Press for Krista K

Daily Candy, Chicago, August 19, 2008

A New Leaf

Give summer a boot and cover up for fall at Krista K.  Snuggle up in Mike & Chris, Theory, Mint, Yaya, Jodi Arnold, and Sunner. Or slip on footwear from Frye, Cynthia Vincent, Tory Burch, Calleen Cordero, and Joie. Now make like a tree (you know the rest).

Chicago Social, July 2008

Southport Avenue

Retail has come and gone twice to Southport, the most prominent shopping street in Lakeview, but the second coming stuck thanks to two persistent and fresh merchants-- Krista K women's boutique, which opened in 2002, and Jake men's and women's boutique, which opened in 2004.  With both as anchors, the once blue-collar three-block stretch between these two stars has filled in with other chic boutiques...And now the chains are coming, validation that the original pioneers were on the money.  Throw in some outstanding restaurants and bars, plus beautiful side streets, and the strollers and pets have quickly followed.

Chicago Tribune, Style Section, Sunday May 4th, 2008

What a Mom Wants

If you need Mothers’ Day gift advice Krista Kaur Meyers carries the credentials to give it.  Meyers has built two clothing and accessories boutiques—Krista K and Krista K Maternity + Baby, both on North Southport Avenue—on her knack for divining what stylish moms (and moms-to-be) want, and delivering it in a fun and friendly way.  She’s also a mom, to son Mason, 4, and daughter Marley, with another baby girl expected any day now.  So she gets it when women say they’re busy.  Still Meyers took some time to spill insider secrets on Mother’s Day gifts.  Some of her suggestions come from her stores, some from her customers.  Some she has tested as a mom, some she covets for herself.

Calleen Cordero

In the past year Meyers has given shoes as birthday presents, gifts to her mom, good friends and employees.  “Shoes are somewhat unexpected, and, like jewelry, they are something women love,” Meyers says.

 

Lana Jewelry

The best selling line at Krista K is Lana 14K gold fine jewelry, designed by Chicagoan Lana Fertelmeister and worn by celebrities such as Cameron Diaz.  “Lana Jewelry is always a hit gift,” Meyers says.  “Her designs look equally fabulous paired casually with jeans or with dresses to special events.”

 

The Chicago Tribune, At Play, April 17, 2008

Dress Up That Baby Bump

“…But what exactly does a mom-to-be really need to look great during her pregnancy?  And, just as important, how can she conserve cash and still look like a million bucks?  For answers to these weighty questions I went shopping with Kirsten Scharnberg, a Tribune national correspondent, whose first baby is scheduled to make an appearance in late May or early June…Our first stop was the stylish Krista K Maternity + Baby, a two-year-old off shoot of the nearby Krista K.  “Women don’t want to give up style for nine months,” shop owner Krista Kaur Meyers said, and even more designers are expanding into maternity wear.  For instance, if you wear Citizens of Humanity jeans in what Scharnberg refers to as “real life,” maybe you’ll want to wear them when you are expecting too.  You can.  Scharnberg said investing almost $200 in pregnancy jeans is worthwhile:  “You wear those every day.  I bought mine at 3 months and am still wearing them.”

Chicago Magazine, March 2008

Dressing the Belly

What started as a tiny maternity section in the original Krista K Boutique rapidly became so popular the owner Krista Kaur Meyers opened the store just for moms-to-be.  If $500 “mom bags” (Susan Fitch) and a $500 tailored wool-blend suit (Cadeau) don’t scare you off, what you will find here is chic, up-scale maternity wear with the independent sales boutiques’ best selection of professional clothing mixed in with more casual pieces.  Fast-talking manager Heather Bruno is intense, but friendly and very focused on helping women put together a functional wardrobe that will keep working even during those out-of-shape postpartum months.  Top-selling brands include Olian, T-Bags, and jeans in the $190 range from Paige, Citizens of Humanity, and Chip & Pepper.  If you need a nursing bra, ask; they’re available but not on display.

