Blum’s-Vogue

Blum’s-Vogue was a Chicago area department store specializing in women’s high-end apparel founded by Harry and Becky Blum in Chicago in 1910. Blum’s Inc. was incorporated July of 1919 in Illinois. By 1924, they had 2 stores: The Vogue (custom made) and Blum’s (ready to wear). Both were located in the Congress Hotel on Michigan Avenue. In 1920, Harry and Becky Blum purchased the 7 story building at 624-630 S. Michigan Ave. To this they added 7 more stories to make a 14 story retail and office structure. Sales figures: 1918: $1,124,761 rising to $3,204, 901 in 1923. Harry H. Blum was President and Treasurer while Becky Blum was Vice-President.

In 1930, the stores were merged as Blum’s-Vogue and moved to the new location at 624 S. Michigan Ave. Blum’s-North opened 2 miles north at 920 Michigan Ave. in 1931, and was there until 1964, when Blum’s-Vogue moved north to that address. The Blums retired in 1961, and in 1983 the business closed.
According to Harry Blum’s 1966 obituary in the NY Times, there were a total of 4 Chicago area locations in addition to to the original Blum’s-Vogue.

Harry Blum advertised that his stores gave women the choice to customize their clothing. Blum’s offered a variety of designer lines, such as Chanel, Balenciaga, Dior, Galanos, Oscar de la Renta, Sarmi, and Yves Saint Laurent, and in shoes had an exclusive for the Chicago area with Delman.

Written by Hollis Jenkins-Evans

from a 1950s suit

Courtesy of Hollis Jenkins-Evan

from a mid-1950s silk dress

Courtesy of Hollis Jenkins-Evans