Kiko Kostadinov opens his first boutique in Los Angeles (#1683448)

A few months after opening his first permanent store in Tokyo, London-based Bulgarian designer Kiko Kostadinov has just opened his very first Los Angeles boutique at 725 N Western Avenue, in the Melrose Hill neighborhood.

Previously home to furniture warehouses, Melrose Hill has undergone a major transformation in recent months, with the arrival of premium art galleries. While Morán Morán was the first gallery to set up shop here in 2008, other big names have followed in recent years, including David Zwirner, Clearing, Sargent’s Daughters West and, more recently, Southern Guild. 
 
A new spot for Los Angeles’ artistic fauna, Melrose Hill has also seen the opening of new trendy places in recent months, with Café Telegrama and its adjacent restaurant Etra. Last year, fashion boutique Co. also opened its first boutique in the front part of its space. At 725 North Western, a “village” of creators, where artist Ed Ruscha lived for a few years, is now in full development with the arrival of tattoo artist Noah Lee. There’s also a ceramists’ studio and, in a few days, the Roseark jewelry brand will be opening a second address after the West Hollywood one.

Well advised by his friend Ali Morán, founder of the Morán Morán art gallery, Kostadinov, whose brand has gained interest in the art world, chose an Art Deco building dating from 1924, and called on artist Ryan Trecartin to design the space.

“The store is a continuation of the visual and conceptual language developed for Tokyo by Trecartin,” explained Kostadinov’s team. “Once again, the artist will present a visual narrative unveiled in two parts. The project’s first iteration will exist as a production proxy where the artist will present material explorations and spatial studies that echo the ‘in production’ phase of set building. Viewers will have the opportunity to engage with phase one of the installation – Draft Settings – while Trecartin works with local Los Angeles-based artisans on the construction of the permanent installation set to follow Spring 2025.”

On a green carpet similar to a soccer pitch, industrial racks with plastic honeycomb structures present Otto 958, Kiko Kostadinov’s other brand, produced in collaboration with the Morán-Morán art gallery. The collection features a series of caps seen everywhere this year at the Art Basel and Frieze art festivals, rugby crewnecks and sneakers produced with the Asics brand. 
 
The rest of the boutique showcases clothing from the fall/winter collection, including upcycled pieces, cargo shorts and trousers, cropped jackets and jackets with bag, long coats and knits. His collection of handbags, accessories for men and women, is displayed on benches that look as if they’ve just stepped out of a stadium.