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"Then people can experiment with it," he said, noting that in recent seasons Akira introduced metallic leggings and bubble skirts that way.
Whereas other city boutiques' price points seem to start at $200, "we wanted someone to find a top for $34 and walk away happy," Wang said. "We were able to target the masses." The trio declined to reveal Akira's overall volume.
Today, top-selling lines at Akira, aside from its private label, include French Connection, BCBG and Salvage.
Denim ranges from $49 jeans from Wax or Akira to popular styles from Seven For All Mankind and Citizens of Humanity to $250 Rock & Republic denim. Dresses range from a $44 cotton print ruffled Akira dress to a $1,200 Vera Wang style.
In the beginning, they didn't have the fashion cred to land designer accounts.
"We were at the bottom of the ladder and you climb up one rung at a time," said Cotay, who recalled that BCBG was one of the first designer labels carried at Akira. "We started off as a party store where people would find something to go out in."
Enjoying its initial success, Akira launched a second women's store on Lincoln Park's Clark Street in November 2003, opened Akira footwear on North Avenue in October 2004 and launched Akira's first men's store, also on North Avenue, in August 2005.
As Bucktown gentrified and prospered, so did Akira, and so did its clientele, who moved on to better-paying jobs, got married and had kids, a few of whom are named Akira after the store, Hsueh said.
The momentum continued in February 2006 when it launched its Web site, akirachicago.com, opened an accessories store on North Avenue, and unveiled a shoe store on State Street in May 2006. Last October, the company opened a 4,000-square-foot women's boutique in Water Tower Place.
Over the years, the trio learned to trust their instincts and assume their roles. Cotay handles marketing, men's and women's buying; Wang also does women's buying, and Hsueh oversees operations.
Their ability to move quickly won them the space in Water Tower Place on Michigan Avenue.
Whereas other city boutiques' price points seem to start at $200, "we wanted someone to find a top for $34 and walk away happy," Wang said. "We were able to target the masses." The trio declined to reveal Akira's overall volume.
Today, top-selling lines at Akira, aside from its private label, include French Connection, BCBG and Salvage.
Denim ranges from $49 jeans from Wax or Akira to popular styles from Seven For All Mankind and Citizens of Humanity to $250 Rock & Republic denim. Dresses range from a $44 cotton print ruffled Akira dress to a $1,200 Vera Wang style.
In the beginning, they didn't have the fashion cred to land designer accounts.
"We were at the bottom of the ladder and you climb up one rung at a time," said Cotay, who recalled that BCBG was one of the first designer labels carried at Akira. "We started off as a party store where people would find something to go out in."
Enjoying its initial success, Akira launched a second women's store on Lincoln Park's Clark Street in November 2003, opened Akira footwear on North Avenue in October 2004 and launched Akira's first men's store, also on North Avenue, in August 2005.
As Bucktown gentrified and prospered, so did Akira, and so did its clientele, who moved on to better-paying jobs, got married and had kids, a few of whom are named Akira after the store, Hsueh said.
The momentum continued in February 2006 when it launched its Web site, akirachicago.com, opened an accessories store on North Avenue, and unveiled a shoe store on State Street in May 2006. Last October, the company opened a 4,000-square-foot women's boutique in Water Tower Place.
Over the years, the trio learned to trust their instincts and assume their roles. Cotay handles marketing, men's and women's buying; Wang also does women's buying, and Hsueh oversees operations.
Their ability to move quickly won them the space in Water Tower Place on Michigan Avenue.
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