Similar Style, Lower Prices
Marc Engel moved to Chicago in 1996 and within weeks of his arrival open Chasalla (106 E. Oak St.; 312-640-1940), a high-end designer boutique. Upon its opening, Engel still wanted to bring a second, trendy shop to a busier Chicago neighborhood. Staying true to his word, the German native opened CRAM Fashion (3331 N. Broadway St.; 773-477-1737) in Boystown earlier this month. While the boutique carries some of…
Not the First, Not the Last
After years of gaining popularity across the United States through her designer sample sales, Colleen Schmidt opened the Midwest’s first permanent Thread Lounge (918 W. Armitage Ave.; 773-281-0011, threadlounge.com) last month. The new Lincoln Park shop offers up to 75 percent off wholesale clothing and accessories from more than 350 designers, including 2bfree, Gossip, and T-Bags. With two other permanent shops in…
At Home with Ani Afshar
When the local jewelry designer Ani Afshar closed her eight-year-old Lincoln Park boutique in March, she already had a back-up plan in place: The collection would remain available online but, as an alternative to maintaining a costly retail storefront, Afshar would open her studio for appointments. Located in Logan Square, Afshar’s new…
Spring is here. Curious which trends will take off, we asked six design-savvy Chicago women to tell us their season must-haves. PLUS: Where to buy
Less is More, She Says
Three months after moving from New York to Chicago last November, Texas native Jana Zacek opened her first-ever boutique in Wicker Park. Featuring mostly black, white, and gray dresses and tops with pops of color, Mulberry & Me (2019 W. Division St.; 773-952-7551) has items for work and play. “Being stylish isn’t about having a closet full of clothes. It’s about being able to use the same items in different ways,” Zacek says. Whether you need something for work or…
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