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
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OMG. Another rich kid opening a clothing store.
Great feature on a great destination!!!!!…. I particularly loved the photo of Clay!!!! lol
hey Kido. The more rich kids that open stores the more real jobs for the rest of us. goooo rich kids :)
Doubtful that these boutiques support much meaningful employment for plebs like us.
No I meant that they take themselves out of the workforce.
I give this place one year…max
This store is quality from shelf to staff!
They really cater to the client and help you with what you’re looking. I felt like they strived to create an environment that is the ultimate pretty woman experience, calming, feminine, attractive, respectful and fun!!! The owner Maxine was blissful and professional! I would recommend this place to anyone and continue to shop here.
A wonderful store with loads of beautiful pieces. I am so happy with everything I bought & will continue to shop there. Great staff who listen & are helpful & understanding. Riant is a perfect shopping experience!
I LOVE this boutique. Who cares if a rich kid owns it. What a stupid petty thing to say. Grow up! The shit is awesome in that place and the girls are always cool when I’ve popped in.
Jealousy is so ugly…. get a life haters!!!!!!
Who cares who owns the store – it’s amazing! They have so many awesome lines of clothing that previously were impossible to find anywhere south of Bloor, and the items stocked are feminine and practical for everyday wear. I love finally seeing a versatile store like this in the west end vs. the standard hipster boutique filled with nothing but lace bandeau’s and trashy club gear
They currently have a sweater, that looks like a cat attacked it on one of the mannequin. String of yarn hanging off of it. If that’s fashion, I don’t get it.
I walked in there when it first opened and was ignored by the 2 girls working in there. They were busy gossiping and texting.
Will never step foot in there again.
Plus, that ‘cute’ dog has issues.. It freaks out every time I walk past with my dogs. It’s never in the actual store. It sleeps all day in the back office, where the windows are covered in newspaper.
clASSy.
The selection of clothing makes this store worth every dollar who ever owns it. The girls were really cool whenever I’ve been in and helpful. Perhaps You! Mrs. PotatoHEAD are just unapproachable, I can only imagine your outstanding personality, hence the dog is probably just barking at your face, not your dogs when you walk by. You sound full of clASS. Watch your use of big words before your choke on one. Ive seen the dog all over the store, hes very welcoming while i shop. …at least these ‘rich kids’ aren’t affraid of a little newspaper mesh, looks humbled to me… Keeping it real. I have owned a store and people like you ruin the experience for everyone. Keep it up RIANT!! -Welcome to the area.
Mrs. POTATO I have to say I have noticed you and your negative, bitter, petty and disrespectful comments under more than one of the articles that have been written on RIANT over the past 2 months and for someone who clearly has an issue with Riant and the girls involved you certainly spend an awful lot of time following and commenting on a place you have so much disdain for. It would seem to me that if you spent half the energy you do concerning yourself with someone ELSE’S accomplishments, that perhaps you’d have some of your own and that would keep you so busy as to not have the time you clearly do to sit behind computer screens and an alias and sling mud. Enjoy continuing to keep it clASSY.
Dear Winnie,
This is my first comment on this store!
Thank you for story telling.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Potato