| Yorkville
I
think its safe to assume that many Torontonians view Yorkville,
an upscale Toronto shopping district, as a high-cost, pretentious
area for only tourists and those who can afford to dish out big
bucks for big label names. Bloor Street is lined with the likes
of Chanel and Louis Vuitton, while the intimate streets of Yorkville,
Baldwin and Hazelton Lanes host exclusive shops by such names as
Betsy Johnson and D&G.
Canadian
Designers
Upon closer browse, one can find fabulous Canadian frocks ranging
from higher-priced designers like Jeannie Lottie and Wayne Clarke
to high-style boutiques like RK and Kal Boutique.
On
a recent jaunt amongst the fashionista elite, I discovered that
Yorkville is not so pretentious and expensive; there are many welcoming
shops run by smart, diligent, and creative business people who show
a fashion design business is not only about the creative, but also
about the strategic. Very inspiring, to say the least!
Kal
Boutique - CLOSED
Owner and designer Kal Lee sells her her own technologically
functional designs alongside other innovative, design-focused pieces
in her super-hip, bright Yorkville shop.
For
Spring 2006, her 'Happy' line includes affordable laptop jackets,
and removable backpack vests that are being bought up by her out-of-town
clientele. Equally as functional are skirts with digital imprints
of maps and windbreakers printed with language translations, for
those moments when seeking the informationi turistiche, starting
at about $239!
Kal
changes her own line every season (last year she crafted delicate
pieces made of pieced vintage handkerchiefs with personalized embroidered
anagrams) which is also available in Japan.
Other items in the store include glass robot necklaces; felted and
cashmere sweaters, and screen print t’shirts ($39). New in
are Japanese shoes, which were only available at Colette in Paris
until now!
Kal
Boutique 119 Yorkville Ave.- CLOSED
Designs
by Naomi
What started as a kiosk at the Toronto Eaton Centre has grown
into a flashy, luring shop in Yorkville supplied by a self-owned
Indonesian factory. Very impressive, especially considering sisters
Naomi and Devorah made it big by selling whimsical, stretchy hand-printed
pieces adorned with tattoo motifs, dragons, bats, flames and rainbows.
Their
Yorkville home-base is filled with thousands, perhaps millions of
glittering, glitzy sequins and swarovski crystals – on dresses,
belt buckles, handbags and even pens! There's batik, stone and bead
embellishments to further emphasize stand alone pieces. And to top
off a most joyous shopping getaway, the change room area is supplied
with water, candy and a mini-gallery of fashion art for sale.
Designs
by Naomi 128 1/2 Cumberland St.
rk
rk Yorkville is part of a seven-store chain, yet still manages to
manufacture 85% of its clothing in Canada. Perhaps this is due to
its success among well-dressed women throughout the city.
The
rk boutique is seemingly intimidating with its sparce furnishings
and clean, open space but provides "catwalk" fashions
at affordable prices. Ryerson grad designers Candice Chan and Joyce
Chow conjer up cool belted jackets, tiered mini-skirts and cocktail
dresses along with svelte pencil skirts and fitted blazers for stylish
business women. If its a high-priced look you're after, rk is worth
a look!
rk
116 Cumberland Street
Previous
Shop Toronto
In
the first part of this monthly installment, we head down to Kensington
Market: Toronto's kitschy outdoor boutique...
|
Kal Lee in her shop
