This Akira is our favorite! Our daughter had a dance at school, and Ryan went above and beyond to help her find the perfect dress and accessories. She made her feel special throughout the process too. The store is well stocked and organized, and the selection is unique, on trend and fun. Everyone that works here is very nice and helpful. Madeline at checkout was awesome too! Highly recommend. read more

Amazing selection or your Every occasion & daily fashion. A must to compare to in terms of Value and variety. Highly recommended @shopakira.com read more

Fabulous!!! Great service and amazing staff. So nice to shop where you get some amazing clothes and feel valued as well.

They always have good sales. The store has a very large selection of items for purchase. Staff is friendly.

Thank you to everyone at Akira who served me, styled me, and gassed me up! This was one of the funnest and easiest shopping experiences I've ever had. There are a ton of clothes that are organized so well and all the sales associates are working super attentively to give a 10/10 experience. Can't wait for another Akira haul! Most importantly I want to shoutout Maya, thanks girly :) read more

This store and their team are ON IT! You'll never see an entire store full of associates bust it harder to cater to your every need. Just WOW!!! read more

It's expensive and the layout of the store is cluttered and full, but don't let that deter you! The staff was absolutely wonderful! I had a great time with Roy and Sir as they tried to help me find items that were in my style. They gave me great recommendations of where to go in Chicago, as well! read more

High quality shoes. Makes a great Christmas gift for someone you hate. These were worn for about 25 minutes to go to Walgreens read more

AKIRA - High quality shoes - Women's Clothing Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

OMG!! when you go ask for Ricki!!! My friend, her daughter (9 years old) and I walked in for a quick coverall... My friends daughter was feeling a bit left out and needed reassurance. Ricki came to her rescue and became her personal shopper, he made her feel comfortable and cared for, Ricki found perfect "age appropriate" outfits for her. She looked for him after trying on each outfit he hand picked for her. His approval made her day! He was perfect for the 3 of us and we all walked out with a bag. He is definitely a retail rockstar!!! read more

AKIRA - Thanks Ricki @ Akira in Water Tower Place! - Women's Clothing Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

One of the best shoe buying experiences I've ever had. They were doing a buy one on sale and get the second one for a dollar. I bought black long boots with a nice sturdy heel. Perfect for Chicago winter's as not to slide on the ice in extremely high heels. I also bought the blue sparkly sequined ones for a dollar! I almost bought four pairs. I loved their on sale scarves and gloves. I also bought a cardigan that I wear all the time! read more

See all

To celebrate the beginning of summer, this brand new location threw a soiree last night that involved the following: *complimentary wine, champagne, soft drinks and hors d'oeurves *20% off everything in the store *a gift bag full of Water Tower Place goodies (Godiva truffles & C.O. Bigelow lotion, anyone?) and certificates for spending over $100 So basically, a straight man's equivalent would be free beer & pizza, a gift bag of porn and 20% off everything in ESPNZone. I wandered in here completely unaware of this, merely noticing the balloons in the display, and to my great surprise and pleasure, I had a wonderful salesperson (Abigail) guide me through dresses, designer jeans, tops, and shoes. It's tough shopping in a store when every girl in the fitting room is a size 3 or smaller except you, but Abigail made me feel beautiful. She even helped me find a pair of Paige jeans that looked fabulous on my ass. Thanks, Akira! I thought I would miss Mango, but I can't imagine a better store opening up in the same spot. I will definitely be back. read more

Had such a great Shopping experience at this store. Looking for a winter formal outfit for my daughter. Couldn't be more appreciative for all the help we received from Jupiter! The absolute best sales associate ever. He helped us put the cutest outfit together. Highly recommend Jupiter. read more

I absolutely love this store. I usually shop online at shopakira.com and they have really cute stuff!! If you shop around you will find that they sell some of the best items (designer shoes & dresses) at the cheapest prices out there! The only thing I hate about the website is that the inventory is not always up to date. There has been times where I've purchased an item online and then received an email stating that they dont have that size/color/style in stock anymore-- even though the website clearly indicated that they DID! Cant wait to visit Chicago again so that I can stop by the physical store! read more

I must say I really do love the Akira brand . They have some really cute and edgy clothes and shoes and if I go near the store I find myself going in and always leave out with bags of items I purchased . The staff is very friendly and upbeat as well and very helpful . read more

See all

This store is truly amazing, i never leave reviews but I needed to for this one! All the staff were so helpful and friendly (specifically Danny) and it honestly felt like we were getting prepped for a fashion show or something. In addition to that, they had these pants that I have been searching high and low for and I finally found them here! love this place! read more

Great place to find sexy little numbers for girls night or date night! Reasonably priced and good service.

