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Best Stops Along Melrose Place

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(credit: Sofia Wolfson)

On the stretch of street known as Melrose Place, there's not a fictitious apartment complex filled with beautiful people with big nighttime soap problems anywhere in sight. What does fill the shady, tree-lined street are some of the swankiest high-end fashion and design boutiques. This is the place where, from Orlando Avenue to La Cienega, you will find Alexander McQueen then pass Carolina Herrera, Oscar de La Renta and Marni on the way to try on wedding dresses at Monique Lhuilier. On Sunday morning the street is closed to traffic to make way for a weekly farmers market of local produce, flowers, prepared foods and pastries.

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Bookmarc
8409 Melrose Pl
Los Angeles, CA 90069
(323) 944-0575
www.marcjacobs.com

Starting on the Orlando Avenue side, be sure to go into Bookmarc to check out the inventive window displays. The tables and shelves are filled with art, design, fashion, and architecture books mixed with some pop culture titles too. Bookmarc carries a series of collaboration Krink graffiti paint markers, iPad cases, pens, accessories and gifts with events and hosts book release parties for authors, photographers and musicians like Pharrell Williams and Beck.

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Equipment
8459 Melrose Place
Los Angeles, CA 90069
(323) 330-8889
www.equipmentfr.com

The new Equipment store on Melrose Place is painted shades of charcoal grey creating a perfect backdrop for the vibrant colors of the gorgeous menswear-inspired tailored silk shirts the company has become known for. Once inside, a bright blue Retna hangs on the far wall while black and white prints of the company's muse, the band The Kills line the East wall. Equipment now also offers sweaters, jackets, dresses as well as a men's line for a look that is effortlessly chic.

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Isabel Marant
8454 Melrose Place
Los Angeles, CA 90069
(323) 651-1493
www.isabelmarant.com

After walking to the end of the street and gazing in the window at the wedding dress confections at Monique Lhuillier, cross the street and look for a stunning garden of succulent plants. Walk down the path and into the wonder world of Isabel Marant. Designed by Franklin Azzi, the stunning space is filled with light. Marant's clothing and accessories designs combine pattern and shape with a modern luxurious bohemian aesthetic.

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Temperley London
8452 Melrose Pl
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(212) 219-2929
www.temperleylondon.com

The Temperley London store on Melrose place feels like walking into the perfect cozy apartment. Known for feminine knit and lace dresses with a classic styling, it's easy to see why the designer is a favorite of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, formerly known as Kate Middleton. The duchess wore a blue and white lace dress on a trip to Malaysia and a long black lace gown to the "Warhorse" premiere. Temperley knits are known for flattering fits and eye-catching details.

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Alfred Coffee & Kitchen
8248 Melrose Place
Los Angeles, CA 90069
(323) 944-0811
www.alfredcoffee.com

If before, during, or after all of the walking and shopping you need a cold drink or a hot coffee, stop into the adorable Alfred. The eclectic décor, with flowered wallpaper, white tiles, rustic black wood paneling, features a sign with their "But first, coffee" motto. Speaking of coffee, Alfred serves Stumptown coffee beans brewed or as espresso drinks made on a La Marzocco machine. Order coffee, sandwiches, pastries, and chilled drinks downstairs and the counter then find a seat at the community or small tables inside or out front for more people watching.

Julie Wolfson (@juliewolfson) is a freelance writer living in Los Angeles. She covers travel, lifestyle, art, pop culture, cocktails and food for Cool Hunting and several other media outlets. Most days you'll find her out and about in Southern California and around the world tracking down stories about talented people doing amazing things.
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