Damaris, Lise Charmel and Nina Ricci in addition to its namesake Addiction Nouvelle.  Each of these brands is well-constructed of high-quality fabrics such as silk, satin, microfiber, and exquisite European laces.  Styles include bras, panties, camisoles, bustiers, babydolls, chemises, full slips, loungewear, sleepwear and robes.  I fell in love with the Addiction Nouvelle high-waisted brief!

It was interesting to note that each of the stores we visited had its own unique identity.  I appreciated the selection in each of these stores and would highly recommend you pay a visit depending on your personal wants and desires.

Got Insight?  Having an Intimate Affair?  Let us know!  Everyone can be an Intimate Insider!

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5 Discussion to this post

  1. Jay Howell says:

    Hello Elisabeth,
    Thank you for sharing this with us. It is great to know that there are shops that are creating interest in the “High Style” category designer brands. Good luck to all these amazing stores!
    Jay Howell
    Bramania

  2. Moira Nelson- Bra La Mode says:

    It was a GREAT trip! Fabulous #IntimateAffair with the best breast expert I know… the lovely Elisabeth Dale! And Alison- the pleasure is all mine! You are delightful & your boutique is heaven for lingerie lovers! XOXO

  3. Claude says:

    look very nice

  4. Alison Rubke says:

    Thank you for the feature, and for taking the time on 2 days (!!) to visit Faire Frou Frou! It was a pleasure to finally meet you and learn about the services you provide in our industry. I will be sure to spread the word!
    xox Alison

  5. Elisabeth Dale says:

    So much fun to hang with you in LA!! I’m definitely having an intimate affair with the lingerie stores in this town. All the breast!

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