The luxury shopping scene in Chicago may not have the global appeal and allure of equivalents in New York City, Los Angeles, or even Miami, but it certainly is a sizeable one with the potential to gain an equally prominent stature. The house of Dior acknowledges the city’s significance, and has recently opened a brand new flagship store. It occupies an existing yet redeveloped two-storey building on North Rush street, a downtown thoroughfare which has seen an influx of luxury brands in recent years, and as such, the area is increasingly becoming a shopping alternative to The Magnificent Mile’s downtrodden path.

As said, the location has been revamped with the help of New York-based architect and longtime Dior collaborator Peter Marino. The store’s façade features transparent frit glass and a glass canopy with illuminated signage above the entrance. A Dior star has been fixed to the top of the building as a symbol of good luck from monsieur Christian Dior, and it’s a feature that’s bestowed upon only a handful of the brand’s standalone boutiques. As for the interior design, which takes cues from the brand’s illustrious flagship store on leafy avenue Montaigne in Paris, acclaimed architect and longtime Dior collaborator Peter Marino has been tapped.

The setting on both floors is largely defined by a modern, clean aesthetic, captured by pristine white walls, timber flooring, cabinets and displays with glass tops, sleek chrome shelving and clothing racks. On the ground floor, Dior’s signature handbags are displayed, in addition to an assortment of small leather goods and accessories. One floor up, a dedicated shoe space can be found, followed by the ready-to-wear area and seating designed by Hamilton Conte. Dior also commissioned french contemporary artist Julie Gauthron to create a work of art exclusively for the boutique. Designed to reflect the house codes, the piece is a wrought iron sculpture entitled la Muse de Tim, and hangs over a console designed by Malherbe Édition.

Design: Peter Marino

https://superfuture.com/supernews/chicago-dior-store-opening