Chicago-based designer Maria Pinto hangs it up Bill Zwecker: A major Chicago-based fashion designer has closed her doors. Maria Pinto, whose high-profile customers have included first lady Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey and many of Chicago's top socialites and civic leaders, told the Chicago Sun-Times exclusively that she had initiated proceedings to cease business operations her company Lola Black LLC, including the closing of the Maria Pinto retail boutique in the West Loop. It was expected that Pinto would seek protection in a bankruptcy filing early this week.