Since Tuesday morning, the Los Angeles wildfires have ravaged the Pacific Palisades, Pasadena and Altadena neighborhoods, causing the destruction of over 1,500 buildings, businesses and homes, and the evacuation of nearly 100,000 people. 

In the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, Palisades Villages, the shopping center founded by entrepreneur Rick Caruso and home to several luxury brands including Saint Laurent, Chanel Fragrance and Beauty boutique, Officine General, Isabel Marant, Jacques Marie Mage and Bottega Veneta, was apparently spared some of the fire damage. A tragedy that caused Rick Caruso, former losing candidate for mayor of Los Angeles in 2022, to react on Fox News. “There’s no water coming out of the fire hydrants,” said Caruso. “This is an absolute mismanagement by the city”.
 
Among the brands present at Palisades Village, Officine Générale and its founder Pierre Maheo confirmed this Thursday morning at 9 a.m. that they had avoided the worst, despite the fires being very close. The use of a liquid retardant would have saved the shopping center. Meanwhile, fashion label Misa Los Angeles announced the closure of its boutique until further notice. Finally, jeweller Jennifer Meyer, also present at the shopping center, had to evacuate her Pacific Palisades home, which was threatened by flames.

Located at the entrance to Palisades Village, luxury women’s multi-brand Elyse Walker has seen its boutique burn to the ground. “25 years ago, I opened my first store in the Palisades, and it quickly became more than just my business,” said Walker on her Instagram account. “It became my community. I built my business there, raised my kids there and made relationships there, where friends, clients and colleagues became like family. While we take time to heal, there is one thing I am confident in. This community always shows up for each other. Together we will mourn, heal and eventually rise up.”

Neighboring Pacific Village, Brentwood was also evacuated. In addition to the home of Vice President Kamala Harris placed under evacuation, the Brentwood Country Mart also saw its stores close. Designer Clare Vivier, who celebrated her birthday yesterday, closed all her boutiques throughout Los Angeles. “To prioritize the safety of our team and community, our Brentwood Country Mart, Santa Monica, Silverlake and West Hollywood shops are closed today.”

Known as one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Los Angeles, with an average house price of $4.5 million, Pacific Palisades has seen a number of celebrities evacuated as well. These included Ben Affleck, Mandy Moore, Adam Brody, Diane Keaton, Tom Hanks and singer and stylist Heidi Pratt and her husband Spencer Pratt. Coincidence or not, Beverly Hills hotels such as the Beverly Hills Hotel and the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills are all fully booked. American model Carolyn Murphy recently shared on Instagram the loss of her home at Pacific Palisades. 

In East Los Angeles, in Altadena, a neighborhood also largely ravaged by flames, artist and director Mandy Moore confided on her Instagram account that she had to evacuate. “I love you Altadena. Grateful for my family and pets getting out last night before it was too late. Honestly, I’m in shock and feeling numb for all so many have lost, including my family.”

Sacha Strebe, Australian Los Angeles-based editorial editor and founder of lifestyle media Eyeswoon, saw her Altadena home destroyed by fires.

On Wednesday evening, a new fire, the Sunset Fire, broke out between Runyon Canyon and Wattles Park, forcing the evacuation of thousands of residents. Forced to evacuate, French stylist Philippe Uter, who collaborates for actress Meagan Good and actor Noah Schnapp, confessed his dismay to Fashionnetwork.com.

“I could see the flames of Runyon Canyon from my balcony. An apocalyptic scene. I packed my things without thinking and left. Besides the risk to our lives, the fear of losing everything, it’s also an important part of Hollywood’s economy that’s going to be put on hold in the next few days,” he said.

Several high-profile events have already postponed or cancelled their dates. The Critics Choice Awards 2025 have been delayed two weeks and will finally be held on Sunday January 26. The Writers Guild said its postponing the release of its annual WGA Awards nominations. Numerous premieres have been cancelled in Hollywood and several production on television shows paused for the time being. 

In the face of tragedy, some brands have decided to show their solidarity. This Wednesday evening, the BAA brand, Bel Air Athletics, co-founded by Will Smith and Ben Priest, decided to offer core garments to “our LA families devastated by the fires”, and will begin distribution in the coming days.
 
Unfortunately, more bad news is expected in the coming days. Four major fires continue to spread at the time of writing.