At Abbot Kinney Boulevard, retail is booming (#1684687)

Is Abbot Kinney making a comeback? That’s what some fashion experts are predicting. The “coolest block in America” cited by GQ magazine in 2012, which became an object of covetousness for mainstream brands for the past 10 years, has been enjoying a new lease of life in recent months. From a pop-up by Pleasing, the brand of singer Harry Styles, to the opening of Californian brand Nahmias, and sustainable concept store The Circular Library, Abbot Kinney’s fashion scene combines cult and international brands with innovative and emerging brands.

Named in honor of Abbot Kinney, the millionaire entrepreneur behind the development of Venice and its canals in 1905, the boulevard saw its first developments in the early 1990s, marking the complete revitalization of the neighborhood. Occupied in the early 2000s by art galleries, independent boutiques and restaurants, Abbot Kinney is now home to over fifty fashion and accessories stores, with the remainder occupied by restaurants, cafés and home decoration boutiques. Of the hundred or so shops occupying the mile-long boulevard, there are now fewer than 10 available keystones. 
 
In recent years, Abbot Kinney has been criticized for becoming the “land of mainstream brands” and global standardization. In reality, there a now fewer than fifteen international brands. Present since 2013, Australian brand Flannel was followed by the popular denim brand Rag & Bone, the French brand Iro, Adidas Originals, Zadig & Voltaire and Birkenstock.

A trend towards internationalization that continues today at a slower pace than expected. Despite the failure of the AllBirds brand to find its audience, the post-Covid era has seen the opening of six international brands on Abbot Kinney. These include Italian lingerie brand Intimissimi; Swiss sneaker brand On; Brazilian brand Farm Rio; American classic brand J. Crew; New York brand Todd Snyder; and Danish brand Colorful Standard. In a few weeks’ time, French brand American Vintage, already present in 130 stores worldwide, will open its doors. 
 

Faced with international brands, Californian retail is still in good health, with more than a dozen brands present on Abbot Kinney. Apart from the bankruptcy of Esprit, the brand founded in San Francisco in 1968 by an American couple of hippies, and the closure of its boutique just a few months after opening, many brands were born on the boulevard before spreading throughout the United States.
 
A pioneer of “born in Venice” fashion, Aviator Nation and its vintage-inspired fashions have had a boutique on Abbot Kinney since 2009. A success story for designer and founder Paige Mycoskie, whose brand now boasts 19 boutiques in the U.S., and even had the luxury of opening in New York last year in the Soho district. Buck Mason, another Abbot Kinney success story, launched in a garage on the corner of Abbot Kinney and Venice Boulevard, now boasts 33 stores nationwide. Marine Layer, born in San Francisco and now present via a network of 40 boutiques in the United States, also opened its first store on Abbot Kinney in 2013. Similar beginnings for Industry of All Nations, a fashion eco-label born in Los Angeles, which now has several stores in New York, San Francisco, Brooklyn, Joshua Tree and even Bolivia.
 
This California battalion also includes Everlane, the San Francisco-based brand adding a new boutique to its network of 11 addresses in 2019; The Great, founded by Emily Current and Meritt Elliott in Los Angeles, that opened in 2021 and now boasts seven boutiques in California; and Velvet, a brand founded by Jenny Graham and Ruti from Palo Alto.

A sign of the good health of California retail, Santa Barbara-born fashion designer Doni Nahmias opened in early November his very first Nahmias boutique on Washington Way, in the Abbot Kinney extension, complete with outdoor skatepark. “Venice is an iconic neighborhood in California,” explained Nahmias at the boutique opening. “The fresh air and positive energy here are unique in the world. Today, the neighborhood is evolving into a center of creativity and talent.”
 
More confidential but emblematic of the ambient creativity, other California-born brands bring a unique character to Abbot Kinney’s retail scene. Cookman, a brand launched by two chefs became a streetwear icon with its large and colorful pants. Born in a Venice garage, Vardagen has also become popular with locals and tourists alike for its line of casual and graphic tee-shirts. A few days ago, founder Jared Ingold launched his line of “Wanted” T-shirts, featuring the silhouette of a man who was caught on video stealing clothes. A sense of humor well seen in Venice.
 
Resisting the development of international and main stream stores, the bohemian and Americana spirit linked to Venice’s origins is now concentrated around a dozen addresses. Opened in 2001 on Abbot Kinney, the Principessa boutique is like an ancestor and a temple for lovers of boho style. Housed in a 1930s bungalow since 2006, Coutula promotes hippie fashion, swimwear and precious stones. 

