In honour of our upcoming Stuart Weitzman Toronto Warehouse Sale, we thought the perfect way to celebrate would be to take a deep dive into the coveted shoe brand, exploring its past and present! From its founding in 1986 to its glowing reputation today, Stuart Weitzman has grown to be one of the top high-end footwear brands available on the market, thanks to its high-quality craftsmanship and desirable designs.
Let’s dive in!
Stuart Weitzman was founded by none other than Stuart Weitzman himself back in 1986. Before the brand’s founding, Weitzman grew up apprenticing under his father, Seymour Weitzman, at the Mr. Seymour shoe factory, sketching his first-ever shoe design in 1957, at the age of 16!
Since the Creation of the Namesake Brand, the majority of Stuart Weitzman’s collections have been produced in Elda, Spain, a tiny city in the Alicante province known for its artisanal shoemaking.
Stuart Weitzman has become known for its impeccable style and comfort. Weitzman was one of a few designers who was also a skilled pattern-maker, believing that “a beautiful shoe is useless unless it feels as wonderful as it looks.”
Flash forward to 1993, when the first Stuart Weitzman boutique opened in Las Vegas, and one of the brand’s most popular shoe styles, the 5050 back-stretch boot was born. Which like it sounds, has a stretchable back design for extra comfort and wearability.
Stuart Weitzman is continuously spotted on the red carpet, having become a major celebrity staple. Its first notable celebrity moment was when Aretha Franklin thanked Weitzman for designing her Stuart Weitzman for Mr. Seymour shoes while accepting an award at the 1983 American Music Awards—before the Stuart Weitzman brand was even established! Since then, Stuart Weitzman has had many more memorable red-carpet moments, famously including its Million Dollar shoes, adorned with 464 diamonds, worn by Laura Harring at the Academy Awards.
In 2012, the brand enters what it calls its “supermodel era”, working with famous models such as Natalia Vodianova, Kate Moss, Gisele Bündchen, Gigi Hadid, and Kendall Jenner.
Over the years, Stuart Weitzman has created a variety of iconic footwear staples, adored by everyone from celebrities to everyday fashion enthusiasts. Its most popular designs include the NUDIST sandal and the over-the-knee stretch boots, LOWLAND and HIGHLAND.
To this day, the Stuart Weitzman brand maintains meticulous dedication to detail and history of artisanal Spanish craftsmanship, creating beautiful shoes that deliver style and comfort for women who are “confident, bold — and, above all, strong.”
Explore Stuart Weitzman’s expert craftsmanship at a discount during the Stuart Weitzman Toronto Warehouse Sale, presented by StyleDemocracy.
The information stated in this article was provided via the Stuart Weitzman website.
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Even though the world is starting to reopen after months of lockdown and folks are starting to go back to work, there are lots of us still working from home. While we’ve likely found our groove after months of WFH-life, if you’re wondering how some notable Toronto boss babes have transitioned to work from home life, then keep on reading. These ladies are not only leaders in their respective fields but they’re incredibly inspiring. Find out how each one of these boss babes structures their schedule, breaks up their day, and for some, leads their teams!
Caleigh Rykiss, Owner of BOLO
“I am one of those rare people who THRIVES working from home. Before I started BOLO I was a freelance writer and producer and I really found a good flow in a WFH routine. Now that I’m back home after a few years spending 12hrs + per day at the studio, I feel uber productive – despite the fact that the future my business and industry is in serious danger. My mornings are sacred – I usually take an hour or so to quietly drink my coffee without any work distractions – catch up on the news and snuggle with my puppies. After that I usually have a focused few hours between 9-11am where I put my head down, answer emails, make changes to the BOLO class schedule and plan my social media posts. I think it’s really important for people to know what their most productive hours are – its a key to breaking the WFH code. My favourite time to workout is between 11-1pm ish – I feel awake and strong and I find its a great way to break up the day. I will usually participate in a virtual BOLO class and then plan out my class for that day or the next day. Another silver lining to WFH is the ability to elongate workouts and spend more time activating, mobilizing and stretching the body. After that I usually have another super productive hour in the early afternoon. I teach classes and host staff meetings in the evenings – which is a nice way to end the work day. My biggest weakness is social media – I find that I am on my phone FAR MORE than usual and it can be a slippery slope. Still working on figuring out how to prevent going down rabbit holes and wasting time there.”
Afiya Francisco, On-Air Style Expert
“Even though I’ve been self-employed for many years, self-isolation is a whole new experience that sees me taping live segments remotely from my kitchen while homeschooling my two boys, Felix and Des. A typical day is a green shake, homeschooling for about an hour and a half. I squeeze in meetings/emails/research during the boy’s hour-long morning screen time. One of my favourite things has been getting in daily family hikes after lunch. Then the afternoon kind of mirrors the morning. Finally, once the kids are in bed, I’m back to work.”
Natasha Koifman, President of NKPR
“Over the last few months, working from home has been an adjustment. As a business owner of a PR agency, it’s been important for me to continue to instil confidence in our team as well as continue to support our clients and partners. While we’re all working in isolation, we’ve made sure that everyone on the team feels connected the same way they would when they’re physically in the office – so we start each morning with a full team Zoom meeting; every day a different member leads the call, we go through account brainstorms, share industry news and interesting articles and do interactive activities. We also always encourage everyone to take time for themselves during the workday to get outside and clear their mind.
To break up the days, I start my mornings with a quick workout via an online SPINCO on Demand class and then later in the evenings my partner and I go for long walks to explore different neighbourhoods. Rediscovering everything that this city [Toronto] has to offer by foot has been incredible – I’ve gained a new appreciation for our communities, from local grocers and artisans on the Danforth, to local coffee shops in my favourite neighbourhood Bloor-Yorkville. I’ve also found a new love for cooking! Right now I’m slowly making my way through Anthony Bourdain’s cookbook — spaghetti alla bottarga is one of our favourites… I mean I didn’t even know what bottarga was until now!
Our clients, big and small, have had to make changes to adapt to the current climate so this has been an exceptionally important time for us to really stretch our thinking and explore new and innovative ways to support them. Being a valuable partner at the table – a true extension of their team – is part of our brand ethos and in these times this has been even more than an imminent priority; my workdays are spent in client meetings and coming up with creative solutions based on their goals to make sure that we are helping them reach their goals as well as ultimately drive sales through an unprecedented time.
