Akira

I Won’t be back paid 55 bucks for a poorly constructed dress with the thread leaving the dress literally and was harassed about not checking my bag at the checkout counter while purchasing the piece of garbage dress way too pricey for the quality of the merchandise never again

There is no way I will shop at a store that asks me to check my bag upon entering the store. Hyde Park you deserve better than to be treated like a criminal. I was told that, refused and left the store. I wish I would! Profiling at this store.

I still like some of the clothes but they need to lose that window display with the tiger head backpacks. Once you realize what they are – you finally see the straps and tags – they become innocuously stylized and might even look cool on someone. But the window dressing makes it look like 20 severed heads of a beloved endangered species, and it’s disgusting and sad. I don’t think it’s at all intentional; they probably just don’t understand how it looks from the outside. Those things should be hung on a rack with all the straps and practical aspects obviously displayed, in a group. Then they’d have a nice retro stuffed toy vibe and not an Anne Boleyn of the big cat tribe vibe. Please, people, some of us have to walk past your store on the way to buy wine.

I love this Akira so much! Yeah, everything is really expensive, but it has the biggest sale section out of all the others, and I’ve bought multiple items for just $ 5 (crop tops, skirts, even a crochet swimsuit top with a smiley face on each boob!). My style is pretty damn weird, so this place resonates with me (there aren’t many plain or professional items here, mostly really bold fashion pieces). The employees here are really awesome too. They’re super helpful and nice (I even f4f with one of them on Instagram XD).
One of the other reviewers said that the bag check is annoying, but I don’t really blame Akira for putting it into action, the security was pretty bad when it first opened (one of my friends had her phone stolen while shopping there). The security guards are nice though!
Lastly, even though the prices can be crazy for a girl on a budget, the employees are really good with helping you get the best bang for your buck (so ask!) and Groupon has some good deals too!

Please avoid this location unless you like to be treated like a thief. I have been to other Akira stores and this is the only one to make you check your bag! I am not checking my bag to shop in a store filled with over priced polyester sweaters and acid washed hot pants. The first time I went in I was shocked but went along with it. The second time they had me check my groceries, seriously. Last time (which was today) I left my back pack home because of how irritating this policy is to me. I went with my seven year old son and they tried to check his back pack! When I spoke to the manager Robert he told me it was because of the neighborhood. I am thoroughly insulted. So either I’m using my son as a mule or my son is a thief. I will not be back and I don’t suggest any self respecting adult visit this store either.

A sales associate told me I could exchange an item for a full refund. He was wrong. Now I have store credit to this overpriced shop and am out $ 15 in groupon bucks too (they don’t add it into the store credit).

Worst shopping experience in my life!!! I had to leave out the store for two seconds they put my cloths back after I asked them to hold my cloths and my room. They not only gave my room away but they put 7 outfits back! Then told me we might have to pull them again for you. Then they walked off and didnt come back. So after I found almost everything again that I could I had to ask for another room they put me in a room where they were doing construction on!!! Then the person that was helping me left and said they were grabing a few tops for me and left and never came back!!! After I left out and found something for myself a sales person finally helped me while I was checking out and asked was everything okay!!! Horrible worst experience ever I will never go back unprofessional and ignorant!!! I have never ever been treated so rudely and I will never purchase another piece of their clothing again on general damn principal!!!

Ask for Andre– he’s soooooo helpful!!! Four stars because lots of items had makeup or snags, but fun shopping experience!

This Akira has the best selection of clothes and shoes. I always find something I like. If it weren’t for the sales girls I would have given it 5 stars. The girls are very helpful but TOO pushy at times. They want you to try everything on. They must work on commission! They are disappointed when you only purchase one or two items. This can make for an unpleasant shopping experience.

I’ll give it 4 stars because normally when I go I always find something. I go when the fresh clothes are put out and I go early in the week. By the fine the weekend hits you won’t really find anything. But I LOVE the staff !!! My favorites are Angelo & Epiphany. The staff is the reason why I give this store 4 stars.

Eh. As far as Akira locations go, I could take or leave this one. It’s convenient but that’s about all. I love their clothes, as usual. The service is great, sometimes too great. Relax and let me browse a little, «boo». I’m gonna buy something. geesh. yeah. The one in the Shops on State building downtown will always be my fave but this one is close to home, so whatever.

