Store Guide: Studio D, an uptown footwear boutique devoted to niche European designers
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
Name: Studio D
Sells: Women’s footwear and handbags
Contact info: 2570 Yonge St., 416-486-7693
Hours: Monday–Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday–Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
After a quarter century in the footwear departments of Holt Renfrew and the now shuttered Zola Shoes , Derrick Adams has opened his own boutique at Yonge and Eglinton. Studio D currently carries sandals, stilettos and sneakers from nine European designers. (Despite a small selection, it’s sort of a big deal for the neighbourhood’s female residents, whose local footwear options have been limited to Sporting Life and The Shoe Company.)
Most of the labels are Italian, meaning that in addition to expert craftsmanship, shoppers can also expect plenty of pizzazz (think Swarovski crystal or oversized pearl embellishments). Our favourite pieces manage to be laid-back while still showing off a bit of flair: Missoni’ s bohemian flats, edgy kicks from cool-kid label MSGM or metallic slip-ons from Sebastian Milano , for example. Toronto designer Ela provides all the handbags, and her structured, colourful (and sometimes sparkly ) clutches blend in perfectly with the statement shoes. Prices range from $195 all the way up to $875.
316089 <strong>Adams</strong> designed most of the space himself, and even made the vintage-inspired velvet sofas. (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-15-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-15.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-studio-d-lawrence-park-designer-shoes/slide/store-guide-studio-d-15/ store-guide-studio-d-15 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
316075 We bet this pretty heeled sandal from <strong>Missoni</strong> will become a summer staple. $695 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-01-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-01.jpg 800 1200 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-studio-d-lawrence-park-designer-shoes/slide/store-guide-studio-d-01/ store-guide-studio-d-01 0 0
316078 Despite the display, these <strong>Rodolphe Menudier</strong> stilettos probably wouldn't hold up so well on an actual lawn. $725 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-04-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-04.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-studio-d-lawrence-park-designer-shoes/slide/store-guide-studio-d-04/ store-guide-studio-d-04 0 0
316077 We're into the snake-print on one of<strong> Ela'</strong>s new spring clutches. $338 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-03-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-03.jpg 800 1200 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-studio-d-lawrence-park-designer-shoes/slide/store-guide-studio-d-03/ store-guide-studio-d-03 0 0
316079 Unfortunately, personal lilypads do not actually come with these stilettos. $695 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-05-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-05.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-studio-d-lawrence-park-designer-shoes/slide/store-guide-studio-d-05/ store-guide-studio-d-05 0 0
316086 A mesh wall shows off shoes—sneakers, sandals and stilettos alike—as if they were works of art (which they sort of are). https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-12-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-12.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-studio-d-lawrence-park-designer-shoes/slide/store-guide-studio-d-12/ store-guide-studio-d-12 0 0
316082 Missoni's flat espadrilles are some of the more laid-back shoes on offer. $495 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-08-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-08.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-studio-d-lawrence-park-designer-shoes/slide/store-guide-studio-d-08/ store-guide-studio-d-08 0 0
316080 <strong>MSGM</strong> is a bold Italian brand that will probably appeal less to local moms and more to their teenaged offspring. For anyone who shuns heels, these sandals are a comfy-yet-cool summer option. $345 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-06-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-06.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-studio-d-lawrence-park-designer-shoes/slide/store-guide-studio-d-06/ store-guide-studio-d-06 0 0
316081 We love the mismatched tropical prints on these MSGM sandals. $565 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-07-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-07.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-studio-d-lawrence-park-designer-shoes/slide/store-guide-studio-d-07/ store-guide-studio-d-07 0 0
316084 If you couldn't tell from all the glitter, this is a serious party purse. $295 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-10-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-10.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-studio-d-lawrence-park-designer-shoes/slide/store-guide-studio-d-10/ store-guide-studio-d-10 0 0
316092 These Rodolphe Menudier kicks have been sported by <strong>Pharrell Williams</strong> and <strong>Justin Bieber</strong>. $745 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-18-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-18.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-studio-d-lawrence-park-designer-shoes/slide/store-guide-studio-d-18/ store-guide-studio-d-18 0 0
316083 Metallic slip-ons from Italian brand <strong>Sebastian Milano</strong> are simple, breathable and super-stylish. $650 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-09-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-09.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-studio-d-lawrence-park-designer-shoes/slide/store-guide-studio-d-09/ store-guide-studio-d-09 0 0
316085 Towering heels from <strong>Rosamunda</strong> (another Italian label) show off a detailed design. $425 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-11-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-11.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-studio-d-lawrence-park-designer-shoes/slide/store-guide-studio-d-11/ store-guide-studio-d-11 0 0
316088 More Menudier: a subtle ankle indent make these classic stilettos a tad more interesting. $695 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-14-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-14.jpg 800 1200 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-studio-d-lawrence-park-designer-shoes/slide/store-guide-studio-d-14/ store-guide-studio-d-14 0 0
316093 Moms can now match their footwear to their jewellery with <strong>Sofia M'</strong>s pearl-embellished leather sandals. $445, $395 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-19-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-19.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-studio-d-lawrence-park-designer-shoes/slide/store-guide-studio-d-19/ store-guide-studio-d-19 0 0
316076 The living room vibe here is intentional (and yes, the fireplace is functioning)—Adams designed it especially for men to enjoy a magazine and a cappuccino while their female companions shop away. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-02-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-02.jpg 800 1200 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-studio-d-lawrence-park-designer-shoes/slide/store-guide-studio-d-02/ store-guide-studio-d-02 0 0
316094 The boutique used to house a pet store. Adams still gets dogs sniffing at the door for treats (one went so far as to sprint downstairs, where the old grooming station was, for a bath). https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-20-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-20.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/store-guide-studio-d-20.jpg 800 1200 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-studio-d-lawrence-park-designer-shoes/slide/store-guide-studio-d-20/ store-guide-studio-d-20 0 0
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