Clothespin by Gale Parker

I'm a little late in posting this, but a couple weeks ago, I was lucky enough to attend the opening of Gale Parker's new store Clothespin on Melrose Avenue. Gale Parker is known for serving as a model and muse to greats like Valentino and Yves Saint Laurent (a portrait of a young Gale by Andy Warhol is displayed in the store), as well as being a former fashion editor at Vogue. Clothespin is her first boutique and offers one of a kind, printed dresses, blouses and skirts. Her stuff is amazing... all flowy, easy, carefree pieces made with vintage fabric and buttons. Possibly the greatest thing of all is that Gale and her team offer custom-made dresses (you can choose from hundreds of unique fabrics) and are even willing to design a new piece from a customer's old fabric or dress.

I was also so fortunate to meet Patricia Ziegler (pictured above), one of the founders of Banana Republic, at the party. I told her how I used to work at the store as a college student! Patricia was incredibly fascinating, compassionate and down to earth, and shared some of words of wisdom with me.

If you're in the Los Angeles area, please go visit Clothespin! It's worth the trip just to enjoy the inviting, whimsical ambiance of the store, decorated with tokens from Gale's past, shabby chic furniture, flowers and old-fashioned suitcases.