Intuition
Where? Ten minutes' drive from better-known shops in Beverly Hills, on busy West Pico Boulevard, home to Los Angeles' best burger joint: Apple Pan.
Who? Eight years ago and after 25 years in the rag trade, Jaye Hersh opened Intuition to provide chic fashions in store and online. By attracting celebrity clients such as Jessica and Ashley Simpson, the blown-out blonde turned herself into a style expert on top US entertainment news shows such as Access Hollywood.
The vibe: as crammed as Carrie Bradshaw's closet in Sex and the City, this white-walled space doubled in size last year to accommodate even more slouchy leather carry-alls, vintage-inspired tees, skinny jeans, embellished ballet flats as well as this season's riding boots and enough diaphanous dresses to appease Nicole Richie.
Fashion finds: with photogenic metallic bags by Big Buddha for only US$77 and US$10 Lucite bangles, anyone can treasure hunt here. Rifle through Paige Premium jeans and demure smock dresses by Christopher Dean. The shop's own ultra-soft T-shirts have a faintly worn-in look that is ever-so-slightly see-through, while shades by Tom Ford and cheap and chic sunnies by Rockstar draw in celebrities.
The crowd: Harajuku girls mingle with privileged Los Angelinos who are still in their school uniforms but glamorously accessorised with Chloe book bags and their well-toned mums.
Extras: how-to guides such as Frumpy to Foxy in 15 Minutes Flat plus nifty tricks such as Takeouts breast enhancers, silicone bra inserts and disposable adhesive underwear offering behind-the-scenes help.
