Looks from the '70s and '80s return
We've seen leggings, bangles, Lacoste shirts, jelly shoes and madras shorts all over the place this summer. So it's no surprise that LeSportsac is making a comeback.
The handbag maker, whose popularity peaked in the 1970s and '80s, is in the process of opening boutiques around the country. Their newly opened Chicago boutique, at 1727 N. Damen Ave. in the Bucktown neighborhood (an area sometimes referred to as "Chicago's SoHo"), will host a grand opening event July 31.
Today's LeSportsacs are still made of lightweight nylon and zippers, but the styles have been updated. Designer/Beatles heir Stella McCartney designed one of their colorful lines. The stores will carry handbags, travel totes, messenger bags, attaches and accessories.
So retro. And classic. Can the rebirth of Members Only jackets be far behind?
Louie, Louie
On the topic of classic designers, Louis Vuitton now has his famous LV logo on a new "Monogramouflage" and "Farandole" collections.
The collections, which feature everything from jewelry to handbags, are a collaboration between Louis Vuitton Artistic Director Marc Jacobs and Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. The design was inspired by one of Murakami's major works, "Magic Ball."
The Monogramouflage line is available at eLUXURY.com or at louisvuitton.com.
Glen Ellyn style
• Sales will be plentiful during downtown Glen Ellyn's sidewalk sale, which starts Thursday and runs through Saturday. Stores will put out merchandise until 8 p.m. Thursday, and 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
• Love Camp Cosmetic products but you're not near Glen Ellyn? The popular makeup and fragrance store is offering free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S. on all Web orders for a limited time. Go to campcosmetics.com.
Is it kosher?
Buffalo Grove native Jeremy Bloom, a Stevenson High School Class of 1998 alum, got a lot of laughs when he wore a T-shirt that said, "Irish Chicks Love My kosher Corned Beef" while out celebrating St. Patrick's Day last year.
That inspired the media/advertising salesman to start his own T-shirt company, kosher Ham, which he runs on nights and weekends. Most of the shirts feature Jewish humor, with a few random subjects mixed in, like Justin Timberlake and Barack Obama. Check out kosherham.com.
- Jamie Sotonoff