Fashion Stores
V by 69 Vintage
V by 69 Vintage is a new concept store by (you guessed it) 69 Vintage featuring a collection of the owner's most cherished vintage treasures. The location, right across from Trinity Bellwoods Park, seems particularly fitting for the store's introductory theme, The Victory Gardens, a display of vintage clothing, antiques and ephemera centered around a garden party inspiration. The collection will run until June 1st, when the space will completely transform.
Operator of the 69 Vintage group of stores, and avid vintage collector, Kealan Sullivan, took inspiration for the company's newest outpost from the many items she's collected over the years, which she found herself sorting and storing by theme. This new space will function as a sort of pop-up shop, with all items in the store, as well as the décor, portraying a particular theme that will change monthly.
From beautiful vintage dresses, embroidered clutches and antique teacups to children's toys, buckets and old shovels, the space features a wide array of expected and unexpected garden-themed treasures, and every item in the store, from the clothes to the random found objects, are for sale.
V by 69 Vintage is a slightly more high-end and artistic concept than her other stores, Sullivan explains. It's a chance to showcase her prized pieces that have yet to find a home in the other shops. 69 Vintage Collective on Bloor Street West is a very accessible vintage shopping experience, and the original 69 Vintage on Queen West is more of a mid-range shop. Prices at V mostly range from $150 to $300 for dresses, and $60-$90 for tops, with certain very special pieces selling for as much as $525 (for example, a vibrantly coloured 1950's silk kimono).
The prices may seem high, but the owner sees this little concept shop as a place for true vintage lovers to acquire special pieces for their collection, and the experience is almost that of exploring a gallery. Though all of the 69 shops take above average care of the clothing they put on their racks, V is especially careful to ensure that each piece has been completely restored. Every item of clothing in the shop has been painstakingly repaired by the store's seamstress so that the quality of the item is collection-worthy, and the price tags are stamped fabric, carefully stitched to the garment where the original label would be.
This month's Garden themed display sees mainly pieces made of silk, cotton and lace, ranging from a sprinkle of Victorian items to pieces from the 1920's to 1950's. Some standouts are a rose-adorned cotton 1950's dress ($225) and a navy 1930's floral rayon wrap ($425), as well as plenty of whimsical dresses fit for any retro garden party.
Even for those not in the market for such coveted pieces, V by 69 Vintage is worth a look, and the eye of this seasoned vintage collector, with the input of some artfully-minded friends, is definitely one to admire. Did I hear a hint that a future theme might be Woodstock-related? Maybe the imaginative Sullivan has another summer of love in mind. We'll have to wait and see.
Photos by Taralyn Marshall. Writing by Meaghan Binstock.
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So original.
I can't wait to visit V, both the store and the clothes look lovely!
Didnt think so.
There is nothing new about this idea. "Vintage" stores are the Starbucks of the fashion world.
Doesn't take an M.I.T. graduate to tell you that, does it?
A shop with a changing theme every month is original, regardless of what's inside. I think it's an awesome idea and from I can tell, it's adorable! Way to go!
BTW, Starbucks didn't get huge by selling crap coffee.