style is life

When good things are on the horizon, word travels fast.

I first heard about My Favourite Dresses from my friend Todd. He’s a total clothes horse, style superstar and had stories in his repertoire like lunching in Paris with Ines De La Frassange. Tre’ Magnific! Suffice to say he has lived as interesting life, from hobnobbing with the rich and famous to once owning his very own clothing store in Town. For someone who has seen the global evolution in style, you can imagine the vastness of his knowledge when it comes to style, fashion and all things fabulous. All that being said, my favourite thing about him is that he’s grounded and for some reason he’s always on the look-out of clothes that best compliments me. So as you can imagine, when he mentioned that there was an exciting new Boutique on Yonge that I should check out, I jumped at the chance to probe him to see just how much he knew and was willing to share. We were lost in one of our usual conversation, heavy on fashion, obvi!, if memory serves me right, we were marveling at a metallic Halter displayed in the Avec Plaisir window on Cumberland. It was indeed my pleasure, to take in that Halter was something to behold, it was a magnificent and detailed number that hung perfectly on the mannequin beckoning passer-by’s to flock to the store. We were in agreement, unanimous even, that it was one of, if not the best Halters we’ve ever seen. Shortly there after, or was it before (I forget) he mentioned that this Boutique specialized in lending out designer duds for your Event needs. He didn’t say it in quite those words but you get the gist. He wasn’t sure about the Owner/Owners but said something about “style remix” and that a stylist named “Hi babe” was involved somehow. “Hibebe” I said, “Oh I know Salem” I said with a certain pride, I was happy to be in the know. “I’ve walked in a few of his shows and shot with him a few times”. He mentioned that it was located in a suite somewhere on Yonge, upstairs. I was glad for the information and made a mental note to call Salem as soon as I was free.

Todd got the tip from Shelby. Who is Shelby you ask? Good question. Shelby is an Amazon-like Lovely with jet black hair, often with a cigar in her hand and the best Cafs this side of, well, ANYWHERE. She’s a staple in Yorkville, obviously a confident creature and the owner of Totum Roxborough (or so he rumour goes). Totum Roxborough is a high end fitness/life science facility located in the heart of Rosedale. They are partly responsible for shaping up one or more of the most exclusive neigbourhoods in Toronto. Todd and I have both had the pleasure of a relationship with Shelby; it’s not as intimate as it sounds, well at least not for me. I credit this “relationship” in part, ok in all to the fact that she’s a frequent client at ONE, the Yorkville restaurant where Todd and I both work. Todd has had the pleasure to serve her and I the pleasure to seat her. I always thought that I had the better advantage because my vantage point allowed me the wonderful perk of checking out her fantastic footwear. I’ve never seen her in flats; I do admire a woman who spends most of her shoe time in Tallville. Upon future reflection however, Todd has had the advantage, having served her on numerous occasions, him being well traveled and possessing the gift of the gab has allowed them a civil, almost friendly relationship (as much as client/server relationship affords). Much more than talking shop, there conversations are meaningful, I distinctly remembered him saying something about them talking Chanel, if that’s not meaningful I don’t know what is. She was at Brunch this past weekend and despite my resistance to getting too personal with the clientele I mustered up the courage to ask her about her experience at My Favorite Dresses. I explained that I was doing a piece on the Boutique and she pleasantly told me about the Halston number she had borrowed for the Sex and the City premier. I wittily quibbled that “I could just image” how big her wardrobe was and slopped up the info for my story. She also mentioned that there were other competitors in the city (which was a surprise to me) I was under the impression that this concept was somehow was unique to Toronto9in the Boutique sense, there are lots of these companies online). She did mention that compared to the competition, the quality was on the higher end, and marveled at the designer brands available. I left it at that and made mental note number 2 to research this Boutique in detail.