What I’ve learned most is that as we adapt to a changing world, we’re presented with so many opportunities for personal and professional growth. Our way of living has changed…and we’re now given the opportunity to reprioritize our time. Something I’ve been thinking a lot about is that our only irreplaceable currencies are time and love, so the most important choices we can make is where and with whom to give them to.”
Catherine Addai, CEO of KAELA KAY
“My day usually starts at 7 am to get my kiddies ready for their day and ends around midnight. In between, my days are filled with meetings, order fulfillment, and conversations with the production team, lots of emails, food breaks (very necessary) and checking in with my family. As all parents dealing with homeschooling and trying to work during this COVID-19 time, I’ve had to adjust to working from home in my basement and adjust my schedule so that I work 2 full days a week and I home-school our children 3 full days week. Also, 4 pm has become my golden time on workdays where I try to get as much work done as possible by 4 pm so I can make shipping carrier cut-off times and be wrapped up by 6 pm. To get ahead in the week, I plan my upcoming week on the Saturday prior; I plan what’s happening with the children and homeschooling, what shipments are going out based on the production schedule, what content we will be sharing on social media, what Zoom meetings I need to be on etc. – I’ve learned to reserve my Sundays for leisure and actually BEING with my family :).”
Ellie Mae Waters, Creative Director and Founder of Ellie Mae Studios
“As a creative person, working from home has definitely been a shift. I have developed a very serious relationship with Zoom. Most of my day feels like I’m jumping from one Zoom call to the next, which feels productive, but actually gives me a lot less time to get the work done that we were talking about. It’s been very interesting developing a creative process with the rest of the design team while being physically apart, but mood boards and FaceTimes have really helped.
To break up the day my boyfriend [Ellie Mae’s CEO] and I go for a drive and take our French Bulldog, Clay, for a walk. I find the fresh air helps me to disconnect and gives me a fresh perspective on everything that is going on.
Leading the team from a distance has definitely taken me into uncharted waters. The connection that we have in the Studio has always been one of our biggest strengths; I miss connecting in person to really grasp how everyone is feeling.
At the beginning of quarantine, we worried that people were going to burn out with so much screen time and not being able to leave their homes. To make sure everyone’s mental health stayed in a good place, we chose to change our five-day work week into four days. It has been an adjustment but working from home has really pushed our team to communicate more. I believe that once we’re back in the studio, we’ll be a stronger group because of it.“
Alex Nikolajev, Content Creator and Host, One Last Thing podcast
“Working from home can definitely be a challenge so I do try to stick to a consistent routine from Monday to Friday to ensure I’m the most productive between my 9-5 work and the podcast in the evening. And really my best tip for getting sh*t done is time batching. What that means is literally blocking out chunks of your day to focus on a specific task or a series of small tasks and assigning a set time to each of them. Let’s say I need to go through emails — I’ll set 30 minutes right in the morning and then in the late afternoon. Those two blocks of time are strictly dedicated to checking email and then I don’t have to stress about reviewing them throughout the whole day. This allows you to not only better focus on what you need to get done but it also breaks up your day and makes each priority on your checklist seem achievable. I also time batch my workouts in AM and go for a run or jump on my Peloton because I always find I feel distracted throughout the day if I’m thinking about having to workout vs. if I just get to it first thing in the morning. Lastly, if all else fails that day, a quick cuddle with my dog is simply the best way to take a clear break and then dive back into work!“
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Toronto’s Yorkville neighbourhood offers some of the best shopping in the city. Undoubtedly, Yorkville has become famous for housing some of the top luxury boutiques and brands from around the world. However, over the years this neighbourhood has built-up stores that are more accessible and wallet-friendly too!
Keep reading for our roundup of the 12 of the best stores to shop in Yorkville — so you can now enjoy the vast offerings of the neighbourhood:
Retyche
RETYCHE is a female-owned and operated luxury resale brand. The brand has a stunning showroom located in Yorkville as well as an online shop where you can purchase a wide range of acclaimed designers like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior, Balenciaga, Prade, Cartier, and more! So, it’s no surprise RETYCHE has quickly become a favourite amongst Torontonians and major influencers alike. Danielle from @weworewhat has featured a secondhand bag from this store on her Instagram and YouTuber Melissa Soldera frequents the store to quench her love for vintage bags. If you’re a fan of all things high fashion, this store needs to be on your radar!
The Cashmere Shop
For the finest quality cashmere, look no further than The Cashmere Shop at 24 Bellair Street. The store sells an abundance of beautiful items like womenswear, menswear, children’s clothing, and home decor such as blankets and candles. Along with the in-house brand, labels carried here are Brodie Cashmere, Leo and Clive, Lisa Todd, Marcoliani, Yarnz, and Majestic Filatures. Plus, the company prioritizes its relationship with its suppliers and compensating them fairly for their work. Without a doubt, due to ethical practices and high-quality goods, The Cashmere Shop has become a leader in the industry.
Bikini Haus
Bikini Haus carries the latest and greatest in women’s swimwear in its Yorkville boutique. The store carries trendy bathing suit brands like Carmen Sol, Ace of Something, Kaohs, and Frankie’s Bikinis, to name a few. Along with the adorable bathers, you can also browse beauty products, apparel, and accessories. Also, expect to find resort wear from brands like Beach Bunny, Kai Lani, Bond-Eye Australia, and Bikini Haus’ own in-house line. So whether it be for the summer months or a winter getaway, this store will become your go-to.
TNT
The brand, TNT, was founded in 1992, with its original flagship store on Eglinton Avenue in Toronto. It now has three locations in Toronto, one in Montreal, and an affiliate location in Australia. TNT carries an extensive array of international brands representing the best of both established and emerging designers for both men and women.
Andrews
Andrews is a family run luxury womenswear store that is home to beloved designer brands like Vince, Alice & Olivia, Mackage, and Smythe, to name a few. In addition, the store proudly carries a number of local Toronto and Canadian brands, so you can support talented designers in your community. Whether you’re looking for a sharp outfit to be a boss at work, or a flirty dress to wear out to dinner, you will find something at Andrews.
