SOUTH LOOP — L&A Healing Studio is focused as much on health as it is on fashion.
The shop, 1620 S. Michigan Ave., features jewelry and clothing from local designers along with lotions and massage therapy. Owners Alex Agudo, 29, and Leo Gonzalez, 37, of the South Loop, drew upon their connections to the community and history to open L&A in late July: Gonzalez, a massage therapist, suggested they combine their talents and Agudo, a professional dancer, recruited artists.
"You want to look good in your clothes, but also your inside," Agudo said.
L&A has started offering menswear, including bow ties. [DNAinfo/Kelly Bauer]
Recruit they did, bringing in fashion designers, painters, jewelry makers, furniture crafters and an array of other artists to craft products sold at L&A. They're all Chicago residents, though they come from across the world, with artists from Ghana, Serbia and Poland, among other countries. Most of those artists were people Agudo had met during his time as a professional dancer.
"I made a promise that one day we would all have a home," Agudo said.
They sell leather accessories, modern and traditional jewelry and custom, one-of-a-kind dresses, which take five to six days to make and cost $175-$450. Non-traditional wedding gowns can be ordered by appointment and take six months to a year to finish. There's also furniture made from reclaimed materials — including old street signs — and paintings.
"Everything is for sale," Agudo said, laughing.
Chicago artists who are interested in having their work sold at the store can email the owners. There have been times when Gonzalez and Agudo have sent artists "back to the drawing board" and offered constructive criticism, but they've managed to make it work with everyone, they said.
They "haven't said no" to any artist so far, Agudo said, "and I don't think I want to."
Those who want to expand their own art skills can also participate in jewelry making, painting and kids' art classes at L&A. The store's class schedule and pricing information is online.
Apothecary items are sold at L&A. [DNAinfo/Kelly Bauer]
If you're focused more on health, the shop has locally made apothecary items, including skin conditioners and aromatherapy products. You can also work away your stresses at yoga and Latin, samba and Afro-Latin dance classes. Gonzalez hopes to bring acupuncture to L&A within the next six months, he said.
Massages from Gonzalez, who has been a massage therapist for eight years, are $60 for 60 minutes or $90 for 90 minutes. Couples massages are also available.
L&A has quickly created a "small, little community" where customers "feel at home," Gonzalez and Agudo said, with an alderman stopping by and residents renting out their dance studio for a child's birthday party (complete with a jewelry-making class) and a wedding shower.
On Thursday, a woman walking by waved at them through the window and Gonzalez and Agudo excitedly waved back and explained she does design work for L&A.
"Everyone is welcome in the store — even pets, because they're family," Agudo said.
Pets are welcome to hang out Dax, one of three dogs who belong to the owners of L&A. [DNAinfo/Kelly Bauer]
L&A will appear at Chicago's Fashion Week in October. The owners plan to sell their products at a booth in Millennium Park, and they're considering taking their stylists' designs to a runway.
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