Los Angeles turned out in style to greet the inaugural Design West Hollywood (March 4-6, 2025). The celebration saw aspire design and home magazine join forces with the West Hollywood Design District to salute the area’s 75-year tradition of design excellence. The enthusiastic participation of this vibrant community promises more exciting celebrations and impressive design to come.
Design industry leaders both locally and beyond were eager to attend — with exclusive invitations prompting over 5,500 RSVPs for an exciting variety of events. Mixers offered chances for the design community to network and interface in other invaluable ways. Panels brought bold and thoughtful ideas to mind, creating timely conversations. And parties proved necessary opportunities for release and reconnection.
Gratifyingly, our partnership with LA CAN DO’s Soft Landing Project will see thousands of dollars go to support their efforts to provide greatly-needed furnishings to victims of recent wildfires. Read on for more details of what went on at Design West Hollywood 2025.
Photography by Jester Jungco
Design West Hollywood Started with a Bang
The celebration swiftly reached full swing at Minotti Los Angeles. The Minotti showroom celebrated a milestone of its own: marking 20 years of delivering fabulous furnishings to the West Hollywood Design District. Community leader and force of nature Mary Ta called on LA Creatives to unite — supporting one another’s endeavors. That spirit of coming together resonated as glasses were raised and the full house grooved to live music in an impeccable setting.
West Hollywood Showrooms Rolled Out the Welcome
The next morning, a welcome breakfast at Rose Tarlow Melrose House got the day started right. The crowd was fortified with crepes and coffee drinks — enjoyed among the showrooms always-impressive offerings.
An enthralling exchange of ideas was in store next, when Design West Hollywood proceeded to Luminaire. Known for its purposeful juxtapositions of fine art and furnishings, the showroom was an appropriate spot to host the panel “Beyond the Interchangeable: When Art, Architecture and Design Work Together.” Lars Hypko offered words of welcome to the excited crowd, and aspire editor Paul Hagen introduced a panel featuring developer Mauricio Oberfeld, art advisor John Wolf, curator Wil Phearson III, and artist Todd Williamson. There were frank observations about the best ways to go about appreciating, purchasing and displaying art. The conversation also touched upon the turning point Los Angeles faces as it continues to create the ultimate aspirational juxtapositions of art and those elements that surround it.
West Hollywood’s place at the center of the entertainment industry got the spotlight in “The Power of Set Design: Hollywood’s Influence on Home Interiors” at Porcelanosa. They gathered before an appropriately dramatic backdrop of pouring rain. Moderated by aspire Editor in Chief Amy Sneider, the panel brought together the talents of designers Peter Gurski, Claudia Roque, and Kathleen Widomski to discuss production design behind the scenes. The tea spilled about secret inspirations behind iconic sets was so hot, no amount of rain could have cooled the proceedings.
Design West Hollywood: The Serious and the Sincere
A pivotal moment during the event came at the MASS Beverly showroom where a standing-room-only crowd came together for “Iconic LA: The Past, Present and Future of an Architectural Legend.” aspire Deputy Editor Jennifer Quail led the discussion that was designed to both reflect and inspire, and to open the collective thought process that will help LA to heal and rise up. The conversation brought together eight top creative minds to discuss LA’s historic status as an architectural icon; the cultural and personal significance of the buildings, homes and communities that were lost to the wildfires; and an abundance of ideas for how to move forward together and envision the future of this iconic city: Jamie Bush, architect and founder of Jamie Bush + Co; Andre Herrero, architect and principal at Charlap Hyman & Herrero; Adam Hunter, interior designer, founder of Adam Hunter Inc and founder of LA CAN DO; David Montalba, architect and founding principal of Montalba Architects; Paul McClean, architect and founder of McClean Design; Jaime Rummerfield, interior designer, founder of Rummerfield’s and co-founder of Save Iconic Architecture; Kelly Schandel, interior designer and founder of thinkpure; and Huay Wee, creative director, architectural design, RIOS.
An intimate contingent next headed to eggersmann to enjoy exceptional pours by iBest Wines along with a look at new designs, finishes, and innovations. And the weather may have called for a change of venue from the rooftop to the gracious lobby of La Peer Hotel, but spirits were not dampened as designers, industry insiders and valued events partners rubbed elbows in a fun atmosphere.
Dishing Fashion and a Poetic Surprise
Thursday’s festivities began among the luxe textiles of Mansour. Esteemed owner Benjamin Soleimani greeted the attendees before handing the microphone to aspire editor Paul Hagen — moderating for a panel of top LA tastemakers. Among them were designer Claudia Afshar, eponymous showroom owner Thomas Lavin, designer Julia Wong, and Ray Azoulay of Obsolete fame. The theme for discussion was “Home Couture: The Rising Influence of Fashion Brands in Interior Design.” Panelists took on all aspects of the phenomenon — namechecking the likes of Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford, Gucci, Armani and Dior. But the conversation was wide-ranging — ultimately touching upon topics from trends in ancient textiles to why some brands get tired while others remain on top.
The tone of the conversation continued to be elevated at a luncheon at Leica LA Gallery. With support from Voltaic and Petrossian West Hollywood. Guests enjoyed exceptional comestibles and refreshments while perusing the work of notable photographers such as Joel Meyerowitz and Barbara Davidson. The assembled were even treated to an impromptu performance of poetry from Hussain Manawer, which was met with tears and rapturous applause.
Looking Forward to Global Design and Next Year
BoConcept, alongside sponsor Studio M Lighting, welcomed a packed house eager to dive into the global melting pot of design. aspire Deputy Editor Jennifer Quail led the conversation on “The Evolution of Global Design” and the role designers from West Hollywood, and all around Los Angeles, play in it. Panelists Cesar Giraldo, founder and principal designer of César Giraldo Design, Richard Landry, president and founder of Landry Design Group, Ryan Saghian, founder and principal designer of Ryan Saghian Interior Design Studio and U.S. partner and owner of the new Eichholtz Los Angeles flagship showroom and Huma Sulaiman, founder and creative director of Huma Sulaiman Design, touched on the importance of travel to a designer’s creativity, how global influences enhance and enliven interiors, and places around the world where creativity is having a moment — hint: keep your eyes on Mexico, Brazil and Singapore, to name just a few.
And the event ended in style with Florim opening the doors of its stunning new West Hollywood showroom. Guests gathered to raise a glass one more time — from bubbles to Ravella sipping tequila — sharing favorite insights and bon mots from throughout the multi-day salute to design excellence in West Hollywood. And if early excitement for Design West Hollywood 2026 is any indication, it points the way to many more vibrant celebrations ahead.
A special thanks to Éclat Public Relations, the official PR partner for Design West Hollywood, who played a key role in elevating the event’s visibility and influence; Maison Perrier for providing sparkling water for all events during Design West Hollywood; and to all of our our supporting sponsors: Boffi e DePadova, California Closets, Christopher Guy, Clive Christian, Custom Comfort Mattress, E Braun & Co, Eichholtz, Kollo, Neolith, Nippon Express, Peroni and Walker Zanger.
Like what you see? Get it first with a subscription to aspire design and home magazine.