BOUTIQUES
NEW AESOP
Founded in Melbourne in 1987, this renowned Australian skincare brand has brought its ultra-luxe, carefully developed product lines—from facial toners and shampoo to body balm and fragrance—to the Midwest with this sophisticated, chic space in the heart of Bucktown’s Damen Avenue shopping district. 1653 N. Damen Ave., 872802-4 626; aesop.com
NEW ATHENE
Inspired by the “strong yet very feminine” Greek goddess of its name, this North Shore newcomer from fashionista Ashley Quicksilver takes style cues from rock ‘n’ roll icons and Audrey Hepburn alike. The minimalist space showcases a luxe selection of women’s wear brands ranging from Rona Pfeiffer to Rick Owens. 837 Elm St., Winnetka, 847-441-1918; athene-shop.com
NEW BELLE VIE BRIDAL COUTURE
Chicago fashion dynamo and bridal style aficionado Amanda Bonnell presents the ultimate curated selection of bridal fashions, featuring luxe gowns from the likes of J.mendel and Valentino to Bonnell’s own Audrey Grant line. 214 W. Erie St., 312-7512222; belleviebridalcouture.com
BILLY REID
Stock up on Southern-cool staples for men and women at the first Midwest boutique from this New York- and Alabama-based designer, the 2012 CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year, who has collaborated with brands ranging from Levi’s and J.crew to Neiman Marcus and K-swiss. 845 W. Randolph St., 312-614-1503; billyreid.com
BLAKE
One of the city’s most exquisite shopping destinations, this go-to from veteran fashionistas Marilyn Blaszka and Dominic Marcheschi features a smart, fastidiously edited selection from top-of-the-line designers like Balenciaga, Dries van Noten, Céline, and Marni. 212 W. Chicago Ave., 312-202-0047
BONOBOS
This menswear favorite founded by Chicago native Andy Dunn is the largest American clothing brand ever built on the web; now it has expanded its brick and mortar presence in the Windy City with two signature Guideshops, which personalize the shopping experience via individual Guides who walk clients through the trying-on and ordering process. 900 N. Michigan Ave., Second Fl., 312-8339149; 845 W. Armitage Ave., 773-697-4910; bonobos.com
BURDI
Trim, distinguished, and perpetually dapper, Rino Burdi is the ultimate ambassador for Gold Coast chic. It’s only fitting, since he practically grew up in the neighborhood while his Italian-born father, master tailor Alfonso Burdi, was establishing his boutique as the city’s premier source for handmade Italian style. Decades later, designer Rino carries on the family name with flair. 58 E. Walton St., 312-642-9166; burdiclothing.com
C.D. PEACOCK
A Chicago jewelry institution since 1837, with three suburban shopping center locations. Channel Grace Kelly with Mikimoto pearls, or go contemporary chic with timepieces from the likes of Gucci and Chanel. INSIDER TIP: Jewelry repair, watch service, appraisals, and custom design, too. 4999 Old Orchard Center, Skokie, 847-679-1837; E-140 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 847-619-6560; 172 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, 630-5715355; cdpeacock.com
DANIEL GEORGE
One of Chicago’s premier men’s clothiers, offering a range of custom attire, from suits and blazers to dress shirts, overcoats, and tuxedos, plus belts, shoes, cufflinks, and a variety of other accessories for the sharp-dressed gentleman. 155 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 770, 312-729-5202; danielgeorge customsuits.com
DOLCE & GABBANA
One of the pinnacles of Italian high fashion on Oak Street, with everything from technicolor footwear and show-stopping gowns, jewelry, and accessories to men’s suits and street fashion from Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana’s latest collection. 68 E. Oak St., 312-255-0630; dolcegabbana.com
FASHION OUTLETS OF CHICAGO
More than 130 stores with savings of up to 75 percent, including arbiters of chic like Burberry, Prada, Allsaints, and St. John. INSIDER TIP: Purchase a Green Savings Card for $5 from the Concierge Services desk on Level 1 for additional discounts. 5220 Fashion Outlets Way, Rosemont, 847-928-7500; fashionoutletsofchicago.com
GIORGIO ARMANI
Milan style near the Mag Mile. Explore the new Spring ’17 collection from this Italian fashion powerhouse’s Gold Coast headquarters, featuring filmy fabrics and loads of fringe for women, and easy jackets and pants for men. 25 E. Oak St., 312-751-2244; armani.com
GRAFF DIAMONDS
Renowned gemologist and Chicago store director Eve Rogers and her team showcase some of the most brilliant baubles in the world—from diamondand-ruby-encrusted necklaces to extraordinary timepieces—at this jewelry powerhouse’s Gold Coast location. 103 E. Oak St., 312-6041000; graffdiamonds.com
GUCCI
