We are very excited to work with Lara Shriftman and Harrison and Shriftman on yet another fabulous project. Harrison and Shriftman specializes in public relations, marketing, branding and events and has offices in New York, Los Angeles and Miami with a staff of 50. The agency focuses on branding brands and developing PR, marketing and event strategies to implement on a national and regional level. We love working with the LA office!
Gratus Beverly Hills, scheduled to open in the fall of 2013, will introduce a truly new way to shop. The boutique will provide personalized styling services that offer women a highly individualized shopping experience with a carefully edited assortment of contemporary and designer women’s apparel. Gratus founder Meredith Kaplan felt that the Los Angeles retail scene was lacking a personal touch and decided to open her own boutique. Meredith partnered with two long-time styling professionals, Mikela Swanson and Christine Moon, and the three have assembled a mix of established designers and up-and-coming talent. Gratus will carry a selection of labels including dosa, Gregory Parkinson, Dsquared, Band of Outsiders, Marni, Calvin Rucker and Suno.
Gratus employs a state-of the-art computer database which photographs and tracks all purchases to help Gratus’ stylists focus on wardrobe-building rather than isolated purchases. Customers are invited to be styled rather than simply shop and can even request an in-home closet consultation with a personal stylist. As new goods come in, Gratus’ stylists can make recommendations to clients on pieces that complement their closets. Meredith will open the store for off-hours shopping, send a selection of looks on consignment, and source pieces from other stores to complete a look as needed. It is her goal to help clients express their individual personalities through fashion.
Meredith hopes that people will come to the store to socialize and connect, and the team has planned an array of private shopping events, trunk shows and designer appearances. Gratus expects to hold frequent gatherings at the store. Food and drinks will regularly be offered to guests and alterations are complimentary with a purchase.
Earlier this summer, Meredith Kaplan hosted the 10th annual PS Arts Bag Lunch at her home in Beverly Hills, California with Elizabeth Stewart and stylist George Kotsiopoulos. The P.S. Arts Foundation provides support for arts education in dance, visual arts, music, and theater to underserved public schools and communities. Over 300 guests attended the fundraiser, including actresses Minnie Driver, Lisa Kudrow, and Kristin Davis. Guests participated in a silent auction for designer bags from top-name brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Givenchy, and John Varvatos. The event raised over $150,000 dollars for P.S. Arts.
We hope to visit Gratus next time we visit LA!
