OFF THE BEATEN TRACK FUNKY WARES FOR DISCERNING SHOPPERS.

Byline: - Barbara Correa

Only a few blocks away from a mega-mall, the Lawton sisters, Monique and Bridgitta, are offering Valley girls an alternative to big-box retail shopping at Lolita, their 3-month-old boutique on Ventura Boulevard.

``It's for people who want one-on-one attention,'' said Monique Lawton, a native of Granada Hills and recent graduate of California Institute of the Arts. ``We want people to feel they can ask us for anything.''

Lolita sells eclectic fashions by local designers, such as air-brushed graffiti T-shirts with slogans like ``Gimme a break with the melodrama.'' But it also has elegant sweaters, handmade scarves and jumpsuits, at prices that won't break the bank - an outfit can be had easily for under $100.

The boutique was born when Bridgitta, a manicurist who'd always dreamed of working as a fashion designer, finally decided there was more to life than painting other people's fingernails.

``I was miserable at my job. I called (Monique) out of the blue and said, I want to open a clothing store - do you want to do it with me? That was last March.''

So far, Lolita seems to have struck a nerve. ``In the first two weeks, they did $6,500,'' said Peter Kraus, an entrepreneur trainer at the Valley Economic Development Center and the Lawton sisters' mentor.

Over on Canoga Park's antique row, Eleanor Goodchild and her vintage jewelry store Collectible Glitz, Miss La De Da's, serve another fashion niche: women who love jewelry of every era and every price.

The jewels are laid out according to color and category, with ropes of pearls hanging together in one display and an entire case of 1920s art deco at another. There's also '70s costume jewelry and even $3 earrings for dressing up without spending a fortune.

``We are about celebrating life,'' said Goodchild, who adds that she offers another vintage service from the past: layaway at no interest.

Across the street from Miss La De Da's, vintage fashion store Aardvark's is still swinging after 30 years in business.

Much of that comes from repeat customers from the fashion, music and film world, who could shop on Melrose but prefer the Valley store. ``We get costume designers ... people come from Santa Barbara, San Diego and back East,'' said Francis Bezkorowajny, longtime manager of the chain's Canoga Park branch. ``Japanese people come twice a year and they spend $1,000 each time.''

On a recent visit to the store, a note was tacked up reminding staff that Hashimoto, a vintage clothing seller in Tokyo and 10-year repeat customer, would be making his semiannual appearance January 17.

Sometimes, Hollywood set designers come in, shopping for fashion from a certain period. ``They ask me, What should I get?'' Bezkorowajny said. ``I go around and tell them what to buy. But I'm sure they make a lot more money than I do.''

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

(color) Collectible Glitz - Miss La De Da's owner Elanor Goodchild, left and Kimberly Garcia at the store on Sherman Way in Canoga Park.

Tina Burch