The Kooples’ Guide To Los Angeles

You’d be mistaken for thinking that the French brand The Kooples are francophiles. Want a classic Breton top? Move on, as the label’s three founding brothers, Alexandre, Laurent and Raphaël Elicha, are tireless travellers and tweak every staple to reflect their rock’n’roll taste. Their stove-pipe jeans and blazer aesthetic has more to do with America than Paris, let’s be honest. Naturally, even the name is an Americanized slang of the English word ‘couples’.

In particular, Los Angeles really strikes a chord with the brothers. ‘We are often inspired by LA when we create collections,’ explains Alexandre. ‘By the spirit, by the street culture, by the mix of skate and surf and rock and grunge’. ‘You take risks here,’ says Raphael, of the eclectic style which defines the LA uniform.

So, when they tapped Emily Ratajkowski as their muse and design collaborated it was a natural fit. After all, with her Hollywood good looks, perma sunkissed glow and a pad in Echo Park, what’s more LA than EmRata?‘Emily is really the girl of the moment,’ says Alexandre. ‘We like people who don’t leave you flat’. ‘Even if you don’t like her,’ adds Raphael ‘You want to know a bit more about her’.

Launching at Chateau Marmont (naturally), the Emily bag has gone on to have appeal way beyond its Cali roots. The past few months have seen the structured design pop up on everyone from Gemma Chan (currently making waves with her Crazy Rich Asians press junket wardrobe) to Karlie Kloss to Jourdan Dunn and Laura Bailey. Furthermore, due to the sell-out success of the Emily the Irina, as in Shayk, and Stella, as in Maxwell, will also join the Kooples bag collection this autumn.

With the beach, the sea and the mountains, LA may tick every vacation box, but it’s not an easy city to navigate - and not just because the highways are a headache. It’s a place that bleeds coolness, from the film world to the foodie culture and cutting-edge concept stores, it requires expert knowledge to manoeuvre. So, in celebration of The Kooples collaboration with California native Ratajkowski, the Elicha’s told us their favourite Hollywood hotspots.

Best for brunch...

The Beverly Hills hotel

Best place to workout...

The beach. Malibu, Venice…

Best for green juice...

Verve. There are a lot of places to have juice here!

Favourite neighbourhood...

The Arts District, DTLA, Malibu is great.

Best vintage spot...

What Goes Around Comes Around, Chuck’s Vintage. Schaeffer’s Garment Hotel on Sunset

Boulevard is great for men – blazers, jackets, beautiful hats.

Best place to stay…

Beverly Hills Hotel in the summer, Chateau Marmont in the winter.

Ultimate Old Hollywood experience…

Griffith Observatory, where you can see all of Los Angeles. It reminds you of the movies and there’s something strange about it. It’s a great way to feel LA.

Best way to beat the traffic…

Motorbike down PCH.

Best beach spot…

Paradise in Malibu.

Hidden gem…

The Echo is a great place to listen to music. You’ll find us there late at night.

Ultimate LA couple…

Drake and Rihanna.

Top tip for a first time LA visitor…

It’s a little bubble of paradise so be careful – you’ll want to stay forever! It’s hard to go back to real life

See our favourite styles in the gallery below...