Two for one Hanky Panky Panties! Candy colors! Prints! How am I supposed to resist? I can't. More Please! read more

I've always had decent luck at the Akira Footwear on State Street, even finding a pair of Sorrels two seasons ago that still get compliments. Their store in Water Tower is very squinchy, and the two salespeople at the counter were all over me as soon as I walked in--not good. I started to feel claustrophobic, slowly losing my grasp on sound shopping judgment, so much that I was contemplating buying a pair of knockoffs of the Valentino rockstud pump for $39 (clearly, too good to be true, as these are $995 shoes). I got out of here as soon as it was humanly and politely possible to do so. read more

As far as clothing stores go around here, Akira is like a more sophisticated (and more expensive) version of a Charlotte Russe, or a sassier version of Express (equivalently priced). They have a great Red Label lineup right now. The service was great (the guy who helped me, Tiger, saved me a changing room and even picked out some dresses for me while I was shopping). Some of my most favorite dresses & scarves come from Akira. A lot (though not all) of their stuff is spunky without looking too gaudy on you. Designer-like wear without the designer price. The only thing is that some of their stuff is poorly constructed with cheaper fabric and craftsmanship than, say, an Express. I love this place, though! read more

This store has the perfect mixture of crazy going out clothes, fun and classy going out clothes, "I have style" work clothes, purses, and SHOES, oh I LOVE their shoe collection! Along with the perfect mixture of types of clothes is the perfect mixture of prices. You can find a $300.00 dollar dress, a $50.00 dollar dress, or a clearance dress for woah cheap. The staff was so helpful and not in my face. The last time I was in, the store was crowded but they had at least 5 sales associates working. They knew how to help without forcing me into a sale or a dress I would never wear. read more

I went in to buy some shoes.... although the guy helped me a little....none of the shoes I wanted were in my size and I felt like he was blowing me off... I wish he offered to call another store. meh. read more

LOVE Akira! I came in yesterday (a BUSY Saturday) and I was greeted and helped right away! I came in knowing exactly what I wanted, I HATE crowds (and tourists!)and I wish I knew the associates name who helped me because he had me in & out in 10 minutes! read more

I rarely shop at Akira. But my experience at the water tower location was great that I might go back in the future. The sales associate Vahn helped me. He was wonderful and so helpful. He helped me picked out some cute jacket. Plus I like it when I can buy regular priced items on sale when they have promotions. I don't see how this place is like forever 21. You can definitely find something that is not cheaply made. Plus my clothes won't fall apart after wearing it once. read more

what a great store! fun shopping experience. they have a little of everything. we went on a recommendation from a sales person at another shop in town. so glad she mentioned it. the person who helped us at Akira was wonderful. very friendly. my daughter ended up finding a super cute dress. great price too! read more

What a friendly sales staff!!!! Would give 5 stars for that but overall the place ranked a 3. I wasn't particularly impressed by their selection or their prices but I was delighted by how genuinely helpful my salesperson (Nick!!) was. He was engaging and gave great suggestions - especially when it came to matching dresses with accessories - and brought me additional dresses to try on when I told him I was looking for red dresses in particular. His red dress suggestion was by far my favorite - didn't get it because I didn't think the material justified the cost but definitely appreciated him grabbing it for me and finding me the perfect black drop necklace to go with it (did get that!). read more

Akira has, at long last, arrived at Water Tower. I suspect that this will be a name soon recognized by many a shopper throughout the country with locations sprouting up nation wide. Perhaps I'm just jumping the gun here, but such a great store can't stay a local treasure for long! The customer service is absolutely phenomenal at this location! If you have any say in the matter, ask for Matt - not only is he incredibly stylish himself, this mascara maven has quite the eye for detail and understanding what you're looking for and what will look good on you. He's attentive and goes the extra mile. This location receives a "minus one" simply because their selection is limited in comparison to the North Ave. store, but I am impressed with the way they squeeze so much in a condensed space. And their dressing rooms at this store are much nicer than the ones on North. Just one fashions wannabe's take on it! A wonderful addition to Water Tower's repertoire - much needed and certain to lure in even more shoppers! read more

I had the best experience for my birthday suit !!!I had immediate help from Ken and Jarrett @ Akira .. These guys had me ...Ken is such an awesome personal shopper. This guy gave me life!!! I loved shopping with them!! Thank you so much guys!!! read more

AKIRA - Thank you Ken and Jarrett for my look!!! - Women's Clothing Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great service here and lots of clothes and accessories to choose from! Clothes are definitely for GNO. Most importantly it's fairly affordable stuff which is awesome. read more

Awesome collection and very friendly staff. Love the store and love the dresses. Would definitely come back to this location.

