Introducing: Riant Boutique, a sparkly King West boutique packed with clothes (and one cute puppy)

Introducing: Riant Boutique, a sparkly King West boutique packed with clothes (and one cute puppy)

The place: A quick wander around Bathurst south of King Street should confirm that the area is slowly morphing into a place worthy of its Thompson Hotel anchor: Riant Boutique, a clothing and accessory boutique tucked under a high-rise near the second outpost of the Drake General Store and boutique design firm Salt and Pepper, is the newest retailer in this oft-rebuffed neighbourhood.

The stuff: Owner Maxine Waters has put together a massive shop for her range of contemporary brands, like Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, Rebecca Taylor, Wildfox, Rebecca Minkoff, Mackage, Robert Rodriguez and House of Harlow. We suggest taking a seat on the blue velvet settee to watch a scene or two from Sex and the City 2 if you need a breather from all the dramatic sequins, beading, lamé and satin that fill the racks of the all-white space. Chic shoppers with a more streamlined style can beeline for pieces by American Retro and By Malene Birger, but make sure to check out J.J. Winters’ fringed hobo bags, because this celeb fave (Vanessa Hudgens carries one, anyway) is exclusive to Riant in the city. We were also introduced to puppy Clay Bieber, the unofficial shop mascot, who was willing (and seemingly eager) to play dress-up.

The shoppers: Reformed club girls and those looking for something with a little more pizzazz to wear with their Jimmy Choos at their high-stress PR job.

Our favourite things: Rebecca Taylor daisy-print rose silk blouse ($245), By Malene Birger oversized mohair cardigan with leather elbow patches ($425), Equipment peach silk button-up ($250), Heartloom fur vest ($362), Elyssa Bass gold vermeil bangles ($154) and Robert Rodriguez petal-covered skirt with velvet bow belt ($545).

Riant Boutique, 35 Bathurst St., 416-367-4567, riantboutique.com