ML - Michigan Avenue

2013 - Issue 7 - November

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/198792

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 100 of 155

FROM LEFT: The CH Chicago boutique offers apparel for men, women, and children; leopard pump ($510); and black reversible vest ($600). PHOTOGRAPHY BY GETTY (STORE) W ith over 15,000 points of distribution in more than 104 countries and a collection that includes bridal, fragrance, and men's, women's, and children's apparel and accessories, Venezuelan-American designer Carolina Herrera has built a global empire since the founding of her eponymous brand in 1981. Now she's bringing a slice of it to Chicago with her newest CH Carolina Herrera boutique, which opened in October in the Gold Coast. Known as one of the best-dressed women in the world, Herrera has built a reputation as the go-to designer for glamorous, sophisticated, and feminine clothing since the early '80s, with stars such as Renée Zellweger, Amy Adams, and Julianne Hough as huge fans of her Carolina Herrera New York collection. In 2001, however, realizing that Carolina Herrera was not just a clothing collection, Herrera launched her CH Carolina Herrera lifestyle collection, offering her effortless sophistication in clothing for the entire family. "CH is the continuation of Carolina Herrera New York," she proclaims. "It's a complete collection for men, women, and children because [Carolina Herrera] is a lifestyle. It's not just about clothes. You can go into a CH store and get a book, or something for the weekend, or something for the children." Her fashion philosophy is one she's honed over time, as both a style icon and designer. "I love to make beautiful things.... You should cover all the aspects of every collection you design. And for me, there should be relaxed looks as well as sophisticated eveningwear. You can wear something from Carolina Herrera New York and then mix it with CH and it's perfectly right Camilla Belle and Amy Adams, both in CH Carolina Herrera. "I like Chicago women. They are sophisticated, love fashion, and they are modern." because they have the same silhouettes." The new Oak Street boutique exemplifies Herrera's philosophy, with elements of texture, lighting, and materials such as wood, leather, and silk incorporated into the 1,800-square-foot jewel box of a store to fully represent the Carolina Herrera lifestyle and experience. "We wanted to do the CH Chicago boutique in a very cozy way," says Herrera, "so people come in and feel at home. It's a universe of elegance, comfort, —CAROLINA HERRERA and style all housed in a beautiful space." Debuting in this intimate space is her CH Fall 2013 collection, which celebrates how her aesthetic translates to mens-, womens-, and childrenswear. "[The collection] is very sporty with easy-towear clothes, with the signature of Carolina Herrera. I have many favorite looks [this season]," she says. "I'm in love with the black vest we did in lace; you can wear it during the day or in the evening with trousers or with a black skirt. The looks in a CH boutique are very determined. What you see there is to make women [and their families] look more beautiful and elegant; something you can wear in the countryside or a very formal evening affair. It covers every aspect of life, and that is what fashion should be." She aims to visit the new CH store soon during her extensive travels. "Last time [I was in Chicago]," Herrera states, "I went to the Art Institute of Chicago to the Picasso exhibit. One of my favorite things was taking the wonderful architecture boat tour around the city—it is fabulous. I wish I could stay longer [each trip] and see more," she says. When asked what inspired the idea of a Chicago boutique in the first place, Herrera lights up: "I love Chicago! I like Chicago women. I think they are very similar to the woman for whom I design. They are sophisticated, love fashion, and they are modern. This was the right moment, and we found the perfect location for the CH boutique. It will have something from Chicago [specifically in it] because I always like CH boutiques to reflect the city." She continues, "[A Chicago woman] is not afraid to be called elegant during the day or evening. I think Chicago is very similar to New York; there are cocktails and galas in the evenings and a lot of charities. There is something happening every night." 70 E. Oak St., 312-988-9339; carolinaherrera.com/ch MA MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM 098-099_MA_SS_TasteMaker_Nov13.indd 99 99 10/21/13 6:37 PM

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of ML - Michigan Avenue - 2013 - Issue 7 - November