My fiancé and I had a Sunday adventure to head down to Costa Mesa to interview a wedding photographer husband and wife team. The kindly couple steered us away from the nearby South Coast Plaza Mall complex that I'd heard about, but have had the good fortune of avoiding. They knew of our green proclivities and directed us past the megamall-a-saurus to The Camp, an alt-shopper 'anti-mall' created by Shaheen Sadeghi back in 2002. It's actually a two part complex that consists of "The Lab" directly across the street, as well. Sadeghi built The Lab shopping center out of recycled military structures back in 1993, then nine years later added The Camp, which boasts grass roofs, solar power and a water filtration system that prevents ocean runoff.
The complex is definitely a mecca for putting the hip in hippie as both hipsters, action sports/outdoor enthusiasts and mod-hippies conveniently cruise around the facility. Among its tenants are Active Ride Shop, which caters to skateboarders, snowboarders and surfers; Adventure 16, a camping, hiking and climbing outfitter, a fully vegan Native Foods, Patagonia, Harlow Boutique, and raw food joint 118 degrees. There's a large scuba center where you can get certified, a cycle shop, and even a bikram yoga facility.
Sadeghi has clearly been a pioneer with a keen eye on youth culture marrying urban-hip, organic and action sports together. Sadhegi from what I've read is my kind of entrepreneur--one who has experienced many different, interesting and risk taking gigs from working with renowned couturier Charles James (who cited nature as his biggest source of inspiration in his work) at the Chelsea Hotel back in its heyday to making dresses for celebrity clients and winning the New York Designers award in 1977. He also manned the helm of Quicksilver alongside one of the all- time power players of surf Bob McKnight.
Through his diverse experience, he has been able to see ahead of the curve where Gen X, Gen Y and the baby boomers used to be neatly compartmentalized and separated by cultural rifts, to a place where old and young care about eating well, the environment and a more balanced lifestyle. He sees that creative merchandising and design that appeals to cultural commonalities tap into people’s emotions and simultaneously create a community. In this case, one focused more on well-being and positive life experience than the norm.
Now my question is when will something like The Camp open up in LA?!
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