South Paradiso Leather is a custom leather boutique on Sunset and La Cienega run by Romulus Von Stezelberger. With racks of handmade leather jackets, belts, hats, wallets, and even jeans, many with intricate appliques, custom paintings, colors and textures, Von Stezelberger works to bring back the values of old-world craftsmanship, attention to detail, and small scale production. In fitting rockstar and celebrity clients like Jack White, Felicity Huffman, and Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols, Paradiso makes seven measurements for the arm alone. Pieces start at $150 for a belt up to $6,000 for a jacket, and the company also sells to boutiques as far as Italy and Japan.

Von Stezelberger founded the company in San Francisco in 2001, after learning about vintage rock and roll leather jackets designed by the East West Musical Instruments Company, who outfitted rockers like Elvis and Janis Joplin. In addition to his original designs, Von Stezelberger now reproduces iconic East West designs like the Parrot Jacket, made famous in the 70’s and recently referenced (or ripped off) by Balenciaga and Urban Outfitters.

Forty Five Ten on McKinney Avenue is for serious shoppers. They carry a handpicked collection of designer clothing, from Rick Owens to Balenciaga to Alaia, along with men’s, housewares and gifts. At 8,000 square feet, you could spend all day here, moving from table to table and rack to rack and taking a minute to admire the fountain in the courtyard. You wouldn’t go hungry either, their own restaurant The T Room is a hot spot for lunch. 

Also in Dallas is Stanley Korshak, with a set of stairs you could walk up all day, with quotes from a who’s who of art and fashion.

The Stairwell at Stanley Korshack

One of our favorites is from Carolina Herrera:

“There is nothing like the moment when a glamorous woman walks into a room and everybody wonders who she is.”

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