Los Angeles shopping guide

California means show business, and Los Angeles is the state's fashion capital. To start with, you must understand that cars are everything there, but the absence of the crowds of pedestrians strolling from store to store that can be found in most cities is made up for by the unrivalled exhibition of cars to be seen on the streets.

The influence of the film industry on Angelinos is evident everywhere, because this is a city of extremes: from the showy displays of jewellery and clothing of ordinary citizens and artists down on their luck to the carefully studied homeless look of Hollywood's latest mega star.

In terms of image, nothing is what it seems but everything is precisely what it is. That's entertainment! Los Angeles area district.

BEVERLY HILLS. If there is a single street name that evokes luxury, glamour and ostentation more than any other in the world, that name is Rodeo Drive. Although this street in the heart of Beverly Hills is actually very long, the area's luxury stores are concentrated in just a few meters. Prada, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior, Valentino, Polo Ralph Lauren, Sergio Rossi and Michael Kors are among the many names to be found there.

Apart from the renowned selection of luxury brands, the prevailing characteristic of the stores here is that each one is a stand-alone building. Each store has a building to itself, not shared by other businesses and with no upper storeys occupied by apartments. That means that when a new store is to open or an existing store is to be updated, there is no renovation work on the premises. Instead, a far more radical approach is taken: the old building is completely demolished and a whole new one is built in its place.

Prada, Rodeo Drive

Other big-names have set up shop on the streets adjacent to rodeo Drive. On Brighton Way you will find the multi-brand stores Laila and Madison and also Emporio Armani. And on Wilshire Boulevard you will come across department stores such as Barneys, Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, along with Escada and Burberry. Beverly Hills map.

WEST HOLLYWOOD. Until just a few years ago, luxury shopping in Los Angeles was centred exclusively on Beverly Hills, while West Hollywood had a more urban style. But things have changed radically in recent times, and as major brands have moved in, this area has become a growing focal point for fashion.

Of all the streets in the area, Melrose Avenue certainly has the highest number of fashion stores. Alongside urban styles, tried and tested brands such as Marc Jacobs, Marni and Paul Smith have set up stores there. As far as multi-brands are concerned, the spectacular Maxfield stands out above the rest.

Maxfield, Melrose Avenue

Further north, the famous sunset Boulevard is also home to such major stores as multi-brand Traffic, D&G, Armani Exchange and BCBG Max Azria, among others. And Robertson Boulevard, running north and south, is also becoming a key street, with Tod's and the multi-brands A Mason and Curve. West Hollywood map.