Paris, Milan… and Los Angeles! Whoever said craftsmanship in LA isn’t just as strong as it is in the European fashion capitals? Designers flourish within our city, in fact, without many of the old-school influences mandated in other places, and from these points of incubation come innovation that is truly the hallmark of LA talent.


No other collaboration this season showcases this as strongly as the Tommy Hilfiger[3] + George Esquivel[4] collection, available in a limited run at the Tommy Hilfiger store on Robertson and select stores nationwide. With only 900 pairs, the collection of men’s and women’s brogues and loafers are handcrafted in Esquivel’s Southern California atelier.


The concept had its inception in 2011, when Esquivel participated in Hilfiger’s American in Paris program, which showcases emerging designers from the US during Paris Fashion Week. From there, Hilfiger asked Esquivel to design two men’s shoes for the Fall 2013 runway and the collaboration evolved. Featuring Hilfiger’s modern preppy aesthetic and Esquivel’s signature whimsy, the shoes have vintage-inspired details such as hand-punched perforations and the collaboration logo emblazoned on the leather with a branding iron. Each pair comes with a shoe bag; red, white, blue, and brown lace options; and a numbered box. Sourced locally with premium leathers and materials, the shoes are not only unique but an ode to SoCal workmanship.


“LA-made” isn’t a new concept, but it is one that continues to gain steam season to season as more and more brands find value in West Coast design and production. Joie[5] , who has been based in LA since its cargo pant launched it into the mainstream fashion scene in 2001, is continuing this tradition of locally made product with its new denim line. Debuting this fall with six pant styles and a timeless denim jacket, the most recent collection fits in perfectly with the other Joie collections—Soft Joie, Joie Shoes, and Joie Handbags, which are all based in California.


Designers continue to emphasize not only the professional but personal benefits of production in LA. “It is important to me that our jewelry is handcrafted in Los Angeles in order to support the local workforce and take advantage of the diversity and talent of our city. Also, frequent factory visits are integral to my design process,” says Kelly Wearstler[6] , interiors and fashion expert whose jewelry is coveted by “It” girls from LA to New York and beyond. “The close proximity allows me to personally oversee every aspect of production. Attention to detail infuses the work with a sense of soul. We work with many different skilled craftsmen so that each group within the collection has its own hand. When the pieces are layered and mixed together, the look feels curated and found—which is exactly my vibe.” It’s our vibe as well.