Has it really been that long? Los Angeles’s Arts District, like most downtowns, has faced hard times after the pandemic. But things have changed since I last visited this pocket of the city. Now it’s brimming with more of everything. More people, more energy, more activity, more momentum, more vibrancy. Every corner invites curiosity — especially Signal, an upscale retail enclave that’s home to Alchemy Works, Flamingo Estate, and Please Do Not Enter. There’s even a sleek, third-wave coffee shop from Berlin, Germany, called Concierge Coffee. And just last month, another tenant moved into the complex: Simon Miller. This is the Los-Angeles-based, 17-year-old brand’s first brick-and-mortar boutique. Yes, first. Surprised? Allow me to back up here for a second.

Some quick background: The Simon Miller we know today is radically different from the Simon Miller that was founded in 2008 by designers Jake Sargent and Daniel Corrigan in New York. Back then, it was a menswear label that leaned into Japanese influences and exercised a sharp focus on denim. But then Daniel met Chelsea Hansford — by chance, at a Lil Wayne concert and then again at a Las Vegas tradeshow. Both were creatives in the same industry, and Daniel, who was interested in expanding his brand’s offerings into womenswear, brought Chelsea on board. In 2014, Simon Miller debuted its first womenswear collection, and a year later, its first handbag: a miniature bucket bag that the brand dubbed “The Bonsai.” 

Thanks in large part to Chelsea’s husband Grégoire Gamba, a French leather artisan whose resume boasts work for Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton, the bag was a hit. The cult-like adoration of The Bonsai gave the brand the confidence it needed to explore other offerings, like shoes and accessories. Then, in 2016, Chelsea took over the company as owner, chief executive officer, and co–creative director alongside Daniel (who stepped down a few years later), shifting the brand’s colorscape, over time, from muted and earthy natural shades to the rich, colorful palettes that currently define its aesthetic. Touchable textures, sculptural shapes, and sequin-encrusted fabrics also became emblematic of Simon Miller.

Simon Miller became a full-fledged California brand after putting down roots in Los Angeles. From there, it’s been in expansion mode, launching a home collection, where it injected its bright personality into everything from glassware and furniture to terry cloth towels and dog leashes. Ultimately, it has become a true lifestyle brand with a feel-good vibe and lots of art influences. Given all those things, the brand’s new address feels like the perfect fit. “I just love the Arts District,” Chelsea told Vogue last month. “The mix of art, design, fashion, food, and hospitality really reflects what we’re about. When I met the team behind Signal, I immediately felt aligned. It wasn’t just about opening a shop — it was about creating energy.” 

As I approach Signal’s white-stucco, Mission-style exterior, I can feel that colorful energy. The 1,000-square-foot flagship is awash in the brand’s signature apple-green. By the entrance, Simon Miller’s summery raffia bags and starfish sandals are displayed amongst ceramic vases by Peter Keil — a German painter and sculptor known for his bold choice of colors. All around, art plays a big role in the store’s design scheme. Especially unmissable is the seven-foot sculpture of an enormous face by Leonard Urso.

The brand’s sculptural design language shines through various curvilinear shapes — from the arched windows and circular clothing racks to oval display tables and rounded fitting rooms. (Even the aforementioned vases are bulbous.) Curved walls and organic forms create a sense of movement throughout the space. The result is an immersive, gallery-like atmosphere that feels uplifting and joyful and makes me want to linger — which is exactly what I do! I try on a few best-sellers from the brand’s recent collections: a cotton poplin button-up with a back cutout, a bubble-hemmed red dress, a fringed dress, and a smocked mini. Eventually, a yellow, banana-printed bubble skirt steals my heart.

With my new piece in tow, my husband and I exit to Signal’s central courtyard and explore the mini shopping center’s other residents. Outside of interior design studio Formas’ space, a small crowd has gathered for Los Angeles-based perfumery Sum’s exclusive preview of unreleased fragrances. There’s wine flowing. The sun is shining; it’s a beautiful summer day. Anchored by a giant bottle tree, the courtyard is surrounded by lounging chairs and tables where it feels so easy for anyone to while away the afternoon — ideally, of course, with a bright-orange Simon Miller bag in hand.