Ten Spots Right Up Her Alley
Winter Rosebud is a fabulous creature of fashion, a blond vision in vinyl, fur, leather and studs, all of which she purchased in Santee Alley, along with her cowboy hat. She is a staff designer at Trashy Lingerie in Los Angeles, where she designs custom bras and corsets six days a week. She lives in a loft around the corner from Santee Alley and regularly trolls the shops for ideas and materials. Once in a while, she even sees a knockoff of one of her designs in a store window. Here’s Rosebud’s take on her favorites:
1. Axxent, 1008-A S. Santee St. Rhinestone jewelry, belts, handbags, everything 50% off the marked price. “Rhinestone brooches are really happening right now; they’re my latest obsession. And they’ve been right here all along. And you see this Mongolian lamb purse? You can buy it at Fred Segal for $400. Here it’s $30. And it’s real.”
2. Bon Jour, 1008-B S. Santee St. More jewelry, belts, bags, at 50% discount. “If you’re ever in need of a rhinestone bra and miniskirt, you can get them here. You can also buy your aunt a fur scarf and she’ll think you won the lottery!”
3. Something Special, 1014 S. Santee St. The place to buy every kind of cowboy hat imaginable, and rhinestone-encrusted sunglasses. “Elton John glasses ... or are you looking for a hot pink snakeskin cowboy hat?”
4. Too-Too Hat Co., 10161/2 S. Santee St. Owner Sunny Pak supplies feather- and spangle-bedecked fancy hats to a clientele of women who like to get all dolled up for church. “This place makes you want to have a tea party.”
5. Yessi, 11041/2 S. Santee St. (in the alley). Women’s fashions. “This is my all-time favorite store in the alley. All these little hippie blouses are still on the runway. I don’t know how they figure out how to make them so fast. They have the best jeans too. And everything’s around $15.”
6. Classic Wear, 1140 S. Santee St. (in the alley). Men’s fashions, shoes and hats, specializing in colorful zoot suits and matching suede and patent leather shoes. “Aren’t these pimp suits cute? There’s a crack hotel across the street from my loft, and the guys get out of their Corvettes dressed just like this. They’re popular with costume designers too.” 7. Jenico Shoes, 1154 S. Santee St. (runs from street to the alley). From denim boots to Lucite platform slides, many pairs are two for $15. “This is the place I come to buy boots. On the street side, they have a lot of stripper shoes too.”
8. Next Accessories, 1136-C S. Santee St. For clip-on hairpieces in every shade and texture. “The thing to do is to get two and wear them on each side of your head as big ponytails. I’ve gone through several pairs of these. I’ve worn them to the Playboy Mansion a couple of times. I ruined some in a Jacuzzi once.”
9. Ocean Blue, 310 11th St. “The only place downtown to buy a bikini.”
10. Alley Dogs, corner of Santee Alley and 12th Street. “The Alley Dog is legendary. It’s a big, fat hot dog wrapped in bacon, with grilled onions and peppers and covered in mayonnaise. I love to eat them for breakfast.”
