It’s nice to see vacant spaces on Larchmont filing up with new businesses. The newest one that’s expected to open in the next week or so is Res Ipsa, an apparel company featuring one-of-a-kind unisex clothing, shoes and accessories made from vintage kilims sourced and manufactured in Marrakech, Morocco.
The name Res Ipsa comes from the Latin term “res ipsa loquitur” (pronounced: rayz ip-sah loh-quit-her) which translates to “the thing speaks for itself.”
Founders Joshua Moore and Odini Gogo are former lawyers who started out trying to create fun and interesting ties they could sell to their colleagues. The Latin name connects them to their legal careers, because Latin phrases are common in the law, explained co-founder Josh Moore when we spoke this weekend.
In 2013, they launched a line of ties made by the same tie maker who worked for fashion legend Ralph Lauren, said Moore. While traveling looking for fabrics for their ties, the two visited Morocco and discovered the word of vintage kilims at local bazaars, inspiring them to develop a line of unique apparel and accessories.
“There is so much beauty in the world already,” explained Moore. “By repurposing vintage kilims and dead stock textiles, we are breathing new life into these materials and reducing some of the waste in the apparel industry.”
Moore and Gogo live in Apsen but they spend a lot of time in LA when they are not traveling the world sourcing unique materials for their products, which are manufactured in their Marrakech atelier.
“We make all our own products. There are limited runs of special items so when they are sold out, that’s it,” said Moore. “When you see it, if you love it, you should buy it!”
Each store features the company’s signature items as well as items that are unique to each location. Moore told us the Larchmont store will feature an aubergine color, which they have never used before in a store. He said the small space allows them to create a jewel box setting for their products.
The Larchmont location joins others in Aspen, Vail, Nantucket as well as two other LA locations, Malibu and Culver City. Moore said they learned about Larchmont from a family member several years ago, but nothing was available on the street.
“We have always liked Larchmont,” said Moore. “It’s like a hidden gem, it has a great vibe and a strong sense of community.”
While Larchmont is not as well known as their other locations, Moore explained that it is known by local insiders.
“If you know, you know, and that works for us. We like to locate stores in places where we’d like to shop,” said Moore. LA is such a dynamic city. It’s filled with interesting neighborhoods that are always changing.”
Res Ipsa products featured on Instagram.
