The Lucky Store Directory
Chicago
Barneys New York
Though highly regarded as the ultimate department store, it always takes a chance on emerging labels, often before even the smallest boutiques do. Its Co-op area—our favorite—focuses on young designers.
15 E. Oak St., 312-587-1700, barneys.com
Blake
In this stark, unmarked space in a former post office, understatement prevails: The pieces on the racks are dramatic and somber, with Dries Van Noten jeweled sandals, Marni dresses, and sculpted silhouettes by Balenciaga.
212 W. Chicago Ave., 312-202-0047
Eskell
Accented with driftwood chunks and antique postcards touting obscure Midwest locales (the Kankakee County Courthouse, anyone?), this quirky Bucktown shop serves as a flagship for the popular house clothing line; garments by Seneca Rising, Something Else, and Dolce Vita flesh out the stock.
1509 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-486-0830, eskell.com
Gamma Player
In their global travels as musicians and owners of a dance music label, Jeff Mills and Yoko Uozumi also often come across promising young designers. To give these discoveries stateside exposure, the couple created Gamma Player—the cosmic-sounding name derives from one of Jeff's songs—and kitted it out with an all-black interior and theatrical lights. The darkly elegant garments, which include deconstructed jackets from Parisian Anne Valerie Hash and web-like knits by Copenhagen native Iben Hoj, are the ideal complement to the store's futuristic-catacomb feel.
2035 W. Division St., 773-235-0755, gammaplayer.com
Greer
This paper goods shop has the intimate ambience of an eccentric professor's study: Letterpress invitations spill from an ancient card catalog, fancy pens are displayed in an antique glass case, and amusingly retro etiquette books (like George Washington's Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation) rest atop an old dental cabinet.
1657 N. Wells St., 312-337-8000, greerchicago.com
Handle With Care
Originally a small gift shop, this long-standing neighborhood favorite occupies two enormous attached storefronts, and each has a distinct identity. The original space sells prettily packaged candles along with nicely priced tops and dresses; the lofty second chamber adopts a modern exoticism as its theme, with Turkish glass lanterns and color-splashed garments.
1706 N. Wells St., 312-751-2929, handlewithcarechicago.com
Helen Yi
This spot is the definition of understated—serene and gallery-like, with simple white walls and stainless steel racks that seem to float above the floor. The clothing consists of smartly curated modern classics: Sari Gueron skirts and Derek Lam blouses.
1645 N. Damen Ave., 773-252-3838, helenyi.com
Ikram
With its artfully elegant interior—curved archways, filigree screens, mushroom-like Murano discs suspended from the ceiling—this upscale standard has long been known as the place to zero in on high-end-but-experimental talents like Viktor & Rolf and Rick Owens. Our favorite reason to visit Ikram is its wait-list-worthy selection of shoes (particularly styles by Lanvin, Maison Martin Margiela, and Azzedine Alaïa).
873 N. Rush St., 312-587-1000, ikram.com
Isabella Fine Lingerie
We didn't believe it until we experienced it, but co-owner Lauren Amerine is a phenom when it comes to determining bra size—no measuring required. Take advantage of her skills and let her find you the most flattering style from Le Mystère, Prima Donna, Marie Jo, and Cosabella.
840 W. Armitage Ave., 773-281-2352, shopisabella.com
Jake
A modern Hollywood Regency look—red lacquer cabinets, ornate oversize mirrors, midcentury pendant chandeliers—is a fitting setting for the elegantly tailored picks (many of which are exclusive to the store) from designers like Keith Lissner, Adam, and Sea.
939 N. Rush St., 312-664-5253, shopjake.com
