If you want to look like a star when you party, then Tracy Lemke might be able to help you out. The former celebrity stylist has created her own store, Personal Privilege, and she promises to dress you the way she’s dressed athletic superstars like White Sox player Octavio Dotel, Lakers player Shannon Brown and Cubs player Carlos Marmol. With a selection of flashy, funky clothes for the club scene and more conservative, classy clothes for everyday, Lemke’s collection has a mix of styles that she claims can suit every personality and every occasion with brand names like J Steger that she says are hard to find anywhere else. Lemke declares that it is her mission to give customers a special shopping experience, where they can get everything they want with a personal touch. “The reason we call this store Personal Privilege is that I want to personally help customers put a whole wardrobe together, and give them a more personal experience than they can get at other places,” Lemke explains. At Personal Privilege, customers often get complimentary drinks, manicures and massages, and Lemke argues that this kind of star treatment sets her store apart as a place where customers can get the special attention they deserve. And, when it comes to the clothes, Lemke argues that customers will be able to see the difference. “I’ve seen people walking down the street and known they were wearing my clothes, and I think other people would be able to tell, too,” says Lemke. According to Lemke, she and the other employees at Personal Privilege will “coordinate an outfit” for any customer who walks through the door, complete with shoes, jewelry and sunglasses. Because Lemke wants to make sure every customer walks out with an outfit they can be proud of, she says she only hires people with the skills to create a superstar outfit. “Everyone who works here is considered a stylist,” she emphasizes. Lemke also notes that her outfits can be customized to the bodies of her customers, because her in-house seamstress is always available to do alterations and gives free alterations to customers who spend over $50. Surprisingly, all of this special treatment doesn’t come at especially high prices. With items ranging anywhere from $15 to $300, Personal Privilege has clothing for every budget, and Lemke assures customers that they don’t need to be millionaires to dress like them. (Ilana Kowarski)
Personal Privilege, 2145 N. Damen, (773)727-9846, personalprivilege.com, myspace.com/personalprivilege