Hanig’s Slipper Box, 2754 N. Clark, (773)248-1977, Hanig’s Footwear, 847 W. Armitage, (773)929-5568, 875 N. Michigan, (312)787-6800, 1627 Sherman, Evanston, (847)864-3268, hanigs.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Men’s and women’s shoes. Designers: Wolky, Ecco, Kenneth Cole, Merrell, Mephisto, Johnston & Murphy, Keen, Naot. Owner: Serving Chicago since 1944, Hanig’s is owned by Peter Hanig, son of founders Irv and “Billie.” Vibe: Extremely well-lit and roomy, with plenty of seats for shoe sampling, and an overall all-American appeal. Price Range: Moderate. The Look: Comfortably chic. While all the shoes are designed with function in mind, fashionable details are incorporated into the designs. Shopper’s Perks: Service—with plenty of friendly staff members around, you’ll be taken care of from the moment you enter to the moment you leave. Comfort also tops the bill, and your feet won’t be able to thank you enough.

Slipper Box-Lakeview

Hanig’s Slipper Box

Lincoln Park Store

Hanig’s Footwear

Michigan Avenue Store

Hanig’s Footwear

Evanston Store

Hanig’s Footwear

UPDATED OCTOBER 2009

873 N. Rush, (312)587-1000, ikram.com (2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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Goods: Clothing and accessories for women. Designers: Proenza Schouler, Narciso Rodriguez, Junya Watanabe, Rick Owens, Alexander McQueen, Lanvin, Thakoon and Undercover. Owner: Ikram Goldman has run her eponymous Gold Coast boutique for more than seven years. A famous champion of emerging design talent, Goldman’s killer eye earns her frequent mentions in the pages of Vogue. Vibe: Serene and upscale. A series of arches in the walls, swatches of gold and ornately carved wooden screens create the feeling of a haute fashion temple. Price Range: Luxury. The Look: Sophisticated fashion editor. Italian movie star. Jet-setting heiress. This woman has a weakness for glamour and a keen, intellectual understanding of fashion. Shopper’s Perks: Despite her status as couture queen of Chicago, Ikram Goldman is warm, open and charismatic. She lavishes attention and expert sartorial advice on each of her clients—plus, she throws the most fabulous parties in town.

UPDATED OCTOBER 2009

Ikram

UPDATE: As of January 2012, The Daisy Shop has closed.

67 E. Oak, 6th floor, (312)943-8880, daisyshop.com (2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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Goods: Women’s couture resale clothing and accessories. Designers: Chanel, Hermes, Gucci, Prada, Carolina Herrera, Jil Sander, Yves Saint Laurent, and all significant others; purses by Chanel, Judith Leiber, Louis Vuitton, Salvatore Ferragamo, Moschino, Bottega Veneta, Corem Rose, and others; vintage costume jewelry by Kramer, Weiss, Eisenberg, Kenneth Jay Lane, Schreiner, and others.
Owner: Barbara Nell founded the shop fifteen years ago. Vibe: Tucked away on the sixth floor of an Oak Street deco high-rise, the store feels like a well-organized fashion archive; the knowledgeable staff act like designer docents. Expect to find vintage and current couture garments, estate costume jewelry, hats, belts and handbags. Price Range: Moderate for couture, the prices are what the staff refers to as a “relative bargain.” Shopper’s Perks: Everything in stock is authenticated. Join the Daisy Fresh Pix club to receive flyers about newly arrived designer merchandise before it hits the Web.

UPDATED OCTOBER 2009

The Daisy Shop

900 N. Michigan, (312)266-1545, altshoes.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Men’s and women’s shoes and accessories. Designers: Debut, Jo Ghost, Bruma’s, Brunate, Fru.it, Cinti. Owner: Sandro Ciurcina left Florence to be with his wife, a native Chicagoan. Using knowledge he gained from his father’s shoe factory in Tuscany, Ciurcina has kept Chicago customers happy for the last twenty years. Vibe: This longtime inhabitant of Rush Street moved into the 900 Shops complex last year, and uses a bright red carpet to stand out from the other stores. Price Range: Moderate. The Look: Everything from super-pointy stilettos to peep-toe heels are represented, but only the fashion forward will have what it takes to pull off these looks, which have a decidedly quirky flair. Shopper’s Perks: Because of Ciurcina’s close relationship with the designers and manufacturers of his shoes, conversations with customers often show up in the next season’s line.

UPDATED OCTOBER 2009

Alternatives

2004 W. Roscoe, (773)935-2820; 43 E. Oak, (312)642-6403, thedenimlounge.com (2 votes, average: 2.50 out of 5)
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Goods: Men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and accessories. Designers: AG, Rich and Skinny, Paige, Joe’s Jeans, Serfontaine, 1921 Denim. Owner: David Shelist modeled his full-size boutique after the original Denim Lounge—a store-within-a-store in his Gold Coast Madison and Friends shop—because he wanted to bring a family-friendly denim store to Roscoe Village. Vibe: Denim Lounge takes its name seriously, with a massive wall of jeans overlooking an overstuffed blue couch, stacks of magazines and a large-screen plasma TV. The mirror mosaic counter, saltwater fish tank and dogs-welcome policy round out the laidback lounge atmosphere. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: Rock-star cool, headed to the Empty Bottle for a show and over to Green Eye for post-concert socializing.

UPDATED OCTOBER 2009

The Denim Lounge

64 E. Walton, (312)951-5383, samanthachicago.com (2 votes, average: 1.00 out of 5)
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Goods: Clothing, lingerie, swimwear and accessories for women. Designers: Milly, Kenneth Jay Lane, LnA, Catherine Malandrino, Ya Ya, Vince and Genetic Denim. Owner: Samantha Mittelman opened the California-cool boutique in an effort to infuse the Midwest with West Coast style. Vibe: Samantha channels Barbie’s dream house with a white ostrich-skin couch, slick pink chairs and shaggy pink rugs. The walls are dressed in a girly flower print and mod white lamps illuminate the space. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: Trend-driven and youthful. Beach babe by day, party girl by night. Gold Coast girl with California dreams. Shopper’s Perks: Starlets love this place, so you may just have a celebrity sighting. Also, the store’s Web site allows for online shopping.

UPDATED OCTOBER 2009

Samantha Chicago

I walk into The Spa at Halo [for Men] and an up-tempo song instantly sets my mood to perfect. A friendly front-desk staff greets me with a beverage and a seat in a waiting room that mirrors a well-decorated pad. I settle into leather chairs, surrounded by candles, and face a giant plasma television (Reminder: this is just the waiting room). Ahead, the salon is bright with more televisions, books and masculine-colored walls. Adjacent to the salon is the spa, set in a low-lit, Buddha-inspired space.
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