Downtown Design League (CLOSED)

Positioned amidst the Toy Factory Lofts just a few doors down from Belgian beer cafe Little Bear, the curiously luxurious Downtown Design Leage boutique would be easy to miss. But those who luck upon double-taking into its floor-to-celing glass windows will spy a sophisticated retail space, featuring handcrafted clothing, shoes, leather goods and accessories, many of which are locally made. Downtown Design League is one of the higher-end shops in the Arts District, which becomes clear the moment you perceive how few purchasable items there are per square foot of store space—a ratio that immediately identifies any upscale boutique. Downtown Design League's creative team and collaborators are palpably focused on their philosophy of creating luxury goods with both love and artistry. The shop is open 11am–7pm on weekdays (closed on weekends), but appointments are also available for those who'd like to discuss crafting their own custom Angeleno-made suede shoe, for example.