First off, au revoir to Steven, the Museum of Science and Industry textile designer who was auf’d on Project Runway last night. What do you think? Was it his time to go? I’ll refrain from comment, since I haven’t been keeping up with the show. But there he was, sipping a drink a few weeks ago at a gay sports bar in Uptown. A bunch of his friends had gathered to watch the premiere; poor Steven cried out halfway through the evening that—oh my—he was wearing the same pink shirt at his party that he was sporting on the episode!

Second, Cynthia Rowley‘s new location opens tomorrow at 1653 North Damen Avenue. Here are some photos from my walkthrough last night. It’s worth noting is that Chicago is the first U.S. city with two Rowley stores; even New York only has one (in the West Village). Word is, the Barrington native really digs the feel of Bucktown and thought it felt like the Village. I suspect that the sudden arrival in Bucktown of a slew of New York imports—Nanette Lepore just opened a few doors down; BCBG is open across the street; Marc Jacobs is on the way—might have something to do with it.

On a random note, check the bike in window of Rowley’s Bucktown store: It’s one of the cruisers that she designed for her spring 2008 runway show in New York. (The collection was very French sportif, so she had the models ride bikes down the runway for the finale.) This is why I like her: her stuff is priced within the realm of possibility (as in, it’s a splurge, but defendable once or twice in a year). And, she’s the type of designer who doesn’t take high fashion too seriously.

Yes, I asked. Yes, the bike is for sale. It’s $650. Limited edition.