Nirvana Home Collection
Nirvana Home Collection is a go-to location for home decor and furnishing for any city dweller who is challenged with dressing up their small space. Among the wide selection, this store sells furniture specially designed for condos and apartments, multi-purpose furniture, as well as a plethora of storage options. There are also Canadian brands to be discovered here, as well as Nirvana Home Collection’s own in-house line. So, whether you are looking to redesign or simply tidy-up, keep this store on your list the next time you are shopping in Yorkville.
Deciem – Bay St.
DECIEM is a Canadian brand that has gained notoriety on the beauty scene. It’s best known for its fuss-free packaging, transparent ingredient lists, and fair pricing. The saying “too good to be true” has no bearing when it comes to its low prices — the serums, oils, and creams are cult favourites for a reason! The store’s Yorkville location is perfectly situated next to a Bay Subway station entrance, making it easily accessible to those commuting to this skincare and beauty hotspot.
119 Corbo
119 Corbo is luxury womenswear at it’s finest. It’s here that you can find high-end clothing from the most renowned designers from around the work. Find apparel, footwear, and accessories by Balenciaga, Dries Van Noten, Isabel Marant, Jacquemus, Jill Sader, Rick Owens, and The Row, among the selection. If you’re looking to splurge on women’s fashion that is both timeless and elegant, your time and money would be well spent at 119 Corbo.
De Caterina Leather
De Caterina Leather was established in 1989, and specializes in luxury leather goods and travel gear. It sources its own items from around the world choosing the most prestigious brands and styles. Browse through gorgeous luggage, backpacks, handbags, cross-bodies, and more.
ŪNIKA Swim
ŪNIKA Swim is a Toronto-based brand that provides custom and pre-made swimwear for all ages, shapes, and sizes. The shop is located in Yorkville and everything from the custom fittings to the design and tailoring happens in-store. In addition, ŪNIKA is committed to sustainability which is why the brand uses ECONYL®, a 100% regenerated nylon yarn derived from pre and post-industrial waste. So, make a splash with a perfectly fitted swimwear, that is sustainably and ethically made in Canada at ŪNIKA Swim.
Radford Studios
Based in Yorkville, Radford Studio is the namesake beauty salon of celebrity makeup artist, Victoria Radford. This beauty boutique offers a luxurious experience for customers whether they’re shopping exclusive products online, or coming in for one of the many raved about services. At Radford, you’ll find a huge range of offerings from the in-house line that includes skincare, makeup, haircare, and face masks. Beauty lovers won’t be able to get enough of this store after browsing their awesome collection of products!
Capsule
Capsule is a go-to for sneakerheads and streetwear enthusiasts in Yorkville. The boutique is home to some of the most well-known men’s streetwear brands. Here you will find classic labels such as Commes Des Garçons, Stussy, adidas, and Nike. As well, Capsule curates rare and sought-out collections from Stone Island, Veilance, Raised by Wolves, Mountain Engineering, and more. If sneakers are your weakness, you will easily find amazing new additions to your wardrobe at this boutique.
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With so many stores and businesses closing what seems like everyday, when new ones open their doors it feels like something to celebrate. That’s exactly why we’re thrilled to celebrate the opening of we are we are — Queen West’s newest hidden gem of a hair studio. Owned by David Nadicci who is a L’Oreal Professional Portfolio Artist and Teacher, this hair haven needs to be on your radar.
The studio (which feels more like a cool and cozy loft) consists of five accomplished hair pros who all complement each other. The team’s talents range from cuts and colours, to colour correction, bridal, and even blonding.
We had a chance to catch up with David to not only find out more about we are we are, but to get the scoop on how he got to where he is today.
What was your first job? How did it lead you to where you are today?
Before I got into hair styling, I had a series of contract jobs…anything from bricklaying to landscaping to renovations, I’ve done a lot of that work. Although very different from what I do now, my jobs have always been physical labour and I’ve always worked with my hands. I don’t know what it’s like to be in an office environment, that was never my path. I like to do, make, create.
What made you want to become a hairstylist?
What drew me to hairstyling was the creative and social aspect – two things I’m passionate about. I liked that there was an opportunity to carve out an independent path and I really like the energy in making people feel good about themselves. I get a burst of positivity from my clients and that’s exciting to me.
Congrats on opening we are we are! What’s the process been like opening up your own place?
Thank you! Overall the process has been really good. It was exciting to create a space the way I wanted and build a collective of amazing stylists to join me on this adventure. After looking at 30 places, I lucked out with this spot. It’s in such a great location, steps from Trinity Bellwoods Park and it just felt right. I did the renovations myself along with my Dad. It was easier putting in 12-15 hour days because I was creating something of my own. I liked having the freedom to design it the way I wanted.
Who or what do you look to for inspiration?
Currently I’m gravitating towards the sleek allure of the 60s and 70s – from music to art to hair and decor, I love that whole feel and vibe. When it comes to celebrity stylists, I’m inspired by Guido Palau, he pushes the boundaries of hair and what’s typically thought of as beauty. His work is really different than what you see everyday. I’m also inspired by Chris Aappleton. He does all the big celebrities hair like J-Lo, the Kardashians, everyone. His work is flawless.
What’s your advice to someone looking to get into the industry/open up their own salon?
Start by researching the hair school you want to go to. If you’re already in hair school and ready to look for a job, I recommend checking out salons to figure out which ones align with your style. Instagram is a good place to start. A trick in the industry is to book a haircut with the owner of the salon and then you’ll get one hour with them to observe, ask questions, build a relationship. Tell them you want to learn and be persistent, within reason.
If you’re considering opening your own salon, figure out if you want to open a traditional vs. non-traditional salon. In a traditional setting, you’re the salon owner, you’d have a receptionist taking care of bookings and typically there is salon hierarchy. What I’m doing is the non-traditional model. We are a collective of hair artists, running our own businesses from the same space and there’s no hierarchy. We’re responsible for our own bookings so this model works well for stylists who have a big clientele list. It’s more hustle this way, but more freedom.
What’s a hair trend you wish would go away?
A men’s pompadour cut is a beautiful haircut when executed properly, but it’s gone from a classic gentleman’s haircut into a not so great version. Good examples of the pompadour are John Travolta in Greece, Bruno Mars and even Alicia Keys had it at one point. The way it’s changed, at least what I see in Toronto, is flowy on the top (good) but too shaved down on the sides.
