Squasht by Les

Photo: Brendan Lester

LES IS MORE Exposed brick, high ceilings and a great neighborhood. Those are three of Lesley Timpe’s favorite things about her new Ukrainian Village studio/shop. The local designer has set up her design space in the back of the store, where she’ll draft the reversible bella hats ($54) and ruched halter tops ($88) you’ll find in the front of the store. The shop doesn’t sell designs only from Timpe’s label, Squasht by Les, however. She also carries a variety of indie lines, both local and from around the country. The store currently stocks items by clothing lines Effie’s Heart (from San Fransisco), Valentine Valentine (from Nashville), Skif (from St. Louis) as well as local jewelry lines Foxglove, Nomadic Ant and more. “I know a lot of independent designers from being in the industry for the past five years, so our selection will expand soon,” Timpe says. Check out the goods at the boutique’s opening party on Sunday 23, noon–8pm. 2556 W Chicago Ave (773-292-4123, squashtbyles.com).

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