Maria Pinto

Chicago native Maria Pinto has seen her sophisticated designs skyrocket in popularity, part in thanks to the powerhouse women who have worn them on camera, like Oprah and Michelle Obama. Her collection has always been available at Saks Fifth Avenue, but she has staked her claim on this West Loop space to launch a standalone boutique opening Aug. 13, right next door to Sepia. It's not a coincidence that Pinto happens to be good friends with Sepia owner Emmanuel Nony; she watched him rehab the restaurant's space from scratch, and was inspired to set up camp nearby in a long-vacant deli space. Events combining the two businesses are a likely result, Pinto says.

Pinto's lady-like designs are all about "opulent minimalism," so her boutique will echo that sentiment with a clean-lined look. Expect to find her full range of suits with feminine styling, dresses that go from day into evening and plenty of polished scarves and wraps. Though her final decisions have yet to be made, she plans to bring in other labels when it comes to jewelry and leather goods.

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West Loop stores, Chicago stores, Apparel and accessory stores, Handbag stores, Jewelry stores