Luxury Shopping in Beverly Hills

Home to the most upscale and celebrated brands in fashion and style, Beverly Hills offers an unparalleled retail experience that attracts the most discriminating shoppers from around the globe. The shopping scene in Beverly Hills is as legendary as the city itself and is one of the reasons the community has come to be known as a symbol of luxury and affluence.

RODEO DRIVE: BEVERLY HILLS’ MOST ICONIC SHOPPING DISTRICT

Mention Beverly Hills and the first image that often comes to mind is Rodeo Drive. Considered one of the most expensive streets in the world, Rodeo Drive is a premier shopping destination that exudes elegance and exclusivity.

Stretching for just three blocks between Santa Monica Boulevard and Wilshire Boulevard, this luxury retail mecca boasts a heady collection of over a hundred high-end labels, including:

• Hermès
• Prada
• Bulgari
• Cartier
• Gucci
• Armani
• Louis Vuitton
• Harry Winston
• Chanel
• Ferragamo
• House of Bijan

The high concentration of upscale shops is not the only thing that defines Rodeo Drive. Its unique appeal also comes from its fabled history, storied landmarks, and iconic design. Luxury storefronts housed in low rise buildings line the sidewalks, along with the tall palm trees that have come to define the Beverly Hills landscape.

A history of luxury

• Humble beginnings
  At the start of Beverly Hills’ development in the early 1900s, Rodeo Drive was conceived to serve as the city’s main street. It eventually became a quiet suburban thoroughfare with a few businesses such as gas stations, bookstores, hardware stores, and beauty shops.
• The birth of luxury
  Rodeo Drive remained a simple commercial street until 1949 when former Warner Bros. publicist Richard Carroll opened the high end men’s clothing store Carroll & Co. on the corner of Rodeo Drive and Santa Monica Boulevard.
• The “Father of Rodeo Drive”
  In 1961, Fred Hayman, known today as the “Father of Rodeo Drive,” opened Giorgio Beverly Hills, a luxury boutique with a distinctive yellow and white motif. The shop set the stage for the ultimate luxury shopping experience that was to be the trademark of Rodeo Drive, with novelty features such as piped-in rock music (which was rare at that time), an espresso machine, and a bar, among other indulgent features. On occasion, Fred Hayman himself would personally deliver customers’ orders using his Rolls Royce.
• The coming of flagship stores
  Taking their cue from Giorgio Beverly Hills, several prestigious establishments soon opened their flagship stores in Rodeo Drive, including Gucci (1968), Van Cleef & Arpels (1969), Vidal Sassoon salon (1970), and The Polo Store, which opened its first standalone store here in 1971.
• “The most expensive shop in the world”
  In 1976, menswear designer Bijan Pakzad opened the appointment-only House of Bijan, which soon earned the reputation for being the most expensive shop in the world. The arrival of House of Bijan helped cement Rodeo Drive’s reputation as the foremost luxury shopping destination in the United States.
• The rise of shopping centers
  In 1983, The Rodeo Collection, a 70,000-square-foot shopping complex, opened in Rodeo Drive. In addition to luxury shops like Bijan, Bulgari, and Stuart Weitzman, The Rodeo Collection also houses various services including spas and salons, medical offices, restaurants, and more.

  In 1989, Two Rodeo Drive opened, boasting a design patterned after Old World European streets. Calling itself “the gateway to Rodeo Drive,” Two Rodeo Drive is home to designer brands such as Versace, Lanvin, Jimmy Choo, and Tiffany & Co.

Other attractions in Rodeo Drive

There’s more to Rodeo Drive than just the shopping. True to its billing as a global fashion and lifestyle destination, the retail mecca features attractions and destinations that celebrate style, glamor, and creativity.

• The Beverly Wilshire Hotel
  The Beverly Wilshire Hotel, now officially known as Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, first opened in 1928 and has since hosted numerous Hollywood stars, royalty, and heads of state. It’s a favorite location for films, with the 1990 movie Pretty Woman featuring what is perhaps its most famous appearance.
• The Walk of Style
  The Walk of Style honors style icons with individual permanent plaques set into Rodeo Drive’s sidewalks. It is symbolized by Torso, a 14-foot aluminum sculpture by artist Robert Graham erected at the corner of Rodeo Drive and Dayton Way. Honorees including Giorgio Armani, Tom Ford, Mario Testino, Fred Hayman, and Princess Grace of Monaco received a small replica of the sculpture to commemorate their inclusion into the Walk of Style.
• Anderton Court Shops
  Frank Lloyd Wright’s last commercial project in the Los Angeles area features a stunning contemporary design that aptly captures the legendary architect’s famous style. Completed in 1952, the three-story building features a hexagonal floor plan, a central ramp that surrounds a hexagonal light well, and an inverted V-shaped spire that makes the complex stand out in the area. The structure today houses six shops and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

OTHER LUXURY RETAIL STRIPS IN BEVERLY HILLS

While Rodeo Drive is the pinnacle of upscale shopping in Beverly Hills, the surrounding retail strips in the area offer an eclectic mix of options that define luxury in different ways. Shopping in Beverly Hills will not be complete without exploring what these retail destinations have to offer.

