LEFT: O’Connor suit, Tom Ford ($3,660). RIGHT: James Bond AKA Daniel Craig.

The name may conjure images of beautiful women, dirty martinis, high-tech gadgets, and ultrasharp tuxedos, but James Bond is getting a sartorial makeover in the latest chapter of Ian Fleming’s iconic work. Skyfall sees Daniel Craig reprising his role—for the third time—as a British MI6 agent, once again outfitted by the equally debonair Tom Ford. The slimmer lapels and skinny ties Ford created for Skyfall are a sexy and updated look for 007.

“I could not be happier to be dressing Daniel Craig again in the next James Bond film,” says Ford. “James Bond epitomizes the Tom Ford man in his elegance, style, and love of luxury.” A complete line of tailored clothing, evening-wear, and ties inspired by the globe-trotting secret agent is now available for strolling the red carpet—or slipping into a club under the cover of darkness. 346 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-270-9440

A look from Maxfowles: T-shirt with fur sleeves ($450) and quilted leather skirt ($750).

After meeting in London and discovering their shared interest in fashion design, Max and Parisa Fowles relocated first to NY and then to California to create Maxfowles, a sophisticated women’s ready-to-wear line of classically structured pieces with an unexpected rocker edge. “LA is a wonderful city to have as a home base, with just the right combination of lifestyle and international living,” notes Max.

Drawing inspiration from the designers’ own European roots, as well as New York style, the collection features timeless separates such as blazers, blouses, trousers, and jeans with quilted-leather detailing, exposed zippers, and exceptional tailoring. A classic black T-shirt is embellished with fur sleeves and paired with a structured leather miniskirt for a bit of an edge, while a gray wool shift with quilted camel pockets exudes feminine refinement. Elyse Walker, 15306 Antioch St., Pacific Palisades, 310-230-8882

The new Michael Kors boutique at The Grove is the designer’s largest in LA.

On September 27, Michael Kors opens the doors to his new boutique on a coveted corner location at The Grove, growing his space to 3,775 square feet (making it the largest of his four stores in the LA area). A larger space allows accessories from his signature collection to be situated alongside pieces from his lower-priced Michael Michael Kors label (such as the large leather N/S Hamilton Artisan tote, shown above), while ready-to-wear from that collection will be showcased in an expanded salon area.

The boutique likewise reflects the latest look for Kors’s boutiques, complete with zebra-striped carpets, mirrored surfaces, and vintage photography gracing the walls. If Kors’s glam new look sounds decidedly LA-friendly, there’s good reason. “Los Angeles is one of my favorite cities because it evokes the casual glamour that Michael Kors is all about,” the designer says. “Our customers in LA are sophisticated, but they still want pieces that are all about comfort and ease. They want things that can go from beach to urban to desert and still look chic. That’s very Michael Kors.” The Grove, LA, 323-549-9500

A sharply tailored look from Ermenegildo Zegna’s made-to-measure service.

Ermenegildo Zegna built an empire of men’s suiting on the belief that a great suit comes from the best fabric. Located in Trivero, in the heart of the Italian Alps, Zegna’s 102-year-old wool mill, Lanificio Ermenegildo Zegna, produces some of the most outstanding, high-quality wool yarns. At the apex lies the Vellus Aureum (“golden fleece” in Latin), which is gleaned from the finest crop of wool, and is so highly prized that no more than 60 pieces are offered to clients once a year. As a final, elegant touch, the client’s name is woven into the rare fabric’s selvedge.

But even if you aren’t lucky enough to score a suit made of Vellus Aureum, you can still enjoy the talents of Emenegildo Zegna’s expert tailors, who help clients choose from its selection of 900 fabrics for its custom suits, ties, and shirts. A completed suit takes four to five weeks, requires two fittings, and is available for delivery through any Zegna boutique. The entire process ranges in price from $2,995–$6,995 (excluding fabrics such as Vellus Aureum). This September, Ermenegildo Zegna will reopen its newly renovated store in South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. The 2,400-square-foot store will carry the entire range of Ermenegildo Zegna and Ermenegildo Zegna Couture, as well as Zegna Sport. South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, 714-444-1534

FROM LEFT: Kunzite ring with diamonds in platinum, Jean Schlumberger languettes bracelet with tsavorites and sapphires in 18k gold, and morganite ring with diamonds in platinum, Tiffany & Co. (all prices on request). 210 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-273-8880.

Audrey Hepburn nibbling on a croissant in front of a Fifth Avenue store window ranks high among Hollywood moments—a far cry from the day in 1837 when Charles Lewis Tiffany opened his “stationery and fancy-goods store” in Lower Manhattan (the first day’s sales totaled $4.98!). One hundred seventy-five years later, Tiffany & Co. is celebrating its anniversary with product launches throughout 2012.

