Last week, Chicago lost a retail icon and trendsetter, Joan Weinstein. Joan was the founder of beloved Chicago boutique, Ultimo. I didn’t know Joan personally, but her legend is widely known.

Joan got into the retail industry completely by accident, having taken over a floor in her and her husband’s Oak Street men’s boutique. 

Joan’s passing has gotten me thinking a lot about the difference between fashion and retail. They really are 2 separate camps but they truly couldn’t exist without the other. Designers really have to rely on tastemakers and trendsetters to launch and sustain their careers. Clearly celebrities make a very public percentage of this group, but the retailers and boutique owners around the world make up a much larger percentage. And Joan was one of these tastemakers. Designers really listened to her and respected her opinion. In an article from WWD, it is mentioned that Manolo Blahnik was a huge fan and designed exclusive shoes for Ultimo although she was not buying at the level of a Saks or Neimans. 

Ms. Weinstein was known for having a terrific eye, being credited with bringing the likes of Armani, Sonia Rykiel and Gaultier to the attention of Chicago. Those who worked with her have said that she truly appreciated the artistry of clothes and that she trusted her instincts. Chicago — and the fashion world at large — were lucky to have her. Her legacy will live on, but she will be missed.

image by Fairchild Archives, via WWD