Shopping at Bullocks Wilshire like it's 1929!

I recently attended an event hosted by the Art Deco Society of Los Angeles that celebrated Art Deco Costume from Film and Stage. The event was most appropriately presented in the exceptionally well-preserved 1929 Art Deco Bullocks Wilshire department store in Los Angeles, which is now the Southwestern Law School. The event included a tour of the old department store, which still has many of the original fixtures, a fashion show to view the elegant film costumes from the Golden Age of Hollywood, a boutique to purchase vintage clothing, accessories and Bésame cosmetics, and lunch was served in the Tea Room.

Embellished with the finest material, including marble, terracotta tiles, granite, and blue copper, no expense was spared when Bullocks Wilshire was built in 1929. It is still one of the most elegant examples of Art Deco. The building was designed by the renowned architectural firm, Parkinson & Parkinson, who are notable for having designed many Los Angeles landmarks such as the the City Hall, Union Station, and Memorial Coliseum. The grand entrance greeted customers with a majestic ceiling mural depicting The Spirit of Transportation, which was designed by Herman Sachs who also designed murals for Union Station and City Hall. The interior housed specialty merchandise and services such as perfume, jewelry, cosmetics, salons, men's and women's clothing, equestrian and pet supplies, and a nursery for toddlers while parents shopped. And the Tea Room and lounges on the fifth floor provided incredible views of Los Angeles and offered a light menu and refreshments for hungry shoppers. Shopping at Bullocks Wilshire was a magical experience and it drew both Hollywood movie stars and shoppers from surrounding affluent neighborhoods, such as Larchmont, Hancock Park, and Windsor Square.

Sadly, Bullocks Wilshire ended its service in 1988 after serving Los Angeles for 60 glorious year. It was a wonderful experience to attend this event dressed in vintage 1920s clothes and to shop at Bullocks Wilshire like it was 1929!