Fashion Stores
69 Vintage Collective
69 Vintage Collective has something for everyone. Seriously. It's like a Watership Down-warren of vintage that is sure to yield something for those who burrow through the building's many hidden delights.
If you're buying vintage, well, you have plenty of options - check out the racks up-front, which are stocked with public consignment pieces, along with local vintage vendors like Cozette.
"People ask me everyday if I would like to buy their clothes from them," says owner Kealan Sullivan, who also owns 69 Vintage on Queen. "Unfortunately, it is difficult to buy from individuals, because the more I spend at my regular sources, the greater a customer I am, which in the end means better access to the best pieces. But after many years of consideration I decided it was time to open up to consignment, so I could keep those great pieces in circulation and increase the fun quotient of fashion recycling."
Pieces spotted up-front include red leather fold-over boots ($60), a heavy-duty white-and-gold sequin-and-bead cocktail monster worthy of the Dynasty dynasty ($225), a leopard-print mega-shouldered jacket ($45), a black denim jumpsuit ($35), a fuchsia twill vest ($25), a blue buffalo-check wing-coat ($125), and high-heeled Gucci loafers ($39).
Or, if you're on an even tighter budget, saunter on back to the buy-the-pound section, where $15 gets you a pound of shirts, dresses, coats, or whatever you need (those requiring shoes can grab a pair for $8, while boots go for $20).
Still not sated? Get your ass upstairs, then, to the second floor, which is home to a handful of independent vintage mini-boutiques, each housed in a room of its own. These include Marilyn Hartley, Rozaneh, Lost & Found, Promise To Repeat, and the all-shoe Stacked.
"I have learned that I can not always have what my customer is looking for moment to moment and often times I was referring them to other stores or dealers in order to satisfy their needs," says owner Kealan Sullivan.
When I saw that this building was so well suited (the layout) to hosting independent businesses, I thought it would be really cool if it could become a place where a customer could come and experience my selection but also the unique collections of others. The vintage shopper is often very hardworking and discerning, and will shop around at all of their favourite spots. I had the vision to put all of their new favourites under one roof - a bit like a vintage mall, but not a mall at all!"
If you're selling vintage, bring your pieces to the counter up-front, where you can consign it.
If you're fixing vintage (or want to learn how), head downstairs to The Make Den to get your precious pieces mended. The studio also offers sewing lessons, so you can learn how to fix your own holey cardies and too-long pants. (While you're waiting, take a browse around the adjacent vintage decor store, Ransack the Universe, where fun amusements like a vintage Bee
Gees puzzle, $15, await.)
Photos by Jason Tavares
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kealan's built a little vintage community that feels so welcoming you won't want to leave.
I am blown away by your ignorance. Really. And while I appreciate and share your concern about affordable living; the "apartment" upstairs, when I found it was in an uninhabitable state and vacant for over a year AND the landlord was asking a ton of $ plus utilities. I did so much work to make the space beautiful and it is sad when a friend, customer, or neighbour leaves with such a negative opinion. There is no capitalizing on the 2nd floor of the Collective. It's just cool people renting small spots doing cool things.
Hopefully you have greater things to be so concerned about like the world, bad food and people who litter and don't recycle.
I am a student at Ryerson University studying Fashion Communication. For my final Thesis I am doing a book on people who love and are obsessed with Vintage. I was wondering if I could interview you. It would be an email interview. I would need a few photos from your store that you could send me, and photos of your life that make up who you are as a person who loves vintage. If you are interested, please email me and let me know! This would be greatly appreciated! Thank you for your time.
Kimberley