Street Style: 21 looks at the colourful characters in Kensington Market
Street Style: 21 looks at the colourful characters in Kensington Market
By Kevin Naulls | August 3, 2012
By Kevin Naulls | 08/03/2012
Words by Kevin Naulls | Photography by Jenna Marie Wakani
A summer Pedestrian Sunday in Kensington Market is one of the already-bustling bohemian neighbourhood’s busiest times: in one direction there’s a Brazilian drum circle, in another a rooftop hip-hop performance, down an alley a stage full of female dancers and spread among the sea of people are vendors, artists and people smoking cannabis. It’s rare for a Toronto ’hood to stop car traffic in order to make way for walking, and the result is the most stylish crop we’ve seen yet in our Street Style series, an energetic representation of the city’s diversity at its best. There’s the sweet-as-pie, barefoot hippie with dreads; the crustpunk-in-training; the kid with better fashion sense than most adults (look! ); the woman who makes a Monroe piercing actually look sexy; the well-put-together, grey-haired gent with the dandiest duds; and a host of young women who look as though they just returned from a music festival. While the Market has a reputation as a Patchouli-soaked playground for Whole Foods–dodging organic worshipers, we prefer the mixed bag of uniquely styled strollers we saw at every turn on the latest sun-drenched Sunday (we did, of course, smell Patchouli—but we’re happy to report it wasn’t overwhelming).
156557 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Street Style: Kensington Market Street Style: Kensington Market https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington1-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington1.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/toronto-street-style-kensington-market/slide/aug12streetstylekensington1/ aug12streetstylekensington1 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
156558 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Street Style: Kensington Market Street Style: Kensington Market https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington2.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/toronto-street-style-kensington-market/slide/aug12streetstylekensington2/ aug12streetstylekensington2 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
156559 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Street Style: Kensington Market Street Style: Kensington Market https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington3-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington3.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/toronto-street-style-kensington-market/slide/aug12streetstylekensington3/ aug12streetstylekensington3 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
156560 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Street Style: Kensington Market Street Style: Kensington Market https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington4-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington4.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/toronto-street-style-kensington-market/slide/aug12streetstylekensington4/ aug12streetstylekensington4 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
156561 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Street Style: Kensington Market Street Style: Kensington Market https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington5-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington5.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington5.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/toronto-street-style-kensington-market/slide/aug12streetstylekensington5/ aug12streetstylekensington5 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
156562 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Street Style: Kensington Market Street Style: Kensington Market https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington6-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington6.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/toronto-street-style-kensington-market/slide/aug12streetstylekensington6/ aug12streetstylekensington6 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
156563 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Street Style: Kensington Market Street Style: Kensington Market https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington7-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington7.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/toronto-street-style-kensington-market/slide/aug12streetstylekensington7/ aug12streetstylekensington7 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
156564 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Street Style: Kensington Market Street Style: Kensington Market https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington8-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington8.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington8.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/toronto-street-style-kensington-market/slide/aug12streetstylekensington8/ aug12streetstylekensington8 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
156565 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Street Style: Kensington Market Street Style: Kensington Market https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington9-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington9.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/toronto-street-style-kensington-market/slide/aug12streetstylekensington9/ aug12streetstylekensington9 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
156566 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Street Style: Kensington Market Street Style: Kensington Market https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington10.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/toronto-street-style-kensington-market/slide/aug12streetstylekensington10/ aug12streetstylekensington10 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
156567 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Street Style: Kensington Market Street Style: Kensington Market https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington11.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/toronto-street-style-kensington-market/slide/aug12streetstylekensington11/ aug12streetstylekensington11 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
156568 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Street Style: Kensington Market Street Style: Kensington Market https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington12.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/toronto-street-style-kensington-market/slide/aug12streetstylekensington12/ aug12streetstylekensington12 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
156569 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Street Style: Kensington Market Street Style: Kensington Market https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington13.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/toronto-street-style-kensington-market/slide/aug12streetstylekensington13/ aug12streetstylekensington13 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
156570 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Street Style: Kensington Market Street Style: Kensington Market https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington14.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/toronto-street-style-kensington-market/slide/aug12streetstylekensington14/ aug12streetstylekensington14 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
156571 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Street Style: Kensington Market Street Style: Kensington Market https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington15.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/toronto-street-style-kensington-market/slide/aug12streetstylekensington15/ aug12streetstylekensington15 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
156572 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Street Style: Kensington Market Street Style: Kensington Market https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington16.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/toronto-street-style-kensington-market/slide/aug12streetstylekensington16/ aug12streetstylekensington16 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
156573 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Street Style: Kensington Market Street Style: Kensington Market https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington17.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/toronto-street-style-kensington-market/slide/aug12streetstylekensington17/ aug12streetstylekensington17 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
156574 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Street Style: Kensington Market Street Style: Kensington Market https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington18.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/toronto-street-style-kensington-market/slide/aug12streetstylekensington18/ aug12streetstylekensington18 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
156575 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Street Style: Kensington Market Street Style: Kensington Market https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington19.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/toronto-street-style-kensington-market/slide/aug12streetstylekensington19/ aug12streetstylekensington19 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
156576 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Street Style: Kensington Market Street Style: Kensington Market https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington20-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington20.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/style/toronto-street-style-kensington-market/slide/aug12streetstylekensington20/ aug12streetstylekensington20 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
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(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
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(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
156556 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Street Style: Kensington Market Street Style: Kensington Market https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington_intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington_intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12StreetStyleKensington_intro.jpg 656 380 [] https://torontolife.com/style/toronto-street-style-kensington-market/slide/aug12streetstylekensington_intro/ aug12streetstylekensington_intro 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
Finally!! Real people featured in “Street Stytle” instead of those plastic douchebags you usually feature. Well done.
@Kim and even then, they sneaked in some posers.
Yeah, like these aren’t just ‘plastic douchebags’ in another guise. There’s WAY too much forethought into every one of those outfits. It may make Kensington some warm ‘n fuzzy hippie zone, but it’s still cold calculation in this day and age. And Ziurande’s right about the posers; some outsiders dress this way when they go there simply because they want to be perceived as part of the landscape. Frankly, Kensington’s an infested DUMP, but it fools the touristas and wannabes.
Wow…”an infested DUMP” – now that’s kinda harsh.
Pedestrian Sundays, artwork, music, incredible history, food from all over the world. I’d like to see where you hang out.