Lara Einzig is the gorgeous Aussie-raised, LA-based mother of three boys (including twins!) with an incredible fashion industry background (Topshop UK and Goop fashion director no less) and a styling business Aquadorium that celebrates summer and beach lifestyle through personal styling, creative direction, content curation and brand collaborations...
She also our LA style contributor and each month, she shares with us what she’s been up to, brands she’s loving, places she’s visiting and lots more. Welcome to your next instalment of ‘Lara’s List’ – your new must-read monthly feature. Go to www.aquadorium.com
Timing
In a perfect world, I’d surf every day, although I’m lucky to squeeze in two to three perfectly timed sessions a week – one-hour minimum, 1.5 hours if there’s a fortuitous swell. To facilitate said time-crunch, my new Vertex M100B watch. I love the story behind Vertex – during the second world war, it was one of 12 watchmakers (Omega and Jaeger-LeCoultre included) commissioned by the British Military for its soldiers, known as ‘the dirty dozen’. Built for battle with mother nature and three little overactive boys, the minimal, utilitarian design also fits seamlessly under my wetsuit.
Going
The renaissance of DTLA and its burgeoning cultural movement is continually revealing some impressive new diamonds in the rough.
Apotheke
A speakeasy/cocktail lounge based out of NYC serving craft cocktails from a ‘prescription list’ to heal all woes (stimulants, stress relievers, euphoric enhancers, pain killers and so on). The secret garden with pink marble outdoor bar is set against a mash-up of graffiti wall art and a virtual wasteland but makes for a cool spot for people watching. Not easy to find but worth the extra effort (best to enter via Naud street).
DAMA
We dined on opening night and instantly fell for the restaurant’s Cuban inspired food, authentic design details and the vibey latino tunes. Dama is the latest incarnation from the guys behind Venice institution (and personal favourite), Scopa. The fresh oysters and crab tostadas were exceptional.
Nomad Hotel Roof
While LA’s consistent 72 degrees and sunny reputation is a pleasing phenomenon, it’s a wonder why there aren’t more rooftop cocktail bars. Seemingly we’re now witnessing a change and after exploring the luxury Victorian gothic interiors and architectural fetes of the new Nomad Hotel, we perched on the roof, delicious cocktails in hand, and felt like we were in Manhattan.
Tanning
Obsessed with sun protection, I wear a hat and sunscreen 365 days of the year and a recent skin cancer scare on my forehead has led to ever deepening paranoia. And now the resulting disparity of skin tone from body (sun-kissed) to face (ghostly) is all the more prevalent. Of course I’ve tried many face bronzers with varying levels of success but here’s my pro tip: Tan-Luxe face oil drops. A custom self tanner that allows you to master the depth of color by mixing in drops with your daily moisturiser. I use light/medium, approximately 3-4 drops until the desired shade is reached (as in, just fresh back from the Italian Riviera – one can dream). No odor, non-toxic and contains naturally derived ingredients leaving a fresh, even-toned, illuminating finish. Glow on.
Visiting
One of the things I love most about LA is the diverse and eclectic art culture and the dynamic characters that make up this profound microcosm. When I moved to LA four years ago from London, I remember telling a friend (a born and bred Londoner) that I’d heard the art scene in LA was phenomenal – she laughed it off, assuming this was a ridiculous notion citing LA’s well known (at the time) lack of culture and quoting the old famous Woody Allen line ‘… who would want to live in a place where the only cultural advantage is that you can turn right on a red light”? Continuing to (lovingly) prove her wrong, my recent reconnaissance was the Hammer Museum 2018 “Made in LA” biennial, an exhibition putting those LA artists front and centre in a brilliantly curated show depicting deeply personal and modern socio-political themes consuming our community and America itself. The 32 artists (aged from 29-97, mostly female) offer interpretations through film, installations, drawings, painting, performance, sculpture, photography. This exhibition has it all. Immersive, diverse, intelligent, divisive, ambitious.
Shopping – Nike by Melrose
The physical and digital collide at the new Nike by Melrose store, a new concept store using data by NikePlus members’ shopping habits in LA – app usage, buying patterns and engagement. Other services/experiences include: Real time service via text, curbside service for exchanges or returns on the fly, 30-day trial (wear it, keep it or return within 30 days, no questions asked), express sessions with Nike experts, reserve items via the app and specialized bra fitting and hemming. The real win? Download the app instore, scan your ‘Pass’ at the vending machine and receive a free gift (I scored a pair of Nike tennis socks), no purchase necessary. Better yet, the free gift dispenser is updated with different stock twice monthly, making Nike by Melrose my new WeHo hang.
Surfing
As we’re well into summer in the Northern Hemisphere (and while I write, I’m basking in England’s ‘best summer ever’ reverie), I’m rounding out my dream summer surf kit featuring lust-worthy, off-duty pieces to carry me from the water to après-surf, Europe and California alike.
Watching
Seven years ago I was one of 650,000+ to attend the MET’s record-breaking exhibition, “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty,” in New York. And who could forget the reincarnation of the iconic, life-size Kate Moss hologram, a silky, swirling spectre for his acclaimed “The Windows of Culloden” show. A year before the exhibition opened, and at 40 years of age, Lee Alexander McQueen hung himself in his London home on the eve of his mother’s funeral. And now, the extraordinary and moving portrait “McQueen” relives his legacy as a revolutionary designer and artist, unpicks the tragedies and suffering within his isolated and disturbed personal life and brings some of his most genius-defining career moments and shocking, divisive presentations to the big screen. “If you want to know me, look at the work”. Unmissable.
Wearing
A long-standing and trusty summer staple for the last ten years is a battered but perfectly formed pair of faded denim Chloé bermuda shorts – tailored, just above the knee, slight flair, waist-cinching, super flattering. Although my devotion to them has never waivered, the trend has faded in out of fashion and they are now firmly back on form and are (thankfully) a more sophisticated take on this seasons bike shorts. I’m teaming mine with bodysuits (or swimsuits), oversized shirts tucked in, cropped blouses and tees and camisoles.
