The red carpets of Hollywood premieres are really the last stop for fashion. The first stop for real Angeleno fashionistas is Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM), which also houses a museum dedicated to LA looks.

Founded in 1978 and expanded in 2000, the FIDM Museum is located in the heart of LA's Fashion District. It's dedicated to exploring the role of fashion, costumes and textiles in society and throughout history. The museum houses more than 10,000 costumes, accessories and textiles from the 18th century through the present day, including film and theater costumes—which happens to be one of the largest such collections in the US. Not surprisingly, the museum boasts some top runway designer holdings including Chanel, YSL, Dior and Lacroix. Each year, the museum presents "The Art of Motion Picture Costume Design," a showcase of costumes from the year's best films as well as a collection of costumes nominated for Academy Awards. While its awards-centric exhibition might be its most popular, the museum also serves as an interim home for traveling exhibitions, student work and unique installations.