2145 N. Damen, (773)727-9846, personalprivilege.com, myspace.com/personalprivilege (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Trendy casual clothing and accessories for men and women. Owner: Celebrity stylist Tracy Lemke has created her own store, Personal Privilege, and she promises to dress you the way she’s dressed athletic superstars like White Sox player Octavio Dotel, Lakers player Shannon Brown and Cubs player Carlos Marmol. Read the rest of this entry »

If you want to look like a star when you party, then Tracy Lemke might be able to help you out. The former celebrity stylist has created her own store, Personal Privilege, and she promises to dress you the way she’s dressed athletic superstars like White Sox player Octavio Dotel, Lakers player Shannon Brown and Cubs player Carlos Marmol. With a selection of flashy, funky clothes for the club scene and more conservative, classy clothes for everyday, Lemke’s collection has a mix of styles that she claims can suit every personality and every occasion with brand names like J Steger that she says are hard to find anywhere else. Lemke declares that it is her mission to give customers a special shopping experience, where they can get everything they want with a personal touch. “The reason we call this store Personal Privilege is that I want to personally help customers put a whole wardrobe together, and give them a more personal experience than they can get at other places,” Lemke explains. Read the rest of this entry »

By Marla Seidell

John Fluevog has angels on the soles of his shoes.

Urban Angels, that’s the name of this particular mid-calf boot, which like the Fluevog stores, hit their twentieth anniversary this year. In addition to the angels stenciled on the soles, there’s a personal message from Fluevog inscribed: “Resist all things, including Satan.” Soles are made from biodegradable Hevea tree latex soles. “Really comfy,” notes Fluevog.

Judging from his rock-star appearance—dark blue denim, a red, white and blue button-shirt with a pattern of stars at the center, tousled strawberry-blond hair, Prada sunglasses on top of head, and a thin line of white goatee on his chin—you wouldn’t think that Fluevog, designer and creator of cult-status funky shoes since the mid-eighties, is the kind of guy to stamp spiritual phrases and angels on his products. Read the rest of this entry »

1525 N. Milwaukee, (773)342-2623, g-star.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Menswear, womenswear and accessories. Designer: G-Star Raw Owner: New York-based Denimwall Inc. operates the New York, Boston, Miami  and Chicago stores of this European brand. Read the rest of this entry »

1539-41 N. Milwaukee, (773)772-1983, fluevog.com
Goods: Men’s and women’s shoes Designer: John Fluevog Owner: The Vancouver-based designer John Fluevog has a handful of stores in North America. Read the rest of this entry »

1519 N. Milwaukee, (773)227-5300, 2711 N. Clark, (773)296-1000, 1730 Sherman, Evanston, (847)492-9400 crossroadstrading.com
Goods: Men’s and women’s gently used apparel, shoes and accessories. Designers: Marc Jacobs, Diesel, Express, Nine West, etc.—the stores stock all types of brands, as long as they’re contemporary and in good shape. Read the rest of this entry »

With a new year, a new president and a new era on the horizon, there’s never been a greater time for change—just ask Verse Chicago owner Kortnee Doss. Inhabiting the space formerly known as Via Firenzi, Doss greeted 2009 with a moniker switch, a complete remodeling and open arms.

Taking over the Eurocentric Wicker Park boutique in July 2008, Doss had her work cut out for her. Plagued by very red and “very dated” walls and decor, Doss called upon her fiancé and interior designer, Ruben Quiza, for help. Less than six months later, the place was hardly recognizable. “He did everything,” she gushes. Ripping up the carpet to expose the hardwood floor and painting over the red with more subtle blacks and whites, Doss and Quiza opened up her space with lighter colors and fewer walls. But the changes didn’t stop there.

Infusing the shoe-heavy stock with more apparel and accessories, Doss has revamped both the focus and the concept of the store. Channeling what she calls a “Portobello market,” she has combined a collection of modern indie, quality-driven labels like Bill Tornade and Terra Plana with great vintage pieces from brands like Rockett Mansion. “What we had to do is kind of dissociate ourselves from the other store,” she says.

