BLACKBURN AND SWEETZER

There’s been some boutique shuffling of late on the south side of 3rd Street between Sweetzer and La Jolla, namely, JL Marks and Luth Garde have moved a few hundred feet west. From what I can tell, it’s an improvement for both stores: JL Marks has a smaller but more refined space now, and Luth Garde’s former spot flailed in obscurity around the corner. Across the way, a step east of Toast, bamboo and recycled cashmere label Avita will be opening in early May. I first encountered Avita and the designer behind the line, Amanda Shi, at the L.A. fashion week design suites about a year or so ago. What I liked then and what continues to draw me to the collection is the drape-y, lightweight sweaters that are sexy without showing a lot of skin. Her dresses for spring ‘07 misfire at times, but there is a dress version of the Grecian-wrapped black top shown in the top image that I would happily make my LBD of choice this season.