Mo:Vint Clothing and Blends Sneakers have opened in Larchmont in the last week, within a few doors of each other. Both boutiques are new outposts for specialty clothing companies with other retail locations.
Larchmont is the first LA space for Mo:Vint, which also has a Soho, New York store (though the company is based in downtown LA). Mo:Vint is short-hand for “modern vintage,” explained Jessica Begley, who works for the company’s wholesale clothing division.  According to the company’s website, the designs are inspired by classic clothing, offering “the quality of vintage design in a modern silhouette.”
According to Begley, the company chose the Larchmont location to tap into the surrounding neighborhoods. They have nicely renovated the space making it more open and light. The vintage style fixtures and decor match the casual and welcoming staff.  There are lots of fun summer dresses from their spring and summer lines, and the new fall line is expected in August. Everything is 20% off through the end of the month, in honor of the opening, so now is great time to check it out.
Just a few doors down is Blends, offering a curated collection of 
sneakers in the old KicksLA space at 141 N. Larchmont. The spare black and white space dramatically shows off limited production runs of famous brand shoes, done exclusively for the Blends stores. Â According to store staff, they will soon be adding casual clothing to the store’s inventory.
Blends was founded 10 years ago by Tak Kato and Mike Toe, who grew up in Japan and wanted to bring an international perspective  to the athletic wear industry by blending international tastes with global level products, according to the company’s website. They started in Costa Mesa and now have five stores in the region, including downtown Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.
Staff of both new stores were very clear: they are permanent tenants, and not pop-ups! Both stores have signed leases and are happy to be on Larchmont. It’s nice to report new retailers coming to Larchmont, though we are still sad to be losing some old friends.
Mo:Vint
137 1/2 N Larchmont Blvd
www.movint.com
Blends
141 N Larchmont Blvd
323.380.7415
www.blendsus.com
