Shop around the corner

Spotlight on Akira

Combining fashion and comfort is the goal for this popular chain of local clothing stores

By Kristen Strobbe

Chicago may not be a city that comes to mind for high fashion, but it’s carving a niche for itself in the fashion world. Bringing in high-end names, branching out to community designers and blending style with affordability is where Akira comes in.

University of Illinois graduates Erikka Wang, Jon Cotay and Eric Hsueh opened the first Akira store in Bucktown in July of 2002, and this Chicago-based boutique has since grown to six locations throughout the city, with each store specializing in women’s clothing, men’s clothing or footwear.

Hsueh was only 25 when the flagship store opened, and he was convinced that Chicago needed a clothing boutique that offered more designer labels and less chain-store influence.

“New York is very fashion forward, while Los Angeles fashion is based more on trends,” Hsueh said. “And then you have Chicago, which is this wonderful blend of both styles, and our mission at Akira is to make sure our customers walk out of our store feeling fashionable as well as comfortable in our clothing and footwear.”

Wang and Cotay oversee the buying of all clothing and footwear at Akira and look to international designer labels and even local Chicago brands to fill their stores.

“We have shoes from Brazil, Spain and China,” Wang said. “We also carry everything from sneakers made from recyclable materials to leather four-inch heels.”

Hsue and Wang are particularly proud of Akira’s diverse clientele and ability to appeal to various shoppers.

“One minute we might be helping a 20-something woman find a nice pair of heels to wear to a club, and the next minute, in walks a teacher looking for a comfortable shoe for work,” Wang said.

The North Avenue stretch of Akira stores — home to Akira for men, Akira women and Akira shoe stores — are right in the heart of Bucktown’s Damen and Milwaukee shopping mecca. Along with the Bucktown stores, there is also the Diversey women’s store and the Lincoln Park women’s store. A larger footwear store is located on State Street in the Loop.

The women’s store includes clothing by well-known designers such as Vera Wang, Vivienne Westwood, Anna Sui and Betsey Johnson. Mid-level street wear collections by Monarchy, Religion and Buddhist Punk are available as well.

Walking into the flagship Bucktown women’s store is a fashionista’s dream come true. Actually, it’s any woman’s dream come true. Mixing edgy, runway-ready blouses and dresses with more simple, down-to-earth basic tops and jeans brings in a plethora of shoppers. The space is open and chock full of clothing. Nearly every wall is covered top to bottom with clothing that is organized by color. So look no further than the row of black for that perfect little black dress. Pictures of customers adorn the walls, giving the chic boutique a little personal touch.

The men’s clothing stores are similar in their selection variety. Edward Kaplin, assistant manager of the Akira men’s store in Bucktown, said jean prices run from $60 to $600, so there are options for every price range. The store is two levels — the bottom level is tailored to a younger, urban audience, while the upstairs is more relaxed and low-key with couches and televisions adorning the space.

Akira hosts seasonal fashion shows around the city at various clubs and venues ranging from The House of Blues to Crobar. Many of the styles seen on the runways during New York and L.A. fashion weeks are recreated here in the Windy City for Akira shows. And while many of the looks include designer labels, there are also mix-and-match ensembles that incorporate both high-end and budget-friendly pieces.

“Our mission is to really have the best of both worlds,” Hsueh said. “It’s fitting that a Midwestern city like Chicago would be the perfect place for both ends of the fashion spectrum to meet.”

While on a mission to Akira — and quite a mission it is when trying to hit all three Bucktown stores on a single day of shopping frenzy — there is one item that cannot be found.

“We don’t sell socks,” Kaplin said. “We have underwear, shoes and accessories — just no socks.”

Fashion has clearly come to Chicago by way of Akira; just don’t count on designer socks to go inside those designer boots.

Akira’s women’s stores are located at 1837 W. North Ave., 2357 N. Clark and 643 W. Diversey. Akira’s men’s store is at 1922 W. North Ave., and the two footwear stores are at 1849 W. North Ave. and 122 S. State St.

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