Poison Ivy Showroom
Gerry Building Suite 703 (213) 629-2059
Clean and simple lines in a spacious showroom were what convinced Perry Paiste to move to the Gerry Building one year ago.
“Our buyers really like coming over and hanging out,” said Paiste, vice president of sales for Poison Ivy, a juniors and young contemporary line launched in 2001. “We don’t have much of a specialty store business, so we don’t get a lot of buyers wandering in. But we get a lot of people making appointments.”
When they arrive, they find a light, airy room with lots of sunshine filtering in through the big windows of the art moderne–style building, which was converted into showrooms in 2002.
The uncluttered showroom puts more emphasis on the mannequins attired with the Poison Ivy line, which is carried at such stores as Nordstrom, Dillard’s, Delia’s and Urban Outfitters. It leaves more space for Paiste and his assistant, Sarah Austin, to work and fill orders.
Poison Ivy was started by Mike Lee, who now serves as chief executive of the Los Angeles apparel company.
The line caters to the 18- to 35-year-old who is into fashion. The retail price points are reasonable, ranging from $24 to $89. Most of the line is manufactured in Los Angeles, except for more labor-intensive items such as sequined skirts and embellished tops, which are made in China or other overseas countries.
The Fall collection provides an ample dose of gaucho pants, tweed jackets, velveteen blazers and pants, tiered skirts, and sweaters. The looks fit in with several fashion waves, from bohemian styles to updated Western looks.
“Our customer is an L.A. scenester who likes to wear the latest trends,” Paiste said. —Deborah Belgum