The Italian fashion house has unveiled a super-sleek flagship at the north end of the Magnificent Mile, featuring the latest collections from designer Alessandro Michele, from the ultimate in luxe suiting and eveningwear to the latest buzzed-about collaboration with street artist Guccighost. 900 N. Michigan
Ave., 312-664-5504; gucci.com
HALSTED EYE BOUTIQUE
Quality, comprehensive vision care from the Lakeview office of Dr. Joanna Slusky, from contact lenses and eyeglasses—including a luxe line of brands like Tom Ford, Bulgari,
Versace, and Chanel—to LASIK consultations and cancer screening. 2852 N. Halsted St., 773-549-1111; visionsource-halstedeyeboutique.com
INTERMIX
On-trend fashions from a curated selection of designers like Victoria Beckham and Alexander Wang with locations in three of the city’s hottest shopping districts: the Gold Coast, Lincoln Park’s Armitage Avenue, and Bucktown. 40 E. Delaware Pl., 312-640-2922; 841 W. Armitage Ave., 773-404-8766; 1633 N. Damen Ave., 773-292-0894; intermixonline.com
JAMES & SONS FINE JEWELERS
The recipient of Hearts on Fire’s 2016 Global Retailer of the Year award, this service-focused business features luxe watches, jewelry, diamonds, and engagement rings. 1457 N. Halsted St., 773-327-8800; 15234 S. Lagrange Rd., Orland Park, 708-2260800; 112 Indianapolis Blvd., Schererville, Indiana, 219-864-9090; jamesandsons.com
JIMMY CHOO
The footwear favorite has taken its place among its fellow fashion behemoths in the Gold Coast, settling into a gleaming new storefront on Oak Street. Shop the international icon’s latest collections, from pumps, wedges, and boots for women to men’s sneakers and dress shoes, plus bags, belts, and other luxe leather goods. 114 E. Oak St., 312-255-1170; jimmychoo.com
KAEHLER LUGGAGE
Before embarking on a fall getaway, be sure to visit this expanded outfitter for the jet set, featuring a wide selection of luxury travel brands, from Tumi, Filson, and Rimowa to the boutique’s own luxe Kaehler 1920, with duffels, briefcases, and accessories made with materials from Windy City-based Horween Leather. 900 N. Michigan Ave., Sixth Fl., 312-951-8106; worldtraveler.com
LESTER LAMPERT
Renowned for its stunning custom-made pieces crafted onsite by expert gemologists, this famed, family-owned Chicago jeweler has settle into a luxe, bilevel new 5,000-squarefoot River North showroom with a watch gallery and a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and design room. 7 E. Huron St., 312-944-6888; lesterlampert.com
MARSHALL PIERCE & COMPANY
With a legacy in watch- and clockmaking dating back to 1880s Sweden, the Bern family’s Chicago jewelry business adds serious sparkle to the Magnificent Mile with a broad-ranging selection of timepieces as well as bauble brands ranging from Oscar Heyman and Roberto Coin to Chicago’s own Dana Rebecca Designs. 960 N. Michigan Ave., 312-642-4299; marshallpierce.com
MONCLER
The ultimate in alpine-chic outerwear for men, women, and children, this France-founded, Italian-based brand features everything from luxe parkas, cardigans, and sweatshirts to shoes, luggage, scarves, and eyewear, all with the fashion label’s signature outdoorfabulous aesthetic. 33 E. Oak St., 312-361-8573; moncler.com
OXXFORD CLOTHES
The only suit maker in the nation that tailors its custom garments by hand, this famous West Loop-based label has been a Chicago institution since its founding in 1916 by brothers Louis and Jacob Weinberg. 1220 W. Van Buren St., 312-829-3600; oxxfordclothes.com
RAZNY JEWELRS
One of Chicagoland’s finest jewelry designers since 1951, this local institution recently opened an incredible new bilevel showroom in the heart of the Gold Coast on Oak Street. 109 E. Oak St., 312-663-8500; 1700 Green Bay Rd., Highland Park, 847-432-5300; 37 S. Washington St., Hinsdale, 630-455-1900; 1501 W. Lake St., Addison, 630-932-4900; razny.com
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE
Top designer brands (from Fendi and Balmain to Stella Mccartney) and of-the-moment fashions are on tap at this style-lover’s paradise, an upscale institution since the 1920s. Seventhfloor restaurant Sophie’s is a chic dining destination for lunching ladies and gents. 700 N. Michigan Ave., 312-799-5211; saks.com
SHOPS AT NORTH BRIDGE
Spread out across six city blocks and comprising Italian mega-market Eataly plus 50 stores (think Nordstrom, Vosges Haut-chocolat, Stuart Weitzman, and more) and 20 restaurants, this is one of the Magnificent Mile’s most primo shopping destinations. INSIDER TIP: Visitors who show their hotel room key at the Level 1 Concierge Services desk receive a Visitors Reward card featuring a variety of offers. 520 N. Michigan Ave., 312-327-2300; theshopsatnorthbridge.com
VERSACE
The ultimate Italian brand has returned to Chicago in this intimate bilevel space in the heart of the Gold Coast, where loyal customers can peruse the complete collection of Donatella Versace’s latest runway creations. 933 N. Rush St. 312-4459750; versace.com