1. 24 Campus Circle [SEPTEMBER 8 ’04 - SEPTEMBER 14 ’04]
CC'S INSIDE GUIDE TO THE CITY OF ANGELSTHE INNER CIRCLE
BEVERLY HILLS HAS ITS FAIR SHARE OF
elite stores catering to A-list celebrities,
industry heavyweights and even some ladies
whose idea of “lunch” is shopping. But how
many stores are there that make you look and
feel like a rock star?
Punkture, an ultra hip clothing boutique
for men and women is a punk lover’s paradise.
Originally called Star 55, Punkture was created
by siblings Rebecca and Anthony Marciano
(children to the Guess? franchise Marciano
family). Friend and buyer Nicole Rye joined the
design team in 2004.
Entering the business world of fashion and
design was a natural and obvious choice for
French born Rebecca Marciano.
“I’ve grown up knowing the fashion
industry inside and out and meeting a lot of
people, so I think that definitely has a lot to do
with it. It’s just something that I know,” says
Marciano.
That same confidence helped the
Marcianos capitalize on the Von Dutch label
craze in late 2002. The siblings transformed
their Star 55 boutique into an official Von
Dutch store in early 2003, right around the time
when the signature Von Dutch trucker caps
became the must-have accessory. In 2004, the
Marcianos jumped off the Von Dutch
bandwagon and opened up their own store,
Punkture.
“[Von Dutch] did
well. It did extremely well. But it
was just too over saturated. We knew that it
was going to hit the tide, but then you knew it
was also going to fall flat on its face at the
same time. It’s one of those things where you
look for a long lasting brand,” says Rye.
Revamping the store also meant emerging
with a fresh new line of merchandise. The trio
began stocking up on luxurious cashmere
tops and silk printed Asian tees from A&G,
concert-inspired, obnoxious shirts from
Morphine Generation and form-fitting jeans
from Joe’s Premium Denim.
“It’s hip. It’s young. It’s fun. It’s for a cool
crowd who loves and knows fashion,” says
Rye.
A loyal customer base and celebrity fans
such as actor Nicholas Cage and singer
Brandy have also inspired the trio to design
their own line of clothing.
“It’s basically like basics, but
with great fits and high-end
fabrics. Lots of embellishments
and different kinds of trends,” says
Marciano.
Although the line is still in its
hush-hush stage, prospective buyers
are already showing interest.
Marciano said her family’s famous name may
be one reason why people have faith in her
collection.
“As far as it kind of having to be good, it
kind of puts pressure on me,” says Marciano.
But living up to her family name and the
expectation to succeed is something that
Marciano knows she must face throughout her
fashion career.
“That’s who I am. That’s where I come
from and there’s nothing that I or anybody can
do about that,” says Marciano.
Punkture’s full line of original designs
featuring essential tops, jeans and miniskirts
will make its debut in two months.
Punkture is open Mon.-Sat. from 11 a.m.-6
p.m. For more information, visit punkture.com.
I WALKED TOWARD THE SEX SHOP ON
Santa Monica Boulevard – alone and
hyperconscious of the fact that everyone must
be looking at me, must be thinking that I’m a
desperate female looking for a way to pass my
Saturday night. But as I entered the surprisingly
inconspicuous brick storefront, I found that no
one was staring. No one really looked weird,
either. Well, except for the guy that looked like
he worked for the Telephone Company who
was carrying some sort of packaged hose.
The Pleasure Chest is hip and fun, with a
relaxed atmosphere and a variety of novelties,
ranging from the funny and playful to the scary
and extreme. The assortment of party favors
and gag gifts is manifest. Liven up your boring
office party with a “Boobie Ice Sculpture,” or
cupcakes baked in erotic shapes, and a game of
“Pecker Toss” to wrap up the festivities.
Or sign for office deliveries with a “Pecker
Pen,” shaped like a – you guessed it. And
depending on your crowd, entertain them with
the “pussy surfer,” the little plastic surfer boy
who sits a-straddle with a wild tongue. Just
wind him up and watch him go!
Heading upstairs, passing a sweet looking
elderly couple contemplating the scented body
cremes (thank goodness it wasn’t the studded
leather harnesses) and a young Melrose-type
eyeing the naughty nurse’s outfits, I discovered
the upper level for “serious shoppers.”
Just as casually as if it were an infomercial
for a pasta maker, a large screen projects a
graphic ad demonstrating the Pyrex pleasuring
device that is conveniently microwavable. And
upstairs, the masks and contraptions get even
more intimidating.
As for the penis enlargement system
displayed under the counter: If I were a male, I
don’t think I’d put “The Captain” in any sort of
apparatus that resembled something from my
sixth grade science lab. The second story also
features packaged hoses called “shower bidets”–
sort of like the one the telephone guy had in
tow. Use your imagination.
The Pleasure Chest’s motto is that everyone
has a right to pursue his or her sexual
fulfillment in any manner desired. So let’s live
and let live, and have a little fun with nature’s
gift – doing the nasty.
Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 10 a.m.-midnight, Fri.
and Sat. 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. For more information,
visit thepleasurechest.com.
PUNKTURE
B Y A L I C E S U H
Frequency, page 26
Projections, page 26
Get Up Get Out!, page 27
Music Photo Feature, page 28
On The Menu, page 27
FASHION FOCUS
THE PLEASURE CHEST
7733 Santa Monica Blvd.,
West Hollywood, (323) 650-1022
263 N. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills, (310) 273-9064
ESSENTIAL LL..AA..
B Y D O N N A Q U E S A D A