It is a transformative time at OC’s international shopping and dining destination as 30-plus coveted luxury and contemporary brands debuted recently or are opening soon. Gucci’s Valigeria Ephemeral pop-up boutique at South Coast Plaza is the only only one in the world. The chic store (love the psychedelic carpet!) is directly beneath the main Gucci boutique at the luxury destination, and offers luggage, travel bags, carry-ons, and other accessories. Ryan Gosling recently starred in the campaign for the brand, which was cool. But what in-the-know Gucci customers are most excited about is that once the pop-up closes in spring, construction will start on a two-story Gucci townhouse incorporating both boutiques that promises to be spectacular.
LUXE REDUX
In just the past year, South Coast Plaza has seen new, significantly expanded, and stunningly designed new boutiques from the world’s greatest luxury brands. Hermès debuted one of the largest locations on the West Coast for the luxury French house, Gucci and Louis Vuitton both opened second stores at the center (soon to be three for LV), while Fendi and Christian Louboutin both re-opened in spectacularly designed new spaces.
Highly-anticipated 2023 reveals include Missoni (a West Coast exclusive), Berluti, Alexander Wang, a third Louis Vuitton designed for VICs, David Yurman, Miu Miu, Dior, and more.
All those who adore Dior can shop at the current South Coast Plaza store while anticipating the new boutique, and visit the Assouline pop-up store to purchase one of the several art books on the iconic brand, including Dior by John Galiano.
CONTEMPORARY COOL
At South Coast Plaza, sought-after contemporary labels are debuting new stores, pop-ups, and refreshed locations, including several setting up shop between Carousel Court and Bloomingdale’s.
John Varvatos opened a new reimagined boutique at South Coast Plaza, bringing well-deserved attention to the men’s lifestyle collection, while HUGO BOSS
debuted a new boutique that carries both brand lines, BOSS and HUGO.
L.A. brands Anine Bing (already opened) and Reformation (coming soon) bring their first Orange County boutiques to South Coast Plaza, while newly designed and located stores for Coach and Weekend Max Mara are drawing fans of those brands. And across the Bridge of Gardens on the West Side of South Coast Plaza, performance athletic shoe brand HOKA has opened its first Orange County store.
A life lesson from all the change at South Coast Plaza: Where some see change as a concern, at South Coast Plaza departures always portend that something new and fabulous is on the way.
CREATIVE COLLABORATION
Adidas x Gucci, Burberry x Supreme, Disney xGivenchy, Jimmy Choo x Timberline, Fendace (Fendi and Versace), and too many with Vans to count: iconic South Coast Plaza brands continued to get creative with collaborations in 2022. One of the best collabs available at South Coast Plaza this year is between Gucci’s then Creative Director Alessandro Michele and pop icon Harry Styles. Gucci HA HA HA, from the initials of ‘Harry’ and ‘Alessandro,’ is a collection that represents “the landing place of a creative two-person journey, born from a deep bond of friendship.” The collection is meant to be a vision of men’s fashion as an instrument of the avant-garde for the renewal of culture, the practical and everyday use of a “dream wardrobe.” In a fashion world that at times takes itself too seriously, HA HA HA is a bit of good fun.
CAPSULE COOL
A preview of Maximilian Davis’ debut collection for Salvatore Ferragamo was ahead of its official spring-summer 2023 release at South Coast Plaza, one of only four locations selected for the exclusive pop-up. The Ferragamo capsule collection reflects the theme of the designer’s first Milan runway show —a beachfront palette, languid elegance, and modern glamor—a fresh perspective that pays contemporary homage to Salvatore Ferragamo’s early Hollywood designs.
RETAIL EVOLUTION
What was once known as the Sears Wing at South Coast Plaza is seeing a trendsetting transformation. Part of the original shopping center when it opened in 1967, it is already one of the most active areas. With easy access to the Unity Bridge connecting to the arts campus, an early-opening Starbucks, always busy Din Tai Fung on the upper level, and Uniqlo, LEGO, Psycho Bunny, and Pop Mart on the lower level, the wing draws the coveted Gen Z shopper seeking cool experiences and trending products. Even the Steve Madden shoe boutique that debuted there recently has a nighlife-influencd flair.
Adding to the forward-looking retail mix, Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster opened a flagship boutique recently, offering an innovative and eye-catching experience at its new 4,500-square-foot store that carries the brand’s most sought-after designs. The South Coast Plaza boutique is marked by kinetic installations, video artwork, and sculptures.
And that’s just the beginning of the evolution of what many consider the Din Tai Fung Wing. The year 2023 will see design-forward stores from Alexander Wang, Missoni, Byredo, and Rimowa, streetwear and collectible kicks from JD Sports, and more that they won’t tell us about yet. Palm Angel, perhaps?
The secrets include what is in store for the old Sears, a project that could include the entire corner of the 55-year-old luxury center at Bristol and Sunflower. Whatever it is, we’ll be eager for the
evolution.
TIMEPIECE PERFECTION
Five luxury watch brands opened new boutiques at South Coast Plaza in late 2022: Breitling invented the modern chronograph and pioneered the navigational tool watch.Tudor is an award-winning Swiss-made watch brand, offering mechanical watches with refined aesthetics, proven reliability, and unique value for money. IWC Schaffhausen combines advanced American production technologies with the skilled craftsmanship of Swiss watchmakers. Roger Dubuis is distinguished by idiosyncratic design, fine movement finishing, and an emphasis on complications as an art form.
HUBLOT is the standard for high-end sports watches.
With these brands augmenting an already diverse and exclusive collection, South Coast Plaza has become one of the most important watch destinations on the West Coast.
