“I always like to go to the beach and keep an attitude of gratitude about living in such a beautiful city,” says Lubov Azria, chief creative officer for Los Angeles-based brand BCBGMAXAZRIA, which her husband, Max, founded in 1989. While Azria has mastered the art of finding inspiration everywhere she goes (she recently touched down in New York, Paris and Morocco), she feels most at home in California, which explains the bohemian vibe she infuses into every collection, along with her signature thread of rock ’n’ roll attitude. “I’ve always felt that every woman wants to be a rock star at some point.”
 

^{Faith & Flower, Los Angeles}

 

BLACK BOOK: LOS ANGELES
Downtown dinner “I really love the architecture and interior at Faith & Flower because it’s inspired by the 1920s, but it’s also just very modern.” Iconic neighbourhood “Venice Beach has special meaning for everyone who lives in L.A. because you experience something different every time you go—from amazing houses to the artists and entrepreneurs who live there.” Family matters “My daughter has a store in Venice Beach called A Piece Collective. One of the lines she carries is the Japanese brand Kapital—they make the most incredible wool scarves.” Treasure hunt “At the Melrose Trading Post flea market, there’s a great area where you can just sit down and watch people and the amazing vendors, who have really great vintage pieces. That’s where my budget goes!” Running route “I love the run from Will Rogers Beach to Venice Beach. Sometimes they have military training or a volleyball championship or kids’ parties.” Beachside snack “Gjelina is a one-of-a-kind restaurant. The food and atmosphere are very Venice Beach.”
 

 

^Tokyo

GLOBAL ADDRESS BOOK
Best discovery “Tokyo is a shopper’s paradise. Japanese designers are always ahead of their time.” Recent adventure “My family and I took a trip to Rome, Venice and Lake Como, where we had a family wedding. It was absolutely beautiful.” Travel philosophy “A trip needs great company, lots of sun and amazing food. Be open to new experiences, and always look to bring back an unforgettable story.” Inflight beauty tip “I always pack cucumbers and lemons in plastic bags and add them to my water on the plane.”

 

AZRIA’S TRAVEL STYLE
“I like the idea that whether you’re on vacation or just staycationing, you have a real cool-girl attitude.”

Originally published in the July 2016 issue of ELLE Canada.