Happy LA Celebrates Sixth Year in the Highlands Village

Happy LA, the women’s clothing boutique in the Highlands Village off Palisades Drive, celebrated its sixth anniversary last Wednesday with wine, champagne, savories from nearby Taste restaurant and music from DJ Margot Lox. Customers also received 10 percent off and were given a VIP card that allows 20 percent off a future purchase.

The mood was celebratory, and co-owner Dawn Baker was chatting with customers who have become good friends.

“We weathered the country’s economic downtown and we’re still going strong,” she said. “I have new clients every day, and I’m building new relationships with lovely, lovely people.”

Baker initially opened Happy LA in July 2007 with Lori Bzura, and then a second store (Dawn Baker) in Manhattan Beach in 2010. In January 2011, Baker bought Bzura out, and Baker’s husband David, a financer, became co-owner and took over business operations for both stores.

Baker, who started her own clothing line in 2011, says there’s a strong possibility that she will go wholesale with her collection in the coming year. She also just finished a successful Kickstarter campaign to increase the production of her cashmere line and produce more colors and styles.

“I’m grateful for the community’s support,” said the Sunset Mesa resident.

Her styles have resonated with women, not only in California, but also across the country, and have been featured in InStyle, Sports Illustrated, People, Star and Malibu magazines.

When Baker took over the 1,065 sq. ft. space (formerly Christina of Sweden Hair Design) in 2007, she paid for a complete renovation. Ceiling tiles were removed, expanding the store’s height to nine feet, track lighting installed, chandeliers hung, the cement floor acid washed and painted a light turquoise, and dressing rooms were enclosed by Missoni beach towels hung on a curtain rod. A sofa opposite the dressing rooms provided a place for friends or family to comfortably wait. Although Baker dubbed the design “mod-beach,” the interior is more reminiscent of a New York Soho boutique, with an open and pleasant, yet sophisticated vibe. Six years later, the space is still appealing.

“It’s calming. You come in here and you smile. It’s an inviting setting,” Baker said. “I have people who stop by just to stop by. People who know me, know my philosophy: What you give out, you get back.”

Baker began her fashion career in sales at Bergdorf Goodman in Manhattan, and then at CP Shades, before transitioning into production at J. Crew.  From there, she worked in merchandising for Isaac Mizrahi, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan and Nicole Miller.

A friend who worked as Ellen DeGeneres’ make-up artist convinced Baker to work as the star’s clothing stylist, which is what brought the Baker family to Los Angeles in 2006. Baker was nominated for an Emmy for dressing DeGeneres for “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”

More recently, she has turned her talent locally and was recognized for the clever costuming in the Theatre Palisades Youth summer production of “Willy Wonka.” She also has taken over designing the “spirit wear” (T-shirts with logos) for Webster Elementary, where her daughter and son attend school.

Happy LA is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Phone: (310) 459-5511.

Visit: dawn-baker.com.