As Chicago’s sophisticated, savvy women know, a handbag is more than just a functional tool – it’s an essential accessory!

Eleven Fifty four Lill in Chicago’s city centre is all about handbags, handbags and more handbags…

Owner/designer Jen Velarde and her friend Robin Quinn set up 1154 Lill in the late 90s.


This unique boutique offers it’s own unique line of limited edition ready-made handbags, totes, makeup bags and other accessories to satisfy the need for immediate gratification. 

The bags range in various sizes and colours to match any outfit and any style. New fabrics choices are brought in about once a week, as others are retired, so regular visitors are rewarded with fresh choices each time. 

From small hand held bags and over the shoulder styles to three sizes of make-up bags…one for every occasion.

The line of “LILL Bags” ranges in price from the mid $70’s to $130.  Accessory pieces such as makeup bags, a wallet and a coin purse range from $24 - $36. Custom orders take four weeks to be completed, however there is no additional charge to “create” an individual piece.  

The two women also hold regular handbag parties – a perfect opportunity to socialise and shop at the same time! Each bag has a name – literally. The Shelley, the Katie, the Quincy, the Lynn, the Amy……

If you have been to the Chicago based studio boutique you have seen the space described by Women’s Wear Daily as having a “hip, girly vibe”.

With light green walls, whitewashed workbench tables, rows of bags and fabrics and a huge gilded mirror on a deep red wall, your eye may not even have ventured to the purple curtains on either side.

But behind these curtains is where the “magic” happens! This is the production space where all the bags are cut, all the pieces are produced or put together and where all of our ready-made and custom pieces are inspected, tagged, and prepared for shipping or pick-up.

At 1154Lill, you can not only buy a girl’s most essential accessory, but create one to suit your own sense of style and individuality – perfect for the modern woman.  

click here to see where 1154 LILL is stocked