BY ESTHER REISINGER
Imagine youʼve just indulged in a decadent breakfast at The Bongo Room. Itʼs a lazy Sunday, youʼve got a full belly and as you deliriously stumble out of the restaurant and onto Milwaukee, you wonder what other good things this day has in store for you.
I would suggest heading across the street and to your left, where youʼll find Eskell, a darling shop that will continue to indulge your senses, but with beautiful clothes, one-of-a-kind jewelry and a lovely selection of perfumes.
The store has a perfect industrial charm and will draw you in, starting with the cozy sitting area at the front of the store equipped with magazines and inviting couches for a shopping break. The staff is friendly and helpful but not overbearingly so. The vintage section is well-curated with unique items at affordable prices. Thereʼs just the right amount of mid-range priced designer clothes to look through, with brands like Mink Pink, Something Else, and Dolce Vita. Peruse the jewelry from local designers, shoes, bags, cute french barrettes, perfume and ladylike underthings. And of course, thereʼs the wonderful pieces from Eskellʼs own line, which they also happen to wholesale.
Eskell was first opened in Lincoln Park in 2005 by longtime friends Kelly Whitesell and Elizabeth Del Castillo, who have always shared a passion for style and mixing the old and new. This is evidenced by the clothes they design together for their own label Eskell, as well as the other pieces in the store, like the enticing blend of vintage finds, smaller name designer labels and locally-sourced jewelry. After a burst of initial success, they expanded in 2007 to their current location on Milwaukee Avenue in bustling Wicker Park.
The bottom line? Eskell is a gem and the experience is a treat, whether you leave with a sweet vintage giraffe skirt, a pair of scalloped lacy shorts, or simply the desire to come back and see what new treasures await. Part of their philosophy is that “a womanʼs wardrobe should be a creation of character shamelessly pulled from all alleys of inspiration,” and that is exactly what the store feels like: a beautifully diverse compilation.
Eskell, 1509 N. Milwaukee Avenue, 818-995-8999. Hours: Tues-Sat: 11am-7pm, Sun: 11am-5pm. For more information visit www.eskell.com.
