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/297393
Life of the Party FROM THE PAGES OF PLAYBOY TO THE HEIGHTS OF CHICAGO'S SOCIETY SCENE, WOMANABOUTTOWN CANDACE JORDAN GETS CANDID ABOUT HER FAVORITE PLACES IN THE CITY. BY J.P. ANDERSON CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Candace Jordan; a brooch from Susanin's; La Scarola; Eskandar. With her piercing eyes and signature close-cropped hair, Candace Jordan is one of the most recognizable figures on the Windy City gala circuit, and her enthusiastic interview style has made her website, CandidCandace.com, a go-to source for Chicagoans who can't get enough of the socialite scene. It's just the latest chapter in the life of the former high school valedictorian from tiny Dupo, Illinois, who moved here to work at the Playboy Club, ended up gracing eight Playboy covers, and became an unabashed fan of the city. "It's the people that really make Chicago interesting," she says. "They're down to earth, they're hardworking, they're not pretentious. That's what I love most." As Jordan prepares to launch a revamped website, she shares some of the places that make the Windy City special to her. "I shop everywhere for clothing—high, low, in between—and I don't really have a favorite designer. I am known for my statement necklaces, though, and my favorite place to shop for them is ESKANDAR (70 E. Walton St., 312-649-6080; eskandar.com). It's such unusual craftsmanship, unusual styles and designs, things I've never seen before. They're not inexpensive, but if you want to make a statement, that's the place to go. "Going to so many big black-tie events and dress-up galas, I gravitate toward restaurants that are low-key and casual. I just love LA SCAROLA (721 W. Grand Ave., 312-243-1740; lascarola.com). The food is great—I'll order any kind of pasta with marinara sauce—but it's more about the atmosphere for me. I love the people there; [owner] Joey Mondelli and chef-owner Armando make that place fun. They'll sit with you and hand out tequila shots, and I love all the photos on the walls, many by Victor Skrebneski, so they're iconic pictures. There's just a great buzz. I also love PIZANO'S (864 N. State St., 312-751-1766; pizanoschicago.com), which is about a block from my home. I'm crazy about Christmas—I collect antique Christmas items—and they have Christmas-like décor up 365 days a year. It's very charming and inviting. "I've been going to CHARLES IFERGAN salon (106 E. Oak St., 312-642-4484; charlesifergan.com) for 30 years. He's been my only hairdresser in Chicago. We col- laborated on this haircut early on—I've had it for years. He's obviously a fabulous hairdresser, but he's so charming; he inspires great loyalty in all of his clients. I bet he has more long-term customers than any other stylist in the city. "I'm a huge believer in buying antiques at auctions. I love SUSANIN'S (900 S. Clinton St., 312-832-9800; susanins.com) because you never know what you're going to find there. I've known Sean Susanin for years, way before he moved to his current space. He usu- ally includes off beat items as well as serious artwork in his auctions. We bought a Baccarat chandelier there that is one of our very favorite things." MA PHOTOGRAPHY BY GINTAS ZARANKA (JORDAN); ANTHONY TAHLIER (LA SCAROLA) 120 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM SOCIAL NETWORK 120_MA_SS_SocialNetwork_May/June_14.indd 120 4/14/14 10:05 AM