2019 so far has seen the closure of many stores in Canada, including Forever21, Payless ShoeSource, Town Shoes, Home Outfitters, and our last two Zellers locations. However, we’ve also acquired some exciting and long-awaited international brands in the North this year too, balancing the scales. Though retail sales amounted to $225.8 billion in Ontario alone at the end of September, the entire country’s retail sales growth is supposedly heading for a depressing 10-year low. Hopefully, the new shopping destinations that have arrived will reverse the odds of that happening. 

With that said, here are 10 retailers that opened their doors in Canada throughout 2019. Let’s cross our fingers and pray they stick around for a while. 

Valentino

Luxury Italian fashion house Valentino opened the doors to its first Canadian flagship store at Yorkdale Shopping Centre this past March. The new store occupies a large 4,700 square foot space that’s filled to the brim with the brand’s ready-to-wear offerings, accessories, leather goods, and shoes.  

Furla

Just this past fall, Italian brand Furla opened its first Canadian location at Yorkdale Shopping Centre. The luxury brand is well known for its handbags, shoes, jewellery, sunglasses, and watches. This new store is all part of the brands global expansion strategy and we’re looking forward to seeing where Furla goes next!

Eataly

With locations already in Japan and Turkey, the much anticipated Eataly has finally landed in Toronto at the Manulife Centre on Bloor Street. With 50,000 (!) square feet of high-quality Italian goodies, (a.k.a heaven), Eataly has several different cafes, restaurants, takeaway counters, and a finely curated marketplace to shop. You can also enjoy cooking classes and hard-to-resist complimentary tastings in store. 

L.L. Bean

U.S. specialty outdoor retailer L.L. Bean took over a massive 14,205 square foot retail space that was vacated by Toronto-based grocery chain Pusateri’s Fine Foods at Oakville Place. The new L.L. Bean store is selling its functional accessories, outdoor essentials, and cozy clothing that will have you prepared for any outdoor adventures.

Reformation

Ref girls, unite! This celeb-loved, L.A.-based brand cut the ribbons outside its first Canadian location in July, bringing its cult-like following to Yorkdale Mall. The 100 per cent carbon-neutral company is supplying sustainable basics and timeless styles to the masses, promoting slow-fashion processes at a fast fashion pace. 

Balenciaga

Another luxury fashion house, Balenciaga, expanded into Canada this year with its first standalone storefront in Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre. In its open-concept space, the Kering-owned French brand is selling a range of accessories, footwear, and streetwear. A few more Balenciaga boutiques are said to be opening as the company sees growth in the Canadian market.  

MUMUSO

Dollarama has a rival to compete with now that MUMUSO opened its first Toronto location at the North York Centre in July. With another two locations in Vancouver, the bargain retailer sells children’s products, apparel, accessories, kitchen items, bags, stationery, skincare, and cosmetic goods that are super-low cost.

Innisfree

Along with all the other international big-hitters that opened in Yorkdale Shopping Centre this summer, “naturalism-oriented” K-beauty brand Innisfree took over a 2,500 square foot space in the mall. The South-Korean brand has made clean-er beauty and skincare products more available to Torontonians, as 80 per cent of the company’s ingredients are natural.

Ximivogue

Chinese-owned variety store Ximivogue opened its first Canadian location at CF Fairview Mall earlier this year. The retailer sells about 7,000 Korean products at relatively low prices, including household goods, clothing, jewelry, cosmetics, beauty products, and toys. 

By CHLOE.

Expansions to Canada aren’t just for fashion retailers. American vegan chain by CHLOE. made a big splash when it landed at Yorkdale Shopping Centre a few months back. Serving up tasty versions of comfort classics like nachos, hot dogs, burgers, mac & cheese, and more, by CHLOE. needs to be on your must-eat list!

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Balenciaga is one of the designer brands that has been continuously taking over the fashion scene. If you’re like us and you covet all things designer and of course, Balenciaga, but can’t always afford to splurge on a big ticket items, then you need to know that there are plenty of Balenciaga items that you can snag for under $350. 

Opting for secondhand/vintage Balenciaga can help you score some unique finds, usually at a fraction of the cost of the original price. If vintage isn’t your thing, don’t fret because there are still plenty of ways for you to dip into the designer luxury market that is Balenciaga! Not only can you find smaller leather accessories for under $350, but the brands perfume, book, and even gorgeous jewellery can all be copped for less. You might have to some sloothing around the web, but once your new designer duds are in your hands, it’ll all be worth it.

Here are 10 super chic Balenciaga items that are All available for $350 or under! 

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Calling all Schitt’s Creek, fans: the Canadian comedy — which follows the once-wealthy Rose family as they navigate their new, not-so-wealthy lives — has partnered with a Toronto-based retailer for something very special.

Schitt’s Creek has partnered with VSP Consignment to offer shoppers one-of-a-kind designer pieces straight from the show.