Famous hat designer Nick Fouquet has also been present in Venice since 2011. Like many others, he launched his own hat brand from the garage of his home. The “Americana” spirit persists with Buck Palmer, who focuses on men’s jewelry and hats, and One Golden Thread and its “feel-good fashion”, which selects only nature-sourced and plant-sourced garments. The Stronghold, originally a denim brand founded in 1895 in Los Angeles, and worn by Charlie Chaplin in the “Modern Times” movie, brings together heritage brands such as Stetson, Alden Shoes, Lewis Leather and Filson. The last representative of “American classic” fashion, Billy Reid opened his 12th store on Abbot Kinney this year.
 
Venice’s emblematic beachwear segment also boasts a total of four dedicated addresses. Born in Saint-Barth in the Caribbean, the MC2 Saint-Barth brand, now present in more than 50 boutiques worldwide, has had a boutique in Venice since 2018. Popularized by its campaigns with Pamela Anderson and Gigi Hadid, Frankies Bikini opened its pop-up last November. Last July, Canadian brand Left On Friday, founded by two Lululemon alumni, opened its first U.S. boutique. With a sustainable focus, Sand Cloud, the San Diego-based brand, has been rehabilitating beach towels made from organic cotton since 2022, and donates part of its proceeds to marine protection. 

A sustainable positioning also echoed by The Circular Library, a new concept-store launched in 2023 and promoting sustainable brands and circular fashion with Korean brand Le Cashmere and upcycled brand Re:Code that designs and produces new collections by upcycling deadstock and using sustainable materials. The space also organizes conferences and upcycling workshops.

 
Still under-represented in Venice, vintage has two addresses on Abbot Kinney. In addition to the MBI Vintage pop-up, The Dig boutique is a real eye-catcher. It’s run by local Jason Husby, a fan of Wrangler, Levis and vintage T-shirts, who has been occupying Venice’s former flagship store, General Admission, for the past year.
 
A popular segment for Venice locals and visiting tourists alike, athleticwear and activewear continue to expand on Abbott Kinney. In addition to the presence of Lululemon, On sneakers and Adidas Originals, Electric Rose has been offering breathable, tie-and-dye activewear perfect for yoga, surfing and hiking since 2014. Following the opening of minimalist activewear brand Vuori in 2021, ASVR created a sensation last June with the opening of its fourth boutique in California, with a fifth in New York.

“Abbot Kinney remains one of the most popular and trendy streets in Los Angeles,” explained Eduardo Feliz, ASVR brand sales director. “The mix of boutiques, cafés, art galleries and stores found nowhere else guarantees constant traffic. The street’s reputation boosts brand visibility and prestige, and the district’s new demographic is now more open to premium brands and high-quality products.”

 
A dynamic that is now convincing many brands to try out pop-up formats. Following in the footsteps of Californian brand Vici, a social selling pioneer on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, and running shoe brand Hoka, singer Harry Styles’ Pleasing brand opened its pop-up store in Abbott Kinney in early November. A funfair-style boutique featuring the singer’s signature logo sweatshirts and nail polish.
 
As a sunglasses market, Abbot Kinney also brings together all the market players, from luxury to “accessible” brands. An ultra-competitive offering with seven specialist boutiques. Venice-born Garrett Leight was the first to open his eponymous brand on Abbot Kinney in 2009. The founder has since branched out to the East Side, in Silver Lake. Warby Parker followed three years later, as did New York-based Illesteva. 

In 2017, Franco-Tunisian designer Ahlem Manai-Platt opened on Abbot Kinney her first Ahlem boutique in the United States. In 2019, Ray-Ban arrived with its classic Wayfarer sunglasses. More affordable, The Goodr Cabana has occupied a colorful bungalow since 2019. More luxury positioned, designer Jacques Marie Mage’s gallery appeals to the more affluent with its limited-edition eyewear collections presented at his Washington Way’s store. In a few days, Japanese eyewear brand Jins will open its doors with eyewear models starting at $90 and “ready in 30 minutes”.

 
In addition to fashion, Abbot Kinney now boasts some twenty restaurants and cafés. A Venice cult, the Gjelina restaurant, invested in by the Dior team for the Dior fashion show in collaboration with local designer ERL in 2022, has been attracting the international fashion crowd for years. Perfect for boosting Abbot Kinney’s neighborhood life, the Gjelina Group added RVR a few months ago; a new eatery where reservations are required weeks in advance. 
 
Two hotel projects are also due to open in 2025 and 2026: the 78-room The Venice Place, and the 43-room 881 Abbot Kinney on the corner of Abbot Kinney and Main Street, ensuring that tourist traffic continues to flow through Abbot Kinney.