The Chicago Suntimes,Shopping Section, February 28, 2008

Fresh Mint

Fans of the Mint clothing label will find that wearing designer clothes doesn't have to cost a mint, says Jodi Arnold.  The contemporary women's designer visited Chicago last week to host a trunk show at Krista K Boutique, and premier pieces from her new line: Jodi Arnold. "Mint is one of our store's most expensive lines," explains Krista Kaur Meyers, owner of Krista K boutique.  "The embellishment and extra details make it distinctive, and because the pieces feel special, customers feel the prices are justified.  Her pieces always sell out within a couple of weeks."

Lucky Magazine November 2007

Shopping Report: Lakeview

Since Krista Kaur Meyers opened shop almost a decade ago, nearly a dozen clothing boutiques have sprung up nearby.  Kaur Meyers’ light-flooded corner space—a onetime insurance office—has an easy-flow split-level layout:  The upper half showcases the latest from indie labels Karta and Amo & Bretti (plus, new right now, a small selection of footwear); the wares downstairs fall into the more casual, jeans-and-tees camp.

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The Chicago Tribune, Style Section, September 23, 2007

The Coat Crop

Krista K boutique on Southport Avenue sold out of one Marc by Marc Jacobs three-quarter length sleeve coat before Labor Day, with more stock on the way...Fortunately, cropped-sleeve coats aren't the only trend in the trouve...At Krista K, puffy coats from Vince have sold out, as well as long wool styles from Sunner, Milly and Marc by Marc Jacobs.  For the first time in a while, owner Krista Meyers opted to carry some leather jackets too.  "We've had a great season so far," Meyers said.  "In Chicago, you wear outerwear three-quarters of the year, so a lot of my customers will invest in it."  One Sunner coat had a tie waist and a detachable hood along with striking gold buttons, she said.  A Milly one had a fabulous belt.  "These details, along with the three-quarter length sleeves styles, help make women more excited to scoop them  up," Meyers said.

Crain’s, September 17th, 2007

Starting Early

Krista Kaur Meyers, who owns two clothing boutiques on Southport Avenue, took only 10 days of maternity leave after each of her two children was born because work was so consuming.  She could work from home or bring the babies with her to the stores, Krista K Boutique and Krista K Maternity + Baby.  But the challenge of balancing work and family continues.  Hiring trustworthy store managers has been the key, says Ms. Meyers, 35.  She leaves them in charge after 5 p.m. so she can have dinner with her family, even if that means working until 11 p.m. after putting her kids to bed.  Her husband rearranges his work schedule to make sure he’s home when she needs to travel for buying trips, and they both commit to as many weekends together as possible.

WWD Chicago, Wednesday, September 12, 2007

One Stop Shopping

The significance of fashion coterie is not lost on specialty store owner Krista Kaur Meyers who was about 36 weeks pregnant with her second child when she traveled from the Windy City to New York in February 2006.  “It’s the biggest market for brands,” said the owner of Krista K Maternity + Baby, on Southport Avenue in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, “I feel like I have to go.”

Her eye for fashion has proved profitable for the now mother of two, who opened her first store, Krista K Boutique, which feminine lines such as Rebecca Taylor and Catherine Malandrino, more than five years ago.  As the store posted yearly double-digit increases, Meyers decided to almost double her selling space, expanding to 2,000 square feet, and one year ago launched a 1,400-square-foot spin-off store, Krista K Maternity + Baby, just down the street.

Chicago Magazine, August 2007

Shopping:  Fashiony Jeans

If you’ve ever been to the denim basement at Krista K after a big sale you might think the store’s selection is hopelessly mixed up.  But it’s only because the city’s jean fanatics have been there and have ravaged the place.  And, whereas E Street Denim in Highland Park seems to cater to North Shore teens, this boutique carries jeans for all—to our eye, the nest and widest selection of fits, washes, sizes and brands from the known (Chip & Pepper, Citizens of Humanity, Genetic, James) to the new (William Rast, Anlo, and Raven).

On With the Show, WWD's guide on how to stage a successful trunk show
Go Local - At Krista K in Chicago, owner Krista Kaur Meyers featured on September 19 two local designers together for the store's inaugural trunk show. "As a Chicago-based retailer, I think it's important to support the burgeoning Chicago fashion industry," she said.