This Week’s Top Story
Neapolitan Collection (neapolitanonline.com), the Winnetka women’s boutique, will open a new, expanded store at 560 Chestnut Street in August. Owner Kelly Golden stocks clothing and accessories for luxury brands such as Lanvin, Valentino, and Saint Laurent. “When I opened the store [in 2003] I didn’t know how big or successful it would be,” she says. “We were fortunate to expand where we were, but it wasn’t exactly how people want to shop.”
The new store will have upgraded fitting rooms, more comfortable seating, and a private parking lot. There will also be a fine jewelry salon and a section devoted to resort wear and travel accessories.
Golden has a close relationship with several big-name designers, and she hosts frequent trunk shows and personal appearances. “For designers, [visiting Neapolitan] is like going back to a time they could customize things for their buyers and showcase the lines the way they intended,” she says. To celebrate the new store, designers including Rachel Zoe and Derek Lam will create custom pieces for Neapolitan.
Top Sale This Week
Ted Baker (1009 N. Rush St., tedbaker.com) is offering 30 percent off select items for men and women. Staffers don’t have a specific end date for the sale, but expect it to run at least through the end of the week.
Pop-Ups
Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics (lushusa.com) will host a pop-up at Millennium Park May 4 to 6. The pop-up will look like a miniature Lush factory on the park’s Chase Promenade South (near “the Bean”). Guests will see how the products are made; there will also be free samples and personal consultations. It will open from noon to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the following days.
An Aesop pop-up shop, part of Nordstrom’s Pop-In@Nordstrom series, is open at the Michigan Avenue store (55 E. Grand Ave., nordstrom.com) through May 22. Aesop uses botanical ingredients and essential oils in its products for skin, hair, and body.
Personal Appearance
Ippolita Rostango, designer of luxury jewelry brand Ippolita, will appear at Bloomingdale’s (900 N. Michigan Ave., bloomingdales.com) this Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. The visit—which marks the first time the designer has been in Chicago in several years—will showcase Ippolita’s new collection, “Senso: The New Shape of Gold.” The collection includes gold and silver pieces inspired by the female figure.
Trunk Shows
Elements (741 N. Wells St., elementschicago.com) will hold a spring trunk show for jewelry designer Roberto Demeglio Friday and Saturday. The event will showcase Demeglio’s new “Puro” collection.
Krista K (3458 N. Southport Ave., kristak.com) is hosting a multi-designer trunk show for handbags through Sunday. The show features totes, cross-body bags, and clutches from labels like Elizabeth and James; bags will be 20 percent off during the show.
Book Signing
Lucy Sykes and Jo Piazza, authors of fashion-world novel The Knockoff, will meet with shoppers during a cocktail party at Ann Taylor (600 N. Michigan Ave., anntaylor.com) on May 3. From 4 to 7 p.m., the authors will sign copies of their book, and guests will get a copy of the novel as a gift with purchase.
Event
The Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence will take place at 700 South Des Plaines Street on Friday. The event, now in its fifteenth year, features a student designer runway show, a live auction, and an awards presentation. Find ticket information here.
Retail News of the Week
- Designer Cynthia Rowley has teamed up with Lifeway Foods to create a floral print for a smoothie bottle. Read more.
- Milly designer Michelle Smith hopes to open a Chicago store. Read more.
- A pop-up NFL Draft shop selling team gear is open on Michigan Avenue. Read more.