April 13, 2017

Australians and Californians sit far apart geographically but couldn’t be more close when it comes to sharing a mutual love of the sun and surf, as well as having a constantly evolving identity that thrives on ambition.

Which is precisely why, for the past few years, more and more Aussies have found themselves flocking to Los Angeles looking to soak up the city’s trademark ‘if you can dream it, you can do it’ energy while revelling in the coastal chill of the many beaches that skirt the urban sprawl.

It’s a special place where contradiction is king, grit meets glamour and swaying palms meet superhighways. A creative hub that hums with 3 million stories from every person in town with a project and a plan.

Which is precisely what draws Zulu & Zephyr General Manager Mel Colman back over and over again. Zulu & Zephyr’s heart might lie in Australia but every piece is imbued with the thread of laid-back California nostalgia, such as pastel hues inspired by 60s Palm Springs or high-cut swimwear that throws back to the heady days of 90s Venice Beach.

Here Colman shares what keeps calling her back to Los Angeles, along with a few of her must-dos for the first timers.

I love LA culture – opportunities seem endless. It’s a great networking town, so I love being able to connect with our US Buyers and like-minded people. The lifestyle is fun and exciting – there is always something to do every night of the week, so I seem to adapt quickly to the LA lifestyle and run on little sleep whenever I’m in town.

Alfred {Coffee + Kitchen}

8428 Melrose Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90069, United States
+1 323-944-0811

LA's trademark palms around every corner.

This place just does amazing coffee — I’m not really a breakfast person, so for me, coffee is my morning go-to and Alfred’s is definitely one of the best in town.

Laurel Hardware

7984 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046, USA
+1 323-656-6070

A former hardware store turned farm to table restaurant. From the street-side it still looks like an old hardware store, but once inside it’s super cool, with open industrial dining reminiscent of the old building and a beautiful tree lined courtyard.

Food is great and the cocktail selection is amazing (must try the Gangster, with cucumber vodka, watermelon and lime) — so GOOD.

Soho House West Hollywood

9200 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069, USA
+1 310-432-9200

The rooftop bar – 360 views of LA, it’s the best spot to catch up with your girlfriends over a rosé or four! There’s also a fun photo booth to enjoy after too many of those vinos.

The LINE Hotel

3515 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010, USA
+1 213-381-7411

Whilst in LA, I work from our showroom Downtown and spend my free time between WEHO and Venice – so the location is central and close to everything. It also has a great restaurant inside called the Commissary— well worth a dinner reservation.