At the highly anticipated Clare V. sample sale last month at Row DTLA, designer Clare Vivier radiated calm as she walked through the crowded aisles, smiling and offering help as hundreds of frantic shoppers snapped up her discounted handbags, colorful accessories and clothing items. (Shout out to the stranger who offered advice on how to clean my ink-stained Clare V. leather wallet from a few years ago!) So when we chatted recently about her ideal Sunday in Los Angeles, I couldn't resist asking Vivier where she likes to shop when she has the day off.
In Sunday Funday, the people of Los Angeles tell us step by step their ideal Sunday in the city. Find ideas and inspiration on where to go, what to eat and how to enjoy life on the weekends.
“I love buying vintage items,” Vivier said. “My favorite vintage store is City luxury in Echo Park in the evening And just two doors down, there is another great vintage store, wildest. In Atwater, there are tThe Curatorship Department. on Glendale Boulevard and the clothing gift The consignment shop in Silver Lake is wonderful – it's like having your own private store. tthe real realwhich I love.”
As for her perfect Sunday, she'll stay near Glendale, where she and her family recently moved. “So far we love Glendale,” he said. “It's fun to move within your own city; it's a change, but not overwhelming, since you're still close to work and your friends.”
Vivier recently remodeled and expanded its flagship Clare V. showroom on Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake. The sunny showroom now features two large rooms filled with exclusive Vivier bags and colorful “brooches, bobs, straps and key chains,” according to the store's window. Vivier, in a personal touch, acknowledged that she might stop by on a Sunday, but only after enjoying some of her other favorite spaces in Los Angeles.
This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for length and clarity.
9am: Shop for vintage goods at local flea markets
A perfect Sunday usually starts with going to one of the markets, either Pasadena City College Flea Market or the Rose Bowl Flea Market. Sometimes we visit the Long Beach Antique Market and the Santa Monica Antique and Vintage Marketbut those are really our favorites. We just moved to Glendale after 24 years in Echo Park, so when I go shopping with my husband, we usually look for home decor items.
If we part ways, I'll be looking for vintage clothing inspiration for Clare V., including vintage bags and clothing, as well as anything else. I love vintage clothing and accessories and use them as inspiration for my collections. I enjoy selling my clothes and buying new clothes; I have a huge closet. I sometimes sell my items on Clare's Closet Purge on Instagram. Or I post about them on my personal Instagram and then sell my items there, which is really fun. I will then donate the money to a worthy organization.
11 am: Light lunch
On the way home from the market, we would stop for lunch somewhere like little ripper in Glassell Park. We would either get some takeout or eat there. Their open toast is great – their John Dory tuna toast is always delicious.
Noon: Go outdoors
On Sundays I enjoy doing something outdoors, like playing tennis in nibley park or taking a walk Deukmmyjian nature park in Glendale, which is really beautiful. I had never heard of it until I moved there. They have great walking trails and you can bring your dog if you wish.
2:00 p.m.: Shopping for groceries at neighborhood markets.
We usually went to buy food for dinner because we love having Sunday dinner at our house and entertaining our family and friends. We would probably go to cookbook market in Highland Park; We used to go to the one in Echo Park when we lived in the neighborhood. We would get great cheeses, baguettes, vegetables and wine. They have everything. On the way home, we passed by King Fish Seafood in Glendale and buy some excellent fresh fish, then come home and cook dinner. Sometimes I would stop by one of my stores, usually the one in Silver Lake, because it's the closest to where I live. I love stopping by and visiting, talking to customers and seeing what the store looks like, especially since it's new.
4 p.m.: Shop for houseplants in Highland Park
I love buying plants at Eco Gardena family daycare in York, in Highland Park. I've been trying to cultivate my green thumb, so I've been shopping for houseplants for our new house there. I like to support small businesses. They have a good selection of indoor plants and they also have outdoor plants. I haven't perfected my green thumb, but I'm working on it. I love having the energy of plants inside my house. I find it reassuring. They are like little animals. They like to be dusted and cared for. It's fun.
5 pm: early Sunday dinner
If we're not hosting a dinner party at our house, I love having an early dinner at a restaurant that's open from lunch to dinner. I especially enjoy dinner on Sundays at 4 or 5 pm, when you can meet a friend and have a glass of rosé and something light to eat. It's my favorite time to be in a restaurant. It feels like you're on vacation when you're in a restaurant at that time of day and there aren't many people there yet, and that's out of your routine.
If I'm having an early dinner somewhere, one of my favorites is L&E Oyster Bar on Silver Lake Boulevard in Silver Lake. I love their oysters, but they also have great burgers, pastas and salads. Another of my favorite restaurants at the moment is Bar Étoile on Western, but unfortunately it is closed on Sundays.
11:00 p.m.: Late-night television viewing
After everyone had left and we had cleaned up dinner, we would probably see a show around 11 or midnight. Unfortunately, I'm more of a night owl than I should be. I'm not a reality TV person, so I won't be watching “Love Island,” but there is a Danish show we just finished called “The Secrets We Keep” on Netflix. I loved that. I can't wait for “The Morning Show” to come back. I like Reese, Jen and Mark Duplass; the cast is very good.
