High End Consignment Wonderland: Motif
Motif's unique home décor and furniture items from around the world appeal to the savvy, fashion-forward customer who is looking for those special one-of-a-kind items.
Motif is not your typical retail shop -- it is an eclectic lifestyle store and café that just opened on Robertson Boulevard selling high end designer consignment clothing, furniture and accessories. Motif's unique home décor and furniture items from around the world appeal to the savvy, fashion-forward customer who is looking for those special one-of-a-kind items.
Upon entering, customers are greeted with a deliberate contrast in styles, colors, textures and time periods. A quirky collection of Texan deer taxidermy trophies are juxtaposed with Regency style chairs. The left wall is covered with enlarged framed photographic art of a contemporary dancer in action. Lighting pieces include Chanel lamps, a rare 100-year-old Daum chandelier, as well as acrylic chandeliers from the 1970s.
The furniture at Motif ranges from 17th century antiques to mid-century pieces, from Marche aux Puces to a wealth of Milo Baughman. Materials found throughout the store range from sleek Lucite, chrome, and glass, to rustic hand-carved wood and iron.
Sisters Elishia Bolour and Sasha Shokrian are the creators and owners of Motif. Elishia runs the retail shop, having a deep interest in interior design. Sasha runs the adjacent café and holds a degree in hospitality from Cornell and MBA from Southern Methodist University.
With an eye to building an international collection, Elishia regularly takes shopping trips around the U.S. as well as to Europe, South America, and Asia to source pieces for Motif. After acquiring items during her travels over the years, Elishia is thrilled to have a place to showcase some of her pieces, which are now part of the store's inventory.
Sasha, meanwhile, studied at UC Davis, where she learned about organic farming at the campus co-op and was inspired by the college town's homey cafes and health conscious atmosphere. Café Motif is an inviting neighborhood spot where people can meet with friends, use the free wifi and indulge in a wide variety of flavorful vegan, seasonal and organic dishes on the menu.
The sister duo are constantly seeking out up-and-coming designers and vendors to showcase, contributing to the cutting-edge atmosphere. Explaining the concept of Motif, Elishia says, "The pattern is that there isn't a pattern. People who come here can expect the unexpected. Motif is not simply a furniture store, or jewelry store or clothing store; there will always be a new treasure to be discovered."
When we asked Elishia about the apparel the store carries, she replied, "We carry consigned Hermes, Chanel, and YSL to name a few. Many of the items have original tags on them. Our wedding dress designer is Michelle Rhan, who makes beautiful custom gowns by appointment at Motif."
Co-owner, Sasha Shokrian, models an YSL Red Coat ($600) over a Chanel skirt with gold Chanel buttons on back ($300) and a D&G gray sheer top ($100). Accessories include a Hermes Medor clutch ($3600),
YSL black patent leather tribute pumps ($375), Cult Gaia - Chelsea turban ($110 - Featured on Miley Cyrus on the cover of Prestige, green tassel micro pave rose gold plated tassel necklace with black diamond root ($350) and Sky earrings with Druzy citrine and aquamarine stones ($115).
Another favorite look is on Fashion Blogger, Nacole Gray, who is wearing an Alberta Ferretti silver silk evening dress ($125), with D&G stud heels ($180) and a mink black shawl ($400). Accessories include a
Christian Dior handbag ($200), Shay Accessories Pave diamond earrings ($150), Shay Accessories Swarovski diamond bracelet ($300) and Otto Ring with Laradorite stone framed with sapphire stones ($95).
Liz Laing is a writer, web designer and photographer who lives in Los Angeles. Her latest projects may be followed on Liz Laing.
Photos by Colette Blonigan, Liz Laing and Motif.