Starring Eugene and Dan Levy, Annie Murphy, and Catherine O’Hara, the fashion in Schitt’s Creek plays a huge role in the Emmy-nominated show. Their extravagant wardrobes act as a link to their former lives, and now you can own the very pieces that have been featured on TV.

Available to fans across the globe, the Schitt’s Creek x VSP Consignment collection features exclusive pieces and collectables from designers like Givenchy, Dries Van Noten, Isabel Marant, Rick Owens, Proenza Schouler, Balenciaga, Alexander Wang, Alexander McQueen, and more.

Not only can you own a little piece of Canadian television history, but you can get it all at incredible prices and add it to your wardrobe for fall.

Prices of the collection start at $150, with most pieces ranging around $398. That’s hundreds, maybe even thousands, off regular retail prices. In addition, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network), so you can feel good about splurging!

But you’ll want to act fast — pieces from the collection are selling out quickly!

The collection went live on October 3, and at the time of writing, a huge portion of the collection is already sold out. There are still plenty of gems to shop though, you just need to act quickly.

Ship the pieces straight to your house, or pick them up at VSP Consignment’s Dundas St. West store in Toronto.

Shop the Schitt’s Creek x VSP Consignment collection online at VSPconsignment.com.

2019 has been a huge year for sneakers and there have been so many sneaker drops, it can be difficult to keep up. However, even among the new sneakers that have come out, there has also been some sneakers that have stayed popular throughout the years. From chunky dad sneakers and chic tennis shoes, to high tops and high performance trainers, there’s a reason why these are the most popular sneakers of the year.

All ranging in price, from luxury to affordable. Here are some of the most popular sneakers we’ve had on our radar throughout 2019!

Featured Image: Instagram/@mia__holm

WWD is reporting that Balenciaga has issued an apology after Chinese customers reported that they were forced to queue in line outside the department store Printemps in Paris while French shoppers were allowed to enter.

This incident that occurred outside the store was recorded in a short clip that appeared on popular Chinese social media website Weibo.

According to WWD, the user that posted the video alleged that she would come to the store every day to get in line to buy a specific set of sneakers, however, while waiting in line she was consistently bypassed by French shoppers who cut the queue. This eventually led to a mix-up between security and the Chinese customers waiting in line. Supposedly the security only focused on the Chinese shoppers and they were told to leave.

Balenciaga has released the following statement:

“The house of Balenciaga regrets the incident that took place yesterday morning at a department store in Paris while customers were waiting to enter its corner shop. The security staff acted immediately to restore the calm. Balenciaga sincerely apologizes to the customers who were present and reaffirms its strong commitment to respect equally all its customers.”

In other news once again Balenciaga has been named the hottest brand in the world. 

Popular fashion website Lyst ranks fashion brands each quarter and compares them based the brand’s catalogue, social media mentions and overall brand health and popularity.  For the third quarter in a row, Balenciaga has taken the top spot as the World’s Hottest Brand. Balenciaga overtook Gucci at the end of last year and has yet to look back.

Other labels featured in the top five places on the list include Gucci, Off-White, Stone Island and Vetements.  One of the reasons Balenciaga was so popular this year was due to their Speed Trainers and their chunky Triple S  sneakers loved by die-hard fashion heads.

https://youtu.be/Dug55DG1OVM

A while back Balenciaga was hinting at the possible collaboration between the luxury fashion brand and Crocs footwear. This past week at runway shows in Paris, the collaborative effort became a reality.  The Balenciaga Platform crocs have officially been released to retailers for customer pre-orders.

The Balenciaga x Crocs platform will be available in two colours: Pink or Tan and feature jewels attached to the top for a custom look.

The crocs will retail for $850 USD, and surprisingly are expected to be a huge hit.  If you do have $850 to blow you can pre-order them at Barneys New York.

There has been quite a stir online in the fashion industry as of late. Brands like Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters are always getting heat for copying or borrowing from other brands to heavily. What happens though, when a major fashion label (Balenciaga) copies something as ubiquitous as an IKEA shopping bag and then tries to charge $2,000 for it? Well, the internet fights back.

Balenciaga makes $2000 bag that’s an “homage” to the IKEA shopping bag and I’m like fashion you’re crazy but I can’t quit you. pic.twitter.com/wLIhmjmfy2

— Kate Bennett (@KateBennett_DC) April 18, 2017

Get yourself down to IKEA I hear they’ve got Balenciaga bags on sale.. pic.twitter.com/vQa1FkH1hb

— eri (@erinscottx) April 10, 2017

Who wore it better? Balenciaga or IKEA? pic.twitter.com/LCB9Qri2xN

— Mikael Pawlo (@mpawlo) April 18, 2017

At this point, even Ikea has responded with the help of Swedish ad agency ACNE. They are clearly aware that the Balenciaga bag is a blatant ripoff and the ad pokes fun at the whole situation.

