Welcome, Grasshopper

It can be a challenge to discover new spots in LA.  Driving along, changing the song on your iPod, and looking for a parking spot, you see from the corner of your eye a cute little boutique – how likely is it that there’s parking just out front and that you have quarters to spare for the meter?  Inago, on W 3rd St. in West Hollywood may just be one of those shops.  A few doors down from Joan’s on 3rd, Inago, meaning “grasshopper” in Japanese, stocks an amazing collection of pieces you’ll definitely not see in Barneys.

Their original space houses racks of color coordinated items that make you wish you had somewhere to wear them – new Vera Wang bib necklaces next to Jeffrey Campbell shoes and dresses by Tibi, Tocca, and Mara Hoffman.  Recently, they took over the adjacent space to house a just as impressive collection of menswear – think Filippa K, Paper Denim jeans, and trousers by Tomer.

Both spaces have a warehouse feel with cement floors and floor-to-ceiling mirrors that double as sliding doors for the dressing rooms.  The girls working in the shop couldn’t be more helpful and often encourage impromptu fashion shows.  Just make sure you put enough money in the meter…

One more tip for you: if you happen to find yourself running errands in Little Tokyo, the recently opened No. A boutique stocks unknown labels imported from as far as Japan and as close as Scandinavia.  We suggest making a “lunch and shopping” day of it – unless you really do run errands in Little Tokyo.