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 white sofas, looks more like a living room than a traditional boutique. You’ll also find shoes—this season, we love her trademark ballerina flats, hot right now in quilted leather ($225), and a pair of leopard-print knee-high boots ($595).

Top Sales This Week
Chicago’s Fashion Focus kicks off on Tuesday and runs through Sunday. Most of the free seats at the runway shows in Millennium Park are gone, but there are still open events for those who haven’t gotten tickets yet. Visit fashionfocuschicago.com for a full list of events and shopping tours, or check out two of the highlights listed below.

One of the best events of the week is Gen Art’s Shop Chicago, relocated this year from Union Station to Millennium Park (55 N. Michigan Ave.; 312-229-1701). This year, you can buy goods from 40 accessory and clothing designers (including merchandise from designers featured in the Gen Art runway show on Tuesday) as you indulge in cocktails, makeup sessions, and spa treatments. The event runs from 2 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 13th. General admission is free, but reservations are required for speedy entrance; sign up at genart.org. Or you can pay $40 for VIP tickets, which gives you early shopping privileges for an hour before the event starts, starting at 1 p.m.

The Chicago designers featured in the Macy’s runway show will be showcased together in a section of the store, as the Designers of Chicago Collections at Macy’s (111 N. State St.; 312-781-1000), starting Oct. 10th. Look for local designers such as Orlando Espinoza, Katrin Schnabl, Michelle Tan, and Diego Rocha. Collections are available through January.

The Best of the Rest

  • The St. John Boutique (919 N. Michigan Ave.; 312-943-1941) has teamed up with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation to create a special collection of eight looks in pink and black. The collection is available starting October 9th, and 10 percent of retail sales from each piece benefit the charity.
  • Browse paintings, furniture, and jewelry from more than 90 dealers at The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair (Merchandise Mart, 8th floor; 312-527-4141) from Oct. 12th through 15th. Admission is $15.
  • Two Fish Art Glass (7401 Madison St., Forest Park; 708-366-6800) hosts a holiday preview of imported glass and holiday ephemera on Oct. 13th from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Oct. 14th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Take 10 percent off all purchases, with an additional five percent discount if you bring in a printed ad or one downloaded from twofishartglass.com.
  • Amazing Cosmetics will donate all proceeds from the “Amazing Woman” kit to the Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation. The kit includes a compact, lipstick, lip liner, eye-shadow brush, and makeup bag. The kit retails for $39 at ulta.com.
  • The Arlington Park Fall Show and Sale (Arlington Park Racetrack, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights; 708-366-2710) runs October 12th through 14th with 150 dealers selling jewelry, antiques, collectibles, and vintage clothing. Admission is $8.
  • Take 15 percent off storewide from Oct. 15th through 31st at the anniversary sale at Building Blocks Toy Store (3306 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-525-6200).
  • Macy’s (111 N. State St., 312-781-1000; Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave., 312-335-7700; plus all area locations) hosts its Shop for a Cause event on October 13th. Buy a $5 shopping pass, available in stores, as a ticket to storewide savings to benefit nonprofit organizations.
  • Browse orchids, fertilizers, supplies, and equipment at the Illinois Orchid Society fall show and sale (this year with a Hawaiian theme) at the Chicago Botanic Garden (1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe; 847-835-5440) from October 13th through 14th. Sale runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Admission is free; parking is $15.
  • Ciao Bella (3829 N. Southport Ave.; 773-388-2201) hosts an anniversary sale on Oct. 13th, with 20 percent off all merchandise.
  • Browse the wares of local crafters at the Handmade Market at the Empty Bottle (1035 N. Western Ave.; 773-276-3600) on Oct. 13th from noon to 4:30 p.m.
  • Red Dog House (2031 N. Damen Ave.; 773-227-7341) hosts pet etiquette expert Charlotte Reed on Oct. 11th at 6 p.m. to offer tips on how to cultivate a well-behaved dog. Free, but R.S.V.P. to the store.
  • Krista K Maternity + Baby (3530 N Southport Ave; 773-248-4477) hosts a workshop on infant car seat installation on Oct. 10th from 6 to 8 p.m. Call to reserve a spot.
  • Bloomingdale’s hosts a Little Pink campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Shop online at bloomingdales.com/littlepinkbook; items also available in-store.
  • Combine football, beer, and fashion at Fashion Tackles Football, on Oct. 14th at 11:30 a.m. at the State Restaurant & Café (935 W. Webster Ave.) Watch the Bears game with a runway show at halftime featuring models in Bears apparel. Admission is $10; e-mail rsvp@jainn.net to reserve a spot.
  • Threadless (773-525-8640) will donate 10 percent of all proceeds on Wednesdays in October to Y-Me, with a representative from the foundation in-store from 5 to 8 p.m. each Wednesday. E-mail yme.org for more information.