Fashion Stores
Heartbeat 960
I do not like hippie stores.
I don't have any need for shirts emblazoned with om symbols, patchouli-scented incense, or cheerfully tiedye-patterned pipes. And as soon as I walked into Heartbeat 960, the hippie alarm started wailing, tripped by the:
- assorted Free Tibet merchandise
- wool necklaces
- flora and fauna screenprinted shirts
- handpainted hemp sweatshirts
- Chinese silk purses
This is along with the usual hippie art, chapbooks, and a small assortment of punk-inspired streetwear from Trash Assault and things like an acid-green polyester minidress trimmed with black lace and ribbons, and sweaters adorned with bats and skulls.
But, while I feel no regret in my callous dismissal of the style sense of an entire subculture, one thing that the hippies have always done right is their love of the "artist."
Now, hippies love talking about "artists," and "communities," so I wasn't surprised when co-owner Laura Aidan Blaise said that Heartbeat 960 seeks to be a "welcoming space for local designers, artists, craftspeople, and musicians." She says, "We like to think of it as a collective or a co-operative where artists can sell things and have a lot of say in how they sell things."
Heartbeat 960 will also be offering gallery rental space, and a performance space out back for music shows, says Aidan Blaise. In the future, the collective hopes to rent out the basement as studio space as well. In a time when starting a retail store--or getting any artistic endeavour off the ground--is a sketchy proposition, this diversifying might save the store and those who sell their stuff there, which I like.
And, despite my hippie hatred, there are some good pieces in the store that should appeal to a wider audience. Co-owner Francesca Nocera sells her hand-stenciled pieces here, including hoodies with a splash of hummingbirds ($52), or tees with a colourful cascade of praying hands ($34). Also sold are the stylish t-shirts from local line Psy-Ops that featuring machines made of psychedelia ($20).
So, hippies take note: I may not dig it, but you might. Support the artists, man.
Photos by Alex Russel
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Her hatred for anything that isn't high fashion, anorexic, priveleged bullshit is intolerable + I have no idea why she bothers writing reviews of little shops when all she really wants to be doing is watching bulimic models walk down runways.
Well it sounds great and I'll be sure to check it out despite the misguided text accompanying the pictures.
this person who wrote this article is wack and way off. . .
Just take a gander at my recent reviews of IDO (Independent Designers Outlet), Franny Vintage, Lustre, Badlands, Preloved, Charlie, Courage My Love, and LIT.
And, while my biases may come through (mainly for humour purposes), I always, always make sure to point out what the store does well, and who might like the wares offered there. It may read a little confusingly to some (like heart, above), but I like to support small businesses by highlighting their strengths so that others might want to check it out, even if it's not my bag.
So, for instance, I may not like hippie-like stores, but some people might, and would enjoy Heartbeat 960 and its unique offerings for the very same reason I might not have, as well as learn about their clever repurposing of their retail space for performance, etc.
As a virtual one-woman fashion section right now, I'm always looking for new fashion writers to expand our fashion section so it ain't just me mouthing off, so if you or anyone you know would like to share your opinions on the city's newest shops, definitely drop me a line at briony @ blogto.com.
you know what, when someone's opinion is that they prefer models to be anorexic + support an industry that is hurting women, I'd prefer they kept those misogynist opinions to themselves. just like how I'd prefer racists to keep their opinions to themselves, right?
@Amy: Ask yourself this: does any of this make sense? Does it make sense that a woman (Briony) would be a fan of anorexia and hurting women? Come on, now.
This isn't really my style either, but to run down hippies loving "communities" as some sort of fashionable liberalist sense of style denies some very strong political history of how community-based building is vital for social justice.
Anyway sure yes this is just a review of retail. But something to reflect about. Language is very telling.
What will next be included under your umbrella term "hippy"? Rwanda? Sierra Leone?
To the writer Briony... I think the article started out great but really you were way too nice at the end of it. you should have gone with your gut in exposing this new hippie poser store. somebody call the AGCO.
Wish us luck
No blocked calls or happy endings sorry Chatwalk
Thanks to the hippie-hater for their nice photos and literary efforts. It was kinda funny...
Members of this non-profit collective gallery have been part of the ossington/queen arts and music community for many years... long before it was even close to being considered hip or trendy, or whatever "it" is now. Walking past a "for rent" sign and having a "why the hell not?" attitude is what started Heart Beat... it was not selected for it's profit potential or to be part of this new wave of community ownership, this is our neighbourhood. True, we are not experienced retailers, but we are learning as we go.
I started volunteering at Heart Beat last month in exchange for free studio space with equipment and supplies. Considering an opportunity like that is pretty damn hard to find, it sure seems community focused to me.
so yeh! I've got some "sweater remix" and "love at first serger!" workshops starting up in November (flexible fees)... or come make a silk screen with your image and take it home for $40... and we've got a darkroom setup downstairs if you want to do some prints from old negatives (negotiable)... local artist dAeve Fellows is in setting up window and wall installations this weekend (on display for the rest of October)...
so please, feel free to come down and see what we're working on, make your suggestions in person, or have a coffee and chat about the value of corporate sponsored art in our community... anytime.
Petra
p.s. I'm not a hippie.