Store Guide: Latre Art and Style, a unique concept shop stocked with African artifacts and military apparel
(Image: Kayla Rocca)
Name: Latre Art and Style
Sells: Upcycled unisex apparel, artwork, African artifacts, vintage items
Contact Info: 2988 Dundas St. W ., 647-349-3503, latreartandstyle.com
Hours: M 12-7, W-Su 12-7
Latre Art and Design is a new boutique in the Junction from Brian Vu , an artist and former restaurateur who makes his own line of reclaimed unisex apparel in the shop’s basement studio. His philosophy for the store is refreshing: bring together simple, high-quality items that incorporate elements of nature. In addition to selling his own pieces, Vu sources work from local artists, artifacts from West Africa, and vintage Native American jewellery to create a space that’s part boutique, part gallery and part museum. (It’s all for sale, except the taxidermied wolf, which was a gift from a friend.)
Almost everything in the shop is one-of-a-kind, even the denim jackets Vu handcrafts from jeans and pieces of HBC blankets. (His new collection features oversized vests cut from colourful Mexican textiles.) Much of his inspiration comes from the functionality of military apparel, and there’s a whole wall devoted to vintage army paraphernalia and utilitarian jackets. (“The more you wear them, the better they get,” he says.) From local artisans, he’s currently showcasing a yarn wall-hanging crafted by an OCAD grad alongside ultra-soft fedoras made from imported angora. To get your hands on the unique aesthetic, shoppers should expect to drop a few hundred dollars for most items (except for Vu’s hand-dyed indigo army socks—those go for $30).
294712 The front of the Junction store is unassuming. Vu chose the area partly because his friends own the Scandanavian design store <strong>Mjölk</strong> across the street.<br />
(Image: Kayla Rocca) Store Guide: Latre Art and Style https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-19-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-19.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-latre-art-style/slide/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-19/ latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-19 0 0
(Image: Kayla Rocca)
294710 A view of the beautifully decorated space, which used to be a pop-up gallery.<br />
(Image: Kayla Rocca) Store Guide: Latre Art and Style https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-17-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-17.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-latre-art-style/slide/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-17/ latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-17 0 0
(Image: Kayla Rocca)
294700 <b>Vu'</b>s line of unisex clothing sits below a taxidermied wolf, which is the only item not for sale in the shop. Store Guide: Latre Art and Style https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-07-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-07.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-latre-art-style/slide/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-07/ latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-07 0 0
294708 Vu lines his sturdy denim jackets with blankets from <strong>Eaton's</strong> or <strong>Hudson's Bay.</strong> $390 Store Guide: Latre Art and Style https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-15-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-15.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-latre-art-style/slide/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-15/ latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-15 0 0
294694 Vu sourced these spoons from Kenya. They're hand-carved from olive wood with a cow horn handle. $15 each Store Guide: Latre Art and Style https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-01-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-01.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-latre-art-style/slide/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-01/ latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-01 0 0
294695 One “natural” element in the store is this warthog skull from South Africa. $550 Store Guide: Latre Art and Style https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-02-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-02.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-latre-art-style/slide/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-02/ latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-02 0 0
294697 <strong>Sharon Snitman</strong> of <strong>Wild Works</strong> handmakes these fedoras from imported angora. $200 Store Guide: Latre Art and Style https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-04-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-04.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-latre-art-style/slide/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-04/ latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-04 0 0
294696 A wooden mask from a Cameroon tribe. $160<br />
Store Guide: Latre Art and Style https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-03-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-03.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-latre-art-style/slide/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-03/ latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-03 0 0
294698 A selection of utility military shirts from the Vietnam war era. $125<br />
Store Guide: Latre Art and Style https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-05-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-05.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-latre-art-style/slide/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-05/ latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-05 0 0
294699 The traditional African mud cloths hanging on the wall were hand-printed in Mali. $175<br />
Store Guide: Latre Art and Style https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-06-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-06.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-latre-art-style/slide/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-06/ latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-06 0 0
294702 Colourful beaded necklaces from the Zulu tribe in South Africa. $80<br />
Store Guide: Latre Art and Style https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-09-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-09.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-latre-art-style/slide/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-09/ latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-09 0 0
294703 Items are artfully arranged on racks and shelves. The bowl on the far right of the shelf is a basket from the Bayei tribe in Botswana. $100 Store Guide: Latre Art and Style https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-10-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-10.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-latre-art-style/slide/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-10/ latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-10 0 0
294704 On the left is an elaborate Native mandala ($800), and on the right is a wall-hanging from an OCAD grad, made from natural yarns died with indigo ($300). Store Guide: Latre Art and Style https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-11-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-11.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-latre-art-style/slide/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-11/ latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-11 0 0
294705 Vu's cozy military socks are also hand-dyed with indigo. $30 Store Guide: Latre Art and Style https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-12-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-12.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-latre-art-style/slide/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-12/ latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-12 0 0
294706 Apparently the Suni people wear these tribal masks during a celebration related to law enforcement. (The mask is surprisingly lightweight.) $300<br />
Store Guide: Latre Art and Style https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-13-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-13.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-latre-art-style/slide/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-13/ latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-13 0 0
294707 Vu's latest collection includes vests crafted from Mexican blankets. $95<br />
Store Guide: Latre Art and Style https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-14-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-14.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-latre-art-style/slide/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-14/ latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-14 0 0
294709 A selection of vintage Native North American jewellery (rings go for $45). The disc at the bottom left is used by African women for lip extension. Store Guide: Latre Art and Style https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-16-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-16.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-latre-art-style/slide/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-16/ latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-16 0 0
294711 An African sun mask from the Boho tribe in Mali ($400) sits above deadstock army boots ($150).<br />
Store Guide: Latre Art and Style https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-18-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-18.jpg 1000 667 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-latre-art-style/slide/latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-18/ latre-art-and-style-toronto-store-guide-18 0 0
Beautiful items …. definitely coming for a visit …
Looks like a cool place, looking forward to checking it out.