Aug 30
Go gallery-hopping, buy beautiful clothes, then sip a glass of bubbly and nibble on dessert. Art and fashion at Atelier, then food and wine at Prosecco. “Now we have a one-two punch,” says Kathryn Alvera, co-owner of both Atelier and Prosecco, although it’s really more of a one-two-three-four punch.
Walking into Atelier is like stepping into the closet of a mature but hip art collector/clotheshorse: paintings, photographs and antiques coat the velvet walls and wooden countertops. The clothing is well-organized and dense, but there’s certainly a lot of it (for both men and women), and it ranges from cheap (I eyed a thrifted $10 C&C tank) to bank-breaking (vintage Lanvin, Chanel and Stella McCartney).
Atelier will also be working with legendary tailoring house Cesare Attolini to design custom suits. Alvera says “It’s something of a coup” that the prestigious Neapolitan suit-makers are partnering with her boutique, which opened in April, but she’s convinced the exquisite suits, with prices reaching far upwards of $4,000, will find a niche among sartorial Chicagoans. Read the rest of this entry »
Oct 21
1165 N. Clark, Suite 400, (312)640-3878, sofiavintage.com 
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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Goods: Men’s and women’s vintage apparel. Designers: Bob Mackie, Gucci, Ungaro , Armani, Escada, Chanel, Missoni and Valentino. Read the rest of this entry »
Sep 23
Line: Anna Fong
Background: Fong studied Fashion Design at Columbia College Chicago, and after a stint with Chaps Ralph Lauren in New York, she moved back to her hometown of Chicago to start her own line. In 2007, Fong (who is of Guatemalan and Chinese decent) won the 2007 AOL Latino Fashionista award, and was named a “rising star” by Fashion Group International.
The pieces: Classic clothing with modern details. Fong combines colors and neutrals, and her silhouettes elegantly hug a woman’s curves yet allow for plenty of movement.
Designer Inspirations: Carolina Herrera, Alexander McQueen, Elie Saab, Sonia Rykiel, Berardi, Chanel.
Chicago inspirations: “Fall in Chicago inspires me. I love the change of season and the smell of autumn in the brisk air. It makes me visualize stylishly layered garments in a mild winter setting.”
On being a designer in Chicago: “It’s definitely a competitive and challenging career choice. Chicago is giving local designers exposure, networking opportunities and workshops for designers to learn more about the business. On the other hand, we lack resources in regards to fabric suppliers, contractors and showrooms.”
What to look for: Keep your eyes peeled for Fong’s creation on the pages of glossy magazines. Celebrities have latched on to her collection, as Kimora Lee Simmons, Nadine Velazquez and former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres have donned her designs. Check out her Fall ’08 trunk show at Malabar on October 11.
Where to find Anna Fong: Macy’s State Street. Also watch for her Web site launch at anna-fong.com.
Mar 20
67 E. Oak, 6th floor, (312)943-8880, daisyshop.com (1 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
Go gallery-hopping, buy beautiful clothes, then sip a glass of bubbly and nibble on dessert. Art and fashion at Atelier, then food and wine at Prosecco. “Now we have a one-two punch,” says Kathryn Alvera, co-owner of both Atelier and Prosecco, although it’s really more of a one-two-three-four punch.
5668 N. Clark, (773)447-8527, 