Gucci may be using memes to sell their latest collection but the internet’s latest reaction to the luxury label’s Sock Heel doesn’t have us sold.

Cosmopolitan featured a stream of Tweets bashing and making fun of the Gucci disaster. Interestingly, I think what partially makes the Gucci Sock Heel and other designers’ shoes ugly is the price – it’s one thing to be an ugly shoe but to have an astronomical price as well, well that makes that same shoe a joke.

Below we’ve compiled a roundup of some of the ugliest (and most expensive) shoes on the market right now. 

Boots by Balenciaga (Image: REX Shutterstock)

Who: Balenciaga
What: Spring 2017 Square Toe Thigh High Boots
How Much: $1,895.00 US

I actually like these boots but when shown to a friend of mine, the friend laughed non-stop, going on to say how much she hates them and that if she ever saw someone wearing them in public she would start quacking like a duck for every step they took. 

Shoes by Gucci (Image: Saks Fifth Avenue)

Who: Gucci
What: Queercore Brogue Knee Boot
How Much: $1,890.00 US or $2,140.00 CAN

I feel like these boots could have potential but the execution just isn’t there. They look like something Wednesday Adams or Matilda would wear.

Gucci Loafers (Image: Gucci)

Who: Gucci
What: Princetown Slipper
How Much: $840.00 US or $1,005.00 CAN

I think it is so sad that the Gucci Princetown fur loafers for both men and women are a thing. Without fur? They look funky and quirky, but the fur doesn’t even look real – it looks like Donald Trump’s hair! Gucci really must have saved cutting corners and feeding what looks like rat fur to trend-obsessed consumers.

Margiela Boots (Image: The Rosenrot)

Who: Margiela
What: Tabi Boots
How Much: $1,130.00 CAN

These have been around for some time, and to be frank I’ve hated them since laying eyes on them. While they take their inspiration from Japanese tabi which are socks worn with sandals that feature straps that go between your big two and your second toe, they just don’t have the same archaic and cultural charm. This boot reminds me of pig feet, goat feet, camel toes, and just any ungulate in general. They are currently available in black on SSense.com for $1,130.00CAN.

Barefoot Finger Sneakers (Image: Vibram)

Who: Vibram
What: Fivefinger Barefoot Shoes
How Much: $130.00 CAN

How absurd… GQ said it best when they wrote, “We always knew Vibram’s toe-shoes were creepy and ugly, but now we know they’re sinful in other ways, too. The shoemaker recently settled a class-action lawsuit for $3.75 million stemming from claims that their gross shoes for chimpanzees “reduce foot injuries and strengthen foot muscles.” Again, how absurd.

Christopher Kane Crocs (Image: Selfridges)

Who: Christopher Kane
What: Crocs stone-embellished rubber sandals
How Much: 385.00 CAN

So apparently Christopher Kane teamed up with Crocs and I’m just finding out about this and laughing so much. Less at the final product that is the brood of the collaboration and more at the price of the product from this collaboration. $385.00CAN for rubber Crocs?! I don’t care if Victoria Beckham and Rihanna both wore them together enjoying splashes of champagne in St Barths on a super yacht – and that’s $385.00 CAN on sale, for rubber. No, thanks. 

Marni Boot (Image: SSense)

Who: Marni
What: Black Velcro Platform High-Top Sneakers
How Much: $1,190.00 CAN

I don’t know if it’s the price that’s outrageous or the shoe itself that is actually outrageous? Shockingly, when considering the price, the entire shoe is comprised of man-made fabrics, which seemingly doesn’t exemplify a state of being luxurious. Appalling.

Prada Sandals (Image: Prada)

Who: Prada
What: Satin Sandal
How Much: $990.00 US

Miuccia Prada, you’re wild for these. 

Moschino Pumps (Image: LuisaviaRoma)

Who: Moschino
What: Embroidered leather pumps 
How Much: $1,745.00 CAN

Unless it is a themed party and you have $1,745.00 CAN to toss on some clownish clogs, let’s stay away from these. Weird.

Dolce & Gabbana (Image: Luisaviaroma)

Who: Dolce & Gabbana
What: Pineapple Clog
How Much: $2,791.00 CAN

I like pineapple but not this much. Fun fact: When you eat pineapple, it’s eating you. Apparently, the acid of pineapple is quite strong. Who else remembers the French speaking pineapple L’ananas that helped teach us speak French in grade 4? 

Balenciaga (Image: Net-a-Porter)

Who: Balenciaga
What: Thigh High Clog
How Much:  $2,145.00 US

Balenciaga as a brand is very hit and miss – some collections are a total hit and others are a total miss. While some shoes from this collection were epic, this clog boot is straight clownish, and for those who don’t want the thigh high version, there’s an ankle one too available on Net-A-Porter. #SurgicalMaskEmoji

Are there any other ugly shoes that should be added to this list? Let us know in the comment section.

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