I am a little addicted to the Californian lifestyle. I’ve spent the last few weeks out there working (with an occasional beach escape of course) and it’s hard not to fall in love with the place.

For starters, there is the magic of the ‘desert’ climate - well into the 90’s but yet totally manageable with a regular and very pleasant breeze - and by nightfall a cool air befalls the place.
 
This is truly wonderful when planning a work wardrobe. It means that there is an abundance of wearable warm weather wardrobe choices with a nippy chill in the evening meaning the fitted cropped summer blazers and embellished cardigans can come out without you feeling the heat! Totally worth the overweight baggage charge I’ll tell you!
 
Aside from the endless red carpet events night after night (does get a little too much sometimes), the city has the coolest burgeoning fashion scene.
 
I recall back in 2006 when I was approached by the founder of the LA Fashion Awards, Jennifer Uner, to partner with her event with the Scottish Fashion Awards. Their predicament was a little similar to ours in that they were trying to change negative fashion perceptions.
 
Whilst they were trying to eradicate the views that LA was all Baywatch and bikinis, we were trying to fly a fashionable flag that didn’t always incorporate kilts, tartan and twin sets!
 
I must say having checked out the scene in 2012, I was thoroughly impressed. In fact it’s my new fashion hot spot.
 
There are of course the highly clean, almost clinical palm-lined streets of Rodeo Drive and Beverly Hills, with an abundance of high-end designer stores like Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani, Bvlgari and Bijan.
 
You can forget the latter unless you have an appointment. Walk up to the door to attempt entry and you will be met by a impeccable bouncer who will explain that this is an ‘appointment only store’…
 
Dubbed ‘the most expensive store in the world’, Bijan was founded by the late Bijan Pakzad in 1976 and well known in fashion circles for dressing some of the world’s most influential men drom Barak Obama, Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush to Arnold Schwarzenegger (naturally), Tom Cruise, Jay Leno, Usher and even Tony Blair! (who would have thought a British Prime Minister would have such extravagant fashion tastes).
 
Over the years the late owner, and now his son, have parked their collection of very ostentatious cars outside the store’s front door, always in canary yellow – yes – it’s their brand colour!
 
Can you imagine a Bugatti Veyron, Rolls Royce Phantom and Ferrari all in the most cringe worthy canary yellow. The tourists love it – despite that not one of them will ever get to enter the store!
 
Take a cab to Melrose Avenue and it really starts to get interesting. In reality you are far more likely to star spot in Melrose on any given day, than on Rodeo.
 
My top tip would be Maxfield, a gem of store stocking the work of the fabulous Californian Rick Owen (now based out of Paris) with his ultra modern aesthetic collections, Balmain, plus a glorious selection of vintage and new Chanel pieces. There’s also Masaaki Homma with his Mastermind Japanese label.
 
It’s a voyage of pure discovery, from high-end fashion to finding rare works of literature and coffee table bibles of hard to find out-of-print must-have books - and you can take your hubby as they have a wonderful menswear department too.
 
There are loads of wonderful little shops on Melrose; from vintage stores to designer boutiques. My dear friend Rankin has his studio there too. Driving by, I spotted the inimitable Pam Hogg in one of Rankin’s portraits along with the countless celebrities and fashion icons he has shot. (You see us Scots are everywhere).
 
But there’s more to Los Angeles than luxury labels and red carpets. It’s home to a host of upcoming labels and top Californian designers - many appearing at the LA Fashion Week which takes place in October. Established designer Kevan Hall is a red carpet favourite of many A listers and can be found on Bond Street, Hollywood. Then there’s one of my personal favourites, Isaiah Garza.
 
Garza is a larger than life figure who embodies the American dream (he moved to the US as penniless young man). He bagged a job at MTV, has received sponsorships from brands for his fashion collection and then set up his own website – fashionmunster.com.
 
Garza is a young man who can persuade a fashion icon, model or rock star to pose in the now famous ‘fashion munster pose’.  Basically you take your hands in a claw like pose to camera! Works a treat I can tell you given his collection of models.
 
But it was his jewellery collection that struck me. Fierce, extremely detailed and not worn by the shy. These accessories will lift any outfit, in fact, with their abundance of layers, colour palette and dressage, they become the outfit.
 
Garza confirms to the psychology of most LA designers, which makes them more interesting and less stuck up.
 
When I spoke to Garza about the LA fashion scene he hit it on the nose.
 
“At one point fashion in LA wasn't taken too seriously. When I travel to NYC, a lot of people say the fashion in LA isn't as chic or sophisticated as the east coast fashion. A few years back I think people in LA were just ready to start showing that we too can create more than just a beach bum image. We aren't held to the same standards as a designer in New York I think.
 
“In my opinion this gives us more freedom and mystery behind what we want to design. People expect that ‘Baywatch’ style, but now we are becoming designers with our own perspective on things,” he said.
 
Garza continued to explain that LA is definitely the least established as far as fashion talent. But that also gives them an advantage.
 
“We don't necessarily have the same rules as everyone else. This gives us freedom to try new things and express ourselves in a way other cities haven't. NY, Milan and Paris all seem to have that standard and people expect nothing less than the best. Not saying LA can't give you the best, but we have the opportunity to try different things.”
 
There are a host of other designers to look out for when in LA, from Charlene K to the uber cool ‘casual-rich’ LA street wear brand JoyRich - all doing impressive international business.
 
And then there’s Jeffrey Campbell, one of the most sought after high street shoe designers on the market and still growing – super popular in our very own Scotland too.
 
So I leave LA with a sad face but, empowered by the talent carving its way there.
 
Apart from the lure of the pacific sunset, year round climate and competitive entertainment market, I love their culture, manner and general ‘can do’ attitude.
 
People are enthusiastic, passionate, determined and will do their utmost to make things happen. Perhaps it’s got something to do with the sunshine.