22 DIGS.NET | 10.11.2019
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P R O F I L E | A LT F O R L I V I N G
FOLLOWING THE
LAUNCH OF THE
ORIGINAL ALT FOR
LIVING SHOWROOM
IN NEW YORK CITY
(COMPLETE WITH A
PARISIAN-INSPIRED
CAFE), BRAND
FOUNDER ANALISSE
TAFT-GERSTEN HAS
OPENED A SECOND
SHOWROOM IN LOS
ANGELES.
PHOTOGRAPHS:
COURTESY
OF
ALT
FOR
LIVING
Exquisitely curated collections−and a shrewdly shared showroom−make for
a one-stop trade/retail concept in Los Angeles.
W R I T T E N B Y J E N N T H O R N T O N
T R A D I N G U P
A
nalisse Taft-Gersten is, if not a Jill of all trades, then certainly
of the one with which she interacts as the founder of ALT For
Living, a brand that was born with a flagship showroom in New
York City. Since then, the tastemaker has returned to Los Angeles, and in
truly spectacular fashion, with a second outpost. Located in the heart of the
Design District, ALT LA is an extension of what Taft-Gersten started in
NYC, bringing its curated lifestyle experience to a crowded design landscape.
"We have been working with clients in LA since ALT For Living was
founded," says Taft-Gersten, a world-traveler who has never met a beautiful
design she didn't absolutely love (or possibly try to procure for her own
purposes, a passion that only benefits her brand). "As the company grew,
we realized there was a missing concept in Los Angeles." So she filled
it, with a supremely eclectic array of hand-selected luxury goods, from
vintage furnishings, to artisan textiles and rugs, to a small parade of smart
accessories. "At the same time," Taft-Gersten notes, "we share a showroom
with Remains Lighting that has the same type of synergy by offering custom
high-end lighting." ere it is, the edge: e shared showroom is a highlight
in a competitive district that distinguishes ALT LA from other such
outposts. It also offers convenience−there is
but one shop to scour in order to fulfill all
of one's design needs. Even in minimalist-
inclined Los Angeles, this is rare treat for
the trade (the showroom occasionally sells
retail, as well) and at the same time taps into
the experiential retail trade.
In this sense ALT LA speaks to Taft-
Gersten's knack for turning a traditional
concept on its head. e ALT For Living showroom in NYC is a case in point.
e flagship also includes A Little Taste Café, a petite, Parisian-influenced
coffee bar. Inspired to create a "speakeasy experience" after her husband
James opened his eatery La Esquina in SoHo, Taft-Gersten brought a dose
of café-society appeal to the place. "It has always been my desire to offer an
exceptional and different experience for my consumers," says Taft-Gersten of
one that is both "visual and tactile" with elements of "taste and aroma."
e "taste" in ALT LA is Taft-Gersten's own, and it is her clear and robust
sensitivity to the modern aesthetic that animates the boutique space and its
