Nov 03
When the innovative clothing company Nau unexpectedly closed its doors last May as an early victim of the credit crisis gripping Wall Street, a discouraged sigh echoed through the eco-fashion community. Nau, a pioneer of the ecologically conscious clothing movement had been a touchstone and role model for responsible design and production. Based in Portland, Oregon, Nau made Chicago its first market outside the West Coast and had a retail “webfront” in Lincoln Park.
Shortly after the Nau collapse, its name and mission were resurrected under new ownership. One notable strategic change: the new Nau would be a web retailer, with bricks and mortar a future consideration, if at all. But a new Chicago eco-retailer, Connect, is bringing the entire Nau line back to this market, led by Nau’s former regional marketing manager Jonathon Shaun. “It was heartbreaking when Nau 1.0 closed shop,” Shaun says. “Here was this forward-thinking business bound and determined to revolutionize the sustainable apparel and retail industries with philanthropy at its core, and before it had a chance to really expand throughout public domain it was forced to wind down.”
Shaun leapt into action, calling on business partners Mitch and Nate Lindsay to help raise funds to revive the mission. With Nau as its anchor brand and many other socially responsible lines such as Chicago-based bag company Noon Solar and Wired Jewelry, Connect is poised to take philanthropic shopping in Chicago to new heights. The boutique-showroom also offers its own donation-based label, Connect Organics, which gives a portion of sales back to the community. As part of a commitment to reducing carbon footprints, the guys at Connect have developed a bicycle-courier program that delivers orders to your door via a professional cyclist. And the resolve to create change doesn’t end there. Connect plans to host conscious fundraising events for not-for-profits, and has a vast network of community partners including Chicago Sustainable Business Alliance, Recycling Services and Creative Pitch. (Kari Skaflen)
Connect, 1330 North Milwaukee, (312)89003684, celebrates its launch with an in-store event November 6. See Style Events for details.
Sep 23
1744 W. Division, (773)227-2728 
(No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Clothing and accessories for men and women. Designers: Miss Sixty, Beach Bunny, 213 Industry, Noir, Margaret Howell, Toxic Waste. Owners: Sisters Margaret and Aga Jankuc designed their Wicker Park shop to close the gap between high-end and low-end clothes and to offer a range of chic looks. Vibe: Prepped for a night out. The décor is stark, metallic and sleek; beats accompany try-on sessions, while video of runway shows plays in the background. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: Dinner at Hub 51 followed by drinks and dancing at rednofive. Shopper’s Perks: DJs often play at the shop, adding to the charm of the cozy confines, and monthly happy-hour shopping events bring the neighborhood together. Sign up for their email list and stay clued-in about sales, fashion shows and new merchandise.
Strut Boutique
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2008
Sep 23
1741 W. Division, (773)697-9899, ledresschicago.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Dresses, jackets and wardrobe essentials such as Spanx and double-sided tape.
Designers: Betsey Johnson, ABS, Trina Turk, Julie Brown, Wendy Katlen. Owners: Sisters-in-law Eva and Robyn Anderson opened Le Dress because they wanted to provide feminine fashionistas with a mecca for dress shopping. Vibe: As feminine as its namesake frock, this shop is covered in pink walls, chandeliers and dresses as far as the eye can see. Price Range: Inexpensive-Moderate. The Look: From red-carpet events to Sunday brunch, Le Dress allows you to flaunt your feminine wiles at almost any occasion. Looks run the gamut from classic pieces to off-the-runway trends. Shopper’s Perks: While accommodating a multitude of style palates, Le Dress also provides monetary variety. Dresses range from $40 to $500.
Le Dress
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2008
May 30
Daily Candy reports on the new dress-only boutique in Wicker Park, Le Dress. Chicago magazine’s Sales Check has also weighed in. We’re curious about the use of the masculine “le” instead of the feminine “la”…
Mar 20
1205 N. Milwaukee, (773)252-6994, espacecity.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Men’s and women’s clothing, shoes and bags. Designers: Puma, Lacoste, Adidas, Miss Sixty, Penguin and United Nude. Owner: Neighboring City Sports took the reigns from original owner Drew Ee last year. Vibe: Sleek yet comfortable. The store is easy to navigate, with neatly organized racks and displays. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: Sporty, urban and stylish. Fit for an impromptu party in a studio space followed by drinks and dancing at Ohm. Shopper’s Perks: Espace purchases only three-to-four of each item, so each purchase here feels like a real find. The wide array of price points accommodates everyone from financially challenged fashionistas to professional shoppers.