When it comes to women’s style, I prefer a looser curl – more of a bend instead of tight, perfect curls.
What makes we are we are stand out from other hair salons?
We are an unconventional hair studio. We are a collective work space. My focus is to build a thriving collective for hair artists to work independently, managing their own time and schedules, but at the same time, giving them a space to work collaboratively. Both of these aspects are very important to me, and we have the right mix of people to achieve this. We all have unique strengths that complement each other and our studio is unlike what’s out there. It feels like a cozy apartment or a clubhouse. I’m happy with the vibe we create every day.
What’s a surprising fact about yourself?
Most people know me with long hair and a beard, but for years I had a shaved head.
What’s one of your favourite looks to create?
This time of year women are asking for fringes and bangs and I’m really into that. I also love creating lived in colour for my clients. My thing is enhancing the natural – building on a person’s natural beauty.
Ultimately, I get to know my clients, their lifestyle, how much time they spend on their hair, how much time they want to spend on their hair and I go from there. I want it to work for them.
Who are some of your role models/mentors?
Brennen Demelo, Justin Rousseau and Matthew Collins all played important roles in my life and helped me get to where I am today. Brennen gave me my first start as a hairstylist and he opened my eyes to a whole other side of the industry with editorial and commercial.
Justin is an artist in every sense of the word. He paints, sculps, designs, and he approaches the art of hair like no one else. Working with him for years gave me a different perspective and he would challenge me to create different looks for people. He’s very in tune with fashion and art, and he has a way of translating that into hair.
Matthew Collins is one of my best friends. He is a force in the industry and he has a willingness to never give up. He keeps moving forward and he’s crazy talented. I’ve never seen anyone work so efficiently and consistently.
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It seems that it’s never been easier to eat plant-based food than it is in today’s age. Even if you’re not looking to make the full commitment to go vegan or veggie, it’s always nice to have meat-free and vegan options at restaurants, and especially when you’re shopping at the mall. One restaurant in particular that’s shaking things up is NYC-based by CHLOE. with its goal to “redefine what it means to eat well.” In the fall of this year, by CHLOE. expanded to Canada and opened its first Canadian location at Yorkdale Shopping Centre right here in TO.
If you’re vegan and used to being stuck eating salads when you go out to eat, then the menu items at by CHLOE. will have you jumping up and down with plant-based excitement. Your choices here range from burgers and mac and cheese, to nachos and even poutine!
We caught up with by CHLOE.’s founder and creative director Samantha Wasser to find out how she got her job!
First things first, what’s the first job you ever had? How did that job lead you to where you are today?
I started my career in celebrity endorsements on behalf of large brands like Proctor & Gamble and Pepsi. I LOVED the teams I worked with and the nature of the job, but felt creatively unfulfilled as it was the brands’ ultimate call. To this day, I still work with many of my colleagues and contacts from that role, including our first beverage partner – PanaTea!
What’s a typical day at work like for you?
Every morning starts with my son Jamesy and my two dogs! From there, no day is the same, which is one of the reasons I love what I do! My days can start with a call to sort through upcoming campaigns or openings, a site visit to a store under construction right into meetings to review culinary innovation and tech initiatives! Lately, many of our US teams’ efforts have been heavily focused on our Toronto launch and I was lucky to spend a few days in this great city pre-opening. Seeing the space come together and meeting fans of the brand is always so humbling and exhilarating!
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt while opening a restaurant?
That I can’t be everywhere at once! While we expand and I unfortunately can’t physically be in 18 locations across 3 countries everyday, it’s important we keep open lines of communication with our team members who we lean on as our brand leaders! I try to empower our staff to be welcoming and personable with every guest that enters our doors.
What’s it been like expanding by CHLOE. to Canada?
I am so grateful to Toronto and our local teams who have welcomed us with open arms! Growing up in New York City, I never went to malls, so this experience has been a teenage dream! But really, one of our favorite projects has been collaborating with the Peace Collective! In preparing for our opening at Yorkdale, and introducing the brand in Canada, I KEPT seeing t-shirts that said “Toronto vs. Everybody” and knew we had to create magic together! I DMed Peace Collective on Instagram and the rest is history! I am so thrilled to sell our custom by CHLOE. is Toronto tees in store!
To what do you attribute by CHLOE.’s success?
Our goal from day one has been to offer delicious food that just so happens to be vegan, not the other way around, which has helped us reach a wide audience. Our stores are designed to be colorful, playful and welcoming. We’ve also created a unique Instagram experience and community that helps us extend far beyond the walls of our restaurants.
What do you look for when opening new locations?
We try to listen to our fans! We saw a large amount of our followers were based in Canada on social media, and with the growing vegan scene in Toronto, it felt like the perfect time to introduce by CHLOE.
What are your favourite items on the menu?
I love our Quinoa Taco Salad and of course The Guac Burger! I am a big fan of our exclusive items inspired by our different territories like the Fish & Chips in the UK and our Maple Bacon Cheezeburger in Toronto!
What advice do you have for folks who are looking to open their own restaurant?
Restaurants are tough so I would likely caution them on the challenges of the industry first, ha! After that I would say to always trust your gut and to always surround yourself with a loyal, passionate and hard working team. It’s not a punch in/punch out type of job, especially around an opening, which we consider our Superbowl! It’s important to find people you can trust and rely on in chaotic times and celebrate with during successes!
Why was opening a plant-based restaurant so important to you?
In my twenties, I naturally found myself eating less and less meat, but wouldn’t necessarily eat at vegan restaurants, as I didn’t feel like I belonged. When the opportunity to open a plant-based concept presented itself, I wanted to create a brand and experience that spoke to consumers like me! Our restaurants are designed to be approachable, comfortable and FUN. Vegan food was “scary” to some (including me!) but how scary can our classic take on Mac N’ Cheese be with phrases like “If you were a vegetable, you’d be a cutecumber” on our packaging?!
What’s your favourite part of your job?
Opening a new store in a new city! But day to day, I am most inspired by the work that goes into our creative campaigns. From that initial brainstorming to mood boards, prop styling, shoot days and the finished product, it’s amazing to see my vision come to life and resonate with our customers!
This summer we launched the Carrot Hot Dog by CHLOE. which featured Takerua Kobayashi, The World’s Greatest Competitive Eater. Our campaign was colorful, weird, playful, unique and delicious! All characteristics of by CHLOE.!
