Kohl's Corrals Talent in New Santa Monica Hub

Designers working for Kohl's Corp. brands such as those inspired by Jennifer Lopez and Vera Wang will find a new home in Santa Monica on Monday.

Kohl's announced Wednesday that its second design studio—its first on the West Coast—will open on Colorado Avenue to "harness the unique talents of design professionals in Southern California."

The opening will coincide with the expansion of its design center in New York, where design development for some of the department store chain's brands is headquartered.

The 6,000-square-foot studio at 2700 Colorado Ave. in Santa Monica, in the expansive building, will house 20 designers and graphic artists.

"To support the growth and incredible success we've experienced with our exclusive brands, it's important our New York design office has a space that can sustain existing brands while allowing for additional growth of our brand portfolio," said Peggy Eskenasi, Kohl's senior executive vice president of product development said in a press release.

Kohl's opened its original 23,000-square-foot New York design office at 1359 Broadway in January 2007. It currently houses 140 designers and support associates to manage the design and development of 13 brands, including: Simply Vera Vera Wang, Princess Vera Wang, Food Network, ELLE, Elle Décor, Dana Buchman, Candie's, Chaps Home, FILA Sport, Jennifer Lopez, Bobby Flay and LC Lauren Conrad.