Just in time for rainy, gloomy season, Hunter brings bright colors to Toronto, as the iconic rubber boots company opens its first North American store at Yorkdale shopping centre.
The UK-based fashion brand has already opened two stores worldwide – in London and Tokyo. When it came to North America, the company had no doubts that the next location should be in Toronto, crowned one of the fastest-growing and multicultural cities in the world.
Photo: Julia Melcher
According to Vincent Wauters, Hunter’s CEO, the “pioneering spirit” of the Torontonians resonates the most with the brand. Toronto’s unique, young, vibrant and diverse population reflects the core brand’s values making the city the perfect location to introduce Hunter’s colorful aesthetic and clean practical design that never goes out of style.
The first Hunter store in Northern America looks very different from the other high-end fashion outlets at Yorkdale and deserves special attention. Hunter’s in-house interior design team did a good job designing the 2,800 square feet space that imitates the real sky, contemporary barn architecture and the Scottish landscape, the elements of the Hunter’s world. According to the brand, the interior elements will be changed seasonally.
Photo: Julia Melcher
At the opening first visitors were trying on Hunter’s versatile down jackets, raincoats, winter parkas, iconic rubber and snow boots and backpacks in different colors, including a special version of the rubberized leather backpack in Canadian colours. The limited edition backpack (there are just 20 available!) was designed specifically to celebrate Canada 150 anniversary. (See the photo below.)
Photo: Alina Pradzhapati
A special wall was dedicated to the all-time favorite bestseller of the brand – original rubber boots. First designed in 1956, the iconic boots would seem to be settled in every wardrobe and even presented as a piece of art in NY Museum of Art and Design.
Not a lot of people know that Hunter boots have been assembled manually since 1856.
Vincent Wauters explained in an interview with StyleDemocracy that every boot is carefully handmade with special attention to details and quality and that makes these shoes so durable and the design so lasting.
“People don’t realize the level of craftsmanship that goes into assembling a pair of Hunter boots,” says Wauters. “It takes 10 hours to make one pair.”
Photo: Julia Melcher
Featured Image: Alina Pradzhapati
What do you think about the first North American Hunter store? Share in the comments section.
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