ML - Michigan Avenue

2015 - Issue 1 - Spring

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!

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CHICAGO HAS ALWAYS BEEN A FASHION FORCE, foregoing the f lash of Paris and New York for a quietly chic Midwestern look, and in recent years the city has made ever more stylish strides. Along with Macy's Chicago Fashion Incubator (a program designed to keep local talent from decamping to the coasts), fashion programs at the School of the Art Institute and Columbia College have given us cred, especially with fashion icons like SAIC fashion chair Nick Cave (whose SoundSuits have been featured in Vogue and Elle) at the helm. Style wunderkind Tavi Gevinson hails from west suburban Oak Park, and "Chicago Styled," a recent exhibit at the Chicago History Museum, joyously celebrated Chicago's fashion f lair—and cemented the fact that the city takes the art form more seriously than ever. SHADY BUSINESS: "One of our main missions at Mott 50 is teaching about healthy sun practices. Skin cancer is on the rise in America, and one in fi ve Americans will get it in their lifetime—and that's largely preventable. I've become so diligent about it— even when I go for a run on the lakefront, I feel so exposed if I'm not in Mott 50." ON FASHION-FORWARD CHICAGO: "Chicago is pulling in world-class minds doing [great] things across all indus- tries, and any time you have innovators and people with creative minds, good ideas will emerge. Fashion is a really important part of the arts, so I'm not surprised Chicago is becoming a fashion hub." HER FAVORITE CHICAGO DESIGNER: "Azeeza Khan. She's a Chicago-based designer with gorgeous pieces and unique detailing." LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE Monique Hypes, cofounder, Mott 50 Epicenters of Cool: Fashion AKIRA: Once a single outpost in Wicker Park, this Chicago success story of edgy fashions at reasonable prices has grown to 17 locations. shopakira.com IKRAM: There's a reason this 13,000-square-foot style mecca makes every fashion must list. The space is as beautiful as the items in it, with designers like Alexander McQueen, Azzedine Alaïa, and Jimmy Choo. 15 E. Huron St., 312-587- 1000; ikram.com JAYSON HOME: Interior designers love this outpost with its artistic mix of new and vintage home goods. 1885 N. Clybourn Ave., 773-248- 8180; jaysonhome.com LUXURY GARAGE SALE: High-end consign- ment meets leisurely window shopping at this Old Town vintage oasis. 1658 N. Wells St., 312-291-9126; luxurygaragesale.com Our hearts belong to Michigan Avenue, but for the city's most absolutely of-the-moment shopping, head west to Damen Avenue in Bucktown, where upscale brands rub elbows with the hippest boutiques. And yes, we know it's been a popular strip for a decade, but the past year has brought a face-lift, with a new TOMS outpost and Shinola store (home to the "It" watch of the moment). Start at Damen and Willow and walk south: In the four blocks to North Avenue, shop high-end women's clothes at Intermix, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and Nanette Lepore; menswear at Gant, Steven Alan, and Scotch and Soda; kids' threads at Peek; and accessories at Alexis Bittar and Diptyque. Indie boutiques have made way for some more name-brand retailers (Nike and Asics, to name a few), but that doesn't lessen the fashion cred in this shopping haven. A recent addition to the block is Vintage Charm which, despite its name, actually only stocks a small collection of vintage wares. The boutique also carries lines like Tracy Reese, Jack by BB Dakota, and Yosi Samra. FOR THE COOLEST LOOK S, LOOK NO FURTHER . For Monique Hypes, Mott 50—a stylish Chicago-based line of sun-protective clothing—began with a day at the beach with friend Anne Reilly. "All of our friends were taking cover in big hats and sunglasses and reapplying sunscreen," says the Lincoln Park resident. That was the cue for Hypes and Reilly to team up for Mott 50, which launched in 2011 and is currently sold in 150 stores nationwide, including Krista K boutique on Southport Avenue and Neopolitan Collection in Winnetka. This spring, Mott 50 will launch its first kids' line as well as a new collection featuring spun-rayon fabric. "It's really lightweight and breathable. We'll have great caftans, tunics, and an oversized boyfriend shirt." Keep your eyes on these three up-and-coming Chicago designers. Jack Cave: Nick's not the only fashion designer in the family. His brother Jack's home and fashion accessories are bold and unexpected— most notable the prefolded pocket squares. etsy.com/shop/jackcave Grace Lee-Lim: After designing her own wedding dress, this Art Institute of Chicago grad did brides everywhere a favor by creating her own line of simple, ethereal gowns. lee-lim.com Kahindo Mateene: The designer behind Modahnik may have been booted in the second episode of Project Runway's 12th season, but her bold prints and poppy colors are big-time winners. modahnik.com Hot Block: The city's chicest shopping strip Ones to Watch // FASHION // With up-and-coming designers and avant-garde boutiques, Chicago is raising stylish eyebrows everywhere. 120 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM

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