Jennifer Berg

Although Margaret O'Leary was founded in San Francisco, the boutique's O'-studded name inevitably conjures up images of a certain Emerald Isle. Indeed, the company's eponymous founder was raised in County Cork, Ireland, where knitting was as prevalent as tea. Margaret has said that, even in school, yarn and needles were picked up as frequently as pencils. O'Leary received one-on-one training from her mother Rita, who passed on purls of wisdom at fireside knitting sessions.

At the ripe old age of twelve, Margaret became inspired by the fashions she admired in Dublin's swanky boutiques and started to design her own clothing; by 1988, she was knitting all day and waiting tables at night as the founder (and sole employee) of her very own knitwear company. Eighteen years later, O'Leary's hand-loomed creations cozy up the pages of everything from In Style to New York magazine and are reportedly beloved by tastemakers like Madonna and Reese Witherspoon.

In mid-May, the Margaret O'Leary boutique (already established in cities like New York and Santa Monica) opened its first Midwest location in Lincoln Park. "Margaret O'Leary already has a loyal Midwest following, and the Armitage store will allow us to begin serving this market more directly," says the company's VP of operations, Joanna King.

The Armitage boutique houses the complete Margaret O'Leary collection in an airy, storefront space replete with a crystal chandelier and a laidback staff. Alongside her own designs, Margaret showcases some of her favorite lines from California, where she has lived and worked for the past two decades.

The shop's decidedly sophisticated vibe (probably best suited--and priced--for shoppers 25 and above) stocks thoughtfully detailed designs from an array of up-and-coming, mostly female artists. Shoppers can expect handmade leather belts and shoes by Calleen Cordero, culturally influenced jewelry from Robindira Unsworth and cheery skirts in top-quality fabrics from Erica Tanov. As an added bonus, a section of grooming goodies proffers lotions and gardenia-laced fragrances from Kai.

Margaret O'Leary, 857 West Armitage, (773)598-5625.

(2006-05-30)

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