Two Rodeo Drive

Opened in 1989, Two Rodeo Drive is an outdoor shopping center made distinctive by its European design. It is flanked by Rodeo Drive, Wilshire Boulevard, and Dayton Way, and occupies one block of the three-block Rodeo Drive shopping district.

The developer of Two Rodeo Drive spared no expense in creating the Old World atmosphere that characterizes the shopping center. A winding cobblestone street adorned by vintage-style lamps is lined by 23 buildings, each with a different facade recalling classic European architecture. Fountains and a grand staircase complete the look.

Two Rodeo Drive houses over 20 luxury boutiques of the most upscale brands in the world, including:

• Tiffany & Co.
• Porsche Design
• Versace
• Jimmy Choo
• Audemars Piguet
• Lanvin
• Golden Goose

Two Rodeo Drive is also home to 208 Rodeo, a bistro style restaurant with outdoor seating located just atop the grand staircase on Via Rodeo, the shopping complex’s cobblestoned street. Opened in 1991, 208 Rodeo is a popular dining destination and offers California cuisine infused with French and Asian influences.

North Canon Drive

North Canon Drive makes up one of the borders of the Golden Triangle, Beverly Hills’ commercial core and downtown area. The thoroughfare is best known as the location of some of the most notable restaurants in Beverly Hills, including Wolfgang Puck’s Spago, Sugarfish by Sushi Nozawa, Via Alloro, La Scala Beverly Hills, and Mastro’s Steakhouse.

In addition to these culinary icons, the district also has its share of luxury boutiques, and the number has been growing in recent years. The top retailers in the area include trendy labels, up-and-coming designer brands, and established names in luxury.

• Y/OSEMITE Beverly Hills
• Avedon Beverly Hills
• Alo Yoga Beverly HIlls
• James Perse
• BELLA+CANVAS
• Honorine
• Re-Fine Luxury Goods
• Alan Friedman Company

North Beverly Drive

South Beverly Drive transitions into North Beverly Drive right after Wilshire Boulevard, then winds its way to the Coldwater Canyon area where it gives way to Coldwater Canyon Drive.

Traversing the Golden Triangle and the Flats just one block east of Rodeo Drive, North Beverly Drive is one of the major thoroughfares of Beverly Hills, making it a highly accessible location for an eclectic collection of shops and restaurants.

In addition to fresh designer labels and trendy fashion boutiques, the top places to visit in North Beverly Drive include houseware stores, gift and jewelry shops, and a cheese shop.

The most notable shopping destinations include:

• Crate & Barrell
• GEARYS Beverly Hills
• Sandro Beverly Drive
• & Other Stories
• Intermix
• Sarah Pacini
• ba&sh
• The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills

Wilshire Boulevard

Wilshire Boulevard connects Beverly Hills to the rest of Los Angeles, spanning the entire east-west length of the city. One of LA’s busiest and most important roads, Wilshire Boulevard is also known as Beverly Hills’ department store row where Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus have prominent locations. The strip is a gateway to Rodeo Drive and Two Rodeo Drive, and makes up one of the borders of the Golden Triangle.

In addition to upscale department stores, a host of elegant boutiques are also found along Wilshire Boulevard, including:

• Dior
• Chanel
• Escada
• Mikimoto
• Zegna
• BOSS
• Fendi
• Buccellati

TOP LUXURY SHOPPING DESTINATIONS IN BEVERLY HILLS

Walking up and down Beverly Hills’ shopping districts for a day or two of retail adventure is an exhilarating experience. However, if you have limited time to shop, plan your visits around these shopping destinations where you can find some of the world’s most upscale and stylish brands under one roof.

Beverly Center
8500 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90048

Beverly Center lies just outside Beverly Hills territory, and is right around the area where the city meets West Hollywood. From Beverly Hills, Beverly Center can be reached by car in only around five minutes.

Covering eight stories and a floor area of around 883,000 square feet, Beverly Center is home to over 90 shops of the most recognizable fashion brands and luxury labels in the world. These include:

• Louis Vuitton
• Gucci
• Coach
• Balenciaga
• Boss
• Burberry
• Montblanc
• Versace

Beverly Center also has a Bloomingdale’s and a Macy’s as well as more than 101 eateries that range from casual coffee shops to Michelin-starred establishments.

