BILLY REID OPENS FIRST CHICAGO STORE

Designer Billy Reid has opened his first Chicago store at 845 West Randolph Street in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood, the first location in the Midwest.

Located in a circa 1920s building that once housed the Andrew Paper Company, the split-level Chicago store maintains the unique raw architectural elements original to the space, but with Reid’s touch of mixing modern, residential charm and uniquely repurposed materials.

A brass and crystal light installation designed in collaboration with the crystal company Swarovski and the graduate students at the Art Institute of Chicago will provide a unique visual touch with local origins.

“We searched for our Chicago shop for nearly six years,” said Billy Reid. “We visited many neighborhoods multiple times, spoke to friends in the city, but just couldn’t settle on a location. Then we saw what was happening on Randolph Street. We really like hanging out in the neighborhood, and ultimately that’s the right mindset for us to adopt when we’re looking for a place. Its vibe reminds me of the Bowery, our shop’s neighborhood we love in New York City.”