about happy LA
New to the LA fashion scene, happy LA recently opened its doors in the Pacific Palisades Highlands. With its “mod beach” look and décor, the boutique features a range of sought-after designers including Hudson, Genetic Denim, Chan Luu, Me & Ro, Mike & Chris, and Velvet, as well as emerging designers such as Diane Samandi, Madison Marcus, and Dear Cashmere.
With an interior design that brightens your mood and a collection of designs that will liven up your closet, the shop is the happiest 1,065 square feet in the area. Owned by Los Angeles natives Lori Bzura and Dawn Baker, happy LA conveys the easy elegance that the Palisades made famous. “I was really only interested in opening a boutique in the Palisades,” says Bzura, a local Palisades Highlands resident. “I love the way of life here. The women are so laidback and their wardrobe reflects that ease, without compromising their style and sophistication.”
happy LA shoppers benefit from Baker’s 10 years in fashion merchandising and production with J.Crew, Isaac Mizrahi, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, and Nicole Miller, and Bzura’s eye for emerging designers developed through her fashion experience in the Los Angeles area. Both Baker and Bzura had a hand in dressing television personalities: Baker as the Emmy-nominated costume designer for The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and Bzura as the supervisor of all on-air wardrobe decisions for Joan Lunden. Bzura also worked in production for the popular television show Sex and the City.
Like its target clientele, happy LA is fresh and fun, thanks in part to collaboration with interior designers Lara Fishman and Nina Perry of Storm Interiors. The décor is sleek and modern, with beachy accents and surfside style. The stained turquoise floor resembles ocean waves, and dressing rooms are enclosed with colorful and inviting Missoni beach towels. Hot pink patent leather tufting hugs the cash wrap to add retro glamour chic to the store. The high ceilings feature steel cables that connect to free-floating clothing racks to finish off the breezy, beachy vibe.
Bzura and Baker avoid carrying collections that are oversaturated in the Los Angeles market, and are respectful not to let high prices alienate their clientele; high priced items are kept to a minimum. “We are a clothing store first,” says Baker, “but we also carry the perfect elements to complete every look. It’s all about accessorizing with layers.” Baker and Bzura also offer “happy closet therapy,” their own personal shopping service for all happy LA clients.
Dawn Baker
Co-OwnerDawn Baker has more than 10 years experience in fashion merchandising and production as well as styling television personalities. Baker, along with co-owner Lori Bzura, opened happy LA in 2007 and oversees all aspects of the boutique’s operations.
Prior to launching happy LA, Baker worked as the costume stylist for The Ellen DeGeneres Show. She later took on the role of personal stylist for both Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi. Baker styled both women for special events, including The GRAMMYs, the Emmy Awards, the Screen Actors Guild Awards awards, and The People’s Choice Awards. In 2007, Baker was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design and Styling for her work on the show.
Before becoming a stylist, Baker graduated from Arizona State University in 1992 with a degree in textiles and clothing. She began her fashion career in New York City. Baker’s experience began in wholesale sales at CP Shades. From there, she moved into production with JCREW and onto merchandising for the ISAAC Isaac Mizrahi women’s wear line, where she helped develop the collection from conception to the end of the line.
Baker also worked with renowned designers Calvin Klein and Donna Karan, where she made her mark as an intricate part of each designer’s women’s wear division, acting as a liaison between the design, production, and sales teams. She created and planned the fabric and garment buys for each season and produced the market line lists for both Calvin Klein’s and Donna Karan’s sales teams.
In 2000, Baker ventured into the global fashion world as the merchandise liaison for Nicole Miller in Japan, while with Sankyo Seiko Co. Ltd. In this role, Baker worked daily with Nicole Miller to create seasonal concepts, themes, trends, and general direction for all licenses. She traveled seasonally from New York to Japan to approve all licensed and sub-licensed products.
Back in her native California, Baker and husband David have one daughter and reside in Brentwood.
Lori Bzura
Co-OwnerLori Bzura’s entrepreneurial spirit, combined with her fashion retail, television production, and publicity background make her the perfect partner and co-owner of happy LA. Along with Dawn Baker, Lori Bzura opened happy LA in 2007 and oversees all aspects of the boutique’s operations.
Prior to opening happy LA, Bzura ran her own retail shop, “lalita,” out of the Santa Monica store Barkley Hope. With an uncompromising eye, Bzura discovered up-and-coming designers as she learned what it takes to be a successful head buyer. This experience – along with a previous part-time position at the Pink Pineapple in Pacific Palisades, gave her important insight into the daily operations of a women’s retail business and prepped her for her next entrepreneurial endeavor, happy LA.
Bzura began her career in publicity and original programming for Home Box Office after graduating from the University of Michigan in 1994. She remained there for five years. Bzura then spent two years as the associate production coordinator on “Sex and the City,” where she facilitated the production efforts of 150 crewmembers. She served as a liaison between producers and various departments including casting, art, set decorating, props, construction, lighting, and wardrobe.
After “Sex and the City,” Bzura went on to work for television personality Joan Lunden, serving as Manager and as Director of Publicity for Lunden’s production company, New Life Entertainment. In this capacity, Bzura worked in conjunction with Lunden’s stylist, approving all on-camera wardrobe decisions. Bzura was also an integral part of the series “Behind Closed Doors with Joan Lunden” on the A&E network, along with booking Lunden's commercial endorsements and personal appearances.
Bzura and her husband, Andrew, have two sons and reside in Pacific Palisades.