Sales & Shopping

November 28, 2007

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Shops We Love

Vamp Shoes

In L.A.'s Silverlake, a saucy little shoe shop puts its best foot forward. By Valery Joseph

Southern California has come a long way since its flip-flop days. And in the city's continuous embodiment of sartorial elegance, a little shoe shop off the beaten boulevards has become a favored draw for serious footwear connoisseurs.

Vamp Shoes, a mid-century modern styled space in sync with its Neutra-inspired Silverlake environs, is one such outpost bringing a pure passion for exceptional footwear to the neighborhood. Opened two years ago by Silverlake local Florence Gan, the shop, she says, "is a reflection of its surroundings—clean, modern, and vintage-inspired." And, like most good retail ventures, her reasons for breaking ground were decidedly practical. "I've been living here in Silverlake for seven years and grew up in Los Angeles. I really believed Silverlake just needed a great shoe store in the mix, one that reflected the neighborhood's diversity and offered something for everyone."

As promised, the store is a wholly democratic affair, carrying a wide range of price points and styles: established indie footwear favorites such as Chie Mihara and Faryl Robin share space with local up-and-comers like Kim White, a Highland Park resident who fashions purses out of vintage fabrics. The result is a welcoming and accessible
mix, all housed in an airy 650-square-foot space. "Our customer appreciates details and good design," Florence explains, "But they appreciate comfort and affordability, too."

Vamp Shoes, 2841 Hyperion Avenue, Los Angeles, or go to
www.vampshoeshop.com.

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