Vivienne Westwood Los Angeles Photos: Why This Melrose Flagship Still Matters

You’re walking down Melrose Avenue. The sun is doing that aggressive Southern California thing where it makes every storefront look like a movie set. Then you see it. The corner of Melrose and Flores. A three-story architectural middle finger to boring retail.

Vivienne Westwood Los Angeles isn't just a shop. Honestly, it’s a pilgrimage site for people who think "luxury" should come with a safety pin and a bit of a snarl.

If you've been scouring the internet for vivienne westwood los angeles photos, you’re probably looking for a few specific things. Maybe you want to see the grand marble exterior. Or perhaps you're hunting for those iconic shots of the 2011 opening night where Marilyn Manson and Anna Kendrick somehow shared the same air. Whatever the reason, there's a certain magic captured in those images that a standard H&M window just can't touch.

That Melrose Opening Night (A 2011 Time Capsule)

Let's go back. March 30, 2011. Traffic on Melrose was basically a nightmare because Dame Vivienne herself decided to finally plant a flag in the U.S. West Coast.

The photos from that night are legendary. You’ve got Vivienne in an intricate, cream-colored crochet gown, looking every bit the high priestess of punk. She was there with Andreas Kronthaler, her husband and creative partner. They weren't just "attending" an event; they were hosting a riotous tea party for the Hollywood elite.

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• Christina Hendricks was there, draped in Westwood (obviously).
• Marilyn Manson showed up, adding that necessary dark edge.
• Dita Von Teese and Mischa Barton were spotted ogling the oversized tote bags.

The photos show a "wraparound outdoor deck" and a rooftop patio that felt more like a private club than a clothing store. It was the first time LA really got a taste of the Vivienne Westwood "World’s End" energy on a massive scale.

The Architecture You See in Vivienne Westwood Los Angeles Photos

The building at 8320 Melrose Ave is hard to miss. It’s got this clean, white marble facade that feels very "Old Hollywood," but it’s sliced with sharp lines and huge glass windows.

When people snap photos inside, they usually focus on the contrast. You have these incredibly historic-feeling corsets—the kind that look like they were stolen from an 18th-century French painting—sitting next to neon signs and platform boots that could double as weapons.

The layout is spread over three floors.

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1. The Ground Floor: Where the accessories live. Think Orb pendants, wallets, and those viral pearl necklaces.
2. The Middle: Where the heavy-hitting Gold Label and Andreas Kronthaler collections hang.
3. The Top: The bridal and couture section. This is where the real "if you have to ask the price" stuff lives.

Photos of the bridal suite are particularly popular on Pinterest because, let’s be real, nobody does a wedding dress like Westwood. It’s all about that experimental pattern cutting. It’s messy but perfect.

Why Does Everyone Take Photos of the Window?

Because the windows change constantly and they’re always a political statement. Vivienne wasn't just about clothes; she was about "Climate Revolution." In 2019, she actually closed the LA flagship for a week so the staff could join the Global Climate Strike.

If you look at photos of the store from late 2022 and early 2023, the tone shifts. After Vivienne passed away in December 2022, the windows became a shrine. People left flowers. They taped hand-written notes to the glass. Those photos are heavy. They show that this isn't just a business; it’s a piece of cultural history.

Getting the Most Out of Your Visit (2026 Edition)

If you're planning to take your own vivienne westwood los angeles photos today, there are a few things you should know. It’s still one of the best spots in the city for a "fashion girl" photo op, but don't be that person who just takes a selfie and leaves.

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• Go during the week. Weekends on Melrose are a zoo. If you want a shot of the exterior without a tourist bus in the background, Tuesday morning is your best bet.
• The Lighting. The "golden hour" in West Hollywood hits the white marble of the store around 4:30 PM in the winter and 6:30 PM in the summer. It makes the building glow.
• Ask before you snap. The staff are generally cool—shoutout to guys like Xavier and Nicky who have been mentioned in countless reviews for their style insight—but it’s a high-end boutique. Don't treat it like a public park.

Misconceptions About the LA Store

People think it’s just for the ultra-wealthy. Kinda true, but also not.

You can walk in there with $150 and walk out with a pair of socks or a small accessory. The photos of the store often make it look intimidating, but the vibe inside is surprisingly welcoming. It’s "punk" at its core, which means it’s for the outsiders. You don't need to look like a supermodel to go in and appreciate the craft.

Actionable Next Steps for the Fashion Obsessed

If you’re looking to dive deeper into the visual history of the brand beyond just the LA storefront, here’s what you should do:

1. Check out the "Vivienne Westwood Catwalk" book. It’s a 600-page beast bound in MacAndreas tartan. It has every runway photo from 1981 to now. It’s basically the bible for this stuff.
2. Visit the official website’s "Westwood World" section. They archive their campaigns and lookbooks there, which gives you a higher-res look at the clothes than most street-style photos.
3. Search for "Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood" specifically. Since Vivienne's passing, Andreas has been the one steering the ship. The newer photos of the LA store reflect his slightly more experimental, avant-garde touch.
4. Follow the local West Hollywood tags on Instagram. That’s where you’ll see the most "real-life" photos of how people are styling the clothes in the wild, which is often more inspiring than a polished campaign.

The store at 8320 Melrose Ave remains a landmark. Whether you're there for the history, the climate activism, or just a really good photo of an Orb necklace, it’s a vital part of the Los Angeles fashion landscape.