Blame It on the Bossa Nova

This week at Macy’s (macys.com for locations), Calvin Klein launches a special-edition capsule collection featuring Brazil-inspired dresses ($135 to $180) designed by Francisco Costa, the label’s women’s creative director—who also happens to be Brazilian. Getting in the bossa nova spirit, Macy’s on State (111 N. State St.; 312-781-3125) presents “Brasil: A Magical Journey,” a day-long shopping romp on Thursday, May 17. At noon, stop by to see Brazilian percussionists, dancers, and stilt walkers take over the store’s first floor. The restaurant Carnivale cooks up Brazilian recipes—and free tastings—at the same time on the lower level. The accessories designer Diego Rocha (from Lifetime’s Project Accessory) hosts a fashion show including Costa’s new Calvin Klein collection at 5:30 p.m., with a live performance by Bebel Gilberto, the daughter of the Brazilian music legend João Gilberto. Find other Brazil-themed specials throughout the store all day: the Brazil-born handbag designer Carlos Falchi makes an appearance on the first floor; Brazilian mocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and live music are on floor two; and the fourth floor houses a create-your-own Havianas station, where shoppers can design custom pairs of flip flops (from $25).

 

Top Sales This Week

The local style blogger Jena Gambaccini (chicityfashion.com) hosts a shopping event at Juicy Couture (101 E. Oak St.; 312-280-1637, juicycouture.com) with cocktails, one-on-one styling, and 20 percent off all purchases Wednesday, May 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. We love this bonus: The fashion sketch artist Rosemary Fanti creates “couture caricatures” of guests as takeaway gifts.

Get your rummage on this weekend at the Great Parker Garage Sale at Francis W. Parker School (330 W. Webster Ave.; fwparker.org). Clothing (including a smattering of designer pieces), toys, electronics, home goods, furniture, and art are all up for grabs. The cash-only sale takes place Saturday, May 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, May 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Parker Scholarship Fund.

 

The Best of the Rest

  • The pop-up shop Markets (shopourmarkets.com) returns to Wilmette (500 Central Ave., fifth floor) this week for a spring sale of unique home goods and vintage accessories, all scored from estate sales and antique fairs. Plan a trip Wednesday, May 16 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. or Thursday, May 17 and Friday, May 18 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • The hair stylist and former Blow Out reality star Jonathan Antin hosts a Primping Party at Ulta Beauty (114 S. State St.; 312-279-508, ulta.com) this Thursday, May 17 from 12 to 5 p.m. Guests receive complimentary hairstyling by Conair—and judging from this Twitpic of a recent Primping Party in California, they can expect one of Antin’s (self-trademarked) “babed out” looks.
  • Get 30 percent off everything—and a few free sips of wine—at The Denim Lounge in Roscoe Village (2039 W. Roscoe St.; 773-935-2820, thedenimlounge.com) on Thursday, May 17 from 6 to 9 p.m.
  • The fashion wholesaler Annie O and the showroom Feisty Kitten hold their semiannual sample sale Thursday, May 17 from 12 to 7 p.m. (324 N. Leavitt St., Ste. 200; 312-421-8676, annieo.net). The cash-only event offers bargain-basement prices—from 20 percent off wholesale costs to tags marked $10—on designer brands including Tulle, Kensie, and Lucca Couture.
  • Here’s a double blast from the past: The vintage shop Dovetail (1452 W. Chicago Ave.; 312-243-3100, dovetailchicago.com) hosts an in-store party including free previous-life readings on Friday, May 18 from 7 to 10 p.m. Men’s items are 50 percent off during the event; score a free gift with purchase while supplies last. We feel like this has happened before.
  • The Bucktown boutique The Edit (1917 N. Damen Ave.; 773-252-3350, shoptheedit.com) declares an early start to summer with a carnival-themed trunk show on Saturday, May 19 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Shop warm-weather styles by M2F Brand Denims and Wildfox Couture while munching on cotton candy or cooling off with spiked pink lemonade.
  • The Old Town boutiques Cityblue Apparel & Denim, Handle With Care, and Sara Jane team up to present a fashion show and Champagne brunch at Benchmark (1510 N. Wells St.; 312-649-9640, benchmarkchicago.com) on Saturday, May 19 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tickets ($25) include a bottle of bubbles—with assorted juices for mimosas—and a discount card valid at all three boutiques on Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20. Call Benchmark or email kevin@fourcornerstaverns.com for reservations.
  • Urban Style Emporium (200 E. Delaware Pl.; 312-335-1353, urbanstyleemporium.com) hosts a trunk show for the avant-garde French Canadian fashion designer Marie Saint Pierre this Wednesday, May 16 through Sunday, May 20.

 

Openings and Closings

DSW (35 S. State St.; 312-629-5386, dsw.com) opened last week in the Loop. This bi-level location of the discount shoe emporium holds more than 32,000 pairs for men and women.

In Andersonville, Spex (5408 N. Clark St.; 773-275-2020, spexchicago.com) recently opened its newest store—its 19th outpost in the Chicago-area for designer eyewear brands such as Tom Ford, Seraphin, and Lafont.