Best Buys -- Greer Wylder

Cutting-edge boutique

I finally stopped by Erica Dee last week. I can’t believe I never knew

about this great year-old boutique. The owner, Erica Berge (middle name,

Dee) is a genius at choosing apparel for young women who want the best

lines in one shop. Some of her collections available include Theory,

Juicy Couture, William B., Seven Jeans, Michael Stars, Earl Jeans and

Diane Von Furstenberg. Not only does she carry cutting-edge designers,

she also has unique gifts, jewelry, lingerie and shoes. Berge’s publicist

says Berge wanted to create a store that caters to women who are

independent, feminine and have a unique style that is cutting edge and

global. I’d say she succeeded. For a young woman (she’s 27), Berge has

already had a lot of experience in the fashion business. She began her

career, after finishing a degree at the Fashion Institute of Design and

Merchandising, by helping to open the Anthroplogie store in Santa Monica,

and later Fashion Island’s store. She’s been an intern at Quiksilver,

where she learned the wholesale side of business, and worked in

management for three years at the Modern Romance boutique in Fashion

Island, where her desire to open her own boutique grew. Local boutique

owner Holly Sharp soon hired Berge to help her with buying and

merchandising, and after 2 1/2 years with Sharp, she finally was able to

open her own boutique. Erica Dee is at 2919 E. Coast Highway, Corona del

Mar. (949) 673-9333.

Antiques from LeSueur

I was so impressed by Mathieu LeSueur Antiques and Decorative Arts.

The tiny store on the peninsula has beautiful painted furniture, European

antiques, armoires, chests, chairs, mirrors, lamps and small tables.

LeSueur, (isn’t that a great name for an antique dealer?) is a decorative

artist specializing in painted furniture. He works with a lot of interior

designers, and not surprisingly is popular with Los Angeles-based

interior designers who buy his pieces and turn around and sell them for a

nice profit 40 miles up the freeway. LeSueur’s love of antiques came from

his family: They own the El Toro Antique Mall in South Orange County.

Mathieu LeSueur is at 404 32nd St., Newport Beach. It’s open from 10 a.m.

to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. (949) 675-6175.

South Coast additions

It seems like South Coast Plaza is constantly adding exciting new

retail stores and restaurants. It’s hard to keep up. The latest lineup of

stores scheduled to open in the fall are Bottega Veneta, David Yurman,

Dooney & Burke, Jimmy Choo and Ron Herman. If you don’t already know

about Bottega Veneta’s soft as cashmere leather, woven handbags and

leather accessories from Italy, you’ll want to visit the new store and

check it out. If you’re into jewelry, you’ll appreciate David Yurman, an

internationally known American jewelry designer. Yurman’s signature

pieces are its Cable Collection, which combines sterling silver with

diamonds and gemstones. Dooney & Burke is an American designer of

handcrafted handbags, luggage and accessories. Its signature pieces

include leather-trimmed bags, driving gloves, leather belts and hats.

Jimmy Choo has quickly become the shoe to have for those in the know. I

think it has even eclipsed Manolo Blahnik as the shoe of the moment. The

cutting-edge shoe designer is always worn by fashionistas and

celebrities. The sexy, strappy shoes come in leather, skins and fabrics,

and even are adorned with Swarovski crystal, beads, buckles or pony hair.

If you’re not familiar with Ron Herman, you have to know about the

incredible specialty store he created in Los Angeles, Fred Segal Melrose.

Luckily for us, Herman is opening his newest women’s store at South Coast

Plaza in November. The Ron Herman Boutique will feature fashion-forward

apparel for the young minded, with domestic and imported collections.

Rockin’ surf wear

The Rock Surf Shop is the latest popular surf wear company to hit

Newport Beach. The tiny new shop has quickly become a popular spot for

young kids who can’t get enough of The Rock apparel. You’ll find tons of

T-shirts, sweatshirts, sunglasses, G-4 surfboards, board bags, videos,

leashes and girls’ apparel. Owner David Giddings also wrote a popular

children’s book called “Harry the Bear -- Incredible Skateboarding,”

which subtly teaches skateboarding safety. It’s at 432 32nd St., Newport

Beach. (949) 723-6069.

Feet for half off

The best in women’s and men’s shoes is reduced at Silver Feet’s

50%-off sale. Designer names on sale include Prada, Miu Miu, Prada Sport,

Christian Louboutin, Costume National, Stephanie Kelian and Jimmy Choo.

Silver Feet is at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. (714) 979-2800.

* BEST BUYS appears Thursdays and Saturdays. Send information to Greer

Wylder at o7 greerwylder@yahoo.comf7 or 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA

92627, or via fax at (949) 646-4170.