What’s a surprising fact about yourself?
I am a terrible cook!
Can you share what’s next for by CHLOE.?
We can’t wait to launch our second Canadian location in downtown Toronto Fall 2020! Stateside, we will see more expansion next year in NYC and beyond! We are also always in the kitchen working on new and exciting creations like our Chicky Collection that just launched in the US! Stay tuned Canada, we’re coming for you! Now that’s something to Cluck about =)
Who are your role models/mentors?
I admire so many young female entrepreneurs, many who I have been able to partner with along the way. A key role model for me is Sara Blakely of Spanx. Spanx is such an empowering brand and the empire Sara created is so inspiring for a young entrepreneur like myself.
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Ever wonder how to turn your passion into your dream job so that you never had to work a day in your life? We had the opportunity to chat with Brittany Gray, owner of Fancy Face Inc. to learn more about how she grew her makeup empire. From starting solo in Toronto to building a team in both Toronto and Vancouver, Brittany has been able to make a name for herself and even start her own makeup line.
Read on below to find out how Brittany got her start in beauty and how it led to her starting her own business!
Full name: Brittany Alexandra Gray
Job Title: Entrepreneur, Actress & Owner of Fancy Face Inc.
First thing’s first, what was the first job you ever had?
My first real job was performing (singing & dancing) in the Oscar Award winning movie Chicago with Catherine Zeta Jones & Richard Gere at 15 years old. Before that (11-14 years old), I did some modelling in Sears & the Eatons catalogues as well as performed in a theatre show at Canada’s Wonderland, however to me, ‘Chicago’ was my first really professional gig.
What’s a typical day at work for you?
Busy from start to finish. I usually wake up around 5 a.m. as my daughter & son can be early risers & some days just have to start that early because of work engagements. For me, every single day is different. Some days we’re prepping for early morning clients at the studio, some days I’m taking meetings in person or over the phone with industry types, some days I’m heading to work events or simply pouring my heart into every element of building this home grown business. My day always includes working closely with our Fancy Face client concierge, Tiffany, and my personal assistant, Victoria, to ensure we meet deadlines, and to also ensure all of our clients are happy and well taken care of.
What led you to launch Fancy Face?
Honestly, it was just my deep-rooted passion for all things makeup. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been drawn into the world of beauty. I love nothing more than testing products, going on a hunt for the next best beauty trend & my mom regularly recounts how as a child, she couldn’t get me away from any makeup counter when at the mall. I truthfully had no intention for Fancy Face to grow into what it is today. I was always more focused on my acting/singing/dancing career, however – sometimes life/God/whatever you believe in, has a different plan & I’ve always just followed my heart & listened closely to my intuition.
What’s it like to own your own company?
It’s BUSY. However it’s always extremely rewarding. It’s almost like raising a child. You put in the hard work, you shower it with endless love and dedication, and then you watch it grow into something you’re so proud of & that you just love so much.
Did you always know you wanted to work in the beauty industry?
I always knew that it was something I felt naturally good at. Doing makeup and being in this industry feels extremely genuine to me & who I am as a woman. I never had to force it. It’s an honest love & I believe that shows.
What’s a surprising fact about yourself?
I love collecting crystals. One of my most favourite ones is a Smokey Quartz crystal that my mom bought me when we were on a mother/daughter trip in Boston. Another fact: I love dancing in the kitchen with my daughter Ivy to get the day started. I don’t think our family could function without music. I’ve become a big lover of country music these past few years. Actually my next acting role is playing a country music star on a TV show for the Family Channel/Hulu.
Instagram/@fancyfaceinc
What’s your advice to anyone looking to get into makeup and beauty?
Work hard to hone your craft. Always strive to get better & to perfect your skill set. Find a niche that is authentic to you. Be a good person. Don’t burn bridges. Stay focused on where you’d like to see yourself in 5-10 years. Stay humble & kind.
Fancy Face is located in both Toronto and Vancouver, is the beauty scene different in those two cities?
When I first thought of starting the Vancouver team, I was worried that our target market wouldn’t be there or as prevalent. However, I was happy to realize that there are many women in that scene that love feeling extra fancy for events and weddings. Toronto is much busier for us however we’ve been open here for almost 14 years and Vancouver for about six.
What’s one of the most fulfilling projects you’ve worked on?
There are so many things within the business that I find fulfilling. I love providing jobs for women. I love building every part of this business from the ground up. I love expanding different aspects of this company. For example this year we launched our online shop with our own Fancy Face beauty products & cosmetics and later this summer we are opening our very first brick and mortar shop, after always being a mobile/on-site service. I find it fulfilling to surround myself with like-minded women who are equally passionate in being a part of a team, so that we can watch it grow together. I love being able to take part in charitable events and seeing our work giving back to those less fortunate. I love seeing our clients shine in moments that matter most. Honestly, I find a whole lot of it fulfilling. I’m endlessly passionate about what I do.
Fancy Face works closely with a charity called HopeTotes. HopeTotes is a Canadian charity producing gift bags of everyday essentials to women in need across Canada. For every wedding Fancy Face books, we donate a HopeTote filled with nine essential items to women in need. Fancy Face also works closely with SickKids — being a mom of two myself, organizations like this are very near and dear to my heart. As part of our contribution with Sick Kids, we are participating in an event called Fashion Heals for SickKids later this fall.
What’s one of your favourite beauty looks to create?
That JLO glow. Hands down. That bronzed, radiant & tanned makeup look with a pinkish-Nude lip and wispy lashes. That look to me is just always so flattering on most people. I mean come on, if JLO loves it, it’s got to be good right?
*Use code FANCYSTYLE for 10% products off until August 18, can’t be combined with any other offer*
Featured Image: Fancy Face Inc.
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While the Toronto fashion scene is ever-changing and expanding, there are some folks that have been a constant. One of those well known Toronto movers and shakers is none other than Gail McInnes. Glasgow-born McInnes has been a fixture in Toronto’s fashion community for over 20 years and for good reason. Gail is super passionate about supporting local Canadian designers and makers, and we totally agree because shopping local is more important now than ever. In addition to being the owner of fashion agency Magnet Creative Management, McInnes is also co-owner of Stylist Box, which is an exclusive fashion designer showroom where high profile clients can be dressed for events.
