The Best New Fashion Stores in Toronto, 2009

When it comes to the Toronto fashion scene, 2009 was the year of the homegrown designer - almost half the stores on this list are mainly stocked with Canadian lines.

The demand is there for local talent, and designers are obliging--the stores on this list have everything from vintage fabric earrings (Coal Miner's Daughter) and recycled leather purses (Imelda and Black Daffodil) to handmade tees (Shared) and Lundstrom LaParkas (eleven).

Many boutiques are also carrying beautiful contemporary lines that can hold their own among American and European brands - look for Label at Chasse Gardee, Dace at Vocado, Sui Generis at Coal Miner's Daughter, and Joeffer Caoc at eleven.

Canadian designers can compete with the best of 'em, and it's wonderful to see that Toronto's shopowners trust that our city's fashion fiends are finally buying local and loving it.

Here are the 15 best new fashion stores to open in Toronto during 2009, as voted by readers of this site.

Previously:

The Best New Clothing Stores in Toronto, 2008
The Best Eyeglasses in Toronto
The Best Shoe Stores in Toronto

Coal Miner's Daughter

Mirvish Village is a somewhat unlikely spot for a new clothing store, but Coal Miner’s Daughter has doubly bucked the odds by opening a shop that offers handmade pieces that are both stylish and very affordable. Favorite brands include reworked cheesy nature shirts from Clementine & Tweed ($35), Sui Generis rompers and cocktail dresses ($100), and Biko jewelry ($25-$70).

Poor Little Rich Girl

Yonge and Eglinton might have your next party frock. Poor Little Rich Girl is dress-obsessed. Betsey Johnson, Nicole Miller, and BCBG by Max Azria numbers sit prettily alongside more edgy offerings by Voom and Dolce Vita. I also dig 442 McAdam’s bags and clutches ($260-$440).

Imelda

Frock owner Cathryn Dajka opened a shoe store on Roncesvalles, bringing together fashion and function in the sensible footwear from brands like Miz Mooz, Fly London, Bos & Co., and El Naturalista. You’ll look cute strolling down Roncy in Irregular Choice wedges or Hunter wellies.

Serpentine

For those who want some kick-ass clothes, Yorkville seems an unlikely destination, but the boys at Serpentine are determined to bring a little rock-and-roll to this fair city, courtesy of jewelry lines like Lazaro and Luke Satoru, and clothing from Damir Doma, Diet Butcher Slim Skin, Tuesday Night Band Practice, Wolverine and Passarella Death Squad.