We are obsessed with this chic & cool store called, Beyond Boutique, new to Styleshack! Beyond Boutique is located in the neighborhood of Bucktown, Chicago! We are partnering with Beyond Boutique to get our street style contributor, Amanda Schmerin, "festival ready" as she hits the music festival scene at Lollapalooza this weekend. Read our interview with owner/buyer, Katherine Kucharski on what makes Beyond Boutique SO fabulous!
{SS} What inspired you to open Beyond Boutique?
{Katherine} I was inspired to open Beyond because my twin sister and I saw a gap in the Chicago market for shoppers who are stylish and chic yet are looking for good quality clothing at great prices. Our target customer is in her late twenties to mid forties and is looking for clothing that fits amazing and is great quality but doesn't break the bank. We provide our customers amazing quality pieces that can withstand time in your wardrobe.
{SS} Favorite part of your job?
{Katherine} Favorite part of my job has to be doing the buying for the store. I'm literally on a mission everyday to find new lines that no one in Chicago has heard of that fit great, are great quality, and priced as low as possible. And of course being your own boss!
{SS} Any new items in the store that you are loving?
{Katherine} We just got a custom shipment of The Laundry Room crops and tees that I'm obsessed with! They have super cute sayings on them… like "Kale Yeah," and "Kiss Me I'm Pretty." Everytime I put one on I'm giggling all day long. Paired with high-waisted vintage shorts or a silk pant and Birkenstocks and I'm out the door.
{SS} A few items in your own "Styleshack" (aka) closet that you can't live without?
{Katherine} Everyone should have a great fitting blazer or leather jacket you can wear year round. I can't live without my Doma leather jacket. Literally the softest leather ever and the sleeves unzip and the jacket turns into a vest… It's ridiculous. You should also have a great fitting pair of denim. My go to is a pair of Camo Habituals. And right now I can NOT live without my Birkenstocks! Every girl/woman should have an amazing pair of pumps for a night out or special occasion. My go to right now is a pair of pointed toe lace Loubs!
{SS} Who or What inspires your personal style? Favorite Style Icon?
{Katherine} My personal style is ever evolving. Life inspires me. It's all about what mood I'm in that day or that moment. Favorite style icons, cause I def don't just have one, include Nicole Ritchie, Beyonce, Olivia Palermo, and the Olsen twins.
{SS} Favorite local restaurant?
{Katherine} Doc B's Fresh Kitchen in the Gold Coast. Both my sister and I are obsessed right now. Literally everything on the menu is soo tasty and fresh! Yum yum yum.
{SS} Favorite Summer activity?
{Katherine} Favorite summer activity has to be chilling in a beer garden or rooftop patio with an ice cold Moscow Mule and people watching. Need I say more?
{SS} What is your Style Archetype?
{Katherine} I took the style quiz and it said I have Classic Style. I'm all about staple pieces in a wardrobe. To me it's not about quantity it's about quality. I would much rather have a few amazing pieces in my wardrobe that will last me years and transition from season to season then having tons and tons of junk.
{SS} Words to live by?
{Katherine} “I think there is beauty in everything. What ‘normal’ people would perceive as ugly, I can usually see something of beauty in it.” — Alexander McQueen