Sweet Dream
With Dylan’s CanDy Bar, entrepreneur Dylan lauren has CrafteD a veritaBle sWeets empire—anD noW she’s putting her teChniColor touCh on the magnifiCent mile With the BranD’s first ChiCago storefront. by olivia munn photography by carter berg
Like Willy Wonka before her, Dylan Lauren believes the world should taste good—and look fabulous, to boot. The daughter of Ralph Lauren, the iconic American designer, Lauren merged her lifetime love for color and confections to create Dylan’s Candy Bar, the whimsical sweets emporium that debuted in 2001 on New York’s Upper East Side and now welcomes more than 2.5 million visitors annually. In the years since, Lauren has expanded her Pop Art-inspired brand to locales like Los Angeles, Miami, East Hampton—and, in May, Chicago (445 N. Michigan Ave., 312-702-2247; dylanscandybar.com). As Lauren prepares to celebrate the bi-level boutique’s grand opening, she recently spoke with friend and actress Olivia Munn about the importance of having a clear vision, how the Chicago store will be a standout, and why pure imagination is always in style. Olivia Munn: Hi, Dylan! Dylan Lauren: Hey! How are you? OM: I’m good. You know, it’s funny because I’ve talked to you about Dylan’s Candy Bar before and gone into your New York offices and helped you organize—I was like, “I brought the label maker.” I was really excited. DL: Those labels are so helpful. Thank you—I remember very well. OM: There are so many questions I wanted to ask you. It’s fascinating that you’ve been able to turn
102 michiganavemag.com