Each new piece is crafted to feature what Tiffany & Co. is calling its Legacy Gemstones. This “compilation of one-of-a-kind jewelry” features the quartet of colored jewels that the jeweler embraced and ushered into popularity around the world: the lilac-pink kunzite, named for gemologist Charles Frederick Kunz, a Tiffany vice president from 1879 to 1932; morganite, a pink-hued stone named for John Pierpont Morgan and introduced—with its new name—by Tiffany in 1910; the bluish-purple tanzanite, found in Tanzania and debuted by Tiffany in 1968; and the brilliant green tsavorite, discovered in 1967 in Tsavo National Park, located near the border between Tanzania and Kenya. Today these stones have found their way into a multitude of designs and labels. It’s notable, however, that Tiffany did them first and, not unlike Hepburn staring into a window filled with dreamy jewels, continues to do them best.

With wedding season in full swing, brides-to-be will delight in the luxuriously delicious Body & Boudoir fragrances from Beverly Hills-based Naked Princess. Known for couture lingerie and beauty products, the new eco-chic brand mixes Moroccan vanilla, sweet almond, and tonquin bean with moisture-rich Japanese green tea, aloe Vera, and chamomile to create its Vanille Blanc Body & Boudoir Spray. The end result is an indulgent gift that infuses sophisticated sweetness in everything from bedroom linens to lingerie. 

Composed of vitamin E, Shea, and jojoba, alongside soy butter and wax, the Vanille Blanc Body & Boudoir Candle is another potential shower, bachelorette, or engagement party present. The candle becomes a calming body oil when melted, and its elegant white porcelain container can double as a decorative home accessory once used up.

For shopping at a farmer’s market and beyond, our ultimate summer bag pick is this mesh-like white leather style from Japanese design shop, Starnet. Fashioned in a bucket-tote shape, the roomy carryall comes stateside courtesy of Heath Ceramics, who launched a Starnet pop-up in its LA showroom.

Helmed by Baba Koshi, Starnet is based in Mashiko—located north of Tokyo—and is known for carrying sleek luxury home and fashion items from local artisans. From now through September 10, Heath Ceramics will sell an array of the brand’s goods, from handcrafted ceramic bowls to canvas shoes to hand-dyed textiles. 7525 Beverly Blvd., LA, 323-965-0880

Gray suede shoes, Bally ($795). Saks Fifth Avenue, 9600 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-275-4211. Blue suede lace-up, Emporio Armani ($495). Neiman Marcus, 9700 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-550-5900. Brown suede cap-toe shoes, Façonnable ($550). 9680 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-247-8277.

Calling to mind the shiny, white fiberglass boat decks lining Marina del Rey’s harbor, this spring designers are thinking in bright white. White-soled lace-ups adorned the runways of Canali and Gucci, and are quickly taking over retailers’ shoe departments as well.

This season, the luxurious Swiss label Bally offers suede bucks and wing tips in shades of brown, navy, and bone gray, all with a light gray sole. Armani showed similarly soled styles in black and navy, while Façonnable’s offerings include camel-brown cap toes. These dapper new dress shoes make a statement when accessorizing a suit (pair them with pale gray wool or khaki cotton for a modern take), but their true beauty is most evident when wearing them sockless—and scuff-free— for a weekend sail.

Known for its beautifully crafted resort apparel, Hermès recently unveiled its premiere swimwear collection in four themed categories: solids, graphics, and two signature prints found on vintage Hermès scarves.

The silhouettes reflect the sophisticated French aesthetic the brand is world-famous for, evidenced in a strapless cream one-piece (pictured, $570) and color-blocked tank suits. The collection—envisioned by women’s ready-to-wear creative director Christophe Lemaire—also includes chic towels, tunics, sun hats, and sandals. 434 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-278-6440

If the concept of being a surfer girl has always appealed to you, but braving the cold Pacific isn’t your style, you can look the part sans wet suit this summer with a Jimmy Choo Surfer Candy clutch ($795) in hand. The luxury label’s creative directors, Sandra Choi and Simon Holloway, were influenced by surf and skate culture and “a strong Los Angeles vibe” when creating these ideal summer accessories—and it shows. The bag comes in two picturesque versions: one with an image of a surfer deep in the barrel of a wave and the other featuring surfers in the ocean against the background of a colorful sunset, both emblazoned under a Plexiglas surface. Riding a wave has never looked more chic. 240 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-860-9045

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN KLUTCH