Lily Et Cie, a renowned Vintage store in Beverly Hills,  has one of the most stunning window displays that I’ve seen in ages. I quite literally stumbled upon this gem while out for one of my late night strolls last week. It was one of those, hit the breaks and back up moments… while on foot. I love it when something is so beautiful that it stops me in my tracks.

For over 30 years this luxury vintage boutique located at 9044 Burton Way has been home to some of Hollywood’s most exquisite haute couture designers, such as Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Gucci and Chanel.  When I peered through the glass of the front door, I could see racks of remarkable black and white vintage gowns, waiting for their next walk on the red carpet. Even in the dim light of the showroom, excitement stirred in my soul. I waved at the overhead camera, took my photos, and headed for home with a little extra bounce in my step.

Since I wasn’t familiar with this boutique, I did a little research online. Reviewers on Yelp were not kind to Ms. Rita Watnick, the stores owner. That said, I totally understand her point of view. If you’ve got museum quality gowns worth tens of thousands of dollars each, the last thing you need or want,  are ‘shoppers’ riffling through your merchandise with no regard for how delicate or special these items may be, especially when considering their provenance. This isn’t the Goodwill and you’re not there to find a designer bargain. Her dresses are pure art, and need to be handled as such. As a small business owner myself, I’m very sensitive to how people handle the items on my retail shelves.  So yes, I’m going out on a limb to defend a woman I’ve never met, and a store that I’ve never set foot in. Why?Because when something has special or extraordinary written all over it, you should proceed with caution and kindness.

And on a side note, Chinoiserie seems to be a hot fashion trend this season. I’ve seen several jackets at retailers from Bloomingdales to Kitross, with embroidered dragons and other chinese motifs.

Here’s a fun video with Rita Watnick and Leon Talley, discussing the nuances of a vintage dress reportedly loaned to Princess Margaret.