Nick Cave’s life began in Fulton, Missouri, in 1959, far from the world’s fashion capitals. “When you’re raised by a single mother with six brothers and lots of hand-me-downs, you have to figure out how to make those clothes your own,” he told The New York Times in 2009. “That’s how I started off, using things around the house.”
In 1982, he graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute, where he learned to sew and made harlequin-style outfits in elaborate textiles. He also took dance classes and realized he could combine his two disciplines. “I wanted to bridge dance and art,” he says.
His resulting wearable fabric sculptures, or “Soundsuits”—otherworldly yet romantic—have since been on view everywhere from New York’s Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum to Atlanta’s High Museum of Art.
Cave now lives in Chicago, where, alongside his artistic practice, he directs the graduate fashion program at the School of the Art Institute. Here, he shares his guide to the city he calls home.
Osteria Langhe
This warm space serves delicious northern Italian food by some really lovely friends of mine. It’s a regular spot for my partner, Bob, and me. Don’t leave without getting the “plin” pasta. (osterialanghe.com)
Alinea
Food as art at its best. It’s magic and joy and humor and deliciousness all tucked into a slow-down-and-pay-attention-to-the-moment kind of place. (alinearestaurant.com)
SVRN
I’ve never actually been here, as Bob uses it as his go-to gift shop for me, and he doesn’t want me to get the goods before he can. But everything he’s brought home to me is cool, current, and very much my style, so it must be amazing! (svrn.com)
Ikram
This store has the city’s very best curated clothing selection from the best designers, both popular and lesser-known. (ikram.com)
Museum Of Contemporary Art Chicago
From its inception, this museum has delivered boundary-pushing exhibitions. As a new trustee there, I want to ensure that continues forever. (mcachicago.org)
The Art Institute of Chicago
As a professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, this is my home base. It’s also world-class in every way and in every gallery. (artic.edu)
Lost Language
This new sauna space is tucked under the “El” train tracks of a neighborhood on the city’s north side, which makes it quintessentially Chicago. It was imagined and is run by the loveliest couple, Sarah Gonsiorowski and Andrew Glatt, with the intention to open your pores—and yourself—to the community. (lostlanguagesauna.com)
AIRE Ancient Baths
A spa carved out of an industrial loft, Aire disconnects you from the city entirely thanks to its series of cold, hot, salty, and steamy pools—and a great massage. (beaire.com )
You can explore our complete, constantly-updated guide to Chicago here
