NYT and WWD Share So Many Reasons to Love Los Angeles
National media outlets (like the NYTimes and WWD) are sharing their love for the latest trendsetting cultural and culinary options currently available in Los Angeles, particularly Downtown LA, where the FIDM campus is located.
Women’s Wear Daily takes a look at restaurant and hotel openings, plus a few museum exhibits in Downtown Los Angeles, most of which are within walking distance from FIDM. The Downtown neighborhood, the article explains, comprises a number of distinct districts. The city was established by a Spanish governor back in 1781, on the homeland of the Chumash and Tongva indigenous peoples, and some of that early settlement can still be viewed today on Olvera Street, in the heart of Downtown LA. Just south of there, in Little Tokyo, the article features popular local spot Sushi Gen, as well as the Japanese American National Museum, where you can see screenings and exhibits highlighting the Japanese experience in America. For the vintage shoppers, they recommend Popkiller and Raggedy Threads.
West of Little Tokyo, just past the Historic Core (home to a number of elegant early 20th century movie palaces), is the brand new Hotel Per La, which just opened in September. WWD describes the hotel as LA living with an Italian flair. Housed in a building finished in 1922, the property features a rooftop pool and bar, a cafe, and a fine dining restaurant. Jordan Nova, General Manager of the hotel, says of Downtown LA, “There’s no dressing up of Downtown. People fall in love with the honesty and also the creativity.”
South of Hotel Per La sits the Fashion District, home to over 4000 independently-owned and operated retail and wholesale businesses, and is considered the west coast hub of the apparel industry. 70% of the district is wholesale, and it’s the home of L.A. Market Week, the well-known west coast apparel trade show, with the next show happening in January. An extremely walkable neighborhood, you can explore dozens of shops featuring decor, menswear, womenswear, textiles, accessories, and more. Additionally, the district is also home to the historic Orpheum Theater. Opened in 1926, the theater has more recently been used primarily as a location for filming, but is once again hosting live performances. You can see Amy Schumer’s latest tour there on December 9.
In May, the New York Times gave their readers a taste of Los Angeles’ comeback from Covid, noting the restaurants, bars, museums, and live events visitors and locals alike are flocking to, as Los Angeles cements itself as a “culinary capital of the world,” according to the piece. Dining recommendations include KinKan, a pandemic pop-up turned brick-and-mortar shop serving sushi omakase blending Thai and Japanese influences, Berbere, Santa Monica’s newest spot for Ethiopian-inspired vegan food, and Mother Wolf, Chef Evan Funke’s take on Roman pizzas, pastas, and more in Hollywood.
For museum and live event-goers, the article suggests the newly-opened Academy Museum of Motion Pictures next door to LACMA on Wilshire Boulevard and the Broad, in Downtown LA, currently exhibiting installations by William Kentridge, Kara Walker, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and more. For sports fans, there’s the new SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, where the Los Angeles Rams won the Super Bowl last February. You can tour the stadium and the Kinsey African American Art and History Collection with the same ticket. When the Rams or Chargers aren’t playing, the stadium complex hosts musical acts and other performers throughout the year, including Taylor Swift’s Eras tour next August.
As both of these articles demonstrate, there’s always something to do in Los Angeles! Public transportation makes exploring the city’s main attractions easier, and Downtown Los Angeles is extremely walkable. It’s a great place to visit, and an even better place to live.
