Travel and the desire to learn about new destinations have always been at the heart of Merlette, and in that spirit, we are bringing you a new series dedicated to visiting the neighborhoods of inspiring collaborators. Director and photographer Dana Boulos is sought after for her color-rich imagery and ultra-cool vision, so it’s no surprise that her take on LA mixes icons with under-the-radar finds. Read on for her very personal City Guide and why she loves Los Angeles (and thinks you should too).
Q: How would you describe your neighborhood?
A: My neighborhood is pretty suburban, which I really enjoy for the quietness.
Q: How would you describe the styling of each outfit you put together for the shoot?
A: For each look, I wanted to create a different type of feeling, from running errands to watching a movie to enjoying the light breeze at the reservoir.
Q: What appeals to you about Merlette's clothing for wearing out in LA?
A: The fabric is so beautiful and lightweight that you can dress it up with heels to run errands in sneakers or ballet flats.
Q: What's your go-to at Cafe Figaro?
A: I always order an English breakfast tea with a strawberry tart. Cafe Figaro feels like you're in a small cafe in Paris.
Q: Favorite movie you've seen at Los Feliz Vintage Cinema?
A: I'm a part of the American Cinematheque that the Los Feliz theater hosts. My favorite nights are when they play older films that you can't find online. A Swedish Love Story directed by Roy Andersson was my all-time favorite.
Q: What do you do when you spend time at the Reservoir? Music or podcasts or nothing to listen to?
A: I've spent my time at the Silver Lake Reservoir through a bunch of different times of the day from working out to having lunch under the trees to watching the sunset with my bf while sharing music. It's a special place to my heart. If I'm at the park alone I'll listen to jazz.
Q: As a visual person professionally, how much do the aesthetics of a place mean to you in terms of spending time there?
A: It's really about the feeling rather than the aesthetics of the place that keeps me coming back.
Q: L.A. is notorious for its traffic. What's your take on moving around L.A. and what makes someplace worth going to?
A: OOOOF! Yes, the traffic can drive me insane. I tend to play long podcasts while I'm stuck on the freeway. When you live in Los Angeles it's like living in a completely different type of reality, sometimes things feel like a movie, and other times, it makes you realize the truth.
It's quite hard to explain in words but I'll leave you with this short poem to think about:
"Standing directly in front of the Hollywood sign, I can feel its majestic pull. All nine letters, each one 45 feet tall and 30 feet wide. Built-in 1923, an 18-month ad campaign that's lasted 96 years and counting. It's taken on a life of its own promising many things to many people. All I've ever wanted from it is to sit there and look good, and it's never let me down.” - Iris Berry
DANA’S FAVORITES:
Academy Museum of Motion: film museum with all the Oscars
Los Feliz Vintage 3 Cinema: movie theater
Cafe Figaro: coffee
Stories: bookstore
Horses: restaurant
Sunset Tower Hotel: late night drinks
Jeffrey Deitch: art gallery
Silver Lake Reservoir: park
Chateau Marmont: dinner
Photos by: Emmanuelle Pickett
