Milan-based luxury fashion house Eleventy received a warm welcome to the Windy City this week with the opening of its Chicago store, opening with vignettes and decorative elements by celebrated local designer Kara Mann. Known for interiors that balance polish with personality, Mann has made her mark on bespoke spaces from New York to Chicago and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where she operates her flagship workshop and store.
Eleventy’s relaxed tailoring and understated approach have earned it a loyal following, and the Oak Street store reflects that, pairing Italian elegance with Midwestern ease. Illuminated Japanese rice paper panels at the entrance create a bright welcome and calm atmosphere. A Patagonia marble feature wall anchors the hospitality lounge, a natural spot for conversation and a more intimate shopping experience.
The Scene: Amid lush fall florals and buoyant chatter, the brand-new space brings Eleventy’s understated luxury into stylish conversation with Mann’s distinctive design sensibility. Guests drifted through the storefront, browsing the expansive selection of ready-to-wear and accessories as the night unfolded.
The Occasion: The evening celebrated the Italian line’s first store in the region and its creative partnership with Mann, with a philanthropic twist: 15 percent of proceeds from the fête’s sales benefited Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art. Retail therapy in the name of art—that’s an easy sell.
Food and Drink: At the bespoke hospitality bar, decorative accents by Mann were implemented to bring Eleventy’s Milanese style to life. The evening’s attendees found a natural gathering point around the bar, sipping Italian spritzes and snacking on cacio e pepe arancini and matcha cakes as they explored the new store.
Parting Gift: Copies of CULTURED’s September issue were available to peruse and take home, though we also spotted quite a few guests leaving with an Eleventy shopping bag in hand, carrying far more than a magazine.
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