Usually when anything related to the transgender community makes the evening news, it is something negative, like a robbery or something worse. That’s why it is so refreshing when a local television station does a news story like this.
Transformations by Rori is a famous destination in the Chicagoland area known for catering to everyone, but especially the trans and crossdressing folk. When I was living in Chicago, I never had a chance to stop by, though I think that I saw them at Be-All 2009.
Chicago Crossdressing Store
ABC 7 Chicago did an excellent story Transformations, and you can view it in the embedded video below.
Have you ever been to a transformation salon such as this one? If so, what was your experience like? I am fortunate in that my wife has been very good about teaching me fashion & makeup and giving me the foundation to learn them on my own.
Places like these are great for our community and I hope that Rori’s business continues to thrive.
Super thanks to Alyssa for sending in the link!! 
photo credit: Leigh Harries
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Jessica
My only experience at a “transformation” salon was in high school where at the vocational school I was attending the cosmetology class and auto mechanics class teamed up for a womanless pageant.
And of course this being a spoof on beauty pageants, me being the homeliest one of the bunch they made me the “winner” but aside from that I enjoyed being the fox in the henhouse being fussed over at least a half dozen girls at once was just fantastic!
It looks like a really good store and the customers seem very happy with the service.
Personally, I’ve never been to such a shop. Not for any snobby reason, but more because there are none nearby and really, you can what you want from the high street…. and pay less.
I’ve heard that there are some very good trans stores in the UK and also some bad ones. The latter ones are overpriced and impersonal. The better ones, they’re like the one you’ve just linked to.
I liked the clip. Thanks for sharing it, Angie
I used to frequent Lydia’s TV Fashions in Sherman Oaks, CA, and it was always a pleasure, great selection and services. They could transform you on the spot and send you out to friendly locations if you wanted to go. They’ve been there 30 years. See lydiastv.tvheaven.com/
I just checked out Lydia’s TV Fashions online catalog of products and services and I must say that other than the list of in store services and their selection of exotic videos the rest of the selections are limited to one or two items per catagory. The order form has to be printed, filled out with you doing all the math then mailed, faxed or emailed in some way. If Lydia’s still there she sure hasn’t got a good idea yet of how a retail site should look and operate. Alas the store is where it’s really all at.
I’ve been to Rori’s for the makeover and it truly is a wonderful experience. As the piece states, Rori and her staff really do try to make every feel comfortable and accepted.
Having the makeup done by a pro was amazing – I felt incredible even though the makeup was heavier than I was used to. The look they achieved with me was amazing and was fairly bold for me, as I try for a fairly conservative approach to makeup.
That said, it was well worth it. Before that day, I had never been out in public during the day, having only been out at night and then only trans-friendly places. I felt utterly empowered and ready to go ANYWHERE once I had been madeup and had my wig styled and this confidence boost was wonderful.
Since that day (over a year ago), I have ventured out much more often and felt very confident and positive about my look. Rori also throws a wonderful Halloween party every year which I went to this past October and it was a total blast!
Hey rori where exactly are you located and how much do you charge cause I would love to come by I live in indianapolis indiana
I’m visiting Chicago this weekend and looking for a place to make me into my inner girl. Can you HELP?