Fashion & Shopping Shrine: Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills

Julia Roberts shopped there in “Pretty Woman.” Leonardo DeCaprio shops here when he’s in town. So did my family. But we didn’t have the carefree attitude or unlimited budget these high rolling stars did when we strolled down the three blocks of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills –– featuring probably the most expensive shops in the US. Over the years, it’s become a magnet for tourists and locals alike with an unparalleled collection of fashion shrines.

We saw the shops of world-class jewelers like Harry Winston, Cartier and Tiffany’s. We saw the boutiques of Armani, Badgley Mischka, Chanel, Christian Dior, Coco Chanel, Dolce, Gabbana, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Valentino, YSL, and Prada — with an absolutely stunning $40-million storefront with glass dressing rooms that turn opaque when you enter them.

At 420 Rodeo Drive, you’ll find the world’s most expensive store: Bijan. Here, you must make an appointment in advance. And on a typical visit, Bijan’s average customer spends about $100,000 on men’s fashions, which range from a $50 pair of socks to $15,000 suits.

At 2 Rodeo Drive (at the corner of Wilshire), the street features a European face lift, which is a coincidence because many of its patrons have had them, too. Like a street in Roma, this Italian cobblestone street features Versace and other high end shops with facades of brick, stone and marble.

Bored with shopping, we spent a few hours in the Museum of Television & Radio, where you can select old TV, Radio and TV ads to view and smile over. A Peter Sellers Tribute runs from July 8 through October 2.