One afternoon in the late 1990s, a friend and I wandered into a newly opened boutique on a corner in Soho. A strikingly beautiful woman wearing a pastel colored cowboy hat, (it was the nineties) offered to help us and plopped a similar hat on my head.

"Voila!" she said, sweetly waiting for me to embrace her vision. Though young and more than a little fashion-timid, (hats!?!?!?) part of me wanted that hat. Yet, it had nothing to do with how I looked in it and everything to do with the woman who did the plopping. I'll never know for certain, but I am pretty sure that it was Catherine Malandrino herself (the long dark hair, the kohl-rimmed eyes, the assertive finessing, the french) and we had wandered into her very first boutique in its infancy.

Since then, Catherine Malandrino's face has become a recognizable one and her edgy yet feminine designs even more so, having graced the backs of celebrities and flown off the racks of stores all over the world. Now, she is celebrating her ten year anniversary with a new boutique in Los Angeles. The Catherine Malandrino Maison marks the designer's first foray into a "lifestyle" oriented presentation of her fashion and accessory collections. Here, the dramatic bishop-sleeved sweaters, embroidered cutout blouses and rock and roll silhouettes, are enhanced by a selection of furniture and decorative objects hand-picked by Malandrino, as if she was decorating her own home.

The Maison is laid out just like a home might be, with an entry way, living room, library and cafe that plays the role of the kitchen. Though subtle, the concept helps create an intimate, personal atmosphere that ties the space together. Artwork and photos of Malandrino, musicians like Mary J. Blige and famous cinematic beauties like Sophia Loren decorate the walls. In the library, art and travel books covering cities like New York and St. Tropez, all give a glimpse into the designer's mind. Glossing over the titles, you can't help but think about the juxtapositions of hard and soft, or modern and romantic, that she does so well.

To keep you lingering in Malandrino-land a bit longer, there is also the kitchen. Pastries, desserts and light fare like salads and tartines prepared by the chef from "The Little Door" can be enjoyed on the patio. Those lagging in a shopping lull can down a double espresso before marching into the dressing room to slip on a fluttering chiffon flag dress or a simple top with an intricately ruffled neckline and peek-a-boo detail.

Despite the presence of french macaroons in the kitchen, the living room is actually where the mouth-watering takes place. Catherine Malandrino fanatics will drool over a vintage collection of greatest hits from the designer's career, here for purchase. The quilted coats, metallic embroidery and laser-cut leather of past collections seem like old friends. As charming as the fireplace flickering in the background may be, for anyone interested in timeless design that can be revisited again and again, this is the part that truly feels like coming home.

THE DETAILS: Catherine Malandrino Maison
651-653 North La Cienega
Los Angeles, California
310.358.0895
www.catherinemalandrino.com

Story by Gwen Barba.