Pop-up shop opens in Kensington Market

Bicyclette Boutique, an online women's clothing and accessories retailer, has just launched a pop-up shop in Hot Shot gallery in Kensington Market.

Bicyclette's owner, Paige Boersma, is a recent Ryerson Fashion grad and clearly she's found her calling. She's fresh and passionate about what she does. At Thursday's launch party she sported items from the Bicyclette collection. She pulled off a look that is all at once relaxed and glamourous in a Wild Fox eagle v-neck, a metallic mini, and black suede wedges. The shop's offerings reflect her easy style. Trash and Luxury gauzy jersey tops juxtapose nicely with sequined skirts, and casual James Twiggy denim gets dressed up with Scarf Party's leopard cowl scarves.

At the launch, I also meet Corrine Anestopoulos, founder and designer of Biko jewellery. The line has prominent presence in the shop, and so does Corrine. "I met Paige after I found her great blog," she explains. "We started having coffee and became friends." She has been supportive of the business and helped with the launch. I can see that there is more than one benefit to working with local designers. In fact, most of the shop's jewellery and accessories come from Toronto brands.

I poke through accessories merchandised on upcycled antique vanities (refreshed with robin's egg blue paint), sprayed branches, vintage luggage and wooden crates. Being pretty crafty myself, I know that this is retail display on-a-dime, but it's just done so well! I mentally add several items to my wish list - a Dolce Vita drawstring tunic in sea foam printed cotton/silk ($118), a Flying Tomato floral and lace cardigan ($56), a Headmistress feather hair band, and a Biko fabric and chain braided necklace ($125).

The pop up shop will remain open for the next couple of weeks before closing on November 10th.