Name: 69
Known for: Out-there denim (think unisex chambray t-shirts big enough for five) and a reclusive designer.
Hometown: LA
LA neighborhood: Downtown
Inspiration: Retirement
Style icons: Nudists
Studio soundtrack: Traffic
LA design heroes: 69
Why 69 loves LA: The sun
The best advice 69 has ever been given: “Don’t worry, be happy.”
sixty-nine.us
Name: Sonia Boyajian
Age: 35
Known for: Bejeweled necklaces and bracelets with family heirloom appeal, and collaborating with Bernhard Willhelm.
Hometown: Los Angeles
LA neighborhood: Hollywood
Inspiration: Ancient cities, craft, nature and rituals.
Style icon: Grace Coddington
Studio soundtrack: The Bee Gees
LA design heroes: Sonia Eram at Mameg shop and Johnstone Marklee architects
Why she loves LA: “Sunshine, nature, city, mountains and ocean — what more could I ask for?”
The best advice she’s ever been given: “Never leave the house looking less than perfect.”
soniabstyle.com
Name: Fabiana Pigna
Age: 32
Known for: Demonstrating how versatile the “simple” white shirt can be.
Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela
LA neighborhood: Eagle Rock
Inspirations: Nostalgia and Almodovar movies
Style icons: “Strong female figures like Anouk Aimée, Tilda Swinton, Catherine Deneuve, Paloma Picasso, Isabella Rossellini and most of the women in my family.”
Studio soundtrack: Dirty Beaches, Everything But The Girl, Movement, Chet Baker and all the Gonzales Solo Piano records
LA design heroes: The Mulleavy sisters, Jesse Kamm and Sophie Buhai
Why she loves LA: “It reminds me of Caracas.”
The best advice she’s ever been given: “Don’t give up your vision, work hard and never compare yourself to other people.”
fabianapigna.com
Names: Nancy and Kimberly Wu of Building Block
Ages: 28 and 30
Known for: Minimalist bags, and now sandals too.
Hometown: Mission Viejo, California
LA neighborhood: East of Chinatown
Inspiration: “Being open to observation”
Style icons: The Vignellis
Studio soundtrack: Brian Eno
LA design heroes: Kristin and Shin Dickson-Okuda of Rowena Sartin and Waka Waka
Why they love LA: Cars and ocean and bright daylight
The best advice they’ve ever been given: “First thought is best thought.”
building–block.com
Name: Catherine Quin
Age: 31
Known for: Uber-chic silhouettes made from all-black fabrics.
Hometown: London
LA neighborhood: Hollywood Hills
Inspiration: Dieter Rams’ Ten Principles for Good Design
Style icon: Carolyn Bessette Kennedy
Studio soundtrack: Jon Hopkins when things get hectic. Otherwise KDAY.
LA design heroes: “My friend and LA native Sophie Buhai. She ran a successful womenswear line for 10 years and has now shifted her attention to beautiful, sculptural jewelry and interiors.”
Why she loves LA: The pink twilights and the space
The best advice she’s ever been given: “Don’t wait until you’re ready. There is almost no such thing as ready. There is only now. And generally speaking, now is as good a time as any.”
catherinequin.com
Credits
Text Alice Newell-Hanson
Photography Alex Aristei