Robertson: Lisa Kline Out, Cavalli, BCBG In
Lisa Kline Men shuttered.
Lisa Kline was one of the entrepreneurs who pioneered Robertson Boulevard into a high-profile retail street. But she recently closed her last shop on the thoroughfare, Lisa Kline Men, which was located at123 S Robertson Blvd.
Kline said she had no regrets about shuttering the boutique. "It is with great pride and joy that I announce the closure of my last and final brick and mortar location on Robertson Blvd. I am moving into the Internet space which I believe is the future,” she posted on her website LisaKline.com.
Lisa Kline Men was closed around Dec. 16. She started her boutique business in 1995. At the height of her bricks-and-mortar retail success, Kline ran six boutiques in high-profile locations, which stretched from Malibu to Beverly Hills. From 2009 to 2011, she gradually closed all of her stores.
“My bricks-and-mortar model doesn’t work,” Kline said in a phone interview on Dec. 30. With fashion brands opening full-price boutique chains, as well as outlet stores, it proved too tough to compete against the vendors she often promoted at her multi-line stores.
In August, Kline announced she would launch an online marketplace called Vaniti.com. She will serve as the co-founder and chief fashion officer for the Aliso Viejo,Calif.-headquartered company. The site will offer fashions for men, women and children, as well as accessories, vintage, crafts, and charitable fashion. When the site debuts in February, she will open a Los Angeles office.
The global range of e-commerce will increase sales opportunity. “Thousands shopped on Robertson Boulevard. Millions will shop at Vaniti,” she said.
In other Robertson Boulevard news, Italian designer Roberto Cavalli opened a new shop on the street along with contemporary chain BCBG Max Azria. These shops moved into the space that formerly housed the Diavolina footwear boutique and Madison shop located in the 100 block of South Robertson Boulevard.
New Roberto Cavalli store on Robertson Boulevard.
