Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/175878
THE SCENE MAKERS THE PARTY NEVER STOPS FOR THE TRIO BEHIND ROCKIT RANCH PRODUCTIONS. I t's late on a Saturday night in August—or early Sunday morning, depending on your perspective—and Billy Dec, Arturo Gomez, and Brad Young are on their game: They're spread out and working the room at the Underground. The trio that makes up Rockit Ranch Productions (as CEO/ founder, president/partner, and chairman/founder, respectively) has just reopened its showcase venue after five months of renovations, which resulted in a new, wide-open layout, sexy lounge, and 40-foot HD video wall. Inside, the club is packed to capacity; on the sidewalk above the subterranean entrance, another thousand people are waiting to get in. "It's similar to a play or performance," says Dec, the ringleader of the three. "As soon as the lights hit, it's about everyone else's perception of the place and of you." For more than a decade, these gents have reigned over Chicago's nightlife scene, transforming River North into a destination for the young and beautiful, starting with Rockit Bar & Grill in 2004, then Rockit Burger Bar, sizzling Asian spot Sunda, barbecue joint Dragon Ranch, and newcomer ¡Ay Chiwowa!, an upscale Mexican hangout at Chicago Avenue. The three are usually spread out among the venues, but they're spending these first hot summer nights with their newly reinvented club and the celebrities that frequent it. Since reopening (and thanks to Dec's celebrity social circle cultivated from years on the scene), the club has already hosted stars like Robin Thicke, Michelle Williams, Aaron Paul, and Anthony Rizzo. The lights go up around 4 AM, and the night owls stick around a little longer before heading home for what little sleep they can squeeze in. (Notes Dec, "People don't realize that there is such a thing as a 22-hour day.") There's a lot more to be done tomorrow, back above ground—and the trio is ready for it. "In the nightclub industry, people think you just show up and open the doors at night," Young says. "But our workday starts like everyone else's. In the morning, seven days a week." ON ARTURO (LEFT): Velvet jacket ($1,195) and pants ($325), Versace Collection. Saks Fifth Avenue, 700 N. Michigan Ave., 312-799-5211; saks.com. Slim-fit button-down, Burberry ($250). 633 N. Michigan Ave., 312-787-2500; burberry.com. Shoes, Boss by Hugo Boss ($345). The Shops at North Bridge, 520 N. Michigan Ave., 312-321-0700; hugoboss.com. ON BRAD (CENTER): Black wool and silk peak-lapel suit, Dior Homme ($4,100). Saks Fifth Avenue, SEE ABOVE ; dior.com. Window-plaid shirt, Perry Ellis ($70). Macy's 111 N. State St., 312-781-1000; perryellis.com. Self-winding Jules Audemars watch, Audemars Piguet ($20,700). Swiss Fine Timing Atelier Jewellers, 645 N. Michigan Ave., 312-337-4700; audemarspiguet.com. ON BILLY (RIGHT): Tie, Ermenegildo Zegna ($195). 645 N. Michigan Ave., 312-587-9660; zegna.com. Flyback Carrera watch, TAG Heuer ($7,900). Macy's, 111 N. State St., 312-781-1000; tagheuer.com. Suit, shirt, hat, and shoes, Billy's own MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM 116-121_MA_FEAT_Fashion_October13.indd 119 119 9/17/13 4:17 PM