Accordingly, Doss had to revise more than her stock. She’s also been striving to improve the store’s image by making a positive name for herself and Verse in the local community. Featuring up-and-coming Chicago designers like Anna Fong on Thursday nights, Doss has implemented a weekly showcase to help local fashion. She also has plans in the works for a Fair Trade deal through the Peace Corp that would offer ladies trendy handmade items, like long socks. “Girls like those,” she says. She would know—she’s somewhat of a fashion expert. With both British and American degrees in fashion design and marketing, Doss has worked for big names like Guess, Gap and even Mr. “Project Runway” himself, Christian Siriano. “He’d come in and be like, nuh-uh, that does not go together,” she recalls.

Now taking the opportunity to “spread her wings and fly” on her own, Doss and Verse are still in transition. Unable to completely evade the economically driven retail recession, she has at least put her spare time to good use. Together with intern Justin White, Doss delves into every aspect of fashion in store downtime, from who they’d like to dress to what tights and boots would look good with a new item. “We’re like style incubating over here!” she jokes. “That’s what we love to do.” (Nicole Briese)

Verse Chicago, 1821 West North, (773)486-4434

1944 N. Damen, (773)292-0510, grasshopper510.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Colorful, classic jewelry created out of recycled items like phone cards and hairclips; artwork made from recycled street signs; body lotions, shower gels and candles; cute clutch purses made from recycled candy wrappers; baby bibs and books. Designers: Jewelry from Toby Pomeroy and Prismera; Colette candles, Entermodal clutches; home décor from Russell Johnson and OneEighty Design. Owners: Jean Taylor and husband Mike Roberts opened this eco-friendly boutique after years of brainstorming “green” entrepreneurial ventures. Vibe: The brightly lit shop fuses a modern-art-museum vibe with a cozy living room. Grasshopper 510 uses the elegant store fixtures, mirrors and the cash wrap from the previous boutique, sticking true to the “reduce, reuse, recycle” philosophy. Price Range: Moderate. The Look: Eco-chic, quirky and utterly original. The accessories here are as much conversation pieces as wardrobe essentials; and since most items are easily gift-able, this is the store for people who don’t like to show up empty-handed. Shopper’s Perks: Every product in the store is made from organic, recycled or sustainable materials, so your eco-conscience remains clean. Need we say more?

Grasshopper 510

UPDATED OCTOBER 2009

UPDATE: As of October 2009, Verse Chicago has closed, with plans to reopen in the West Loop in the spring of 2010.

1821 W. North, (773)486-4434, versechicago.com (9 votes, average: 3.89 out of 5)
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Goods: Men’s and women’s clothing and shoes. Designers: Ginger Goff, Martinez Valero and Via Uno for shoes; and Anna Fong, Bill Tornade, Vintage and Something Else by Natalie Wood for clothing. Owner: Having recently taken over the store, new owner Kortnee Doss has big plans for the store. Vibe: Doss remodeled the boutique with a more polished look of dark wood, a black-and-white palate and old family photos. Price Range: Moderate. The Look: European. A travel-savvy shopper whose wardrobe boasts bits from Spain, London, Europe, Sweden and France . Shopper’s Perks: New designers are encouraged to showcase their work every Thursday night from 5pm to 7pm. Doss also has deals in the works for a Fair Trade program with the Peace Corps.

Via Firenzi/Verse Chicago

UPDATED May 2009

2027 N. Damen, (773)292-1120, hunnyjewelry.com (1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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Goods: Clothing, accessories and jewelry for women. Owner: Charyl Witz of Hunny Jewelry. Designers: Clothing from  J Brand, Serfontaine, RYU, Testament, Jenny Han and Fluxus; jewelry from Lulu Frost, ToyWatch, Pyrrah and Lana. Vibe: The exterior black-and-white sign is a nod to the interior’s elegance. Inside the neutrally decorated shop, jewelry is housed in sophisticated armoires, chandeliers radiate glamor and displays feature combined clothing and jewelry for ensemble inspiration. Price Range: Inexpensive-Expensive. The Look: A gal who has her act together, she effortlessly combines current trends with classic pieces. Head to Juicy Wine Company for a glass of vino, then Piccolo Sogno for Italian. Shopper’s Perks: Witz is abreast of the latest Hollywood trends.

Hunny/SheShe

UPDATED OCTOBER 2009