Shopping - Chicago 2005 - page 240

sandals, and two-tone spectators in every material imaginable, from leather and
crocodile to lizard and stingray. Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave. & 312/337-3700.
Subway/El: Red Line to Chicago.
Donald J Pliner Light and airy, with Tibetan rugs, giant mirrors, and a pol-
ished hardwood floor, hometown retail hero Donald Pliner's Oak Street bou-
tique evokes a contemporary art gallery. In fact, he peppers the place with his
signature wooden pig figurines. But Pliner's shoe selection goes above and
beyond whimsical. Cowboy boots, in basic black and outrageously funky colors,
fly off the shelves. He also offers mules—in leopard and cow prints, no less—as
well as many styles in colored furs. 106 E. Oak St. & 312/202-9600. Subway/El: Red Line
to Chicago.
G'Bani On the corner of Oak and State, this funky, European-style boutique
caters to men and women unfulfilled by designs made for the masses. The owner,
a former fashion buyer for several high-style stores abroad, sells upscale clothing
and shoes (priced $120-$900) often skewed toward fit fashionistas in their 20s
through their 40s. 949 N. State St. & 312/440-1718. Subway/El: Red Line to Chicago.
Lori's Designer Shoes Lori's looks like a local version of Payless Shoes,
with shoeboxes stacked on the floor and women surrounded by piles of heels and
boots that they try on and trade in search of the perfect fit. But the designer names
on most of those shoes prove that this is a step above your typical discount store.
A mecca for shoe-obsessed fashion slaves, Lori's stocks all the latest styles, at prices
that average 10% to 30% below department-store rates. 824 W. Armitage Ave. (between
Sheffield Ave. and Halsted St.). & 773/281-5655. Subway/El: Brown Line to Armitage.
Stuart Weitzman Strappy high-heeled sandals from this shoe seller to the
stars make regular appearances on the red carpet at the Academy Awards and
other A-list celebrity events. Go to Stuart Weitzman for shoes that make a dra-
matic impression—on your feet and on your wallet. You'll find lots of special-
occasion heels here, as well as some lovely knee-high boots. 900 N. Michigan Ave.
& 312/943-5760. Subway/El: Red Line to Chicago.
Tod's Opened in late 1999, the Chicago outpost of princely Italian footwear
fave, Tod's has already emerged as a stronghold on fashion-forward Oak Street.
Characterized by detailed workmanship and top-quality material, the Tod's lines
include their popular calfskin-moccasin driving shoe, high-heeled sandals, balle-
rina-style shoes, and mules in various colors. (And that's to say nothing of their
trademark fab handbags.) 121 E. Oak St. & 312/943-0070. Subway/El: Red Line to Chicago.
SOUVENIRS & MAPS
ArchiCenter Shop Stop here for the coolest gifts in town. This bright, sleek
shop is part of the Chicago Architecture Foundation, so everything in stock—
including photography books, tour guides, stationery, and kids' toys—has a def-
inite sense of style. Whether you're in the market for a $900 reproduction of a
vase from Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House or more affordable black-and-
white photos of the city skyline, it's well worth a stop. 224 S. Michigan Ave. (at Jack-
son St.). & 312/922-3432. Subway/El: Red Line to Jackson.
Chicago Tribune Store Yes, you'll find plenty of newspaper-logo T-shirts
and Cubs hats here (the Tribune Company owns the team). But this shop,
located on the ground floor of the newspaper offices, also has a great collection
of books; you also can order reproductions of the Tribune 's front page or color
prints of photos from the newspaper's archives. 435 N. Michigan Ave. (at Hubbard St.).
& 312/222-3080. Subway/El: Red Line to Grand.

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