As I delve deeper into the world of fashion and style, I am continually inspired by the stories of trailblazers like Zerina Akers. Her journey, marked by inclusivity, sustainability, and a deep respect for diverse talent, resonates strongly with my own values.
Nestled within Tarzana lies an elegant home, crafted not just as a residence, but as a hub for fashion and intellectual exchange. Anyone seeking a style update or interested in engaging with deep-rooted ideas is invited to join the activities. This was Zerina Akers’ vision when she first laid eyes on her new workspace.
Akers from Saint Helen’s House explains that not only did they aim to create a space for creativity, but also to build an inclusive community where everyone would feel at home. This unique venue, which includes a sustainable fashion-rental showroom named “The Show Must Go On,” is what she has referred to as such.
“Making it an inclusive move, we chose to welcome anyone who wishes to enter. It’s not just about fame and fashion – our styling services are designed for every woman to indulge in a red-carpet style experience.”
For years, Akers had been managing a star-studded roster that included Beyoncé, Chloe x Halle, Megan Thee Stallion, and Niecy Nash, all from her expanding offices within a Hollywood building. One day, she recognized that the substantial rent payments could be more advantageously invested in owning her own property. “If I’m shelling out $20,000 a month for retail space, it makes sense to own it instead,” says Akers, who earned an Emmy in 2021 for her costume design on Beyoncé’s musical project, Black is King, which she co-wrote, executive produced, and directed.
Akers decided to call the building Saint Helen’s House, in honor of Saint Helena, the Roman empress from around 300 A.D., who is known for discovering the cross on which Christ was crucified during her journey to Jerusalem. The name also symbolizes ‘light’ or ‘sun’. Additionally, Saint Helena is the patron saint of needle makers and nail smiths. For Akers, this name holds a spiritual significance and pays tribute to the humble role of sewing in the fashion industry. He believes that using this name would be a beautiful way to honor both its meaning and the entity it represents.
With the idea in mind, the ideal location unexpectedly materialized at a swift pace – even more so when you consider L.A.’s aggressive real estate scene, according to Akers. “I hadn’t intended to purchase a house,” she remarks about the Tarzana property, “but everything fell into place.” She explains that she spotted it on a Sunday and submitted an offer by Tuesday. However, even during the escrow period, she continued to search, just in case, but nothing at that price point boasted the same array of facilities. The house’s layout itself was such that we could host a fashion show, or even a wedding. One room was already designed as a fashion closet, another as a glam room. Thus, it was merely a matter of taking a step forward and not second-guessing myself.
Indeed, it was in realizing the possibilities that Akers expanded her plans to include a social club; plans for everything from seminars to cooking classes and makeup tutorials have been developing with ease, she says. “Our events schedule will kick off in September,” Akers reports. “Top of my mind is to do weekend styling boot camps for young stylists and bring in people like Wayman and Micah and Karla Welch, or a weekly stretch class with a ballet dancer. But we’ll also offer educational components: how do you get your business funded as a founder, for example.”
When Akers looked at the beautifully designed interior, it was clear that the space was intended for rotating gallery events featuring artists, and so she decided to collaborate with Erin Christovale, a curator from the Hammer Museum. Together, they have chosen a diverse group of Black artists, such as February James, Adee Roberson, and Khari Johnson-Ricks, for this project. This endeavor seems like an organic extension of Black-Owned Everything, an online marketplace for Black creators that Akers launched in 2021. “It felt essential to be part of a space in L.A. filled with a dynamic mix of talented individuals,” she explains. Maria Maea is a talented Latin artist, Adee Robinson is from Los Angeles, while Khari Johnson-Ricks and February James hail from New York. Akers wanted every aspect of this concept to reflect inclusivity.
The philosophy of The Show Must Go On, a notable fashion boutique, is deeply rooted in inclusivity, harmoniously encompassing sustainability, independent designers, and equal regard for all sizes. As Akers points out, their clothing ranges from XL (3X) and shoes up to size 44. They stock classic brands like Chanel, Versace, Alaïa, Gucci, and Sergio Hudson, with the latter providing exceptional-fitting suits. Additionally, they carry lesser-known labels such as Amplitude from L.A., and Khoi, a Chicago-based jewelry brand that often sells out quickly. There are also custom-designed pieces from various projects that never found their intended use but now have a home in this store.
Akers is presently concentrating on methods to maintain a fresh selection of clothing and accessories that clients haven’t encountered during past visits. As she puts it, “Refreshing our inventory is an ongoing process.” Her aim is to collaborate with designers based in New York or Paris who are seeking representation in L.A., while also incorporating designers from India and Saudi Arabia. Moreover, she’s working on creating a supportive environment: If you have a storage unit filled with luxury clothing, we can now rent out your garments for you, while you retain ownership of your clothes.
At this exclusive, by-appointment-only showroom, everyone is welcome, regardless of their celebrity status. Akers emphasizes that it’s not just limited to stylists or industry professionals. Instead, it caters to everyone! You can schedule a style suite appointment for an hour or more, where the entire time is dedicated solely to you. Simply fill out a questionnaire about your style influences, where you’re headed, and some body-related questions. Once that’s done, you’ll enter a room filled with clothing, shoes, and accessories tailored for your fitting.
Prices begin at $300 per hour for booking time, and the majority of three-day clothing rentals cost between $150 and $500. However, highly sought-after items from the archive could rent for up to $1,000. To give you an idea, there’s a cream Chanel coat that Beyoncé wore to a basketball game, which is valued at an impressive $30,000 in our archive.
Delightedly, the early responses have been overwhelmingly encouraging. “It’s heartening to hear women express, ‘No one has ever truly listened to me’ or ‘I can hardly believe you carry my size,'” I remark. “Initially, it was about opening up our space and observing the unfolding events. However, at our launch event, which brought together an incredibly diverse group of exceptional women, I could sense that we were onto something extraordinary. The atmosphere was electric, with attendees reluctant to depart.”
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2024-08-16 20:25