Akira – Erikka Wang, Jon Cotay, Eric Hsueh

2002 marked the opening of the first Akira store, a women’s boutique, on North Avenue in Bucktown. Just five years later the company has expanded into six locations and includes full-lines of womenswear, menswear, footwear, and accessories. The pieces are fashion forward and trendy, bringing fresh clothing and accessories to Chicago. Customers can find something for every occasion from casual daywear to elegant eveningwear, plus find some shoes and accessories to go with it. Even better, everything is budget-friendly, perfect for its core audience of 20-35 urbanites.

The three owners have meant to keep Akira a local institution, showcasing local designers and highlighting Chicago as a fashion capital. The owners love meeting new people and take pride in their customers’ support. The stores’ growth has proven Akira to be a success. The company also sponsors local events and fundraisers, and puts on fashion shows featuring their pieces.

Menswear, Footwear, and Accessories boutiques can be found near the womenwear location along North Avenue in Bucktown. There is a shoe store on State Street downtown and women’s store in Lincoln Park.

1814 W. North Ave. (women’s)
Chicago, IL 60622
773-489-0818

www.akirachicago.com

Maddie Powers - Jay Moore

Maddie Powers handbags and accessories make use of vintage and decorative images in design. Through the use of fiction, the overall look portrays a sense of mystery and sophistication. The product line ranges from clutches and wallets to t-shirts and hoodies. Since its creation, Maddie Powers has grown exponentially, with items now in stores all over the nation.

Jay Moore more or less fell into the fashion handbag industry when he discovered an inventive way to fix a purse leading him to create his signature bookpurse. Jay’s signature look has matched the growing interest in vintage looks, and he continues to push the envelope of design. Jay was one of the first fashion entrepreneurs at the CEC, becoming an integral part of the growing fashion industry in Chicago. He was featured as one of Macy’s 47 designers during Fashion Focus last month. His success at Maddie Powers has brought positive attention to the city and will continue to do so in the future.

Location: Maddie Powers, Inc.
720 W. Schubert, #3
Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 1-800-GO-POWER

Web site: www.maddiepowers.com

A list of national Maddie Powers product carriers is available online. Chicago boutiques featuring Jay’s designs include Climate, Tribeca, and Unique So Chique.