Jonathan Simkhai on L.A., creative inspiration and the SIMKHAI woman
Since moving from New York to L.A., Jonathan Simkhai has drawn inspiration from the city’s effortless sensuality and ease. Here, he reflects on L.A. as a creative muse, giving back to the community and how he’d style you for a night out on the town.
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Jonathan Simkhai on L.A., creative inspiration and the SIMKHAI woman
Since moving from New York to L.A., Jonathan Simkhai has drawn inspiration from the city’s effortless sensuality and ease. Here, he reflects on L.A. as a creative muse, giving back to the community and how he’d style you for a night out on the town.
Shop SIMKHAI
Jonathan Simkhai on L.A., creative inspiration and the SIMKHAI woman
Since moving from New York to L.A., Jonathan Simkhai has drawn inspiration from the city’s effortless sensuality and ease. Here, he reflects on L.A. as a creative muse, giving back to the community and how he’d style you for a night out on the town.
Your work captures an effortless, body-conscious sensibility. Is that a conscious design decision?
The idea of sculpted sensuality has been present since the brand’s inception. SIMKHAI is about empowering the wearer to look and feel their best. There’s an ease and effortlessness about it, but there’s a lot of craftsmanship and construction, too. California has had an impact on my designs, but the core DNA has always been there.
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Your work captures an effortless, body-conscious sensibility. Is that a conscious design decision?
The idea of sculpted sensuality has been present since the brand’s inception. SIMKHAI is about empowering the wearer to look and feel their best. There’s an ease and effortlessness about it, but there’s a lot of craftsmanship and construction, too. California has had an impact on my designs, but the core DNA has always been there.
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"L.A. is so vibrant. You can be out in nature so quickly. I love the positivity and the mix of creative fields across film and TV, fashion, beauty, art. I’ve always designed for an international customer who loves to travel.”
Jonathan Simkhai
If a friend was visiting L.A., where would you take them, and what should they wear?
We’d either go shopping in Beverly Hills, including a stop at SIMKHAI and an Erewhon smoothie, or to Nobu Malibu for lunch. An easy day dress would be perfect, like the Arlo, Hally or Christina, styled with the Cedonia sandal and white Wynn bag. By evening, it’s Sunset Tower or Charteau Marmont—an excuse to dress up in the Dahlia lace dress, Emilie sequin mini or Irisa beaded fringe dress, finished with layers of sparkle and the metallic Monet clutch.
If a friend was visiting L.A., where would you take them, and what should they wear?
We’d either go shopping in Beverly Hills, including a stop at SIMKHAI and an Erewhon smoothie, or to Nobu Malibu for lunch. An easy day dress would be perfect, like the Arlo, Hally or Christina, styled with the Cedonia sandal and white Wynn bag. By evening, it’s Sunset Tower or Charteau Marmont—an excuse to dress up in the Dahlia lace dress, Emilie sequin mini or Irisa beaded fringe dress, finished with layers of sparkle and the metallic Monet clutch.
Shop SIMKHAI
If a friend was visiting L.A., where would you take them, and what should they wear?
We’d either go shopping in Beverly Hills, including a stop at SIMKHAI and an Erewhon smoothie, or to Nobu Malibu for lunch. An easy day dress would be perfect, like the Arlo, Hally or Christina, styled with the Cedonia sandal and white Wynn bag. By evening, it’s Sunset Tower or Charteau Marmont—an excuse to dress up in the Dahlia lace dress, Emilie sequin mini or Irisa beaded fringe dress, finished with layers of sparkle and the metallic Monet clutch.
Shop SIMKHAI
How has your vision for SIMKHAI evolved?
We have stayed true to the original vision of marrying craftsmanship and modernity, but the brand has grown so much—with stores in New York, L.A., Dallas and the Hamptons, plus new categories spanning shoes, bags, swim and men’s. The future looks like continued growth, international expansion and new product categories, all grounded in the brand’s core DNA.
How has your vision for SIMKHAI evolved?
We have stayed true to the original vision of marrying craftsmanship and modernity, but the brand has grown so much—with stores in New York, L.A., Dallas and the Hamptons, plus new categories spanning shoes, bags, swim and men’s. The future looks like continued growth, international expansion and new product categories, all grounded in the brand’s core DNA.
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How to style
How has your vision for SIMKHAI evolved?
We have stayed true to the original vision of marrying craftsmanship and modernity, but the brand has grown so much—with stores in New York, L.A., Dallas and the Hamptons, plus new categories spanning shoes, bags, swim and men’s. The future looks like continued growth, international expansion and new product categories, all grounded in the brand’s core DNA.
Shop SIMKHAI
Beyond the runway and retail floor, what's the conversation you hope SIMKHAI is still sparking years from now?
I hope it’s between a mother and daughter, where the mother is passing down a SIMKHAI piece that is close to her heart. Perhaps it’s the dress she got engaged or married in, or just a great piece filled with happy memories. I hope these pieces will be handed down over generations.
