It’s summertime in Chicago which means locals are finally emerging from their domestic caves of hibernation and partaking in the various events happening persistently all over the urban landscape.  Fashion shows, wine tastings, culinary classes, hotel openings and gallery functions, just to name a few, keep Chicagoans and tourists alike on their toes for the three short months of summer we can boast.  

Prints charming!

Lumen nightclub in the Fulton Market meatpacking district in fact hosts summer events galore worthy of any club-going fashionista's attention out there.  A relatively new club on the scene, Lumen opened in May of last year.  The nightclub features some of the most  cutting-edge music scenes and fashion events in the city.  They’ve hosted celebs like James Blunt and Gavin DeGraw and had runway shows for La Perla and Scoop NYC.  Recently, they have installed an event series called “20 Looks.”  Showcasing fashion by local boutiques and designers, Lumen hosts runway shows once a month showcasing five models with four ensembles per model. 

Animal prints are wearable for summer

The main room of the green, eco-friendly lounge features cold concrete and metal accents highlighted by bamboo tables.  Low, upholstered seating is comfy and cozy but minimalist in a modernly monochrome gray hue.  Colorful light shows stream along the walls and the ceiling and are more reminiscent of the flashy Vegas strip than anything typically Chicago.  This system was also designed from a "green" approach as the LED lighting and audiovisual displays run on the same sort of energy that a refrigerator can operate on and use fewer resources.

This month, “20 Looks” featured the summer line from Veruca Salt.  If you haven’t heard of Veruca Salt—and no, it’s not that obnoxious, loud-mouthed little brat you may be recalling from your favorite Roald Dahl novel—it’s pretty likely one of your girl friends has.  Having only been opened for less than a year-and-a-half, the boutique has had such huge success they have already expanded to twice their original size and a third boutique opening in L.A. is in the works.

Amber Warren of Veruca Salt shows women how to wear yellow

Amber Warren, co-owner and manager with her fiance Jamey Berry of the boutique, opened Veruca Salt last year in March in an effort to provide affordable fashion to Chicago women on hip Damen Avenue in the Bucktown neighborhood.  Since March,  the duo have launched a very user-friendly website and have initiated “Veruca on Demand”—a monthly video accessible via their site with various segments on how to wear the latest and greatest fashion trends.  “Most of our clients are fashion-forward career women who want to wear fresh looks but don’t necessarily know how.  For instance, yellow is a great summer fashion trend but lots of customers don’t know how to accessorize it,” said Warren.

Models don fun summer pieces at Lumen

The new Veruca Salt website (www.shopverucasalt.com) has been launched in hopes of reaching a national audience.  With clothing lines featuring styles by Laundry, Charlie, Susan Monaco and Sunner, Amber says she tries to provide wearable fashion for right now.  “We’re not totally cutting edge or super modern.  We want our clients to feel comfortable in what they’re wearing and find pieces they love and look good in,”—a feat not totally unachievable with their amazing collection of fashion I’m sure even Veruca Salt, herself, would jump down a golden egg chute for any day.

For more information, visit Veruca Salt boutique at 1921 N. Damen Ave or visit www.shopverucasalt.com

For more information on Lumen, please visit www.lumen-chicago.com

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