Local fashion designer Maria Pinto came to national attention this year as in-the-spotlight client Michelle Obama sported her creations on the campaign trail. And when Pinto hosted an in-store event on Tuesday night to celebrate the opening of her eponymous West Loop boutique, the packed interior and line outside proved that the designer's local fan base is stronger than ever.
Pinto employed the help of local PR firm Lannon Communications to help garner buzz for the opening. She also enlisted surrounding West Loop restaurants to cater the event and donated a portion of proceeds from her boutique's first three days of sales to Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art.
During the reception, the store's built-in features became event accessories: DJ George Hohagen spun mellow, club-like beats from the counter behind the cash register, and the stockroom served as the prep area for the trays of passed hors d'oeuvres from West Loop eateries like Meiji, Sepia, and Blackbird.
At the back of the space, a pair of bartenders poured champagne, Reyka vodka, and Novovino wine at a small bar bar spruced up with orchids from Epoch Floral. When stemware ran out about 90 minutes into the event, a well-dressed guest (and presumed Pinto pal) disappeared into the back of the store and reappeared with a stack of plastic cups. Though his gesture was met with "thank yous" from guests, the freshly washed glasses that appeared moments later were greeted with applause.
Another unexpected snafu—the breakdown of the elevator that lead from the ground-level boutique to Pinto's sixth-floor studio, where more drinks and appetizers were served—was met with a similarly good-natured camaraderie among guests. "Bring some champagne with you—it makes the trek easier," joked one high-heeled guest as she descended from the studio and met women on their way upstairs in similarly stratospheric footwear. Once they'd reached the sixth floor, guests found a plant-lined pathway to a spacious area filled with fabric swatches and cutting tables turned drink-prep areas.
