Chicago’s Luxury Artisan Stars
Chicago’s cup overfloweth with luxurious, artisan-made treasures, from bag makers to hatters and custom tailors. Here are some of Chicago’s brightest artisan stars.
Sure, the Givenchy Lucrezia is a timeless statement piece, but why go ‘Kendall’ when you can go custom? Chicago’s Laudi Vidni offers the same high-end look, courtesy of butter-soft Italian leather and a hand-stitched-in-the-US finish, but in styles adaptable to your taste, so you need never risk a ‘twinning’ fashion faux-pas again. Choose from a kaleidoscopic array of skins and styles spanning totes, box bags, satchels, wallets and passport holders to create your very own one-off accessory, then have it shipped to your door in 3-5 weeks. For the impatient, there’s a his n’ hers prêt-à-porter selection too.
Although homegirl Winifred Grace stocks everything from lifestyle goodies and dainty homewares to rusticky apparel like sun hats, straw baskets, and blouses, it’s her charming custom jewellery that really gets our hearts racing. Have personal details of your choosing engraved on south-of-the-border-style constellation cuffs and coin pendants, or simply browse so-now huggies, bracelet charms and beaded bands in 14k gold. Winnie even upskills her Mexican factory-worker women so they can provide for their families. What's not to love?
If the hat maketh the man, then Optimo has a range of toppers that’ll speak very highly of you indeed. Chicagoan Graham Thompson and his team of master milliners handcraft every dapper chapeau imaginable – fedora, trilbie, Panama, pork pie and more – from only top-notch materials like felt, beaver, mink, velvet, and straw. Although predominantly made for men, Optimo also shelves ‘The Mia in Bedrock’, a versatile, lightweight gal’s number named for Thompson’s daughter. No appointment necessary for in-store fittings – they can even take your particulars over the phone, make to measure and ship to you.
From GQ to Forbes, gent style-setters can’t get enough of Balani Custom Clothiers, a ritzy homegrown tailor that’s been dressing Chi-town dandies since 1961. Whether you’re looking for a tux, trench coat, or button-down shirt, you’re just 23 measurements away from the perfect razor-sharp fit. Neat.
Laudi Vidni / 1007 W Armitage Ave / Lincoln Park / +1 773 697 7847 / 9am-6pm Mon-Fri, 11am-6pm Sat, noon-5pm Sun / laudividni.com
Winifred Grace / 5642 N Clark St / Andersonville / +1 872 806 2455 / 10am-5pm Mon-Wed, 10am-6pm Thu-Fri, 11am-6pm Sat, noon-5pm Sun / winifredgrace.com
Optimo / 51 W Jackson Blvd / The Loop / +1 312 922 2999 / 10am-5pm Mon-Sat / optimo.com
Balani Custom Clothiers / 55 W Monroe St / The Loop / +1 312 263 9003 / by appt / balanicustom.com