Chicago focuses on fashion
Inside a big white tent in the middle of Millennium Park, industry reps, decked-out fashionistas and fashion buyers from across the country gathered to see the latest from Chicago's fashion designers. The rest of us -- who just love fashion -- got to join the party for a week.
Clarins lifts away years
Spice up winter wardrobe
Inside a big white tent in the middle of Millennium Park, industry reps, decked-out fashionistas and fashion buyers from across the country gathered to see the latest from Chicago's fashion designers. The rest of us -- who just love fashion -- got to join the party for a week.
• Photos: Fashion Focus
Video: Get the runway look
Spice up winter wardrobe
Clarins lifts away years
Shopping: Updates from our blog
Free-martini events stirring female buyers
Businesses are lowering the bar, and embracing it, to boost sales -- putting free or discounted martinis in the hands of women and pitching them goods and services. Martini Park has found the practice has boosted revenue by 25 percent. Its Wednesday Martinis in the City brings in women-centric businesses and groups.
Businesses are lowering the bar, and embracing it, to boost sales -- putting free or discounted martinis in the hands of women and pitching them goods and services. Martini Park has found the practice has boosted revenue by 25 percent. Its Wednesday Martinis in the City brings in women-centric businesses and groups.
Stores prepping for dismal holiday season
There are bargains to be had. Alarmed by the financial meltdown, stores nationwide are slapping sale signs on everything from fall sweaters to furniture -- frantically trying to attract shoppers who are cutting back.
A tour of new American Girl
Sandra Guy: The American Girl Place store, already one of Chicago's top tourist attractions, is 30 percent bigger at its new Water Tower Place site, and touts an exclusive doll T-shirt design shop, big-screen photos of child shoppers, and a streetscape of doll services such as a salon and ear piercing. Opening day Wednesday attracted several hundred excited shoppers by noon through word-of-mouth buzz.
A tour of new American Girl
Sandra Guy: The American Girl Place store, already one of Chicago's top tourist attractions, is 30 percent bigger at its new Water Tower Place site, and touts an exclusive doll T-shirt design shop, big-screen photos of child shoppers, and a streetscape of doll services such as a salon and ear piercing. Opening day Wednesday attracted several hundred excited shoppers by noon through word-of-mouth buzz.
Mall opens amid economic fall
Sandra Guy: A luxury lifestyle mall in tony South Barrington is one of only a few in the United States to open in today's harsh economic climate. "This project clearly got in under the wire," said Skip Martin, a partner with Lake Forest-based commercial real-estate firm Highview Partners.
Western villages vie for retail
Sandra Guy: A luxury lifestyle mall in tony South Barrington is one of only a few in the United States to open in today's harsh economic climate. "This project clearly got in under the wire," said Skip Martin, a partner with Lake Forest-based commercial real-estate firm Highview Partners. Western villages vie for retail
Local makeup guru offers a few helpful tips
When he's not painting the faces of celebrities, Lake View resident Alex Sanchez works behind the scenes at runway shows. On the heels of New York Fashion Week, Sanchez is giddy to be back, and backstage, for Fashion Focus Chicago next week. Sanchez put down his blush brush last week to give Chicago women a few tips.
Carrying a conversation
Hair today, gone today
Fashion week schedule
When he's not painting the faces of celebrities, Lake View resident Alex Sanchez works behind the scenes at runway shows. On the heels of New York Fashion Week, Sanchez is giddy to be back, and backstage, for Fashion Focus Chicago next week. Sanchez put down his blush brush last week to give Chicago women a few tips.
• Photos: 5 products women should own
Fashion week schedule
Carrying a conversation
Hair today, gone today
New American Girl store opens Oct. 4
American Girl Place, Chicago's doll-and-tourist attraction, will open at its new site at Water Tower Place on Oct. 4, the retailer based in Middleton, Wis., said Tuesday.
Know your fall boots
Women -- including me -- have been emotionally involved with their boots for a few years now, but this fall, our shopping selection is bigger than ever. Stores are offering everything from open-toe booties to over-the-knee boots. But with all of our choices this fall, the terms for boots can get confusing. With the help of Gregg Andrews, fashion director at Nordstrom, here is a little boot dictionary to help you find, fit and buy the right boot for you.
Women -- including me -- have been emotionally involved with their boots for a few years now, but this fall, our shopping selection is bigger than ever. Stores are offering everything from open-toe booties to over-the-knee boots. But with all of our choices this fall, the terms for boots can get confusing. With the help of Gregg Andrews, fashion director at Nordstrom, here is a little boot dictionary to help you find, fit and buy the right boot for you.
Shopping for clothes online goes 3-D at Sears
Sandra Guy: Sears may be known as a struggling 122-year-old retailer, but it is making sudden splashes in the young person's world of cyberspace. It will announce today a new way of searching for clothes using photos rather than text, and a three-dimensional, personalized model that allows shoppers to mix and match outfits and accessories. The Hoffman Estates-based retailer will introduce on Oct. 22 the latest version of "My Virtual Model" on the Web site Sears.com.
Sandra Guy: Sears may be known as a struggling 122-year-old retailer, but it is making sudden splashes in the young person's world of cyberspace. It will announce today a new way of searching for clothes using photos rather than text, and a three-dimensional, personalized model that allows shoppers to mix and match outfits and accessories. The Hoffman Estates-based retailer will introduce on Oct. 22 the latest version of "My Virtual Model" on the Web site Sears.com.
