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/532497
left: With TR Napa Valley CEO Andy Li at The Langham Chicago for our fundraiser luncheon for Dylan's Candy Barn. right: No party is really complete without a bunny—at least for the opening of Dylan's Candy Bar, where I was joined by (from left) Michigan Avenue's J.P. Anderson, Dylan Lauren, Mr. Bunny, and Bianca Anderson of Belvedere Vodka. Being a native new Jerseyan, I grew up spending ample time in Manhattan. What always entranced me weren't just the dizzying heights of the skyscrapers, but the beauty of buildings at the ground level. Department store stalwarts like Saks, Macy's, and Barneys decked out their windows in ambitious displays of decadence, elevating retail shopping into an immersive, artful experience. Chicago, anchored by the fashionable Mag Mile and Oak Street, embraces this tradition. Accordingly, we've again teamed up with Oak Street Design and the Art Institute of Chicago for our annual "Project Windows" design contest. Between June 29 and July 20, keep an eye out as Macy's, Paul Stuart, and other stores outfit their windows in arrangements inspired by the museum's permanent collection. Vote at michiganavemag.com/projectwindows for your favorite display and accompany us in toasting the winners at our reception at the Hotel Palomar on July 20. It's only fitting that the contest coincides with our inaugural Art of the City issue. You might remember last year's psychedelic Peter Max – painted Summer cover; we're excited to once again have our city artistically interpreted on our cover—this time through the paintbrush of local rising star Hebru Brantley. (Need an introduction to his work? My favorite is his mural on the side of Nike's Bucktown location.) We'll toast this Chicago native at Dolce Italian on July 23; check michiganavemag.com for information on how you can bid on an original Brantley piece, with proceeds benefiting the Chicago Artists Coalition. Lastly, I hope you can join us for our fourth annual Ashore Thing celebration, presented by BMO Harris Bank, taking place at the East End of Navy Pier on July 11. With partners including the Chicago Yacht Club, Veuve Clicquot, Belvedere, Spex, 900 North Michigan Shops, Voss, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, Bob Loquercio Auto Group, Peroni, Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy, Celebrity Cruises, Pinstripes, and CBS, we'll toast summertime in Chicago against the beautiful Lake Michigan backdrop. Of course, you'll need a preppy nautical getup. Might I suggest some window shopping? Follow me on Twitter at @danuslan and on Facebook at facebook.com/danieluslan. dan uslan photography by Jeff Schear 28 michiganavemag.com letter from the President and Publisher