Davis Factor: Los Angeles

Davis Factor_Los Angeles

Davis Factor, the renowned fashion and celebrity photographer, is the grandson of Hollywood makeup legend Max Factor. Together with his brother Dean, he founded Smashbox Studios in 1990, followed by their own make-up line six years later that is dedicated to work best in the tough studio environment (Smashbox products are exclusively available at Marionnaud in Switzerland). Davis lives in the third generation in Beverly Hills which is his favourite place on earth. Below you can enjoy his tips for the City of Angels.

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Your favourite city?
LOS ANGELES – This is my home, where my family roots are. I am a surfer, I love the weather and the waves. It is spread out but peaceful. I love the mixture between the nature and the city.

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Your favourite hotel?
BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL – I have spend my whole life there. They have a great pool, great atmosphere. The restaurants cater and they love me as I eat there 3-4 times per week. But  I have never stayed there as I live too close.
9641 Sunset Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, +1 310 276 2251

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Your favourite restaurant?
MR.CHOW – I love Chinese food a lot and I am great friends with Michael Chow’s daughter China. It’s the place for the who is who.
344 N Camden Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, +1 310 278 9911

Your favourite dish there?
I love their Shrimp and Oyster sauce.

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Your favourite bar or nightclub?
HYDE LOUNGE – Best on Fridays. A friend of mine owns it and I feel comfortable in there, it’s not like a big club, it’s not too loud, more lounge style with great food.
8029 W Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, 90046, + 1 323 655 8000

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Your favourite sightseeing spot?
SUNSET IN MALIBU – Very Californian! My brother has a fabulous house in Malibu where I like to watch it.

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Your favourite beach?
MALIBU BEACH – The sand is fantastic.
MANHATTAN BEACH – I surf there a lot, great community, classic beach with a family atmosphere.

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Your favourite shop?
MAXFIELD – I buy for myself in there. Great selection of designer clothes and I love their Hermès vintage collections.
8825 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90069, +1 310 274 8800

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Your must-have accessory in Los Angeles?
A CAR – I drive a Mercedes-Benz. I have such a great experience with their service.

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The best book to read while being on vacation there?
WONDERLAND AVENUE by Danny Sugerman.
It’s about his life as a troubled Beverly Hills kid who ended up being Jim Morrison’s best buddy. He hang out with all the rockstars of the ’80s and it all happens in the area where I grew up. It reminds me so much of Los Angeles and his brother is my doctor.

Sandra Bauknecht and Davis Factor 101

Thank you, Davis, for sharing your insider scoop on Los Angeles with us.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the Locations and Smashbox Studios

Shop L.A.

Rodeo Drive

As you already know, I spent the last two months in Los Angeles. I am in love with the Californian city and had like always a blast, met many interesting people, designers and celebrities. L.A. is huge and a great place to shop. But you have to know where to go.

Famous Rodeo Drive is an attraction point for tourists but L.A. people and stars do not shop there as you have no privacy.

With this, I would love to lead you away from the obvious areas and introduce you to the places where locals meet, eat and first and foremost shop!

All of the stores have webshops of which most ship internationally. So in case you do not  make it in the near future to L.A., goodies from the sunshine state can make their way to you…

Beverly Center

If you like American malls, Beverly Center is the place to go. You will find high-end designers along with Victoria’s Secret, Sephora and more. Paparazzis are not allowed in the mall, therefore it is very likely that you will spot some famous people.

My favourite children’s store is there: Premier Kids carries a large variety of cool kids clothing, footwear and accessories.

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Very close is West 3rd street where many small and edgy boutiques are located. This is one of my favourite areas. If you are there, visit the Little Door restaurant in the evening. Gorgeous! When I was there, I had a nice chat with Jim Carey.

This popular area is also the home of Satine Boutique. A hot spot for insiders that carries high-end designers like Azzedine Alaïa and Balmain next to lesser known, independent labels.

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Let`s drive to 451, N La Cienega Blvd where Opening Ceremony is located since April 2007 in the former dance studio space of Hollywood icon, Charlie Chaplin. The 10,000 square foot boutique features many seperate rooms that each show a different shopping experience from a post-war Schiesser Revival atmosphere to a sleek Alexander Wang studio.

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Opening Ceremony – definitely one of my favourite places to go in L.A.!

Ron Herman

The Fred Segal area is an L.A. institution, designed like a collection of ultra-hip boutiques of which each has its very own vibe. Ron Herman offers since many years for women and men a wonderful selection of different brands in a wide price range. Next to it you can find Fred Segal feet, one of the best shoe stores in the city and Apothia, the place to find rare perfumes, scented candles and beauty products.

Maxfiled

Melrose Avenue is very long and home to many nice restaurants and interesting stores. One of them is Maxfield with major star-spotting potential and an outstanding clothing and furniture stock that you will rarely find elsewhere. A little inside scoop for you: Tommy Perse, the father of designer James Perse, owns the store that is said to have the largest  vintage Hermès collection worldwide.

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Maxfield specializes in unique and hard-to-find fashion for men and women and carries the best new season pieces of Chanel, Givenchy, Balmain, Stella McCartney among others, alongside an impressive collection of first-edition out-of-print art books. A must-go!

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Intermix

Another must when in L.A. is having lunch at the Ivy on Robertson, the place with celeb guarantee. After a signature bellini, you can indulge in a nice shopping spree. Intermix is just across the street. The boutique for trendsetters and glam fashionistas carries an exclusive mix of designers, styles and trends. Have a look at their webshop, absolutely gorgeous and they offer worldwide shipping!

streetspotted8_4On Robertson, I was photographed many times by trendhunters on the street. Here is one of the pictures they took for their L.A. style website.

I was wearing a white Gucci dress with a fringed suede vest by Roberto Cavalli and my Louis Vuitton Sunrise Denim (first picture to the left).


Enjoy some more of my very own impressions and start dreaming.

If you are in L.A., you will “just” need a car, a navigation system, sun block and a limitless credit card! To all California Gurls!

LoL, Sandra

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CIMG6307Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht