Tim Kaeding, Ava Phillippe, Lela Becker, and Alexandra ShippStefanie Keenan/Getty Images
Just four days before its scheduled unveiling party in January 2025, Mother’s Pacific Palisades store was destroyed in the devastating Los Angeles fires. In the aftermath, co-founders Lela Becker and Tim Kaeding began scouting new locations, ultimately landing on Beverly Hills for their inaugural flagship. “We were in shock, but we needed to do the best to move on and regroup, which is kind of the Mother-like way to operate,” Becker told Vogue at the unveiling of the gigantic brick-and-mortar location, which the duo has nicknamed “the big boy.”
After the long road to opening night, Mother had plenty of reason to celebrate—and celebrate they did. Despite the 92-degree Los Angeles heat, fashionable fans of the brand arrived in droves, and the 3,850-square-foot space (which houses denim, ready-to-wear, outerwear, knits, and accessories, alongside limited-edition products and seasonal exclusives) was packed from the jump. “It’s so great to have people from the past 16 years see this come to fruition with us,” Becker said.
Clad in an understated white tee and slouchy denim, The Hunting Wives star Brittany Snow could be seen mingling with her co-star Jaime Ray Newman while waiting in line at the bar, which was serving cherry-flavored cocktails and wine. Close by, Alexandra Shipp and Ava Phillippe were deep in conversation. Model Jasmine Tookes, meanwhile, was on the other side of the space, posing up a storm in the retro phone booth, while Salem Mitchell headed to the very back of the space as a caviar cart rolled out. Other guests who stopped by to support included Meena Harris, Aurora James, Christie Tyler, Rocky Barnes, and Alexia Ioannou, many of whom took the opportunity to hang out in the ’60s-inspired conversation pit.
DJ Mei Kwok honored the late Dolly Parton—a Mother icon, if there ever was one—with some of her greatest hits, which was just the thing to hype up the crowd. Chatter from partygoers circulated the room about how the store opening event was unlike others they’ve attended in the past, in large part due to the lively dance floor. “We’ve done a few parties like this in the past where they start at 7 p.m., and it feels like you’re at a club or late-night party, but then it ends and you’re like, wait, it’s only 10 o’clock and I can go to bed,” Becker said with a laugh.
Yes, the bash wrapped up at a reasonable hour—but not without the quintessential end to any night: a pizza delivery from Mulberry Street Pizzeria next door, served atop a vintage white El Camino parked outside the flagship.