Because those jobs aren’t enough, Gail is also editor-in-chief of The Pull Magazine and is a regular on TV shows like CTV’s Your Morning, Global TV’s The Morning Show, CTV News, and CBC News to name a few. With all this being said, it’s pretty obvious that Gail is easily one of the hardest working women in fashion.
Want to know how this fashion powerhouse got to where she is know? Keep reading to find out how she got her job!
Instagram/@gail_mcinnes
Full name: Gail McInnes
Job Title: Founder & Owner of Magnet Creative Management and Co-Founder and CEO of Stylist Box Inc.
First thing’s first, what was the first job you ever had? The job after that? And how did it lead you to where you are today?
My first ever job was when I was 14. I sold Avon door-to-door in Oshawa. It was my first foray into entrepreneurship in a way as you had to budget to purchase your supplies (catalogues and samples) then market yourself and make sure people knew where and how to find you to place an order. Looking back, I find it absolutely insane that my parents would let a teenage girl knock on strangers’ doors, but those were different times for sure.
My second job was working at a bakery. I did that the same time as doing the Avon thing, so I would have been 14 also. My older sister who was working there helped me get the job. She quit because the boss was a bit of a dick, so I called and quit too. That taught me loyalty and standing up for yourself.
I always had at least one part-time job in high school and would always make myself available for any other opportunities that came up. I also worked at Burger King, Sam The Record Man, Suzy Shier, an independent record shop – I even sold candy at a rave once.
Having all these varied jobs taught me so much about how different companies work, about internal politics, and also that if you work hard and focus on the tasks on hand, you can becoming an invaluable employee.
Instagram/@gail_mcinnes
What’s a typical day at work for you?
Typical days involve me wrangling my 3-year-old in the mornings and walking him to daycare before I head off to the showroom. Typically, I arrive between 9:30 and 10am. If I don’t have any appointments, I will work from home.
First thing I do when I log on to my laptop is check emails and answer any urgent media or client inquiries. Then I will do a search for any new articles or posts on our clients in the media or any new editorials.
From there, it’s all based on what projects or launches we have on the go. Right now we are prepping for our 7th annual celebrity styling lounge during the Toronto International Film Festival as well as working with designers for their public relations for Toronto Fashion Week.
Throughout the day, I will also have appointments with stylists for pulls for magazines and celebrity appearances.
Most evenings I will pick up my child from daycare and head home to make dinner and spend time with my family, once a week I will attend an industry or client event – I try to only do one evening work-related event per week now, whereas before I became I mother, I would attend as many as I could to show my support to all the amazing organizations and brands we have in this country. My priorities have shifted quite a bit now, but my support has not wavered.
What led you to create Stylist Box?
The concept for Stylist Box comes from my experience working with talent as an agent, as an artist representative for celebrity stylists, as well as my time working at the Toronto Fashion Incubator over the first half of my 2 decade long career. A first incarnation was established in 2009 which was incredibly successful but folded within the year due to an ill-judged partnership. (Mistakes are made to be learned from!)
I started my brand and publicity company Magnet Creative Management in 2010. (We’ll be celebrating 10 years next year!) My 3-year goal was to open a showroom expanding on the services I offered at the first showroom, but focusing more on what everyone’s needs were – ensuring that it benefited designers, stylists, and the personalities who borrowed items for red carpets and special appearances. I partnered with the most wonderful business partner Christian Dare (who you may recognize from his on-air appearances with Cityline and other outlets) and Stylist Box was established in 2013. We are now in our 7th year!
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What has been the most fulfilling project you’ve worked on so far?
Our annual celebrity styling lounge, The Stylist Suite during the Toronto International Film Festival is an annual highlight as we bring together a wide range of mens’, womens’ clothing and accessories as well as sponsored brands to partner with celebrities who are attending the festival either for the premiere of their movies or for the numerous events and special appearances. It’s always so fulfilling to see all the year’s work come together when you see all the red carpet images coming in – especially when a young brand who may not have had this opportunity any other way sees their creations on the red carpet for the first time.
Creative industries are notorious for unpaid internships. How do you feel about this? Are you for or against unpaid internships?
I started my professional career in the industry through an unpaid internship at Armstrong Men (the male model division of the now defunct Armstrong Models). It was mandated by my school to graduate, but it was only once a week for one term. I was hired part-time right after while I finished my diploma and was hired full-time when I graduated. I stayed there for almost 6 years as the men’s agent. (We repped the likes of Stephen Amell, Brad Goreski, and David Rocco – all who have gone on to have very success careers outside of modelling.)
This was in the mid-90s though, and I didn’t come from any money whatsoever. In fact, I was actually on welfare, living on my own when I was accepted into college, so I understand what it means to have to hustle to get to where you want to be and could not have imagined what my life would have been like if my internship had to be full time and unpaid.
For my companies, we will bring on students for special projects where they can learn hands on what it is like to put on a fashion show during Toronto Fashion Week or to be there in person so see how our celebrity styling lounge works. Opportunities like this are invaluable for students, but we do not take on full-time unpaid internships. I disagree with full-time unpaid internships and believe that as soon as their time crosses the line to performing key work for a company rather than learning and observing, then it is work and should be paid. There are many companies in all sectors – not just the creative arenas which take advantage of internships, but I do think short term, part-time internships in a supportive environment with a strong mentor can change your career and even your life.
Instagram/@gail_mcinnes
Who are some of your go-to Canadian designers?
I wear at least one or two Canadian brands every day. The top Canadian designer brands in my wardrobe right now are Hilary MacMillan, OKAYOK, Hayley Elsaesser, Anu Raina, Miriam Baker, Lucian Matis, Biddell, Therma Kota. For shoes Abel Munoz, L’Intervalle, and ALDO.
Why did you want to pursue a career in fashion?
I grew up in the 80s and always loved pop culture – I was raised watching music videos with the likes of Madonna and Kylie Minogue. I loved the visual appeal of makeup, clothing, and persona and I wanted to be a part of that creation. When I moved to Canada from Scotland as a teenager in the late 80s, it was FashionTelevision which really motivated me to pursue a career in fashion – it also showed me that there was a fashion industry in Canada. Originally I had wanted to be a fashion designer, but FT showed me there was more to it – I went to Humber College with two goals: become a model agent or a fashion show coordinator. Within my first year of college I had worked and been paid to do both.
