Fall brings new shopping opportunities
[attach]2205[/attach]Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes.
Fall’s here and it’s time for new beginnings.
But sometimes the new entails a nod to the past, a looking back of sorts or a modern reworking of the not-quite-new.
Style Relived
I almost had heart palpitations when I went by Revival Couture on the bus a few weeks ago. As soon as I was able, I got my butt over there and descended on business partners Christine Hadden and Donna Nesrallah, who opened their Eglinton Avenue West boutique just three months ago.
Revival is designer consignment boutique of the most discerning kind, specializing in high-end couture labels of the best quality — in other words, nowhere near the slightly ramshackle places consignment shops tend to be.
In a way, Revival is a bit of a misnomer, as many of the garments and accessories are only a season or two old and have never even been worn.
Christine has been shopping the closets of the most upscale stylistas for years. She used to run a high-end shop in Yorkville, eventually graduating to personal shopping and doing closet clean-outs for clients, which in turn morphed into temporary pop-up shops where she’d sell couture castoffs.
Her shoppers kept asking her for more sales, and that’s when the idea for Revival was born.
If you’re a couture label hound with a more modest bank account, this is the place to get current designer duds and accessories for a fraction of what they’d sell for new.
A Christian Dior suit in impeccable shape is $1,495 and would probably sell for $4,000 new, while a pair of blue satin shoes heels by Manolo Blahnik, the style that Carrie wore in the Sex and the City movie, are $595.
Alexander McQueen, Prada, Chanel, Roberto Cavalli, Marc Jacobs, YSL, Louis Vuitton, Missoni, the majority never worn — you name it, it’s here. Even brands you can only get in Europe, like a pair of Viktor & Rolf shoes (for $495) that can be had if you’re lucky enough to scoop them up before they go.
The only thing is, being consignment, pieces aren’t available in multiple sizes. But that adds to the exclusivity, methinks.
My picks, for the budget-conscious: silk Hermes scarves for $250 each (there’s a waiting list for the Birkin and Kelly bags, so they don’t ever make the selling floor). If I get my income tax cheque in time I’m going after a pair of Louis Vuitton gold high-heeled, Oxford-style shoeties ($350) with a vengeance.
363 Eglinton Ave. W., 416-480-0003 [url]www.revivalcouture.ca[/url].
Haute handmade
If, on the other hand, supporting local designers is more your bag, pop across the street to Haute par Periwinkle, the sister store to owner Cindy Yong’s Bloor West Village shop called [url=http://www.mytowncrier.ca/bloor-west-hipster-strip-reveals-trio-of-cool-shops.html]Periwinkle[/url].
Both shops specialize in the designs of local and Canadian artisans. Open only a few weeks, the Eglinton Way location is more upscale than the Bloor West shop, specializing in jewellery, accessories and some baby stuff.
Crochet baby bibs and the most darling baby hats; couture silk designer dresses; enough handmade bling to sink a ship — this is a perfect gift shop for moms and girly-girls.
I’m digging the sweet designs of [url=http://www.beeadeer.blogspot.com]Bee a Deer[/url]. The lace cuff bracelets with silver-tone embellishments, around $30, are Victorian hip.
Since I’m dating a British pilot, I can’t resist a vintage-esque looking pendant and chain made out of a compass, $29, which says “London” on it. It’s by [url=http://www.marolsha.etsy.com]Marolsha[/url].
I can use the compass on shopping ventures too, I figure.
382 Eglinton Ave. West, 647-955-3992 [url]www.periwinkleonbloor.com[/url].
Brace yourself for change
Outside of the world of fashion, there’s still some backwards-forwards news to report.
With the somewhat recent expansion of its practice, Forest Hill Orthodontics has moved back to its original location at 72 St. Clair Ave. West. The practice had been at 219 St. Clair Ave. West for years.
The original location dates back to 1955, when former owner Dr. Donlands Woodside started practising there.
The new-old space sports a new state-of-the art facility, with Dr. Bruno Vendittelli and Dr. Jim Posluns presiding.
72 St. Clair Ave. West, 416-921-6772 [url]www.foresthillortho.com[/url].
[attach]2206[/attach] Adult chocolate
If your mouth still waters at the thought of JS Bonbons chocolate, a local chocolate shop that closed in Spring 2008, you’ll be happy to know the woman behind that biz is back on the chocolate scene.
Chocolatier and pastry chef Jenn Stone has recently joined the ranks of Xoxocava, the sister goodie shop to Cava restaurant next door.
Cava chef owners Chris McDonald and Doug Penfold say the shop is the dessert department to their resto, calling it a sweet shop with mature content.
Translation: the all-handmade Belgian chocolate here is risky, even sexy, featuring grown-up ingredients like olive, trumpet mushrooms and more.
Drop by to see how Jenn’s creations figure in the grown-up chocolate mix.
1560 Yonge St. in Delisle Court, 416-979 -9916 [url]www.xococava.ca[/url].
With respect to Revival Couture, my experience there was very negative. The product is good quality (although it’s not couture, it’s ready-to-wear – big diff), but the prices are not in the “amazing bargain” category. I felt that the service was way too overbearing and honestly I was quite horrified by the way one of the owners repeatedly made rude comments about my figure, and then whispered about it with the co-owner while I was in the dressing room. I wasn’t allowed to just browse notwithstanding that I’d specifically stated that I’d wanted to do so; it felt like every thirty seconds they were asking me to try on something else. At one point they were so sure they knew better than me what I wanted that they had me re-try on an outfit that I’d already tried on and rejected, so that they could show me how to style it “properly”. I found that to be an annoying waste of my time, and very presumptuous. It felt like being in high school amongst the catty girls who say very rude things to your face without breaking their smile. I definitely won’t go back. If you’re desperate and don’t mind salespeople who act as though they think they’re better than you, and for the life of me I’ll never understand why some salespeople have such an attitude, you could find some good deals at Revival if they have a sale. For shoppers with self-respect, there are other places in the GTA with tags-on ready-to-wear at much better prices, and with much better service. Hopefully for their future customers the ladies at Revival will learn that customer service is about enhancing the customer’s experience, not the saleslady’s amusement.