Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/109585
FASHION NEWS personal belongings Laurie Davis rocks her go-to look: simple black with a statement brooch. PVMN���S LUXE LEATHER HANDBAGS MAKE A REFINED WINDY CITY STATEMENT. Necklace from the Signature LuLu���s collection ($425). the queen of vintage STYLE MAVEN LAURIE DAVIS BRINGS LULU���S TO THE 900 NORTH MICHIGAN SHOPS. Iradj Moini brooch ($775). A treasure trove of vintage YSL, Dior, and Lacroix, LuLu���s at the Belle Kay has drawn couture lovers to Lincoln Avenue with almost magnetic force since opening in 2003. Now, with a second boutique opening this month on the Mag Mile, owner Laurie Davis���s concept steps squarely into the downtown spotlight. Housed in the 900 North Michigan Shops and outfitted to evoke Regency Hollywood, LuLu���s on the Avenue differs from Davis���s original store in that its focus is, at least for now, solely on accessories: vintage and contemporary jewelry, handbags, and custom headwear. (���If things go well,��� Davis says, ���we���ll [add] carefully edited pieces of clothing.���) Designers such as Larry Vrba, Iradj Moini, and Roni Blanshay (all LuLu���s staples) abound, along with a new Bochic-esque collection of Indian diamond jewelry and, of course, the LuLu���s signature collection. A second LuLu���s was never part of the plan, says Davis, but then the opportunity arose in one of the city���s most coveted retail districts. ���With all the new stores [in the area]���Lanvin, Louboutin, YSL���there is more street cred here than ever,��� Davis attests. ���It���s among the great shopping destinations in the country.��� The opportunity may have been kismet, but Davis���s success as one of the city���s most sought-after sources for luxe jewelry is the result of pure talent. ���In high school I was voted as having the best accessories in my senior class,��� Davis says. ���I never really appreciated or even understood it���I just did what I did.��� So how does Davis don jewelry���is she dripping with diamonds or is she of the ���take one accessory off before leaving home��� persuasion? ���I believe in wearing one fabulous statement piece with very simple clothing,��� she says. ���A well-placed brooch on a simple black dress can speak volumes.��� 900 N. Michigan Ave., 773-404-5858; lulusbellekay.com MA 90 IT HAS BEEN SAID that what a woman chooses to carry inside her handbag can reveal untold amounts about the woman herself. But with an accessory that manages to stay by your side more often than not, why let the inside do all the talking? Founded by Chicago residents Paola Victoria and Michael Noonan, PVMN offers luxury leather handbags that say more about you and your surroundings than their contents ever could. Drawing inspiration from Chicago���s architecture, cultural institutions, and diverse neighborhoods, the design duo have named their handbags after Chicago streets. ���We decided to use names of the streets that surround our lives because of the inspiration we receive from what we see on the streets. Customers can identify themselves with certain parts of the city depending on which bag they purchase, and bring that part [of Chicago] with them everywhere they go,��� Victoria explains. In rich tones of gold, tangerine, emerald, African violet, and gunmetal, the new Spring collection includes the Huron clutch, the double-strapped Pearson tote, the hobo-style Wells, and the top-handle Ontario tote. ���We try to create classic pieces with a unique appeal that can make a strong statement,��� Noonan adds. ���We keep current with color and material trends from season to season, but our designs are timeless and classic.��� With so many elegant iterations, we have a feeling you���ll be Pearson tote hard-pressed to narrow ($449). your avenue allegiance to just one. Space 519, 900 N. Michigan Ave., 312-751-1519; pvmnboutique.com MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM 090-092_MA_SS_FashionNews_Spring13.indd 90 2/11/13 3:55 PM