It’s always the quiet ones—the brands that hum just under the surface, known and loved by the insiders (think Leandra, Jenny, Sasha, all pictured here) before everyone else catches on. I’ve had a soft spot for Chan Luu since my Lucky Magazine days, when I’d pull pieces from their downtown LA showroom for shoots. But now? I want everything again. Especially the diaphanous crystal-studded trench, above, the chunky shells strung just off-center (see my outfit yesterday), the beach-to-dinner vibe done exactly right. Something new and fresh is stirring within the Chan Luu universe. The DNA remains—the earthy elegance, the texture, the traveler's spirit—but under the creative direction of Tessa Tran, it’s getting a subtle jolt of edge, with almost everything (miraculously) priced under $400. Tessa, a longtime fashion force (she honed her skills at R13 and Levi’s, and spent years styling and consulting for the kind of brands that pack the front rows), is now steering the ship. And the results are magic: think raw-cut gemstones layered over slightly punkish leathers, embellished mesh bags, beachy shell necklaces styled with slinky tanks and taffeta barrel pants, and that whispery robe I want to fling over everything from a swimsuit to vintage denim. The funny thing? A few months ago, while boarding a flight home from Zihuatanejo, a chic woman came up to say hi—it was Tessa. We recognized each other instantly, had a moment of fashion déjà vu, and discovered we’re actually neighbors in the Palisades. Small world, smaller circle. Now I can't stop thinking about the Chan Luu world she's building: textured, colorful, perfectly thrown-together in that lived-in, sun-drenched way I crave every summer. Bookmark this brand. Or better yet, get ahead and get some of your own here.
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