Project Style and The Leading Image Team Up for a VIP Shopping Tour

On a late summer evening in Chicago’s elegant Gold Coast neighborhood, a group of the city’s most fashionable philanthropists gathered to equally indulge their fall fashion fantasies and their desire to enact change in their city.

The Leading Image, a top Chicago-based personal styling and image consulting business owned by Project Style Treasurer Jenny Applegate, hosted a VIP Shopping Tour that took guests to three of the city’s most stylish boutiques: Marcus, a contemporary women’s boutique stocked with ultra-covetable clothing and accessories; Prada’s chic Oak Street location; and the glamorous Carolina Herrera store.

The evening kicked off at Marcus, which is owned by TV personality Marcus Lemonis of CNBC show, “The Profit.” Savvy shoppers gave their credit cards a workout, stocking up on fall-friendly cashmere wraps from A.M. Marcus Anthony, essential denim from DL1961 and must-have handcrafted jewelry from Chicago-based designer Rachel Lynn. Base Salon, a West Loop magnet for the city’s coolest girls, had hairstylists on hand, creating on-trend looks on the spot. A few flutes of champagne and Project Style- and The Leading Image-branded cookies later, and it was time to head to Prada for more retail therapy.

The gorgeous three-level Prada boutique held treasures to be discovered on every floor, allowing guests to peruse the latest creations by the lauded Italian fashion house first hand. The helpful and hands-on staff lavished shoppers with attention, filling the store with a fun, “let’s play dress up” feeling for the evening.

Carolina Herrera’s jewel box of a boutique was the last stop on our tour and definitely didn’t disappoint. The intimate, richly decorated surroundings (and deliciously scented CH candles!) set a sophisticated mood for browsing racks of gemstone-hued dresses, luxurious leather coats and sleek knee-high riding boots.

These Chicago stores and services helped Project Style and The Leading Image create an memorable and meaningful evening where shopping led to a greater good. We would like to thank them one and all for their support!