Photo by Norman Wong
What’s it like to own your own company?
It is freeing in a lot of ways as you don’t have a boss or corporate culture to fit in to, you create your own culture as a business owner. You can make your own schedule, but it also involved a lot of long days and nights when I first started. Now I am more established I set my hours and stick to those. The accounting and day to day admin work is a lot more time-consuming than you may think. That’s my least favourite thing to do, which is why it is always best to outsource those roles to others.
What’s your advice to those looking to work in fashion?
Determine which area you want to work in. Learn the history of both the local and international markets. Know the industry and who the key players are. Be nice to everyone – faux attitudes and egos need to be left at the door. When you’re first starting, say yes to every event you are invited to and show up even if you don’t feel like it. This industry is about connection and relationships – those who are talented and good at what they do will rise to the top based on their talent, but kept afloat by the relationships they build over the years.
What’s a surprising fact about yourself?
I have never driven a car – ever. Maybe for someone who lives in the city, it’s not that surprising considering the cost to driving in the city and all the transportation options we have available but this is something I promise to change this year.
Featured Image: Ted Belton
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If you haven’t heard of Outland Denim yet, you’re about to see a lot more of the brand on everyone, from famous faces to denim lovers of all demographics. Touted as “The World’s Most Humanitarian Denim Brand,” Outland Denim is one of the fastest growing companies in the world – especially now that Meghan Markle is a fan of the brand.
As a company that is only a few years old, Outland has received global acclaim and accolades for its incredible accomplishments in the world, and the lives the company is changing. Founded by Australia’s James Bartle, Outland has a mission to provide life-changing opportunities to survivors of human trafficking. By employing these survivors of the rampant human trafficking industry in Cambodia and offering a living wage, providing opportunities, and support beyond a career, Outland and its amazing jeans are making way for a new normal.
I sat down with Bartle in Toronto recently to hear more about how Outland is changing the world for the better.
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How did the idea for Outland Denim transpire? What came first; the desire to create a fashion brand, or the desire to make an impactful change?
It was definitely the desire to combat a problem that I was first made aware of through the Liam Neeson film Taken – human trafficking. Then, I travelled to Southeast Asia with a rescue agency and I witnessed for the first time what it looked like on the streets when I saw a little girl who was for sale. It was a really powerful experience to see and she was genuinely fearful and scared – that’s what really brought it home.
How did the idea for Outland transpire?
Seeing that, I left wanting to make a change and my wife and I started researching what we could do. I wasn’t in fashion; I just loved denim. It seemed like the easiest thing to do, but realized it wasn’t; denim was a hard thing to create when you take people with zero sewing skills and teach them how to make denim jeans as their first thing. You then are trying to sell into a space that is the most competitive in fashion. I never wanted to have a charity; I wanted to have a product that sells itself. It was about coming up with an economic solution to this massive global problem.
Instagram/@outlanddenim
How did the business model evolve over time?
When we first went in, we went in with absolute pity; just feeling so compassionate and sorry for them. Then we had to sort of firm up and say, ‘if you’re going to be successful, you’re going to have to learn these skills. If you don’t want to learn them, then you can go elsewhere, but we can’t keep employing people who don’t.’ They then rose to the occasion. We spent six years developing and proving our model and proving that, if a women works within this model, she can get herself out of poverty. If she can get herself out of poverty, she is way less vulnerable to becoming a prostitute or getting into a situation where she is trafficked and sold for labour even – in a garment factory somewhere forced to work in subpar conditions.
In those six years, what was the biggest challenge?
Definitely funding it. I have another company, which is a metal fabrication business. I employed one person and I would work on it daily too and I was relatively newly married – it was just pressure. But once you start, you can’t stop, because now there are these people who have a dependency on this working. Once they learn the skills, they are not as dependent and can go and get jobs anywhere. We weren’t at that stage though and it felt pretty heavy. We would do all kinds of fundraisers – flipping sausages at the local supermarket and whatnot. I remember even counting gold coins my uncle gave me. But I would never change it because it really helps you decide whether you commit or not and for this to work, you have to be so committed and prepared to go down with the ship.
Instagram/@outlanddenim
What was it like when you finally set up shop?
Well, we came in from the west and we thought, ‘ok, I am going to teach you to do this and you’re going to be great.’ But it doesn’t work like that. Actually, their culture has so many more strengths than you even realize, and until you embrace that and support them, nothing changes. We see that with NGOs across the world; there are so many in Cambodia where we work; NGOs come in and try to teach western ways of life and business. But making mental shifts in embracing their way of life has resulted in a way larger impact.
What has been the most rewarding part?
There have been a few. On a social level, going back and talking to the girls about what the opportunity really meant to them was so powerful. One of the girls said that since working for the company, she was able to buy her sister back from someone who owned her. Then when Meghan Markle wore the product, it was another profound moment for me. I had just landed in Cambodia and I woke up and my phone was just going crazy and what happened after that was a bit surreal. That morning, I felt this overwhelming emotion; sales just started to roll in like crazy, so did the media requests. I had to jump on a plane and fly right back to Australia to meet with media. It was the most incredible experience to say, ‘wow people care.’ Now, we have the biggest retailers in the world contacting us to see if they can carry our collections.
How did you deal with the “Meghan Effect” and the heightened demand?
Well, we only just got the model back in stock recently, but we are now selling out of sizes within days. Hopefully that continues. For all the good things, it’s also created problems; we were now really growing – and growing quickly. I needed to learn how to be wiser in learning how fast you can grow and controlling that growth and stabilizing that company as opposed to saying, ‘let’s keep growing.’ There is a lot of growth and we only have two production facilities, both in Cambodia (one is a cut and sewing and one is a finishing facility). We have a lot of room to grow out there; we can double in size from what we are now before we’ll need to go anywhere else. But we need to be smart and efficient about it; we’re not using robots or lasers to cut; everything is artisanal and cut by hand.
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Can you tell me a bit about the recently launched fall collection?