If I were just rating the store I would give 3.5 stars but because of the staff and customer service they get 1.
Now look here, I love a jubilant, sassy, flamboyant sales person calling me boo, telling me what would go cute with my scarf, and getting all up in my business just as much as the next person– not! Dang I just want to browse some shoes and necklaces without sales people in my mouth every two minutes. Now there is an awesome young lady, super tall with a short cut who helped me out, but that was about it.
So my bad experience that really leads to the rating. Yesterday I got rung up for a vest that was left at the counter that I never touched before. When I got home and saw the error the store was closed so I returned the following day to have it fixed. I told them my story eventually the mistake was fixed
BUT !!!
not without the manager going on about how he isn’t supposed to be doing this for me and he is putting his job on the line and the only reason he is doing it is because he can’t refute my story because he didn’t remember this happening (as if I’m probably lying) and he verbatim said «I’m basically putting my job on the line to make you happy» then made a show of having someone come and take a picture of the recipet to have it sent to corporate so he doesnt get in trouble because again he is doing me a huge favor. He had to say that like 5 times. I was confused, he was stating this repeatedly as if I was supposed to do something for him. Like I could give him a blessing for his good deed or I was on the Nobel peace prize panel. It was their fault that it happened because the busy body sales people and dark lights and beyonce playlist made me want to run the bell up out of there so fast I didn’t see them ringing me up for things that I never brought to the counter. It takes nothing to graciously fix your mistake. but I am never going here again. It’s two blocks from my house but I am done with this location, I hope they close because management, staff, no one cares there.

Classy façade as far as the building goes; crappy quality as far as the clothing goes. Such a huge space, that yes, you might find something you like in the whole store, but that’s not saying much. Though not extremely pricey, it is way too much money to spend for the total lack of quality.
The styles are basically: here’s a unique hemline, lets add some glitter, weird sleeves, crop it, have your boyfriend sew a see-​through piece of fabric in the middle, and bam — you have your new Akira piece. Five too many styles on each garment. Which, I think is the look they’re going for. But, eeesh, the place has customers, but so many of us Hyde Parkers wish it wasn’t such a waste of real estate. Residents are just that desperate for a women’s clothing store.
Slutty, but not remotely sexy. Poor quality. Horrible designs.

So glad to be able to buy clothing in Hyde Park now, even if Akira’s relentless trendiness requires careful navigation. The sales are great and the salespeople are nice and brimming with styling tips. The shoe section is rather diverse for its size, and there are options for every style tribe (except nautical prepster.) Be aware that the quality is comparable to Forever 21 and the prices are comparable to Topshop. Also note that men’s options are virtually nonexistent. Accessories are sometimes broken right there on the rack.

Here’s what you need to know about Akira: everything in this store represents a good idea taken to an extreme– sometimes a successful one, sometimes an unfortunate one.
Do not come here if you are looking for a sensible outfit. DO come here if you want to look like a tribal pirate space queen who’s not sure she really gives a damn anymore. Need a pair of eight-​inch heels made of crystal skulls? You will probably find them here. This store is firmly in the middle of the venn diagram of «ridiculous» and «amazing.» Even if you are a more conservative UChicago type, give this place a try: you are likely to find some more demure gems among the really wild offerings.
The staff are consistently friendly, helpful, and not pushy. Very pleasant to deal with.
They also have a great selection of vegan leather jackets… I am rather proud of the collection I am amassing from them. Lots of other nice manmade/​non-​leather accessories as well. Highly recommended for vegan & vegetarian women looking for out-​there accessories.

I recently discovered this AKIRA flag ship store, but try keeping me away. Since mu initial visit I have been back 3 times my first visit was last week…
The store is clean and organized, not the cluttered, very tasteful displays. Staff are always friendly and willing to help when stuck with the tough question of how many shoes to buy. ;)
I wish they had a parking lot, but I went on a Wednesday and a Sunday and was always able to find decent parking.
I love this store. Go there I insist.

Great style, very clean, and always have sales. The employees are pretty pleasant. My first time in there I was greatly accomodated by a very pretty girl she even got me some cute outfits and invited me back again. Then the next time I went a girl who was awkward and didn’t know what to say was helping me. She actually totally forgot about me and another floor employee had to go get her to get me a room for all the clothes I was holding. Then she got me some random outfits to try on that were not party esc so I was confused. Then when I went to pay for my purchases the employees at the register were ok, not really welcoming or too cold just more conversing among themsleves while I checked out. Overall, I like the style, the place, the sales, and I guess that’s all that matters.

I was a fan of Akira during college about 6 years ago when I worked with the store to hold a fashion show as a student at the University of Chicago. I was glad to hear that they were opening a location in Hyde Park, a neighborhood sorely lacking in trendy clothing stores (or anything trendy really). The store itself is huge, occupying the old Borders bookstore space. I went there after the Thanksgiving weekend opening and had mixed feelings. First off, it seems they stopped carrying the indie brands that I used to shop for at their other store locations, such as BB Dakota or Gentle Fawn. I only found clothing from the Akira brand, which is actually quite affordable, but then again, lacking the quality of the more expensive brands. This would be fine if they stocked more «down to earth» kind of clothes. Instead, what you will find are crazy sequined cocktail dresses, neon horrific patterned tights, oversized baggy sweaters, and other oddly dowdy shirts mixed in. I can see them hitting it off with people who want to go clubbing and need to grab a cheap dress, but in order to appeal to the wider Hyde Park demographic, they will need to really rethink who they are targeting and bring in some more indie/​hipster/​cute designs that most college students and young professionals go for these days. Also, please turn down the music! (I’m getting old…)