Live Blogging Day One at the New Perchance Boutique in The Elysian Hotel

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Surely you've been following the beautiful saga of Perchance Boutique and their journey as one small locally owned shop on Southport slowly growing their business through customer loyalty and consistent customer service. Now, like, today, they're opening in The Elysian Hotel on the corner of Walton and State. We're (still) here in the lobby and we have been for most of the day live blogging the first day of business for one of Chicago's best luxury boutiques.

5:55 PM: It has obviously been a long day for Perchance Boutique buyer, Kate Sager, but fashion does not rest - she's headed to New York tomorrow morning on part of her spring buying trip. What is she looking for?
"I'm most looking forward to seeing new stuff from Vanessa Bruno and Annelore, Kate says, she's really one designer we love. She's a Chicago exclusive with us, she only cuts 20 pieces per season, she only does spring and fall and everything about her.

5:51 PM: Owner, Mary Liz Lehman and her team tell us business today has exceeded expectations and they can't believe it's [opening day] finally here. "We couldn't be happier." she said. Not only did they open a new shop today, but were the stars of The Gold Coast Fashion Show in the South Loop.

4:48 PM:

4:34 PM: Loving this new Marchesa... also Burning Torch.

4:15 PM:

3:57 PM: We just got a walk through of the store's interior designer, Jillian O'Neill [JillianOneill.com]. Jillian has been featured in Chicago Home and Garden Magazine, Bring it Home Chicago and has designed many amazing spaces in her career thus far. Not only that, but she's beautiful.

Jillian tells us the inspiration behind the interior was the word "ethereal" featuring walnut fixturing, white floors, silvery wallpaper, bubbles all stem from a painting found in Montreal. The artist is Lysanne Pepin who does these really dreamy ethereal feminine figures that retain warmth yet still seem contemporary.

The buyer, stylists and owner of Perchance just got back from The 56th Annual Gold Coast Fashion Show where they presented Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti. Also, from what we hear from our colleagues at the show, got a special shout out for opening their doors this morning.

The 56th annual Gold Coast Fashion Show held at the Hilton on South Michigan Ave benefits The Children's Memorial Hospital and was attended by over 1,700 women.

3:15 PM:

2:45 PM: Back to work: The boutique is packed.

2:15 PM: Lunch time at Balsan, the uber cool cafe on the third floor in the Elysian. This is the locally harvested trout with radish, arugula and pumpernickel croutons.

1:45 PM:

1:30 PM: We're spending too much time with the jewelry! Posted photos on Twitter.

12:48 PM: They're open.

12:15 PM: Ok We're headed across the courtyard again.

11:45 AM: Intel from inside the boutique: Still not open but we can see them through the windows. This is a photo of what appears to be a light fixture and a painting.

11:14 AM: This is the hotel security. He's very nice although we wouldn't cross him.

10:59 AM: We're about to head across the courtyard again and see if the doors are unlocked. To answer one of our commenter's questions, The New Perchance Boutique will carry brands like Marchesa, Erin Fetherston, Doo.Ri, Of Two Minds, Loeffler Randall, Tucker, Gryphon... we could go on.

10:47 AM: You should check our Twitter for occasional updates.

10:31 AM: The sign on the door last night said they'd be opening at 10 o'clock this morning and they're not yet open. The suspense is killing us.

10:00 AM: The Elysian Hotel lobby is abuzz with guests visiting Chicago, working on motion pictures being shot here and a major league players waiting to be picked up by their black car. We're sitting in one of the high-back lounge chairs in the fireplace lobby, sipping our coffee.

9:00 PM: Last night we stopped by the store to check in on progress shortly after 9PM. At this time, the merchandise was being brought into the store and we weren't allowed to take many photos. Here's one that we got.

· Perchance Boutique [Official Site]
· All Perchance Boutique Coverage [Racked]