Secret Cities: Los Angeles

Over the years Rodarte designers and California natives Kate and Laura Mulleavy have referenced eclectic sources across the globe for their collections, from the condors of their home state to Japanese horror films. For their fall 2011 show, the sisters focused once again on their homeland, referencing the prairies of the Midwest in their prints and silhouettes. Given their eclectic taste and inside knowledge of LA, we asked the sisters for an itinerary of their off-the-beaten-path hangouts. 

Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Movies like Badlands and Bride of Frankenstein are projected during the summer amongst the graves of Cecil B. DeMille, John Huston, Rudolf Valentino, and Johnny Ramone. 6000 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90038

The Magic Castle
This is one of the coolest places in LA. It's a historic magicians club. We love to see sleight-of-hand experts and listen to Erma the ghost play the piano.  7001 Franklin Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90028

Bob Baker Marionette Theater
Bob makes all of his amazing marionettes and his performances are brilliant. His Nutcracker Suite is sold out every year. 1345 West 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Olvera Street
Our favorite place to get candied limes stuffed with coconut, and Mexican hot chocolate. Plus, there are always confetti eggs decorated in glitter, or red, green and white crayon. 845 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Ooga Booga
Our friend Wendy Yao’s amazing store is somewhere near Annie Potts’s character’s record shop in Pretty in Pink… at least that’s the way it feels. She has the most amazing collection of zines.  943 North Broadway # 203, Los Angeles, CA 90012

The Natural History Museum
The gem room is our favorite room in Los Angeles. It's lit in pale yellow and houses an incredible collection of Gold Rush jewelry. The walls are lined with glass shelves tinted by the jewel tones that rest on top. 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007

Rose Tree Cottage
The only place in LA to have tea. You must drive out to Pasadena in order to have Edmund and Mary’s famous scones and sticky toffee pudding!  801 South Pasadena Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105

Cinefamily
This former silent theater is covered in vines and violet neon light. A Los Angeles landmark. 611 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

The Prince
Located in Koreatown, this Camelot-inspired bar is part of LA history. A scene from Chinatown between Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway was even shot here.  198 1/2 West 7th St Los Angeles, CA 90005

Caravan Book Store
Our favorite bookstore. It’s filled with antique ships and red velvet ribbons, and specializes in Californian history. It reminds us of a library in a 1950s Disney film.  550 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90071