With Google’s announcement of their massive new e-commerce initiative today, it feels like cute little mom-and-pop e-comm sites are starting to go the way of, uh, cute, little independent brick-and-mortar stores. And we all know how that story ends.
Which is why we were overjoyed to learn about United Foreign Objects, a just-launched, independent online accessories store started by Los Feliz-dweller Dana Early.
The products in Early’s self-designed virtual shop are creatively grouped by international cities. Feeling a faux-fur ushanka hat? Click Moscow on the homepage map. In need of a bright yellow flight bag? Make Tokyo your next stop. Other gems include cool coin earrings in a section aptly marked “buried treasure” and a selection of vintage Shades by Sophia Loren, Persol and Alain Mikli that come courtesy of Gentleman’s Breakfast — the genius Echo Park optical shop owned by Early’s fiance, Van de la Plante (the only place you can find GB goods on-line, we might add).
Early plans on getting lots of new offerings in the near future — including Italian leather driving gloves (which will be housed in the “Milan” section, no doubt) and swimwear by RK (“Rio”, obvs). And knows a thing or two about sourcing little-known lines from years spent working in wholesale showrooms at the Cooper Building downtown. But she started her on-line shop for one very specific reason.
“For once, I wanted to be the boutique.”
Sounds good to us.
Through November, get 15 percent off all purchases. Score. unitedforeignobjects.com
Photo: A pair of vintage Alain Mikli tortoise shell shades, $340.
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