Finn in Yorkville
by Logan Steele · Leave a Comment
Founded by long time fashion lover and devotee Amalie Bruun. Finn Boutique offers its female clientele both exclusivity and elegance. This Yorkville located gem carries an array of independent, local and international designers which include – Jaime Galindo, Burfitt, Flawnt, Tankus, Park Vogel. Its modest antique infused setting lends itself to an intimate shopping experience. And, as those who have been in can attest to – a world of contemporary discovery. Take my word and see for yourself what is going on at Finn.
Finn Boutique | 1 Yorkville Ave. | (416) 961-0101
Hours: Mon – Fri 11-7, Sat 11-6, Sun 12-5
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The “Diesel” Has Landed
by Logan Steele · Leave a Comment
Diesel has finally opened up its very own flagship store right here in downtown Toronto. The 30 year old luxury denim house has found itself a new home in a gorgeous 7,700 square foot, two-storey paradise located in the ultra fabulous Yorkville district. The store offers the latest cuts and collections for man, woman and child. And, is sure to meet the fashion needs of all in our great city.
Diesel Store Toronto | 92 Yorkville Ave | (416) 968-3335
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thu-Fri 10-8, Sat 10-7, Sun 12-6
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Hazelton Lanes
by Logan Steele · Leave a Comment
What more can be said about Yorkville’s Hazelton Lanes shopping centre than, fabulous? This a shopper’s dream. From high-end men’s, women’s and children’s fashion to breath taking home accessories. This multi-leveled complex is a must stop shop. A definite mall for non-mall people.
Hazelton Lanes | 87 Avenue Rd. | (416) 968-8680
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Versace – Toronto shoppers Versus Italian style
by Logan Steele · Leave a Comment
Founded by the late ground breaking designer, Gianni Versace in 1978. Versace first opened its doors in Milan’s Via della Spiga and received near instantaneous recognition. The house spawned numerous divisions and affiliated businesses world wide which include – Gianni Versace Couture, Versace Jeans Couture, Versace Home Collection, Versus and Versace Collection. Although the house has experienced a widely publicized rough patch in store sales and overall annual revenue. Without question Versace has managed to attain a level of notoriety that very few current labels have yet to parallel. Despite my personal indifference to the line, even I can’t deny the labels magnitude in the global fashion forum.
Holt Renfrew | 50 Bloor St. W. | (416) 922-2333
Hours: Mon – Wed 10–6, Thurs – Fri 10–8, Sat 10 -7, Sun 12-6
Sherway Gardens | 25 The West Mall | (416) 621-9900
Hours: Mon – Fri 10–9, Sat 9:30–6, Sun 11-5
Yorkdale Mall | 3401 Dufferin Street | 416-789-5377
Hours: Mon – Fri 10 – 9, Sat 9:30- 9, Sun 11 – 6
Dolce&Gabbana / D&G – Where edge meets elegance
by Logan Steele · Leave a Comment
Founded by Italian design duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana in 1985. The luxurious women’s line signature pinstripe pant suit and corset ted dress, has been seen worn by everyone from Madonna to Fergie. Although better recognized for their take on the feminine silhouette, the designers broadened their fan base with the release of the highly anticipated men’s collection and D&G in the early 1990’s. Like many successful labels, the fashion house also includes a thriving footwear, perfume / cologne, eye wear and accessory component. That has found its own band of followers the world over and Toronto is certainly no exception. (Also be on the look out for their D&G kids line. Why not start your childs fashion sense off at an early age?)
Holt Renfrew | 50 Bloor St. W. | (416) 922-2333
Hours: Mon – Wed 10–6, Thurs – Fri 10–8, Sat 10 -7, Sun 12-6
Sherway Gardens | 25 The West Mall | (416) 621-9900
Hours: Mon – Fri 10–9, Sat 9:30–6, Sun 11-5
Yorkdale Mall | 3401 Dufferin Street | 416-789-5377
Hours: Mon – Fri 10 – 9, Sat 9:30- 9, Sun 11 – 6
Plum Shoes – Yorkville’s fix for any woman’s shoe addiction
by Logan Steele · Leave a Comment
I was first made aware of this particular Yorkville gem when on the hunt from one of my favourite women’s shoe designers, Chie Mihara. This quaint sub-leveled shop is and absolute treasure chest of hard to come by brands. Everything from Calvin Klien’s couture line to lesser known but equally amazing Hussein Chalayan, are all available in this petite shoe boutique. This is definitely the shoe store for that women with her own sense of style and who does not mind paying for it.
Plum Shoes | 29 Bellair St., Suite 107 | (416) 964-6404
Hours : Mon – Wed 10–6, Thurs – Fri 10–7, Sat 10–6, Sun 12-5
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Over The Rainbow
by Logan Steele · Leave a Comment
This denim wonderland is stock to brim with all the current lines that you would expect to find in a swanky Yorkville locale. From highly recognizable jean designers such as Diesel and Nudie, to lesser known but equally mentionable brands as Earnest Sewn and Joe’s Jeans, this boutique has certainly made its mark in our city’s retail forum. Its clothing exudes youthfulness and edge, perfect for those shoppers that refuse to conform to the cookie cutter format that society often dictates. A definite stop for any and all jean fiend. Maybe Dorothy was on to something?
