Le Boudoir Los Angeles, the latest salon for chatting and buying lingerie

After arriving in Los Angeles 12 years ago, Clémence Pariente recently left in 2020, the Taschen publishing company, where she was assistant to founder Benedikt Taschen, to open a unique lingerie concept-store. 

In the middle of the Echo Park Avenue village, at 1555 Echo Park Avenue, “Le Boudoir LA has taken its place among juice stores, bike rentals, bookstores, grocery stores and vintage boutiques,” says Pariente. “Our store invites clients to step into a world where timeless French lingerie brands meet vintage erotica and feminist poetry. My goal was to create a wise and welcoming space for women to hang out and try on lingerie. A place where we welcome customers and friends as if they were at home, where they can find panties, stockings and garter belts, but also where they can browse through a book, chat, get a coffee, smoke a CBD cigarette…”

In a 70s-inspired decor, with a red fitting room, erotic magazine photographs on the walls, books by Jon Didion and self-service feminist anthologies, Pariente presents her favorite brands representing all femininities. “I collaborate exclusively with female designers, featuring a mix of cherished French brands I’ve worked for years and exciting new local brands from LA.”

Among the curated selection, you’ll find notable Parisian brands like Cadolle, a historic institution renowned for its luxury corsets; vibrant jewel-tone selections from Yasmine Eslami; and Fleur du Mal, a bold yet sexy selection. In addition, Le Boudoir proudly supports indie brands. Highlights include R & M Leathers, fetish-inspired handmade leather and chain pieces from London; LA-based Charlie Beads, known for their handmade cotton bloomers; Cuccia, with its line of sustainable organic bamboo undies; minimalist brand Poppy Undies created by Emily Labowe and LA-based brand Pretties and its bodysuit.

Between the racks, with collections classified as “everyday, luxury or sexy”, Pariente presents a selection of accessories imagined by her designer friends. Here, a line of jewelry and pendants in heart or flower shapes created in collaboration with jeweler Danica Stamenic, there Full Moons Club CBD cigarettes imagined by her friend Marion Brooks, knick-knacks to the glory of women found here and there, and the complete series of books by Dian Hanson (including The Big Book of Breasts), the editor responsible for Sexy Books at Taschen.

Over the months, Le Boudoir has been transformed into a new salon for chatting and feasting. The latest guest, Scout LaRue Willis, daughter of Demy Moore and Bruce Willis, came to sing and present her crochet lingerie line at an evening where even rosé wine was a feminine affair, with Vinovore, the Highland Park-based collective of women wine merchants, providing the service.

On the business side, store sales now account for the bulk of sales. “Lingerie is still about meeting brands” adds Pariente. “Customers want to touch, try on and be surprised.” This observation has prompted the designer to consider duplicating her concept in New York, if investors follow her project.

In the meantime, she plans to launch her own line of lingerie next year. “Pieces that can be worn inside and out” explains Pariente. “Sustainable collections made from deadstocks that bring together Parisian chic and old Hollywood.”