Above: Two looks from Zara's Spring/Summer 08 collection

Thanks to a shopping tip from long-time reader Peaches, I learned that Spain-based apparel retailer Zara will open its newest store in Chicago, located in the Old Orchard Mall during fall 2008! The 27,200-sq.-ft. store will be the first location for the company in the Chicago area, and the fast-fashion giant (think H&M on steroids) also plans to open a 30,000-sq.-ft. second store at Chicago Place, located at 700 N. Michigan Ave. Zara operates more than 1,000 stores in 69 countries.



Forget about Gaudi: Here's a photo I snapped of the Zara on Passeig Gràcia in Barcelona, Spain.

I gotta tell ya, I'm having one of those full-circle moments because Zara was my first budget fashion love. I discovered this amazing store when I studied abroad in Spain during my college years, then literally cried when I had to come back home and realized I wouldn't be able to score fabulous Zara bargains on my way to class anymore. They have a couple stores in New York City (and elsewhere in the U.S.) but it's not like I can just hop on a train and shop there whenever I feel like it. Ok, maybe I could but I'm lazy. Anyways, here we are in 2008, and Zara is finally opening up a big ol' storefront in my beloved hometown, Chicago. Dreams do come true.