Over The Rainbow| 101 Yorkville Ave. |(416) 967-7448
Hours: Mon –Wed 10–6, Thurs– Fri 10–8, Sat 10–6, Sun 12–6
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TNT Blu
by Logan Steele · Leave a Comment
Nestled in Toronto’s ultra-chic Yorkville district (its most recognized location), this boutique has brought a much needed urban edge to the highfalutin’ area. Sister store of the highly successful TNT Woman and TNT Man family, this attitude-driven addition houses some of the most interesting lines the world has to offer.
It is almost overwhelming the amount of merchandise available at this retailer. Lines like Comme Des Garcons, Helmut Lang and Nudie don’t even begin to scratch the surface of what one may find. Toronto has finally found that explosive element we’ve been looking for!
TNT Blu | 55 Avenue Rd. (Hazelton Lanes) | (416) 972-1593
Hours: Mon–Wed 10–6, Thurs 10–7, Fri–Sat 10 – 6, Sun 12–5
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Good Ol’ Reliable Uncle Otis
by Logan Steele · Leave a Comment
The early 1990s were an interesting time for fashion and, let’s face it, just an interesting time overall. We had all bid farewell to the 80s and were getting set to approach the upcoming millennium. The world had recently embraced House Music as well as its street-wise alter-ego, Hip-House. Pop music was at its height and groups such as Technotronic, Ultra Nate, Deee-Lite and Blackbox dominated our airwaves. Neon, paisley and African print served as the canvas to this stylistically disorienting movement, and meanwhile the shoulder pad made its final stand. Needless to say, we all made some seriously bad fashion choices in the name of the all-powerful Trend. I propose a moment of silence for our fallen comrades: the eight ball jacket, the polka-dot shirt, African medallions and yes, the “X.” You shall all be missed, but hopefully remain missing. OK, I do have a point with all this. Even in these very confused times a glimmer of hope surfaced in this city and to this day has managed to stay true to itself: Uncle Otis. How can you hate anything named after the great Otis Redding?
Founded in 1991 by the Cure’s keyboardist Roger O’Donnell, this shop instantly became the “must go-to” vendor for all current street-oriented fashion, and originally carried its own line along with other international brands. At the time, every known local and visiting celebrity had made their way into this budding boutique. To have an item from Uncle Otis had become a status symbol within the urban community. Many argue that it is the template of the high end street wear store for Toronto, and I’d have to agree. At very least, it is an original. Of course honourable mentions must be given to other highly influential local lines such as 2 Black Guys and 100 Miles. But for some reason, Uncle Otis still stands and maintains its relevance, throughout all of fashion’s many changes.
Newly renovated and at twice its former capacity, this Yorkville maverick has held its own in a part of town that is known for its tough-to-please crowd. Although the store no longer manufactures its own line it still houses some of the most cutting-edge urban apparel the U.K. and the U.S. have to offer. Brands such as: Levi’s Warhol, Vans Vault, Corpus, W+H, Helmut of the Hill, Luggage from Burton, Mosley Tribe eye wear and more. Not to mention Stussy, a line that it was one of the first to carry in the city. For both the young and those who’ll never grow old, Uncle Otis still has some tricks up his sleeve. Why don’t you give the old man a visit?
Uncle Otis | 26 Bellair St. |416-920-2281
Hours: Mon – Fri 11:30–7, Sat 11:30–6, Sun 12–5
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Toronto City’s Elite, Loves Corbo Boutique
by Logan Steele · Leave a Comment
When the name Yorkville is brought up as the topic of conversation, many stereo types come to mind. Elitists, Euro-delusional, aristocratic, snobbish and all things pretentious. Now, I’m not saying that these are necessarily completely off the mark, a bit harsh, but not thoroughly untrue. This Toronto area on to its self, has developed a bad rap over the years however; within in its jurisdiction, houses some of the most exciting and cutting edge boutiques in the city.
Which brings me to Corbo Boutique. Carrying such world renowned and highly recognizable designers as: Jimmy Choo, Yves Saint Laurent, Stella McCartney just as a start, certainly does not put you in my bad books, by any means. It is definitely for the woman who wants to be noticed and leave a lasting impression. Also, she must not mind dolling out the designer dollars. There just seems to be something a little different about this particular woman’s boutique, that separates it from all the others on this affluent strip. I’ll leave it to you, to judge for yourself.
Corbo Boutique | 119 Yorkville Ave. | (416)928-9898
Hours: Mon – Wed 10–6, Thurs 10–8, Fri – Sat 10–6, Sun 1–5
[mappress]
