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/422226
"our client is becoming more global, and american women are starting to really understand how important lingerie can be." —suzy biszantz Some of these new design elements include luxe materials, such as onyx and marble, as well as arched entrances inspired by La Perla's Italian heritage. A palette of soft blush tones and gold accents serves as a glamorous backdrop for the brand's delicate wares. Biszantz notes that the label's Chicago outpost will undergo the Baciocchi - designed renovation in 2016. "La Perla's retail strateg y has always been to have a presence in major cosmopolitan cities in the most important luxury shopping districts in the world, and of course that includes Chicago," she says. With headquarters in Bologna, La Perla is perhaps currently best- known Stateside for its luxurious undergarments (particularly the best-selling Maharani, Freesia, and Ballade collections, all made with Leavers lace), but the brand has its sights set far beyond the confines of bras, negligees, and camisoles. The current advertising campaign, which features supermodel Cara Delevingne in a sleek La Perla blazer and pants paired with a classic black lace bustier, is a prime example. "European women are historically more in tune with the fabric quality and craftsmanship behind a piece of lingerie, but our client is becoming more global, and American women in general are starting to really under- stand how important lingerie can be in terms of enhancing your outerwear and ready-to-wear," attests Biszantz, adding that investing in a piece of La Perla lingerie is often the perfect gateway for a customer to explore other categories. "Once you become comfortable with the fit and quality of a brand, you start looking for different offerings from that brand—that's certainly the way I shop." In January, La Perla will partici- pate in Paris haute couture for the first time in the brand's history. The show, according to Biszantz, will feature an "inner wear as outer- wear" theme and showcase all of La Perla's different categories. "If you look at the brands that show at couture, like Dior and Chanel, it's a very select group," she says. "It's really a way to make a statement with the brand." ma La Perla's Tearose Chantilly lace bodysuit, with built-in bra ($1,414). A look from La Perla's Spring/Summer ready-to-wear show. StyliSh StopS Favorite local destinations for La Perla chief executive Suzy Biszantz. Bernard's Bar at the Waldorf astoria: "if i'm running from place to place, i love to stop there for a business lunch." four seasons hotel: "we hosted an event here recently with petra nemcova, and they took excellent care of everyone." rl restaurant: "this is one of my favorites if i have a busy day of meetings." A bodysuit from La Perla's Freesia collection ($668), made with Leavers lace. 38 michiganavemag.com Style the tastemaker