Like those previous, the fall collection is rooted in our love of simplicity; we want to be the basics in your wardrobe and to produce items that won’t necessarily fall out of fashion. We brought in new oat and olive colours this season, as well as a few different silhouettes, including overalls. The fall collection also draws on the 90s, with exposed button flies and cigarette style legs. We are also being a bit more fashion-forward too with things like a tuxedo stripe on our Olivia jeans and using new technologies in washing, so you’ll see things like whiskering on the front.
Featured Image: Instagram/@outlanddenim
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You probably already know Adrienne Butikofer’s name. She’s been grinding on the Toronto fashion circuit since 2003, and has become well-known for her pattern making and playful, colourful, and graphic designs.
The designer grew up in Winnipeg and had wanted to be a designer nearly all her life, so enrolled herself in fashion school and moved to Toronto.
She began to design and make a name for herself in the Toronto fashion industry, first with an indie line called Caninja then gaining popularity for her Skinny Sweats label in 2012. Many were drawn to Butikofer’s attention to detail and focus on finishings.
Instagram/@hey.okayok
For each line that she created, she included a piece of herself and hoped that retailers would become just as passionate about her designs.
During this time, this is when Butikofer laid out the blueprint for her current brand offering, OKAYOK sharing with StyleDemocracy, “the name comes from the feeling of ease and fun that is at the core of my work.” OKAYOK officially launched in 2017 and since has been a staple at Toronto’s One Of A Kind Show, and a top seller at Coal Miner’s Daughter and the Drake General Store.
Butikofer wanted to re-imagine everyday staples by evoking certain feelings in her customer base.
Etsy
She explains that while she is a fan of high fashion, “I am on Tumblr and Pinterest, and I have a library of vintage craft and sewing books that really inspire me as a maker.” It has found Butikofer designing a riff on the Canadian classic Northern Reflections logo, with the same sweatshirt silhouette ($150) or some beautiful tie-dye shirts, where she sews four older pieces together ($85) — just to name a few.
Other fan favourites such as a polka totes, have been sent to retailers all across Canada and the brands Cloud Sweatshirt. “I like my work to be relevant to what is happening in fashion, but also connected to my own perspective as an artist and designer.”
Since the brand has grown, Butikofer decided to recently expand by opening a brick and motar shop in the Junction Triangle, close to her home.
Instagram/@hey.okayok
She mentions that since becoming a mom to two daughters (in 2009 and 2011 respectively), she wanted to create something in the community where she lived and it would help make her work-life balance more manageable being closer to home, noting to StyleDemocracy, “We make the majority of our product offerings right upstairs from the shop – it’s hyper local and ideal for me as a hands-on designer.”
The new space, which they are calling the ‘work//shop’ in part because they work upstairs, and the shop is downstairs has breathed some fresh life into Butikofer.
In the future, she plans to host some tote workshops (likely in the fall) and is excited to launch the fall 2019 collection called ‘Handy Woman’. “We have a new colour palette, some new cuts, and we’re experimenting with mixed media printing.” Until then, Butikofer is excited to keep creating and making in her brand, new space.
OKAYOK
When I ask her to look back at her experience in the industry and what she would recommend to others, she notes “Try to get as much diverse experience as you can. There are so many areas to work in the fashion industry, it doesn’t begin and end with design.”
Featured Image: Instagram/@hey.okayok
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What started as a website offering behind-the-scenes access to celeb and influencer closets, has now grown into being a go-to source for all things fashion, beauty, travel, and lifestyle. Coveteur came onto the fashion scene in 2011 and we’re proud to say that Toronto was its original home. If you’re looking to break into the fashion biz, or are looking for some solid career advice, we caught up with Coveteur’s editor, Jodi Taylor, to find out just how she got her job.
Keep reading to get to know Coveteur’s editor, Jodi Taylor!
First thing’s first, what was the very first job you ever had?
My first job was working at a strawberry field and vegetable stand in my hometown. Can you tell that I grew up in a small town, AKA the middle of nowhere? I used to post up with a book, some sudoku, and my iPod in between customers. Cool Whip and ranch were also always on hand so that I could snack throughout the day. I definitely had the best tan of my life that summer — shoutout outdoor jobs.
Instagram/@jodtaylor
What does a typical day at work look like?
My day starts while I’m still in bed. I check my emails and answer anything urgent. Once I make it to the office, normally around 9 or 9:30, I do a deeper dive into my emails before jumping on our daily editorial meeting (we do a video call as our team is split between Toronto and New York).
The afternoon can be spent a number of different ways. I’m either writing stories, interviewing talent, planning shoots, meetings, brainstorms, or I’m on set. My job involves a lot of reach outs and wrangling of talent for features so emails end up being done towards the end of the day as well.
Have you had any ‘OMG’ moments while on the job?
This is always such a tough question to answer as there have been so many. My absolute favorite part of my job is being able to tell people’s stories, especially the stories of some of my idols. I can’t really pinpoint my first ‘omg’ moment, but a few that I’ve had over the years have been getting the chance to work with Lionel Richie and Young Jeezy (on separate occasions) — two artists who I grew up listening to. Also, my first ever editorial trip was to Saint Barts, so that was incredibly chic.
Instagram/@jodtaylor
What are some of the more challenging parts of the job?
Given I’m a Virgo, I’m a huge planner. I had to learn to be more comfortable with spontaneity given my work schedule is pretty fluid — you can easily have a flight booked 24 – 48 hours out.
What’s something you wish you’d known before entering this industry?
That more people are willing to lend you a hand than you think. The fashion and media industries have always been viewed as very Devil Wears Prada, and while there are still moments like that (unfortunately), there are more people open to giving you advice and helping you grow than you think.
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What’s your advice for those looking to break into the industry?
Figure out exactly what it is that you want to do and give it all you’ve got. Create a lane for yourself and make people aware of that lane. There are a lot of people wanting to work in this industry so you have to find a way to stand out. I find that the best way to do that is to be yourself, focus on what you believe in, and don’t allow those around you to deter you. If you don’t know where to start, interning is, in my opinion, the best way. Yes, sometimes that means working for free, but the experience you will gain from the experience is invaluable.
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How would you describe your personal style?
This may sound cliché, but my style is super dependent on my mood. One day you might find me in a matching tracksuit and Nikes, the next in a pair of Levi’s and heels. I’ll throw a dress into the mix here and there as well, but overall, I like to be cozy and comfortable — 90% of the time I’m in sneakers.
Featured Image: Instagram/@jodtaylor
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