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[title]In case you haven’t noticed, the Grove is in the midst of a serious fashion renaissance. Not only are Robertson Boulevard–worthy shops opening in droves (hello, Topshop!), but the Mid-City West outdoor mall has just appointed celebrity stylist Marina Monroe as its executive style director. Monroe is probably best known as the co-founder of Stylehaüs, a members-only boutique and personal-styling service that was, until recently, located on Melrose Avenue, but has since decamped to the Grove. Monroe’s mission at her new post? To help visitors shop smarter by teaching them how to build a wardrobe from the Grove’s eclectic mix of stores. We stopped by Stylehaüs—located just off of the Grove’s swank new valet lobby—to check in with the mall's new fashion boss.
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Time Out LA: Tell us more about Stylehaüs. Who are your members and how does it work?
Marina Monroe: Our clients are everyday women: executives or busy moms who don’t have time to enjoy fashion as much as they want to. New members tell us their sizes, style preferences, where they currently shop and what they’re shopping for, so we can pair them with personal stylists. Our clothing is a mix of vintage and contemporary, and we show you what’s coming up for the next season so you can pre-order pieces based on your wardrobe, lifestyle and budget. We also offer closet consultations and a 24-hour hotline, where we can bring you something if you’re having a fashion emergency.
Time Out LA: How does all that fit in at the Grove and what new services will you offer?
Marina Monroe: We’ve introduced the VIP Grove Experience for $200, which gets you a one-hour appointment with a stylist and two hours of shopping with your stylist around the Grove. And then we still have our Stylehaüs day pass and consultation for $100. Our one-year membership and all of the services that come with it is $1,000. We also want to do seminars and fashion shows to help people put together looks on different budgets. With Topshop coming in and stores like Vince and Madewell opening, the Grove is definitely becoming a destination for fashion.
Time Out LA: What key pieces do you think every guy and gal should have for spring?
Marina Monroe: For women, a light leather jacket is a must-have—we’ve got some really cool pieces from Veda coming to Stylehaüs. For men, I’d say a great short. The J. Crew Men’s Shop has a striped linen short that is so easy and looks great with a nice Stubbs & Wootton loafer.
Time Out LA: Any trends you wish would go away forever?
Marina Monroe: I know everyone loves peplum dresses, but I think they can sometimes be a bit overwhelming.
Time Out LA: Where do you hang out in LA when you’re not working?
Marina Monroe: I’m obsessed with the Pikey—it’s not pretentious and has a cool, English gastropub vibe with a crazy menu, like pig’s ear salads. They serve food until 2am, which is great for when I have appointments with clients at midnight!