It’s not often that history and shopping blend together at all, let alone seamlessly.
Chicago Styled: Fashioning the Magnificent Mile ®, one of the temporary exhibits at the Chicago History Museum, tells the story of Mag Mile’s unique past. Here’s a breakdown of some of the more unique elements:
• Before North Michigan Ave was known as the Magnificent Mile, it was called Pine Street.
• When the Michigan Ave Bridge was completed in 1920, the area quickly became a prime location for high-end stores.
• Arthur Rubloff, a real estate developer and early champion of the area, was the first to coin the term “Magnificent Mile.” He envisioned the space as “the nucleus of Greater Chicago.”
• The John Hancock Center was the area’s first example of a large-scale, mixed-use building.
• Water Tower Place was one of the nation’s first largest vertical malls.
Chicago Styled tells this story and more with over 20 authentic ensembles from the Chicago History Museum’s costume collection. The exhibit conjures memories of the Mag Mile and the people who have shopped there in the early days with pieces by noted designers Norman Norell, Adolfo, Christian Lacroix, Yohji Yamamoto, and Chanel.
You can catch this exhibit at the museum until its closing on Sunday, August 16th. Chicago Styled is just one of many reasons to visit the esteemed Chicago History Museum. Here’s their current list of exhibits.
Chicago Styled: Fashioning the Magnificent Mile runs until Sunday, August 16th at the Chicago History Museum at 1601 N Clark St in Lincoln Park. Museum hours are 9:30am-4:30pm Mon-Sat and 12pm to 5pm on Sundays. You can learn more about the exhibit at ChicagoStyledFashion.com.
Can’t get enough of the Mag Mile? Find out why it will spoil you for life.
Photo Credit: The Huffington Post via huffpost.com.