By Michael Aushenker
Lookout Staff

November 16, 2011 -- One recent fall night, within the olive green and pale yellow walls of the chic, boutique Tribute, something special was going on.

“It’s a collection of things that I like,” said Leylie Aghili, the buyer and partner at the packed (albeit tiny) Montana Avenue clothing store.

The attractive, young Aghili, who attended Archer and UCLA, lives in Beverly Hills. But she clarified her true address. “I basically live here,” Aghili said.

Back in April, Aghili’s store enjoyed a soft opening. On this night, an affable young man named Walker, representing Prometheus Springs Capsaicin Spiced Elixir, which detoxifies and relieves congestion while it refreshes, is mixing up alcoholic concoctions of six varieties of the bottled drink.

Nearby, Aghili shifts through brands such as We Are Owls scarves and wraps.

“I’ve always been into fashion,” Aghili said. “I’ve worked in fashion editorial.”

Representatives from InStyle, E!, Glamour, Vogue and People magazines circulated as she spoke, inspecting everything from jackets (for lunch to cocktails) and sweaters inhabiting the store shelves.

“I love the textiles,” Aghili said. “I have a big emphasis on style over trend.” She added that she never loses touch with what’s timeless and what’s good.

Steve Libonati opened up Tribute’s predecessor, El Nat, with wife Lori. He joined forces with Aghili in the beginning of 2011 to launch Tribute.

“I knew her from a previous life,” he said. “We ran into each other again. I have so much appreciation for her as a buyer. She just has an incredible eye for big brands. She takes chances and finds news things!”

Some of those chances and new things include clothes by Kimberly Ovitz, “an edgier, downtown” designer, Rozae Nichols’ intricate lacing, Minden Chan, Sibel Saral and Wendy Reed.

Speaking of impressive rosters, Aghili’s resume includes a lot of writing: bios, press copy, fashion mags. She was also a ghostwriter on a book about wedding gowns. “I’ve always done retail,” she added.

Good,BadandFab.com writer Jenny Wu enjoyed what she saw.

“I’m very impressed by the store,” Wu said. “It has a good mix of well-known and independent brands.”

“My first impression is wearable clothing for the women in this neighborhood,” said Blaine Zuckerman, a freelance editor on staff at People. “There’s an emphasis of functional pieces, which in this economy is a particularly smart move.”

Zuckerman appreciates the “wearable clothing for the women in this neighborhood.” He said “it fits in beautifully with the Montana [Avenue] vibe. It’s got just enough attitude and just enough accessibility.”

For the past two years, Num Nontapun has owned Jarin K, the jewelry-maker storefront next door.

“It’s wonderful,” Nontapun said. “They have a beautiful clothing line. The clothing is high end, nice product. I’m impressed. It’s very nice.

“Right now, [Montana Avenue] caters to the core shoppers,” Nontapun continued. “The street is getting quieter, the stores carry brands that consumers want to buy.”

About 42 stores have closed on Montana since the beginning of the Great Recession, according to Nontapun, who believes that this little boutique next door can go the distance.

Paying tribute to Tribute, he said, “This place is perfect for people who dress a little more casual, but who are also fashionable and trendy.”