824 W. Armitage, (773)281-5655, lorisshoes.com (1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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Goods: Women’s shoes and accessories. Designers: Boots by Frye, heels by Calvin Klein, an array from Jeffrey Campbell, flats by Sam Edelman; handbags by Pietro Alessandro, clutches by Hobo and jewelry from Gorjana. Owner: A self-confessed “shoe addict,” Lori Andre opened Lori’s Shoes in 1983. Her business policy: customers must leave as friends. Vibe: Open, spacious and stocked with more shoeboxes and sparkly accessories than Cinderella could dream of. The store is always bustling with shoppers and shoe-fueled energy. Price Range: Inexpensive-Expensive. The Look: With wedges, pumps and boots, Lori’s stocks a pair for a gal’s every mood. Shopper’s Perks: Lori takes biannual shopping trips to Europe, so she’s always ahead of the curve on trends. Check her Web site for detailed info on what’s kicking in the world of shoes—she even has a blog!

UPDATED OCTOBER 2009

Lori’s Designer Shoes

1211 W. Webster, (773)296-2141, ekaveri.com (3 votes, average: 2.00 out of 5)
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Goods: Women’s clothing, bags and jewelry. Designers: Hoss Intropia, Alice + Olivia, Rag & Bone and Adam Lippes are only a few of the lines that this well-stocked shop carries. Owner: Kaveri Satpathy opened her eponymous shop in 2006. Vibe: Modern and warm, with loads of clothes but equally large amounts of space. Indian rugs and handcrafted furniture make the boutique feel like the living room of a well-traveled soul. Price Range: Moderate. The Look: Sleek and fashion-forward, with a splash of Bohemian-chic. Shopper’s Perks: Sales help is not only friendly, but honest—always an asset in the boutique-shopping experience. When stocking her shop, Satpathy focuses on styles that flatter a wide range of body types.

UPDATED OCTOBER 2009

Kaveri

840 W. Armitage, (773)281-2352, shopisabella.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Lingerie, swimwear and loungewear for women. Designers: Cosabella, Le Mystere, Honeydew, Fantasie, PJ Salvage, Barefoot Dreams, Prima Donna and Marie Jo. Owner: In 1999, Lauren Amerine came back from a trip to Italy full of inspiration: she realized that Chicago was missing a shop staffed with expert fitters and dedicated to fine lingerie. Thus, Isabella was born. Recently, Deborah Urban joined Lauren as an owner. Vibe: The sun-filled, storefront shop is filled with ruffles, flutters, ribbons and silk. Help is attentive, focused and never pushy. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: This woman understands that underpinnings lay the groundwork for a great outfit. She loves classic style with bits of lace and feminine flair. Shopper’s Perks: Lauren’s innate size-savvy has earned her the title of Chicago’s “bra psychic.” (She can tell just from looking at you; really, she’s a master.) A huge size selection goes way beyond the double D.

UPDATED OCTOBER 2009

Isabella

1814 W. North, (773)489-0818 (women’s flagship store), 1910 W. North, (312)423-6693 (men’s), 1849 W. North, (773)342-8684 (shoes), 2357 N. Clark, (773)404-5826; 122 S. State, (312)346-3034; 643 W. Diversey, (773)649-9257; shop.akirachicago.com (4 votes, average: 3.00 out of 5)
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Goods: Women’s and men’s clothing, accessories and shoes. Designers: Rock & Republic, Citizens of Humanity, 7 for All Mankind, G-Star Raw, J Lindeberg, Paige Premium Denim; dresses by BCBG, Anna Sui and Betsey Johnson; sunglasses by Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Gucci, Ray-Ban and Dior; shoes by Ted Baker, Creative Recreation, L.A.M.B., Chinese Laundry, Schutz, Adidas and Converse. Owners: College friends Eric Hsueh, Jon Cotay and Erikka Wang began their North Avenue domination with the Akira women’s store in 2002. Now Akira encompasses several different stores all over the city, and 20,000 square feet of retail space on a single street in Bucktown. Vibe: The atmosphere mimics the clothes—it’s young, poppy and vibrant. Clothing is organized by style and designer so you don’t have to mess around. Price Range: Inexpensive-Expensive. The Look: With so many designers, there are so many looks. But a youthful energy shines in feminine prints, bright colors, current trends and designer denim. You can score everything from denim-focused, kick-it gear to an ensemble perfect for sipping martinis at Enclave. Shopper’s Perks: The store’s stylists expertly lead you through “one-stop shopping”—they’re happy to grab shoes or accessories from the other stores to completely finish your look.

Akira Wicker Park

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UPDATED OCTOBER 2009