FASHIONABLE DISCOVERIES: Now in Chicago

Chicago has been stepping up its fashion and shopping game over the last few years, with international labels like Dolce and Gabbana, Sandro, Maje, Saint Laurent, Hoss Intropia, Carolina Harrara and Zadig & Voltaire. Four major brands have recently opened shops in Chicago, for some it’s their first store in the US.

GOYARD

The French leather luxury brand, Goyard, has opened its first Midwest boutique in Neiman Marcus. This is major news Chicago fans of this iconic brand have been waiting to hear. With no e-commerce site, before this store you could only purchase Goyard in four US cities, Beverly Hills, San Francisco, New York, and Boston. Prices available upon request.

GOYARD, Neiman Marcus, 737 N Michigan Ave, 312.642.5900

RENT THE RUNWAY

Rent The Runway, an online service that allows customers to rent designer fashions for a fraction of the cost, has opened its fourth brick-and-mortar shop in Chicago’s Gold Coast. Customers can now try things on before they rent them thereby eliminating any sizing issues. The store will have rotating inventory from over 300 major designers like Vera Wang, Nha Khanh, Diane von Furstenberg, Cushnie et Ochs, Marchesa Notte. Along with dresses, you’ll also be able to rent accessories such as jewelry and handbags. Stylists will be on hand for one-to-one appointments and to help pull head-to-toe looks for a $25 fee. One of my favorites things, the Selfie Mirror, which allows customers to snap a photo of their reflection to send to their email. Prices for four-day apparel rentals range from $30 to $800, and accessory rentals are $5 to $400.

Rent The Runway, 710 N Wabash Avenue, 312.288.7570

LES NÉRÉIDES PARIS

This Parisian jewelry brand, know for their whimsical hand-painted enamel jewelry or ‘bijoux haute-fantaisie’, have opened their first US store in Chicago. With 40 stores worldwide (London, Paris, Milan, Sydney, Tokyo and Brussels) they plan to open ten more across the states.
Les Néréides' collection consists of quintessential French symbols like ballerinas or the Eiffel Tower as well as other fanciful themes such as fairy tales, nature, and sea creatures. My personal favorite is their ‘Fashion Week’ collection from their diffusion line N2. It features stylishly dressed girls from around the world – like a fashionista’s version of ‘It’s a Small World’. Prices range from $60 to over $300.

Les Néréides Paris, Block 37, 108 n State Street, 312.255.7042

DYLAN’S CANDY BAR

Dylan Lauren, the daughter of the iconic American fashion designer Ralph Lauren, didn’t go into the family business. Instead, she decided to open the world’s largest candy shop in NYC and fill it with more than 7,000 types of candy from all over the world including Spain, Vienna and Asia. Fourteen years and four stores later she has opened her first Midwest location on the Magnificent Mile.

Dylan’s Candy Bar, 445 N Michigan Ave, 312.702.2247