Introducing: Kate Spade New York’s first Canadian store at Yorkdale Mall

By Frances McInnis | December 10, 2012

By Frances McInnis | 12/10/2012

Kate Spade New York opened its first-ever Canadian location in the new wing at Yorkdale Mall last month, and it’s a candy box of a store that showcases the brand’s sweet and colourful approach to American prep. As befits a company that started out in purses (Spade is a former accessories editor at Mademoiselle), much of the real estate is given over to handbags and totes, though the label’s forays into clothing, jewellery, shoes and eyewear are all represented.

The purses range from classic shapes that will work for the office to ones that are more overtly whimsical, like a faux wood-grain shoulder bag or a canvas tote emblazoned with a cheeky tweet. The clothing is heavy on skirts and dresses, with some shapes, like the Carolyn dress, reappearing every season with a new graphic print or bright colour scheme. We can imagine the tailored jackets and full-skirted frocks on well-heeled matrons as easily as super-girly young things like Taylor Swift—who is a fan, natch.