Forget the Food Trucks, I'll Take the Fashion

Last weekend I stumbled upon Fashion Truck Canada, set up in the parking lot of Liberty Village. Food truck you say? No, no, the only food at this truck was the adorable candy bar set up front of it.

Following the recent food truck craze, fashion trucks have been popping up in cities across the U.S. such as L.A. and New York. The concept has been test driven in Canada, but barely. Yorkdale Shopping Centre used a fashion truck in 2012 to promote its new retailers in the downtown core. Saint John's New Brunswick had a fashion truck. But Toronto? Not so much.

Enter entrepreneurs Emily Dobbie and Ashley Barber. "I already have two physical retail stores and an online website," Emily explains, referring to her Vocado boutiques. "I see this as a great way to test new markets and bring our pieces to new markets."

The clothing and accessories are contemporary labels, the kind you can easily try on over a pair of leggings and a tank, in case Fashion Truck's one change room is booked. "We sell a lot of LA brands -- Olivaceous, De Philo, Everly, Six Crisp Days," says Emily. You can also find pieces from Alternative Apparel, Free People, Levi's, Henry and Belle, Chaser and Wildfox. Accessories? No problem. Fashion Truck carries loads - necklaces, scarves, hats, rings, headbands, sunglasses, wallets and clutches. Just don't expect to find shoes, unless they're Tkees.

So when you have two brick and mortar shops and an online boutique, why the truck? "Retail is changing and we wanted to lead the way with this new trend. I see this as a great way to test new markets and bring our pieces to new markets."

Unfortunately, Toronto's bylaws around trucks -- food, fashion or otherwise -- do not make this easy. Fashion Truck's partners have already addressed councillors at City Hall, lobbying for easier permit processes. The current (archaic) rules and the city's snail's pace to change hasn't deterred these women so far. "We're ready to fight for this and show Toronto that they need to adapt and adjust and bring this city to the next level from a unique retail perspective." 

Don't miss Fashion Truck Canada's next stop. Follow them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Angel Wings & Pretty Things

We can thank a dull economy for the recent influx of U.S. retail stores in Canada, and in the coming weeks you will read more about these retail openings here. Victoria's Secret may have moved in last summer, but has since kept up a steady rotation of their Angels through Toronto including Adriana Lima, Chanel Iman and most recently, Lily Aldridge. Lily was in town to promote the new INCREDIBLE line of bras and fragrances.

No matter who you are, I dare you not to have a "fat day" when going to meet a Victoria's Secret Angel. The newest Angel is refreshingly open and real while recapping how incredible her last year has been. But her first bra buying experience? Not so much. Her adolescent milestone was a somewhat frightful experience with her mom at a Sherman Oaks, California mall. "I really wish there was Victoria's Secret Pink then."

The INCREDIBLE line is aptly named. The seamless, front-closure bra means zero visible bumps in the strap line or backside, no matter how tight the top. There are various styles including the demi, push-up and front-closure. But real fashionistas will love how the multi-way version keeps it seamless and functional - wear it strapless, halter or even one-shoulder. Incredible, indeed.

Shoplisted: NADA's New Pop Shop

For any designer, having your own retail store is the dream.  The freedom you feel when you finally have your own apartment sans roommates must be similar to what designers enjoy when finally faced with a retail establishment to call their own.

Nada Shepherd shared this new freedom last night at Bayview Village with the official launch of her new shop named for her signature label, NADA.  A sleek, sexy interior of white walls and wood floors was accessorized with simple clothing displays and no less than 13 mannequins.  And while  this is a somewhat temporary location - a year, to start - the fact that nothing was nailed down spoke less to the idea of it being a temporary "pop-up shop" than to the possibility she could experiment with different store layouts.  Still, when and if the NADA store moves on, everything in the place can easily follow.

Experimentation is a major benefit with your own retail space.  I immediately noticed new garments hanging on racks that never made the runway. "Designed for retail," Nada explained.  Once you have your own spot to sell things you can make capsule collections and even one-offs that never hit your retail partners' floors.  You also have a place to test drive new products - accessories, fragrances, all of those things that drive the bottom line of big labels like Marc Jacobs and Chanel.  (What, you thought it was the ready-to-wear?!)

Designing your own store, while exhilarating, comes with a whole new set of challenges.  Like buying mannequins, what should they look like?  The feet?  Hands?  What about the face?  How many dressing rooms are needed?  Where should the checkout be?

NADA is a perfect addition to Bayview Village's collection of Canadian retail.  While the upscale mall may live outside most young fashionistas' comfort zone (speaking geographically or financially, or both) it is a beacon to the Canadian designer-turned-retailer.  Between Andy The-Anh, Brian Bailey, Mirabelli and Ross Mayer to name a few, NADA is in good company.

Shoplisted: Tabula Rasa Shakes Up the Vintage

I'm a vintage lover and my latest obsession is the blouse hanging in Tabula Rasa, a shop that opened in my Greektown neighborhood last spring.  Owner/designer Jennifer Park (formerly of Le Chateau) stocks the sweet boutique with vintage, reworked vintage plus up and coming labels.  

Not surprisingly, nearly every time I pop in, I leave with something adorable and new, or at least new to me.  Like this blouse, that will no longer be hanging in the window when you go.

Tabula Rasa

745 Broadview Avenue
(1 block south of Broadview Station)

416.465.4450  

Shoplisted: UPC Boutique Checks in Fine Labels

I'm a bit in love with a couple of things right now, and they all happen to be at the shop UPC Boutique. I first fell in love with Faren Tami's darling coral silk vest and its blushed, feminine swing.  Then I stumbled upon the Disaya trompe pleated dress in blush and black.  Anyone who has ever seen the movie Steel Magnolias, and knows me, must know that "my colours are blush and bashful." (And if you don't, rent the flick. It says it all.)  It's a sucker punch to my heart, I'm hooked.  UPC also carries Montrealer Rad Hourani's unisex line, Rad by Rad Hourani. Without question it's time to add these to my wardrobe.  

After shopping (and yes, they ship internationally) I turn to the blog for their latest state of fashion advice.   The latest post is about cardigans, and here is another winner from Disaya - the striped bow cardigan.  Is there anything sweeter to wear on fall's early nights?

You can follow UPC on Twitter too.  Regular Tweets reveal their "Look of the Week" where you get 10% off a purchase of any item from that week's look...that's one look for men and one look for women.  But if you're in Toronto, just swing by next time you're in Yorkville.

upc boutique
128 1/2 Cumberland Ave
Toronto
416 929 9209