Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow
Saying goodbye to summer doesn’t have to be all that sad, especially when the women’s clothing designer Cynthia Rowley (1653 N. Damen Ave., 773-276-9209, cynthiarowley.com) holds a huge end-of-season sale in Bucktown. Score up to 80 percent off clothes and accessories—such as limited-edition and one-of-a-kind samples—Friday, September 21 through Sunday, September 23. Find pieces from Rowley’s bold, graphic-design-inspired spring 2012 line, including tank dresses ($199, originally $395), skirts ($289, originally $410), and silk tops ($89, originally $295).
Top Sales This Week
Pick up a new statement necklace, cocktail ring, cuff, or clutch this weekend at the accessories shop M2 Boutique (3527 N. Southport Ave., 773-248-9866, mboutiquechicago.com), which celebrates its sixth birthday. With a few exceptions, everything in the store—as well as at its next-door neighbor and brother boutique M4 Men (3525 N. Southport Ave., 773-698-6407)—is buy one, get one 50 percent off on Saturday, September 22 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Akira (shopakira.com for stores) pulls out all the stops for Métropolitain, its tenth-annual transit-themed fall fashion show. Held at Grossinger City Autoplex (1500 N. Dayton St.) on Sunday, September 23, the event also features cocktails and food from more than 15 vendors. Tickets ($25–$125) benefit local charities and can be purchased at shopakira.com.
The Best of the Rest
While fall officially arrives this week, fashion-forward folks are thinking spring—including the women’s boutique Neapolitan Collection (715 Elm St., Winnetka, 847-441-7784, neapolitanonline.com), which hosts a trunk show of the Isoude spring 2013 collection Wednesday, September 19 through Saturday, September 22.
Florodora (330 S. Dearborn St., 312-212-8860, florodora.com) isn’t afraid of putting on a show: A live model showcases vintage-inspired undergarments by the local lingerie designer Stephanie Kuhr on Friday, September 21 from 12 to 6 p.m. during a trunk show of Kuhr’s latest collection.
Be the first to see new collections of custom-fitted women’s suiting by Marlene Atelier and tailored winter coats by Caroline Jourdes at a cocktail-laden launch party this Thursday, September 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Resolution Digital Studios (2226 W. Walnut St.). Call 312-399-2729 or e-mail m@marleneatelier.com to RSVP.
Sadia Pattison, a new designer on the Chicago scene, debuts her women’s clothing line Sofia Azzad at Vertigo Sky Lounge (2 W. Erie St.) on Thursday, September 20 at 6 p.m.
Be on the lookout for a pop-up fashion show and chances to win Marshalls gift cards on Monday, September 24 at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Illinois Street, where the discount retailer temporarily parks a shopping-themed truck.
Openings
Lomography (1422 N. Milwaukee Ave., lomography.com), the maker of analog cameras with a loyal fanboy/girl following, debuted a Wicker Park storefront in the space previously occupied by Una Mae’s.
Linly Designs (1766 Second St., Highland Park, 847-266-5099, linlydesigns.com) fetes its new north-suburban showroom on Thursday, September 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. with wine, hors d’oeuvres, and a special appearance from HGTV’s Meg Caswell (Design Star, Meg's Great Rooms). To RSVP, e-mail rsvp@paramountpr.com.