Monday January 23 2012 – Jan issue 3
Location: 8 Price Street
Suite 101, Toronto
647 351 5011
NarwhalBoutique.com

Written & Photographed By: Avery Hamelin

Since the boutiques opening a little more than a year ago, The Narwhal has flourished in Toronto’s Rosedale area, and has become a hot spot for many fashionistas in the GTA in search of high quality, locally made, and beautifully designed women’s wear. The stores showcases avant guard, sustainably chic pieces that are all made by independent designers, with over 80% of all of of the stores inventory derived from local designers. The Narwhal manifesto emphasizes the importance of supporting handmade product made in North America, and in this sense the boutique practices with sustainability in mind, making this store all the more enchanting.

A walk through Narwhal is a divine experience for the fashion savvy, and is incomparable to most boutiques we’ve seen in Toronto. Every single piece is a work of art and carries the label of such gifted designers as Ludevine, Citizens of Humanity, Chloe Comme Paris, ALC, DolceVita, Acne, Rag&Bone, Rachel Comey, Fortnight, and Helmut Lang just to name a few. Pieces this season that take the cake from the many collections showcased in The Narwhal are a dreamy wool waist length coat by Helmut Lang with a soft leather shawl collar, a collection of embellished metallic jackets a la 80’s by Haute Hippie, vintage inspired lingerie by local designer Fortnight, and a 60’s printed wrap dress by Kara Hoffman. Accessories tie these luxurious pieces together including a collection of buttery soft suede clutches in fleuro-brights and neutral treated leathers by ela, which also comes in the form of a to-die-for leather purse with a studded treatment on the leather. To complete an outfit at The Narwhal, the store offers shades, jewelry, stationary & albums, eloquently fusing fashion and music.

In speaking to Sydney Wills, one of the founder and co-owners of The Narwhal, she spoke about the idea and values behind the store on Price Street, a conspicuous location in Rosedale hidden set apart from the surrounding boutiques. “I grew up in Toronto, in this area and absolutely love it. This neighborhood has grown and flourished so much within the past few years, but it’s always lacked something. There were always furniture stores, and great places to eat, but there wasn’t much to do beyond that. We wanted to create something really diverse. The concept is providing apparel that is primarily locally made to showcase their talent. We don’t set a particular mandate in sustainability for the designers, but want to do what steps we can in selling clothing that hasn’t been outsourced. However, we are realistic about the difficulties designers face not outsourcing, and do carry some wonderful brands such as Rag&Bone that manufacture somewhat internationally.”

Wills then went on to speak about some of the local talent that she loves. “ One of the lines that recently launched comes from a friend of mine “Ka-Kia” is amazing and it is all made in Toronto, and we love showcasing local talent. Ela, a friend of mine made all of our bags, Chloe Comme Paris I met in high school and they are an amazing group of designers with outrageous talent, and A Peace Treaty who made our cashmere scarves which supports local artisans world wide, travels to a region every season to get a local village to make ethical accessories/clothing.”

Finally, in describing the stores common aesthetic and future vision of the store Sydney had this to say. “ We would describe ourselves as contemporary women’s wear. We are casual and would like to keep it that way, but would like to branch into menswear. We have a lot of men come into the store hoping to find something for them so thats definitely something we’re considering.”

Although the price point is begins in the $70.00 range, do not see that as a deterrence to visit this boutique. The quality far precedes the price with quality the number one undertaking of each of the designers channeled through this store. The finishes and design details are impeccable and the fabrics are at the height of luxury and quality. With excellent customer service, and a collection of products that truly can’t be beat, Narwhal is a first class shopping experience that every young woman with an eye for style will surely fall in love with.