10/30/07
Amore, Lepore
Chicagoans have been shopping her feminine, bohemian apparel for years, and now Nanette Lepore opens her first Midwestern boutique in the former Jolie Joli space in Bucktown at 1623 North Damen Avenue (773-489-4500). Opening on Nov. 1st., just in time for cool weather, the boutique offers Lepore’s luxurious fall line, which features gorgeous jewel tones and lush fabrics such as velvets, satins, and tweeds. The collection offers a range from more formal eveningwear—a sequin shift dress ($370) and a sparkly brown cocktail dress ($410)—to more casual items such as a purple satin top with a keyhole front ($215) or a tweed bubble coat ($495). The store’s décor combines...
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10/23/07
Good Skinstincts
“Everything in the store is luxuriously soft on the skin,” says Shannon Gregory, co-owner of a new Boystown clothing boutique called Skinstinct (3343 N. Broadway Ave.; 773-857-6900). At the moment, the store specializes in stylish, soft basics for men and women such as tees, hoodies, sweatshirts, and turtlenecks—“clothes you wear when you want to cuddle up and be comfortable,” Gregory says. Prices are affordable; most options are under $100 and nothing costs more than $200. The store’s own line of bamboo and organic cotton apparel ranges from $20 to $69. You’ll also find jeans for women from Fried Denim, Vigoss, and Wax; the men’s jeans brands include 1921 and...
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10/16/07
Perchance to Shop
The new Lake View boutique Perchance (3512 N. Southport Ave.; 773-244-1300) strikes just the right note with its lush, vintage glam décor and feminine shoes, supplemented by a smart selection of women’s and children’s clothing and body products. Go vintage with the ‘40s-inspired shoes from Bettye Muller, such as the gray suede heel with a bow ($405) or the cute flats ($215) from Delman, the same brand Marilyn Monroe wore in her famous white-dress-over-the-grate photo. The heels from Anyi Lu, a former designer for Taryn Rose, have a shock-absorbing insole made from material invented by NASA, called Poron, for long-lasting comfort; the faux- croc patent heels are $345. You’ll also find an array of comfortable boot options,...
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10/09/07
Upscale Prep
The much anticipated Tory Burch (66 E. Walton St.; 312-280-0010, toryburch.com) outpost opens on Tuesday. The city’s fashion lovers have been shopping from her collections at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and city boutiques over the past several years. Burch’s line, which got a big boost when the designer appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, combines classic American sportswear with touches of vintage bohemian. Selections range from basics such as a fitted cashmere turtleneck ($275) to more glamorous items, including a va-va-voomy sequined tunic mini-dress ($795). Like the brand’s other nine locations nationwide, the Chicago store, with its orange walls and...
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10/02/07
Cult of Personality
The iconic housewares design company Alessi has opened a new Chicago flagship store at 611 North State Street (312-274-6500, alessi.com), one of six nationwide. The Italian-based company made its name by asking architects to design housewares and kitchen items. Many became cult objects, such as the Anna G bottle opener ($49) designed by Alessandro Mendini and the Michael Graves tea kettle ($149) equipped with a bird whistle. At the store, you’ll find the line’s trademark whimsical items such as the parrot corkscrew ($49) and the brightly colored Kaj watch ($85) from artist Karim Rashid, as well as...
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