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Inside the Most Under-the-Radar Concept Shop in L.A.

It also happens to be the best.

Interiors
Inside the Most Under-the-Radar Concept Shop in L.A.
Tristan Kallas

Paola Russo likes to surprise people. Which is why, when you enter her store, Just One Eye in L.A., you don’t go through a front door (it’s locked), but through a hidden side door. If you come in just looking to purchase a pair of rainbow platform Gucci sneakers (you know the ones), you may wind up reading a book on Renaissance jewels or staring at a polka-dot painting by Damien Hirst instead. When you ask Paola about the store’s name, you still don’t get what you expect. There’s actually no meaning behind it, but instead, a miscommunication due to a French language barrier that involves Angelina Jolie and an eye patch.

Moving to L.A. from France originally to pursue dancing, Paola ended up working in fashion. She fell in love with a building with a view of the Hollywood sign and decided to set up shop—of course, not just *any* shop, but a concept store that sells Lanvin and Gucci and also houses art pieces from Takashi Murakami and Nate Lowman.

From time to time, Paola finds a way to fuse her passion for art and fashion by doing one-of-a-kind collaborations. Think a Disaster Relief Kit that has a night-vision scope (that the Navy Seals actually use) and a cashmere blanket (obviously). Or that black patent leather Nile crocodlie backpack decorated with pills and spots, worth $55,000, that was designed by The Row and Damien Hirst. NBD!

Scroll through to take a virtual shopping trip to Just One Eye and read how Paola buys for the store, who her favorite upcoming designer is, and what the real story behind the store’s name is.


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“I moved to L.A. a very long time ago, like 30 years ago. I always did a lot of back and forth. I was a dancer, and I moved out when I was 19 years old, and I came back, and after being tired of dancing, I started in fashion. 30 years later, here I am.”
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