Jul 31
Chicago’s expansive young fashion empire, Akira, officially opens its Lakeview store tonight (July 31) with a “Girls Night Out” celebration. In addition to 15 percent off all purchases during the event (5pm-10pm), look for the usual Akira circus:
Makeup consultations and gifts from Stila Cosmetics
Hair styling and consultations, as well as massages by Zazu Salon
Complimentary manicures provided by Nailbar
Threading by The Spot
Hors d’oeuvres catered by Moe’s Cantina and sushi by Kamehachi
Chocolate fountain fondue by The Melting Pot
Summer vodka cocktails and FUZE drinks
A striptease and pole dancing fitness class
Live auction of Chicago Machine lacrosse players
Of course, the merch itself will be the main attraction in this, the largest (6,000 square feet) Akira store so far. Look for the following lines: Betsey Johnson, Greyhound, Salvage, Meiko Mellucci, Nellie, BCBG Max Azria, Citizens of Humanity and Hudson.
643 West Diversey, (773)649-9257
Mar 20
3740 N. Southport, (773)929-5253, 939 N. Rush, (312)664-5553, shopjake.com 
(1 votes, average: 4 out of 5)
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Goods: Clothing and accessories for men and women. Designers: 3.1 Phillip Lim, Barbara Bui and Erin Fetherston for women; Band of Outsiders and Tim Hamilton for men. Owners: Lance Lawson, an attorney, keeps the business pegs in place while Jim Wetzel applies his merchandising background to the biz. Vibe: Clean and chic with a lodge-in-Aspen edge—small antlers decorate the walls and a cowhide rug rests on the wood floors. The staff doesn’t do the snooty thing, and they know all the regulars by name. Price Range: Expensive-Luxury. The Look: A tasteful, impeccably pulled-together look that blends megawatt and off-the-beaten path designers. Outfits for uber-exclusive cocktail parties or for sipping wine in your Nate Berkus-decorated living room. Shopper’s Perks: All the salespeople have a background in luxury retail. On-site trunk shows offer shoppers the chance to mingle and sip champagne with fashion-world stars. The Thing for Spring: The vibrant colors in Chris Benz’s women’s line.
Lakeview Store
Jake
Gold Coast Store
Jake
Mar 20
873 N. Rush, (312)587-1000, ikram.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Clothing and accessories for women. Designers: Proenza Schouler, Narciso Rodriguez, Junya Watanabe, Rick Owens, Alexander McQueen, Christopher Kane, Lanvin, Thakoon and Jonathan Saunders. Owner: Ikram Goldman has run her eponymous Gold Coast boutique for more than five 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.
Ikram
Mar 20
72 E. Oak, (312)440-1718, gbani.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Women’s and men’s clothing, shoes and bags. Designers: Patrizia Pepe, Roberto Cavalli, Giuseppe Zanotti, Rocco P, DSquared, Diego Dolcini. Owners: Husband and wife duo B.J. and Trevian Kutti operate this 10-year-old boutique and manage two showrooms in Europe. Vibe: Buzzer-operated doors and the sales staff’s careful-what-you-touch attitude stir up an air of exclusivity. The room is upbeat and glam, with pop music and plenty of shimmer and sparkle on the racks. Price Range: Luxury. The Look: Sexy, sexy, sexy. Towering high heels. Shimmery tops. Tastefully plunging necklines. Set to down pomegranate martinis at SushiSamba Rio. Shopper’s Perks: Champagne and caviar events are not only held when new lines drop, but for simple client appreciation as well. Plus, it’s worth dropping by to see the politically inspired window displays. The Thing for Spring: Look for the debut of the store’s signature couture line, designed by the owners in collaboration with one of the top factories in Italy.
G’bani
Mar 20
2121 W. Division, (773)697-4119 (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Flashy, beat-driven clothes for men and women. Designers: TWN Black, Tit2, Lia Kes, RaRe, Fortune Denim. Owners: Friends Emily Ellibee, Michael Elborno, Omar Hussain and Joe Wright opened up the shop to cater to the burgeoning nightlife scene along Division Street. Vibe: House music pulses through this shiny space; the stylish staff is street chic and just killing time before the clubs open; classy champagne room meets modern Miami chic—for those who love to primp and pimp. Price Range: Expensive. The Look: Glossy threads that sparkle at Spy Bar and shine on at the high rise after party. Shopper’s Perks: Undoubtedly the VIP-area, set before a flat-screen TV, complete with Patrón and sponsored by Steez tea. The spot is generally reserved for the owners’ entourage, but Ellibee says they’ll open it up on occasion. The Thing for Spring: Teal, higher waists for girls and a simple t-shirt and blazer for men.
Funkshion
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
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
Chicago’s expansive young fashion empire, Akira, officially opens its Lakeview store tonight (July 31) with a “Girls Night Out” celebration. In addition to 15 percent off all purchases during the event (5pm-10pm), look for the usual Akira circus:
