Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Fashion & Style

Magasin Turns a New Page in L.A.’s Menswear Scene

Christopher Blomquist
By

magasin turns a new page in l s menswear scene mag
Gents in Los Angeles can now all feel like “leading men” thanks to Magasin, a specialty multibrand, men’s boutique opened in March by Josh Peskowitz, the former men’s fashion director at Bloomingdale’s, and his business partners Christophe Desmaison and Simon Golby. Specializing in well crafted, hard-to-find brands, the Culver City shop, which is named after the French word for “store,” has already developed a reputation as a highly original outpost for guys’ style. Peskowitz, a favorite of menswear blogs and Instagram thanks to his own wardrobe, recently gave The Manual the story behind this new must-visit venture….

What prompted you to open Magasin?

Related Videos

I felt like there was an opportunity to open a store that spoke a slightly different language than the stores I have visited and worked with in my career thus far. My partners and I put all those ideas into Magasin and the first six months have been very positive.

Related

How would you describe the overall selection and merchandise?

We focus on construction and fabric. Most of our designers come from Japan, Italy, or the United States and all are known for their craftsmanship, so we wanted to showcase what makes them special and their ability to innovate.

men's boutique

What are your current bestsellers?

Camoshita, Massimo Alba, and Engineered Garments.

Who is the Magasin customer?

Creative professionals and anyone enthusiastic about interesting clothing and accessories.

Mag-3

What are your picks for must-have items this fall?

Massimo Piombo mohair robe coat, ts(s) quilted short sleeve over shirt, and Giana carrot-fit cavalry twill chinos.

You don’t have an online shop yet. Will you soon?

We’re working on that now and will have it up and running in the next few months.

What has been the best part about running the store so far?

Meeting the people who come in and visit.

Mag-4

How does buying for a small men’s boutique compare to being fashion director for a huge operation like Bloomingdale’s?

I’m much more focused on a single vision. We’re a small store so we have the luxury of buying and merchandising with an eye towards telling a specific story.

You’ve said that like a magazine, the shop needs to tell a story. What is currently on the “cover” and what’s the main “feature” about at present?

Textural tailoring and autumn colors.

What is the price range of your merchandise?

From $40 to $3000, most things cost in the $300 range, which isn’t bad considering our assortment is made in some of the world’s best factories and workshops.

You are highly respected in the menswear community. What would your advice be to The Manual reader who wants to up his fashion game and feel good but who doesn’t feel comfortable with out-there trends, etc.?

Fit is always most important. You can wear very non-attention grabbing clothes and if they fit perfectly you’ll get all the attention you want.

Photos: Magasin, la.racked.com, vogue.com

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Birdwell Beach Britches Steps Into Winter Style with New Collection
birdwell beach britches winter collection

Perhaps you’ve got an image fixed in your mind when you think of Birdwell Beach Britches, that of classic boardshorts in a vibrant red and white, worn by a lifeguard in a retro-tinged photo. But there’s more than meets the eye. The legendary California surf brand is back in a big way, and they’re going beyond boardshorts with the launch of the new Birdwell Beach Britches fall and winter collection. The California brand is expanding into new categories, taking great care to bring the same eye for detail to new offerings, like flannel work shirts and sweaters. It’s that attention to detail that has made the brand’s meticulously crafted swimwear a fan favorite since 1961. With the recent release of so many soon-to-be classics, we rounded up our top winter style essentials from Birdwell below.
Birdwell Beach Britches Flannel Work Shirt

 

Read more
Askov Finlayson Debuts the World’s First Climate-Positive Parka
askov finlayson climate positive parka 3

Back in 2011, two proud sons of the north started a small men’s outfitter in their hometown of Minneapolis. Brothers Eric and Andrew Dayton called their shop Askov Finlayson after the two small northern towns that share an interstate exit just outside the Superior National Forest. Their goal was to celebrate the north by equipping Minnesota's hardy outdoor adventurers with the finest apparel and gear being made in the region. Their collection of sustainably made, heritage-quality products from Midwestern makers began drawing attention. In 2014, Esquire named Askov Finlayson one of the "Best Men's Stores in America." In 2015, GQ shortlisted it among "The 10 Best Menswear Stores in America."

Due to popular demand, Askov Finlayson began expanding its collection with a private label collection of beanies, pants, and other apparel. When these private-label items proved to be the store’s bestsellers, Askov Finlayson went all in. After shutting down for several months, the brand re-emerged with a new identity as a designer and retailer of high-quality garments that celebrate northern culture by helping preserve its climate.

Read more
Madewell Men’s Fall Collection Has All Your New Favorites
Madewell Men's Fall Collection

When we zero in on a brand we love, we tend to really, really dial things in. And when it comes to the best clothing brands for men, there’s never enough research (and wish list-crafting) to be done. That’s certainly the case when it comes to Madewell Men’s, the menswear-focused offshoot of the wildly popular Madewell women’s line. Madewell Men’s recently launched its first-ever fall collection, blessing us with rugged and refined picks aplenty. We’ve been fans of the brand’s slim denim and stylish sneakers, and this entirely new seasonal offering is no different — think of our favorite picks below as upgrades from the already-excellent line of brand basics.
Madewell Men's Flannel Shirt in Windowpane Plaid

If you thought you had enough flannel shirts, think again. This richly crafted Madewell Men’s flannel takes the traditional windowpane pattern and explodes it into an oversized design in Golden Pecan plaid. In short, this is the perfect flannel to wear either on its own, layered underneath a navy herringbone blazer, or atop your favorite henley.

Read more