Neiman Marcus
9700 Wilshire Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90212

A byword in luxury shopping, it is only fitting that Neiman Marcus has a conspicuous location in Beverly Hills, just steps from Rodeo Drive. The prestigious shopping center houses over 1,000 of the most exclusive fashion brands in the world, including casual and formal designer clothes, cosmetic shops, jewelry and fashion accessory shops, and children’s fashion labels.

The top brands include:

• Alexander McQueen
• Bulgari
• Carolina Herrera
• Dolce & Gabbana
• Christian Louboutin
• Giorgio Armani
• Jimmy Choo
• Karl Lagerfeld
• Louis Vuitton
• Max Mara
• Oscar de la Renta
• Polo Ralph Lauren
• Swarovski
• THE ROW
• Van Cleef & Arpels

The store is also home to a curated selection of restaurants that complements the luxury lifestyle it espouses. Moreover, it takes luxury shopping a notch higher with these exclusive services:

• Alterations to make sure your purchases are tailor fit to you
• Personal shopping
• Studio services for the Costume Design and Wardrobe industry
• Fur Services to take care of your precious fur pieces, including cold storage, conditioning, and restyling

Saks Fifth Avenue
9600 Wilshire Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Located next door to Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue has been a fixture in the Beverly Hills shopping scene since the completion of the Saks Fifth Avenue building in 1938.

Today, in addition to the department store, the approximately 74,000-square-foot shopping complex also houses:

• Saks shoe department, a single story building annexed to the original building in 1995
• Barney’s building, the former home of Barney’s New York completed in 1993, which is currently vacant
• Three parking lots

The department store chain’s Beverly Hills location was its first in Southern California, and is acclaimed today not only for its impressive merchandise but also for its Art Deco architecture.

Over the years, the retail icon has acknowledged that it has lost some of its allure to nearby Rodeo Drive, but it remains one of the must-visit shopping destinations in Beverly Hills. In 2022, the chain’s management group HBC Properties and Investments announced plans to revitalize the area through the strategic use of the retail spaces in the complex.

Today, Saks Fifth Avenue continues to bring a wide array of high-end fashion brands in clothing, accessories, jewelry, and other items for men, women, and children. The top labels include:

• Versace
• Balenciaga
• Christian Louboutin
• Dolce & Gabbana
• Burberry
• Chloé
• Salvatore Ferragamo
• Vera Wang
• Armani
• Gucci
• Hermès
• Jimmy Choo
• Ralph Lauren
• Marc Jacobs

The department store also has its own fashion labels for men’s and women’s apparel, as well as an in-house jewelry line. And as a pampered customer, you can take advantage of exclusive services including:

• Alterations
• Complimentary makeup lessons, makeovers, or facials using your preferred makeup brand
• One-on-one shopping sessions with a Saks Style Advisor

EXCLUSIVE SHOPPING EXPERIENCES IN BEVERLY HILLS

Beverly Hills offers more than just access to iconic retail destinations and exclusive designer labels. Patrons also get the kind of pampering that befits their stylish way of life, making shopping a truly rarefied experience.

Spoil yourself with the following services available to Beverly Hills shoppers:

• Personal shopping
  Hire a specialist whose expertise is to curate fashion items and create looks that go well with your personal style. Your personal shopper can also look for pieces that you need fast or don’t have the time to shop for. In addition to personal stylists for hire, stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus also offer personal shopping services to customers.
• Private appointments and VIP access
  Many of Beverly Hills’ most upscale boutiques feature a VIP area and offer private appointments for the utmost luxury shopping experience. Indulge in exquisitely designed private rooms where you can shop designer houses’ offerings without having to worry about prying eyes. You also get the expert assistance of a stylist in finding the perfect look.
• Customized luxury
  When off-the-rack is simply not for you, you can get a bespoke look at some of Beverly Hills’ exclusive fashion houses. There’s Ermenegildo Zelda, Steffano Ricci, and House of Bijan for men, and haute couture houses such as Carrol Custom Beverly Hills and Susanna Beverly Hills for women. At Ralph Lauren’s flagship shop on Rodeo Drive, you can choose your own colorway for a handbag, and at perfumeries like House of Creed and Henry Jacques, you’ll find rare and artisanal fragrances shared only by select individuals worldwide.

LIVE THE LUXURY LIFESTYLE THAT ONLY BEVERLY HILLS OFFERS

Find the perfect home with Joyce Rey, a Beverly Hills real estate expert who was behind many of the most notable home sales in the city. Known as “The Grand Dame of Real Estate,” Joyce counts international celebrities and Fortune 500 executives among her clients, and has amassed over $6 billion in sales throughout a career that spans nearly four decades.

Be guided by a genuine expert with an undiminishing passion for real estate. Call Joyce Rey and her team today at 310.285.7529 or send an email here. You may also send an inquiry through the contact form below.