Espace
Mar 20
1756 W. Division, (773)489-4848, dvoptical.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Eyewear for men and women. Designers: In addition to offering the largest selection of Oliver Peoples and Paul Smith frames in the city, the store sells Alain Mikli, Face a Face, Lindberg, I.C. Berlin, Mykita, Orgreen and Jean Lafont. Owners: Chris Foreit and Brian Hofmeister opened the shop as an outpost of hard-to-find, high-style eyewear, and Dr. Ezra Atikune was brought on for optometric guidance. Vibe: The corner boutique has a sleek and minimalist feel, with local artists’ work hung on the walls. Glass cases showcase two-tone plastic and titanium frames in every color of the rainbow, leopard-print Jackie O. frames and barely there eyewear by Orgreen. Price Range: Expensive-Luxury. The Look: From contemporary, classy specs to futuristic statement pieces. Shopper’s Perk: It’s a one-stop shop. Go for a checkup at the doctor’s office in back and then select your new favorite accessory.
d/vision
Mar 20
1919 W. Division, (773)252-2520, casadesoul.net 
(2 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
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Goods: Art, accessories and clothing for men and women, home items from Nigeria and an assortment of gifts. Designers: Men’s items include JC Rags, 101 apparel, Caste, Grn Apple Tree, Tylho, Report Collection and Rzst; women’s clothing comes from Yoga Army, Ori’en by Cyndi Chan, Rojas, Sworn Virgins, Choye Toi, Sweet Soul, Dept and BB Dakota. Owner: Kennedy Ashinze, a Nigerian native who moonlights as a DJ. Vibe: Afrobeat tunes are sometimes slung out by a live DJ, local artwork spruces up the walls and a plexiglass accessories wall is backlit in cherry red. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: Funky with an urban, global sense of style. Loves unique, hard-to-find items. A city dweller with an artistic curiosity, an active social life and a passion for travel. Shopper’s Perks: This is one of the only spots in the city where shoppers can score Nigerian imports to spruce up the home.
Casa de Soul
Mar 20
855 W. Belmont, (773)549-1038; 1318 N. Milwaukee, (773)384-8448, belmontarmy.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: New and vintage clothing and shoes for men and women. Designers: Clothing by Ben Sherman, BB Dakota, Paul Frank and Bobi; shoes by Vans, Camper, Converse, Gravis and New Balance. Owners: Chang Yoo, Tae Yoo, Tony Lee and Craig Scholla moved the legendary Belmont store over to the West Side early last year. Vibe: The upstairs stock is completely new, while the vintage goods are in the basement. The clothing (yes, even the vintage) is neatly arranged and the staff is completely hands-off (unless you need them, of course), which makes for a totally no-pressure shopping experience. Price Range: Inexpensive-Moderate. The Look: Trendy hipster upstairs, thrift-store devotee downstairs. The person who shops on both floors has a personal style that is completely their own, and thrives on blending pieces to create a unique look. Shopper’s Perks: Massive amounts of both new and used clothing in one location. Perfect for fashionable friends with dueling shopping styles. The Thing for Spring: Belmont Army recently opened back up on Belmont, just doors down from the original location. Staffers are excited about the new collection of Vans, which are simple, comfortable, and all-around phat.
Lakeview Store
Belmont Army
Wicker Park Store
Belmont Army
Mar 20
1937 W. Division, (773)276-2323, beadniks.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Exotic necklaces and earrings of all materials, reasonably priced. Designers: All the jewelry is handcrafted by the owners. Owners: Mary Tokarz and Lauryn Keenan opened up the shop to showcase their handmade pieces and provide a crafting resource for the community. Vibe: friendly and educational, just like you remember art class—there’s even an organic section! The crowd is mainly female, looking for a wild accessory or a cache of candy-colored beads. Price Range: Moderate. The Look: Hand-dipped incense, Czech glass, batik beads, ivory mammoth tusk jewelry, ojime beads and more. Pick up a bohemian, wooden-looped necklace or a chic, looped, mesh-gold strand. Shopper’s Perks: Private party options and workshops abound here. Ask owners about the Tuesday night crash-course, birthday and bridal party options and even the tween class. The Thing for Spring: Big is in. Stock up on jewelry with a tribal slant and vintage items.
Beadniks
When the innovative clothing company Nau unexpectedly closed its doors last May as an early victim of the credit crisis gripping Wall Street, a discouraged sigh echoed through the eco-fashion community. Nau, a pioneer of the ecologically conscious clothing movement had been a touchstone and role model for responsible design and production. Based in Portland, Oregon, Nau made Chicago its first market outside the West Coast and had a retail “webfront” in Lincoln Park.
