Our Annex Location: Before & After

A lot of love and hard work went into opening up our new store in the Annex. We got the space a lot sooner than expected and it felt a bit like a race against the clock to get it ready and opened. A lot of the staff helped, but a big portion of everything coming together was thanks to Dan who was an all around handy/everythingman, Jess who helped plan and design the space, Meg who put together our beautiful window display, and of course Nicole and her partner Stefan, who worked tirelessly late into the night way too many days in a row to get this store open.

I didn’t have a chance to get to the store when it was just an empty space, but hopefully you can gather from our before and after shots the work and effort that went into making our new, beautiful store!

BEFORE

AFTERvisit this location at 444 Bloor St. W

What Would …

Iris Apfel choose?

There are so many styles out there to be appreciated. Some people just really know how to put together a great outfit that works for them. Whether it’s over the top eccentric or subtle Parisian chic, there is inspiration all over the place. We thought it would be fun to imagine what some of the most revered style icons would choose from our store.

Incase you aren’t familiar with Iris Apfel – which I’m sure you are, at the very least, you’ve probably seen her picture – she is an interior designer. In 1950, she and her husband launched a textile firm called Old World Weavers until they retired in 1992. During this time they worked on several design projects, among them, design restorations of the White House for 9 different Presidents. Along their many travels Iris started buying non-western, artisanal pieces that she would wear to her meetings. It’s easy to see how she got noticed and quickly became the face of ‘you can wear whatever you damn well please at any age!’

Heres what we think she would pick…

vintage jacket size S $24

furry shoulder bag $20

assorted rings and bangles

Weekday button up size XS $32

Danier leather pants size S $26

vintage dress size M $26

Miista pumps size 40 $75

H&M Studio furry coat size M $45

$10 sunnies

March Staff Picks

Save for a few people, the staff here picked their fav pieces last month and shared a few thoughts on why they love them. Each one of us has pretty different styles, so it was fun to guess who picked what, which is usually pretty obvious, tbh. Without further adieu…a few words from the lovely humans that make this place go round.Tea: “Tis my fave because it reminds me of a 1980s Fassbinder film.”

Jessy: “I love this double-sided silk kimono as a layering piece because you can wear it over/or under a denim/leather jacket, and it dresses up a plain t-shirt/high waisted jeans kind of outfit. AND IT’S WARM! But, let’s be real…a vintage silk kimono makes you look expensive.”

Sarah: “Be the queen of the Bellwoods picnic scene with this adorable handbag. It’s just large enough for the essentials, a snack and a tall can.”

Elizabeth: “leather jackets are always a solid staple for any wardrobe. I really love this piece because it is still a classic cut, but a little different than others because of the sick clasps on the front.”

Meghan: “This Topshop Japanese-inspired varsity jacket is what dreams are made of. I mean, c’mon! It’s reversible and embroidered! It’s hard to imagine any outfit that wouldn’t be made better by putting this on.”

Erin: “In this coat i am serving you ‘Jenny From The Block on Payday’ REALNESS! Denim jackets are my #1 classic Canadian spring staple and I’m always on the look for ones that stand out from the crowd”

Caroline: “I’d wear this baby with a tank and red lips ;)”

Roxy: “I’m a big fan of the twee look and this dress reminds me of Little Orphan Annie, which is a good thing, as far as I’m concerned. If I was feeling super cutesy I’d style it with saddle shoes or Mary Janes, but I also think it could look good with Doc Martens or creepers for more of a grunge type of look.”

Alex: “I’d pair this linen gem with a pair of high waisted cropped white trousers, white turtleneck and suede olive green slides. It’s the perfect slightly oversized jacket that looks great unbuttoned and tied at the waist to give it a bit of interest.”

Amalia: “I feel like this is the kind of dress I imagine someone wearing while walking through a meadow picking wild flowers or foraging for berries. Best accessorized with bare feet and a wicker basket.”

Dan: “I like it bc I’m a fab bitch pastel princess and I can never find dresses that fit my man shoulders lol.”