I wish I could go into Akira without being so pushed into trying on 30 different outfits. I cannot stand this store and their sale tactics of pulling clothes for you while you're shopping or in the dressing room. I have eyes! I can absolutely decide what I like/my style. It's ridiculous how Akira trains their staff. It's a very awkward and uncomfortable shopping experience when I go in any of their stores, about twice a year now. Not to mention I have never bought anything a staff member has pulled for me. This is the number one complaint from all my friends who shop at akira and would shop there more if we weren't harassed by sales people. read more

I was gifted a pair of Hunter's Boots from this store for Christmas. I wore them about two times before the back strap of them broke. Given they are not cheap boots, I was a little disappointed. I took them back to the store to see what could be done as Hunter's only allows you to go through the retailer they are purchased from. Akira was amazing. They fully exchanged the boots with no questions asked and the manager I spoke with (I believe her name was Missy) also gave me a ton of coupons for me to come back. Given this was not their fault as they only sell someone else's product, their service was amazing. I was very pleased! read more

Living in Cali all my life, then migrating to Denver, then visiting Chicago's Akira...... How come Akira hasn't opened up in California!!!!???? Or Any other fashion smart state yet????? I LOVE AKIRA!!! I had my doubts, but the variety of clothing, style, and fashion forward items (they had stuff here that I know Cali and Colo didn't have yet) definitely a great find!!!! If I'm ever in Chicago, first stop isn't the 3 story Forever XXI, it's the AKIRA!!!!!!! Memory: My first Spirithood awwww :) Ladies, it's from pricey to super pricey, but well worth the buy!! One of kind for sure. I'd compare this store as a Fred Segal / ASOS / TopShop, the best!!!! read more

So, I think I have a client that shops here and buys the most awesome shoes. I, however, only went in because my daughter's and I were taking our au pair to do some shopping (though I'm not nearly as pretentious as that sounded...) Anyhoo - LOVE THIS STORE! First, thank God for Abigail 'cause without her, I would have bought nothing and my children would have ended this shopping session in about 3 minutes. Let me just start at the beginning..I naturally drift toward understated clothing to such a degree that I often feel understated when I really wanted to feel hip and breezy. So a store like this is QUITE daunting to me. Au pair chick went right to town. I, on the other hand, initially saw the store through a mother's eyes and thought to myself, "Self - your kids are about to give you a run for your money that you don't want to spend." Well, thank God again because Akira had some video of a fashion show (set the music in the store), on at least a 42" plasma and a couch right in front of it. There sat my two girls, who proved themselves totally un-chic and truly mid-western as they loudly commented for almost 40 minutes, "Her dress is too short! His hair is too weird! Why do they walk that way?! That boy needs to button up his shirt, momma, we can see his boobies..." and on an on it went. Now, I coulda (and typically woulda) just said "F - it" but the au pair chick was havin' me paged to the dressing room. So, as I headed on in, I asked Abigail to find me something "cute" but not too out there. THEN I come to find out their sales rack was "buy one item, get the second for $1" !!!!!!!!! NEED I say more. "Miss Understated" did not leave empty-handed. While some of their stuff is a little out there for me, then you find something just perfect and unexpected. I will be back - and if Abigail can't help me, her colleagues will do just fine as they were all helpful without being in my butt. read more

Kelsey was absolutely awesome! It was the cashier that made this review lose stars. When asked about ordering an item from the website instead of going through a store computer at the register like any other place you shop, this girl wanted me to input my personal info into her own cell phone. Does she think I was born yesterday? When the fuck do you give your private to a cashiers personal number? Akira, check your cashier. That's identify theft written all over it. read more

I WOULD NEVER SHOPP HERE AGAIN! Akira's 'returns' policy is ridiculous. After purchasing 4 items ( buy 3, get 1 free), keeping 1, but TRYING to return 3 itmes for STORE CREDIT ONLY, I was told that I needed to bring in the item I was keeping before I could retunr the 3 items with my receipt in-hand. DON'T GO! read more

Of course the shoe selection is adorable and extensive - I don't have an issue with that. But whenever I find myself drooling over a pair of ankle boots or thigh high beauties, I can't help but remember that I can get the exact same thing for a much lower price (using customer rewards coupons) at Macy's or Lord and Taylor. Or the Internet (Endless.com, Zappos.com, etc.). My advice, if you stumble across something you really love but are cringing at the price, would be to look it up on Google first to get a complete list of all the stores that have it in stock. Paying full price + 10% sales tax at Akira should be the last resort. read more

Really good deals, especially around the Christmas/New Years holidays when their sale shoes are BOGO $1. For clearance shoes, cheapest I saw were $10, highest were $60. read more

I never come here expecting customer service. Coming here for years for the cheap finds and never really expect good customer service. But gosh, at least don't be so blood sucking lazy and inconsiderate. Today, one girl had her friend visiting and was in the way of a rack I was clearly trying to peek through. I must have been real pale that day, to the point of being ghostly and invisible. The girl would not move and couldn't care less--she was too into the drunk text story with that one dude and omg no way.... At least don't put yourself down as the salesperson that helped me when I told you no one did. I helped myself, you lazy mooch. read more

Super fun clothing to choose from and reasonably priced. I'll be back on my next trip to Chicago for sure

The store is very small and I did not find anything that interested me. However, the manager (I think) is SUPER friendly and made the visit more enjoyable. read more