This Week’s Top Story
Sephora (sephora.com) will open a store at 605 North Michigan Avenue on Friday. Sure, there’s a Sephora just north of there at Water Tower Place—and also slightly south, at the Shops at North Bridge—but this 10,040-square-foot, street-level store has a little something different. And it’s not just its size.
The store marks Sephora’s 400th location in North America, and it’s the area’s fourth T.I.P. Workshop concept store. “T.I.P.” is an acronym for “teach, inspire, play,” and the concept outfits stores with technology and a service model that’s geared toward beauty education.
The store will be the first to offer the Digital Makeover Guide, which is an interactive face chart that lets shoppers get customized product and application tips via email. It will also be the first store with “Instascent,” a forward-thinking technology that lets shoppers sniff 18 scent families through a dry-air delivery system.
Though there will be plenty of technology to guide shoppers, store director Christine Chung—and her entire staff—are also eager to dish about trends for Fall 2016. “In makeup, there’s a return to glamour with matte textures and richer shades like plum and wine–especially on the lips,” Chung shares. “Hair is effortlessly cool, but looks more finished thanks to lightweight texturizing sprays and innovative new tools.” As for fragrances, Chung says the season will bring in “moodier, more complex florals with notes of spirits and spice.”
Top Sales This Week
Anne Fontaine (909 N. Michigan Ave., annefontaine.com) has items on sale both in store and online. Selections include a gold floral belt (reduced from $495 to $297), a wrap-over Milano skirt (reduced from $450 to $315) and an embroidered crepe blouse (reduced from $450 to $315).
Art Effect (934 W. Armitage St., shoparteffect.com) is offering an extra 50 percent off sale merchandise, in-store only, while supplies last. The sale is also running online (though the extra discount isn’t applicable there), and items include a plaid, scarf-back shirt (reduced from $218 to $153) and an embroidered dress with tassels (reduced from $198 to $99).
Opening
Bohemian jewelry brand Alex + Ani has opened a store at Oakbrook Center (100 Oakbrook Center, alexandani.com), and will celebrate with a grand opening event from 6 to 8 p.m. this evening. The event will feature a ribbon cutting by the Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce, as well as a candy bar, sparkling wine, and live entertainment.
Market
The Randolph Street Market (randolphstreetmarket.com) returns to the West Loop’s Plumber’s Hall (1340 W. Washington St.) for a “Back to Cool!” theme market August 27 and 28. More than 300 vendors will showcase antique, vintage, and one-of-a-kind jewelry, clothing, and more. There will also be a Market Bloody Mary Bar, a pet portrait studio, and a treasure hunt for kids.
Retail News of the Week
- Notre, the Andersonville boutique, plans to open a second location in Fulton Market. Read more.
- In Chicago, it’s easy for men to find custom-made clothing—but it’s more difficult for women. Read more.
- Fans waited in line for three hours to enter Kanye West’s pop-up shop in Northbrook. Read more.