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Candice Held Boutique and Dalessio Gallery have been open for business since November 2007 in a quiet part of Downtown on 8th and Spring. In fact, the boutique-gallery is part of the monthly Art Walk circuit but few attendees may realize this.

Tristan D’Alessio curates an interesting and eclectic selection of art that rotates regularly before each Art Walk event. He suspects their distal location on the Art Walk map, dim street lighting and lack of restaurants and foot traffic are to blame for the sparse attendance.

The boutique and gallery are located at the southern-most edge of Spring Street where the Art Walk Shuttle turns to head back up Main. I agree it is an easy-to miss location because I rode right past without realizing there was anything to visit here.

D’Allesio points out this now-neglected neighborhood is on the verge of bursting into the thriving Downtown cultural scene. Candice Held Boutique is flanked by Infusion Café (“coming summer 2008” or so says the signage) and Angelique Café.

Immediately to the south, L’Angolo Café on 9th and Spring is open nightly for dinner and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will reportedly open a location a few doors from L’Angolo. Unfortunately, Angelique Café closes early at 6:00pm and does not have extended hours for Art Walk. This is a shame since the side-by-side boutique-gallery and French bistro would make a dynamic duo. New Moon Restaurant and Brazilian hotspot Wood Spoon are on the same block.

The boutique-gallery concept hinges on high-end fashion and art with a SoHo flavor. Candice Held, a designer from Seattle, fills the boutique with her juicy and colorful creations. (Think Uli from Project Runway Season 3).

Held creates many of her pieces from vintage scarves, so they are truly one-of-a-kind. In addition to the racks of tank tops, dresses and skirts shoppers may also find vintage-esque designer jewelry, headbands, belts, scarves, a limited selection of shoes and cosmetics all in the same place.

Occasionally the boutique holds special events, such as beauty classes by a make-up artist. The only men’s clothing I spied were a collection of unisex pajamas, but ladies will find no lack in variety of colorful, breezy and sexy summer attire. Prices range from $50-$400 for tank tops and dresses. Accessory whores will find the best deals with scarves, belts and headbands priced $10-$30.

On Saturday June 21, everything is 25% off at Candice Held Boutique for their Summer Sale. If you see something you like during Art Walk you can always come by and get it later for 25% less!

Candice Held Boutique and Dallesio Gallery
838 S Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
213-471-2977
Thursday-Saturday 11am-6pm (or by appointment)
Extended hours on Art Walk Night

- Candice Held Boutique on LA.Com

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