This Week’s Top Story
La Perla (34 E. Oak St., laperla.com) has moved its Chicago store from Michigan Avenue to Oak Street. Open since Monday, the 1,600-square-foot shop was designed by architect Roberto Baciocchi; it’s decked with marble arches, daffodil-yellow seating, and fitting rooms swathed in blue velvet. The boutique has separate sections devoted to the men’s and women’s collections. Yes, the Italian lingerie brand stocks goods for gentleman, and that includes flowing silk kimonos printed with flying oysters.
Top Sales This Week
In honor of Labor Day, steep discounts can be found at the Fashion Outlets of Chicago in the next few days (5220 Fashion Outlets Way, fashionoutletsofchicago.com). At the Gucci outlet, for example, select merchandise is discounted by an additional 50 percent through September 7. And at DVF, ready-to-wear and accessory collections will be discounted by as much as 70 percent through September 8.
Madewell (932 N. Rush St., madewell.com) known for its classic, casual gear for women, kicked off a sale yesterday. Running indefinitely, the event includes an additional 30 percent off sale merchandise, and 50 percent off select jewelry pieces.
Men’s store Haberdash is offering up to 70 percent off goods on its online shop The Outlet. Stock is extremely limited, so act quickly to scoop up goods like an Italian knit blazer (reduced from $448 to $134.99) and a raincoat from Austrian label Schneiders (reduced from $598 to $299). Select items in the store’s brick-and-mortar locations (info here) are also 50 percent off for a limited time.
Openings
On September 10, Robin Richman (2108 N. Damen Ave., robinrichman.com) will launch its men’s line. The existing boutique’s new department will sell avant-garde, street-style-inspired looks for men. Represented labels—rarely seen in Chicago—include KTZ, DRKSHDW by Rick Owens, and Lost & Found.
ESQ (555 W. Jackson Blvd., esqclothing.com) is now open in the West Loop. The 2,500-square-foot men’s clothing store sells bespoke and custom suits and shirts; it also stocks shoes. The space has homey touches such as a fully stocked bar and flat-screen TVs.
Kate Spade New York is now open at Westfield Old Orchard (4905 Old Orchard Center in Skokie, westfield.com). The shop’s eclectic merchandise ranges from clothing and handbags to jewelry, shoes, stationery, gifts, and bedding.
Burberry (633 N. Michigan Ave., burberry.com) has launched its in-store scarf bar. Customers can belly up to the counter to customize lightweight cashmere accessories with monograms and personalized prints.
Auction
Luxury consignment platform eDrop-Off (shopedropoff.com) hosts its online celebrity auction September 4 to 13. The charitable auction features goods donated by celebrities, and 100 percent of proceeds are donated to the cause of the celeb’s choosing. This means you can scoop up Oprah’s Bulgari shoulder bag while benefitting The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. If you buy a dress from Lea Michele, you’ll be making a donation to Step Up Women’s Network. Find more information here.
Market
The first Magnificent Mile Pop-Up Marketplace (themagnificentmile.com) happens Friday and Saturday at Pioneer Court (401 N. Michigan Ave.). The market will include activities and product samples from Mag Mile stores.
Pop-ups
To celebrate Fashion Week—which takes over the Big Apple September 10 to 17—Luxury Garage Sale (luxurygaragesale.com) will host a pop-up shop at W Chicago City Center (172 W. Adams St.) on Thursday. From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., shoppers can browse fall wardrobe basics including leather jackets, Chanel tweed jackets, and handbags from designers like Celine and Prada.
Retail News of the Week
- The first Chicago location of Uniqlo, set to open this fall, will be the brand’s second-largest store in the country. It will also have a Starbucks. Read more.
- Chicago Premium Outlets has added 250,000 square feet of shopping space, and has 30 new stores and eateries. Read more.
- BaubleBar, which sells on-trend jewelry pieces priced from $34 to $68, is now available at Bloomingdale’s on Michigan Avenue. Read more.
- At its soon-to-open store near Navy Pier, Target plans to open a bar. Read more.