The Agency, co-founded by denim guru Jeff Rudes, opens in Beverly Hills with a third store in the United States
For years fashion industry executive Jeff Rudes was the go-to guy Los Angeles denim, known for its premium brand J jeans. Then, in 2012, 80.1% of the company was sold to Japanese company Fast Retailing Inc., known for its Uniqlo stores, for $290 million.
Rudes could have quit when he left J Brand and lived comfortably forever. But once you're in the fashion business, it's hard to leave.
It's been 15 years since Margaret Maldonado and Rudes launched the contemporary line L'Agence, for women who is looking for casual and refined pieces to complete their wardrobe. Today, the brand is sold at approximately 300 retailers worldwide, including Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Net-a-porter.
Related ArticlesBut it's slowly building its own retail presence. The L.A. brand opened a boutique at 371 North Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills on Wednesday, joining a number of contemporary brands on the street. Rudes worked with architect Paul Bennett to incorporate a Parisian-inspired design with floor-to-ceiling windows and transoms letting the California sunlight into the European-inspired interior of the brand's third store. p>
The 1,650 square foot space will feature the full range of ready-to-wear, including jeans, as well as shoes and accessories. "I really liked this place," said Rudes, who said the new retail outlet has been in the works for about six to eight months. “We had a lot of options around town, from the coast to Beverly Hills. And we chose Beverly Hills."
In the new L'Agence store. Photo by Josh Cho. Courtesy of The Agency.Not far from there, L'Agence has another store on Melrose Place in West Hollywood as well as a store on Madison Avenue in New York. But Rudes has new plans for the West Hollywood location which he will reveal later.
The brand is known for its relaxed California style mixed with European sophistication. There are silk blouses, plaid blazers, pants, slipdresses, leather jackets, t-shirts and shoes. Prices generally range from $240 to $650. About 50% of the collection is made in L.A., where factories work on jeans and t-shirts. The rest is mostly cut and sewn in China.
Tara Rudes-Dann, the label's fashion director and niece of Jeff Rudes, calls the collection a time rock'n'roll and sexy. "It's r...
For years fashion industry executive Jeff Rudes was the go-to guy Los Angeles denim, known for its premium brand J jeans. Then, in 2012, 80.1% of the company was sold to Japanese company Fast Retailing Inc., known for its Uniqlo stores, for $290 million.
Rudes could have quit when he left J Brand and lived comfortably forever. But once you're in the fashion business, it's hard to leave.
It's been 15 years since Margaret Maldonado and Rudes launched the contemporary line L'Agence, for women who is looking for casual and refined pieces to complete their wardrobe. Today, the brand is sold at approximately 300 retailers worldwide, including Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Net-a-porter.
Related ArticlesBut it's slowly building its own retail presence. The L.A. brand opened a boutique at 371 North Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills on Wednesday, joining a number of contemporary brands on the street. Rudes worked with architect Paul Bennett to incorporate a Parisian-inspired design with floor-to-ceiling windows and transoms letting the California sunlight into the European-inspired interior of the brand's third store. p>
The 1,650 square foot space will feature the full range of ready-to-wear, including jeans, as well as shoes and accessories. "I really liked this place," said Rudes, who said the new retail outlet has been in the works for about six to eight months. “We had a lot of options around town, from the coast to Beverly Hills. And we chose Beverly Hills."
In the new L'Agence store. Photo by Josh Cho. Courtesy of The Agency.Not far from there, L'Agence has another store on Melrose Place in West Hollywood as well as a store on Madison Avenue in New York. But Rudes has new plans for the West Hollywood location which he will reveal later.
The brand is known for its relaxed California style mixed with European sophistication. There are silk blouses, plaid blazers, pants, slipdresses, leather jackets, t-shirts and shoes. Prices generally range from $240 to $650. About 50% of the collection is made in L.A., where factories work on jeans and t-shirts. The rest is mostly cut and sewn in China.
Tara Rudes-Dann, the label's fashion director and niece of Jeff Rudes, calls the collection a time rock'n'roll and sexy. "It's r...
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