Bijan, Power Dressing To A T.

Anyone that has been to Beverly Hills and walked by the Bijan boutique on Rodeo Drive knows that place is a sartorial circus of opulence, with tourists clamoring around the facade trying to see what a "by appointment only" shopping experience is truly like. 

For those that aren't familiar with Bijan, his clothes have been worn by hundreds of names in politics, entertainment, sports and even royalty. Although his ties and suits have been donned by several Presidents, I can say some of Bijan's designs have blurred the line between mogul and pimp. Alligator seems to be the only hide suitable for footwear. There is no shortage of man fur coats and color is always in fashion. And why not add an animal headed walking stick to your look?

Since I was a youngster, Bijan's windows have always made me stop and look. The man knew about spectacle in retail. He was pure Beverly Hills, from the marble to the white carpet and the fact that silk was everywhere, Bijan's store was something of a Mecca for the luxury-set. Today, the looks in the windows are still as colorful as they were in 1987, and the list of "clients" grows on the lower thirds of the glass, giving you a sense that someone must be making an appointment to shop for a blue chinchilla fur overcoat and a lime green silk evening jacket (that would even have made the late, Gianni Versace say "wow"). Walking around Los Angeles, you don't see many gents wearing silk shirts that match their alligator loafers, from time to time you see the tanned, white haired gentleman holding court in a far booth at the Polo Lounge dressed in one of Bijan's red blazers. Prestigious retailers like Bijan are still around Rodeo; Battaglia, Stefano Ricci, all play to the idea of dressing like a Beverly Hills businessman. Currently, being matched to a T and toting ostentatious accessories made out of semi-extinct creatures may be a tad demode but sometimes a dash of unexpected color here or a secret wild jacket lining can enable you set yourself apart in a culture that spends so much time looking as if they didn't spend so much time. When disheveled is de riguer take a cue from the late Bijan, who always has had something different to offer: "With respect to all of the other designers here in Beverly Hills, I design for the designer. Armani, de la Renta and the lot, I design what they wear. They come to me for a different look because I offer uniqueness. I'm not like Cartier that makes thousands of the same watches or Calvin Klein who makes the same pair of jeans over and over..."

Bijan passed away in 2011, his home in Beverly Hills just recently went on the market, $11,995,000 will get you the true Bijan lifestyle, included is the custom made chandelier crafted out of Bijan cologne bottles. 
Check out the images. 

www.bijan.com