This Week’s Top Story
Chicago History Museum’s highly anticipated exhibit “Making Mainbocher: The First American Couturier” opens Saturday. A Chicago native, Mainbocher (full name Main Rousseau Bocher) was the first American to work as a couturier in Paris. He was known for short evening dresses and bejeweled sweaters; he also designed the Duchess of Windsor’s wedding dress in 1937, and had a hand in reviving the corset.
The exhibit tells the couturier’s story with 30 garments displayed alongside photography and fashion illustrations; it also offers videos and oral histories. Here’s the really fun part: an interactive component lets visitors design a virtual garment using Mainbocher’s go-to colors and fabrics. The design is then projected onto a 3-D dress form. For more info, head to makingmainbocher.com.
Top Sale This Week
BCBG MaxAzria Factory at Chicago Premium Outlets (1650 Premium Outlet Blvd., Aurora, premiumoutlets.com) is offering 30 percent off new arrivals—and an additional 30 percent off some select styles—through October 31.
Openings
Zara at Block 37 (108 N. State St., zara.com) has reopened with a new, minimalistic look. New touches include a façade made of transparent glass decked in white, vertical window blades. The store currently has the autumn/winter 2016 collections in stock, and carries items for men, women, and children.
Razny Jewelers (razny.com) will open its fourth location at 109 East Oak Street this fall. At 7,500 square feet, the three-story shop will sell Patek Philippe timepieces. On the second floor, a spacious reception area will host private showings of the timepieces, as well as custom and designer jewelry.
Trunk Shows
Kristin Cavallari will host a meet-and-greet and trunk show at Luxury Garage Sale (1658 N. Wells St., luxurygaragesale.com) on October 26. The designer and TV personality will show off her latest collection of Emerald + DUV jewelry (emeraldduv.com). She’ll also sign copies of her book Balancing in Heels, which will be available for purchase onsite. Space is limited; RSVP to rsvp@boldfacechicago.com.
My Sister’s Circus, which has locations in Highland Park (601 Elm Pl.) and in the 900 Shops (900 N. Michigan Ave.), will host a trunk show featuring fall and winter coats by Lee Andersen. The show will run at the Highland Park location until October 26, then move to the Michigan Avenue store and run until November 1.
Personal Appearances
Barneys (15 East Oak St., barneys.com) is hosting two daytime trunk shows today. From 2 to 4 p.m., shoe designer Tabitha Simmons will meet and greet customers from the shoe salon on the second floor. From 3 to 5 p.m., jeweler Brooke Garber Neidich of Sidney Garber will meet with customers on the first floor.
Market
Le Fair, a shopping event benefitting Kicks in the City, will take place at Rockit Bar and Grill (22 W. Hubbard St.) on October 23. With a carnival theme, the event lets visitors shop collections curated by the local fashion bloggers behind Drunk on Shoes, Red Soles Red Wine, Once Upon a Dollhouse, and Sassy Peach.
Retail News of the Week
- Nena Ivon, former Fashion and Special Events Director at Saks Fifth Avenue, Chicago, has launched a blog. Read more.
- Chicago retailers are hosting corporate events as a way to boost sales. Read more.
- Dwyane Wade reveals his favorite fall trends and grooming products. Read more.