06/18/08

Mean and nasty owner

by samlidell

How they can possibly have 4 and a 1/2 stars with 3 out of 4 reviews giving it a 1 is a testament to how messed up this town really is! I came in last week (dressed in head to toe labels - not that that should make any difference at all!) to look for a wedding dress and all I found was a rude and nasty owner who made it VERY clear that since I am not a celebrity she had nothing to show me. How odd considering supposedly they have over 1000 designer vintage pieces? Interesting.... Here's a tip Rita, there are plenty of people in this town who will spend money on a designer vintage gown and the majority of them are NOT celebrities. If you are looking for great designer vintage try Paper Bag Princess, Resurrection or Decades but what ever you do remember that the weathered, uninspiring pieces at Lily et cie are not worth the hostile service you will receive.

• Pros: If you are a sadomasochist and enjoy being treated like a gnarly piece of gum on the bottom of a shoe this place is great!
• Cons: Not so special items at very high prices with extremely bad service

06/15/08

Lily et Cie in LA is charming, with great service!

by Fleet8

Yesterday I went to shop at Lily et Cie. After reading the negative reviews on this City Search site, I steeled myself before entering the shop. From the moment I entered until I left, the owner (Rita) and a young employe (Marcus), were unfailingly cordial and helpful. Marcus approached me with a smile and an obvious desire to help. I asked if they carreied (a larger size) and he pointed me in that direction, kindly. I did not make a purchase but I did consider one lovely piece and Rita spent time explaining how it should be altered.

I believe that if one looks presentable and I do not mean expensively dressed, and if one has an open and friendly manner, then owners and salespersons anywhere will welcome you. I entered this charming shop in khakis and Keds but I was (I hope) pleasant and polite. Perhaps.those who posted negative comments should consider how they presented themselves to the shop owners? Nasty and defensive gets you nowhere.

• Pros: Employes were helpful and pateient. So was Rita, the owner! Browsing makes one appreciate the beauty of Ms. Watnick's selectons.
• Cons: Not enough larger sizes, which is not the fault of the shop!

05/26/08

Lily et Cie ya never again

by liyah8786

Shopping should be a pleasant experience for the customer, not a hostile one. Plus, the owner is a total poser. Don't step foot in there.

• Pros: Nice things
• Cons: Not so nice atmosphere, and I don't mean aesthetically

02/28/08

Atrocious customer service, almost abusive.

by maryjay1

STEER CLEAR. The owner, Rita Watnick, is monstrous. She treated me terribly, as though I, a mere mortal, had no business being in her shop. She has an awful reputation for being condescending--at best-- if you are not a celebrity or extremely wealthy, but nothing prepared me for that kind of treatment. I was looking for a gown (and was prepared to spend a lot of money, not that it should matter), but she clearly didnt view me as "VIP" enough, and the old witch let me know it. I left her shop almost in tears. It is astonishing that someone in retail could behave with such hostility toward people. I don't care how extensive her collection of vintage is, it does not justify her behavior. Anyone who treats people like that clearly has some anger issues and is deeply insecure about ..something. I would not usually bother to write a review like this and waste my time on somebody like that, but people need to know. Rita Watnick is toxic and shopping at Lily et cie is an extremely negative experience.

• Cons: abusive owner

04/06/07

Where the stars go to get their vintage Chanel and Gucci gowns.

by Contributor

The Goods
Dedicated to putting forth one Oscar dress a year, the fabled Lily helped kick off Hollywood's vintage trend. Her collections have an excellent pedigree--over 25 years and counting--but aren't for the thrifty. The racks are packed with iconic Yves St. Laurent blouses, Pucci, Balenciaga and Givenchy dresses and Gucci and Chanel suits.

The Scene
Owner Rita Watnick coddles her celeb and Beverly Hills clients, emphasizing personal tailoring, which is vital for the lush, form-fitting articles from the '40s, '50s and '60s. Accordingly, her gowns, cocktail dresses and haute couture eveningwear have a flawless reputation. She always purveys handbags by the likes of Hermes and Judith Leiber, not to mention jewelry by William de Lillo and Kenneth Jay Lane.