I got a hold of Salem on a grey, London-like day, rain was threatening but cowardly not committing. I had put in a full day at ONE and was writing (no doubt updating my Blog) at my favourite Internet café on Yonge. Intermittingly, as a full fledge facebook addict is accustomed, I checked my facebook account to see what my “friends” were up to. A post about Chanel apparel from Salem jolted my memory that I just had to inquire about this Boutique with the buzz. I searched my phone for the number and rang him, despite our love/hate relationship. Salem and I go back about 4 years, maybe 5, it’s a turbulent relationship to say the least; to say that we’ve had our ups and downs would be redefining the phrase. That being said, I admire his passion, his drive and his undeniable sense to keep moving forward. He’s incredible resilient. In an industry like ours, what you need to succeed isn’t always what’s good for you and he gets that. It takes a special person to put up with the rejections and schemes lurking at almost every corner. I told him all about Shelby and the buzz that was building and that I would love to check out the space for my Blog. He said he would be heading to New York in a day or so and that I could take a look right away if I was free. I asked him the intersection and he said “Yonge and Gloucester”, minutes away from my favourite Internet café and so close to my apartment. How random is that? Only moments away from my apartment and my favourite internet café, it seemed a meeting in the making. I’m a proud Gloucester Street resident, who’s kidding who? The Village is the place to be. I love my neighbourhood, my neighbours and most of all, I love that my street reminds me of charming old Guelph Ontario. We met at the intersection and after the customary air kisses, he compliments my outfit (my leopard print Trench, just in case you wanted to know); I say thank you and we headed upstairs at 634 Yonge St. To my surprise (for some reason I wasn’t expecting much) it was a rich, bold and vibrant space. A single chandelier held together three racks of designer clothing, a simple but elegant desk, a display case and 1 or 2 Jewellery showcases. The space is small but exudes luxe; he makes an offer; why don’t you write a piece about the space and “we’ll dress you for your next Event”. I was going to write a piece anyway, but a designer outfit for free (even if it’s borrowed) only sweetened the deal. “We” I probed, I was curious, who else was behind this lovely surprise. He then gave me a quick Bio on Trisha, a friend of his who was THE woman behind all this buzz. He placed a quick phone call to set up a meeting/shoot with her for the following Wednesday.

The day I met Trisha was much like the day I met Salem, so much so that I wore the same Trench and carried the same umbrella (A pink “house” umbrella from a line that Sarah Jessica Parker put out a few years back). I arrived early and she was mid appointment with what looked like very HM clients, complete with miniature puppy, on the look out for a hot number or 2 for whatever their affair was. I introduced myself, said my Photographer was running late and disappeared down the stairs to meet my tardy Photog so that I would not interfere. I was lucky enough to acquire the services of the budding but talented Artist Issha Marie, playing Photographer on this Occasion. We met downstairs just in time to see the send off of what I presume was Trisha’s 3 o’ clock. After introductions we had a remarkable casual convo (my favourite kind). While Issha snapped away in the background, Trisha and I spoke about her history, her plans for the Boutique and how she felt about being on Yonge St, a location that is not at first thought connected with high end Boutiques. What I found out is almost as, if not, as charming as the Boutique. Trisha Mishich is no novice, she’s has been in the style/fashion industry for quite some time. Formerly the Owner of Trisha Laurel designs, an original hand crafted jewellery line that specialized and perfected Parisian Scarf Necklace, a company trademark that has even graced the neckline of Sarah Jessica Parker herself. A staple on the scene, Trisha has been a frequent force at our very own Toronto Film Fest, L’Oreal Fashion Week and trade shows including the consumer favourite One of a Kind Show. The Sole Proprietor of My Favourite Dresses, she named the Boutique after an image she encountered on a mug on a trip to lovely Los Angeles. Clients are privy to loaned items of the designer variety for a 4 night period, dry cleaning included, for their special occasion. Prices range from $50-$250.00 and feature dresses from ready-to-wear designer evening and cocktail dresses for women sizes 0-14. Designers on hand include Vera Wang, Marchesa and Cynthia Rowley plus a wonderful selection of Canadian designers including Brose, Joeffer Caoc (a personal favourite) and Matthew Alexander. The concept although not new is innovative. It’s a cost effective way for women to enjoy an evening out without the constant reminder of the price. The Boutique also offers a small consignment section (Salem’s section) that offers up mostly designer handbags (Chanel is very popular) at a fraction of the retail price. Check them out at 634 Yonge Street, upstairs.

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