This Week’s Top Story
Keren Craig and Georgina Chapman, designers of the Hollywood-adored fashion line Marchesa, will make a rare appearance in Chicago tonight. The duo will be at Nordstrom (55 E. Grand Ave., nordstrom.com) in support of their new fine jewelry line from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The jewelry will also be displayed at a trunk show running from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today.
Top Sales This Week
Giorgio Armani (25 E. Oak St., armani.com/us) is hosting an end-of-season sale. Running indefinitely, the sale takes 40 percent off select merchandise for men and women.
CH Carolina Herrera (70 E. Oak St., carolinaherrera.com) is slashing its ready-to-wear items—excluding those from the spring collection—by 20 to 50 percent. The sale is slated to run through January, and possibly longer.
At women’s store Alice and Olivia (919 N. Michigan Ave., aliceandolivia.com), the sale section has items discounted by 40 to 60 percent. The sale is also available online, and it features pieces like this Fawn Fur Jacket (reduced from $998 to $598).
Lake View boutique Krista K (3458 N. Southport Ave., kristak.com) has discounts on boots while supplies last. Options include ankle-wrap boots from Rag & Bone (reduced from $525 to $394) and fringed boots from Belle by Sigerson Morrison (reduced to $282 from $375).
Evanston shop Chalk (2611 Prairie Ave., chalkboutique.com) is still offering 40 percent off select items. The sale runs indefinitely, and the boutique stocks apparel and accessories from labels like The Row.
Markets
The Renegade Craft Fair (renegadecraft.com) hosts its holiday fair at the Bridgeport Arts Center (1200 W. 35th St.) Saturday and Sunday. Running from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both days, the market will sell crafty goods from local jewelry and accessories designers. There will also be DJs, D.I.Y. workshops, and snacks.
Looking for stocking stuffers? Columbia College’s Shop Columbia Holiday Market (623 S. Wabash Ave.) runs today through Saturday. Most items—made by the school’s students and alumni—ring in at under $50. Merchandise includes clothing, jewelry, and hats.
A holiday pop-up shop is also open at Westfield Old Orchard (4905 Old Orchard Center, westfield.com/oldorchard) through December 27. The shop is stocked with gifts including jewelry and fine art.
Pop-Ups
Luxury Garage Sale (luxurygaragesale.com) continues its pop-up run with an event at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago (120 E. Delaware Pl.) on Friday. Open in the lobby from 3 to 7 p.m., the shop will display consignment clothing and accessories from high-end brands (think Chanel and Hermès.) The Four Seasons’s holiday champagne and martini bar will be open during the event.
Gray’s Department Store, a pop-up installation inspired by classic department stores, will be open at the Department of Curiosities (3013 W. Armitage Ave., departmentofcuriosities.com) from December 4 through 20. Clothing, jewelry, accessories, and lingerie are displayed in the installation and are available for purchase.
Trunk Show
Maria Ress, the designer of Kastel Jewelry, will unveil her holiday collection with a trunk show at Neiman Marcus (737 N. Michigan Ave., neimanmarcus.com) on Saturday. The collection incorporates precious and semiprecious stones from places like China, Brazil, and Greece.
Retail News of the Week
- Black Friday protests on Michigan Avenue decreased retail sales by up to 50 percent. Read more.
- Black Friday sales were also down in stores across the nation. Read more.
- A new Nordstrom Rack location will open at Fashion Outlets of Chicago in Fall 2016. Read more.
- Traditional runway shows could be becoming obsolete. Read more.