Store Guide: Convey, a Queen West spot packed with seriously stylish Australian brands
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
Name: Convey
Sells: International designer labels
Contact info: 754 Queen St. W., 416-363-7676, shopconvey.com Hours: Sunday–Monday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday–Wednesday, Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Thursday–Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Convey is Queen West’s latest cool-girl shopping destination. Despite being born in the ’90s, owners Jennifer Shotbolt and Daniela Figliomeni have a ton of luxury retail experience under their belts (at places like Dior and Michael Kors). After noticing a demand in Toronto for more international labels, the two trekked to Australia Fashion Week to suss out new labels that fit their aesthetic: trendy without trying too hard. If the store’s name seems abstract, it’s on purpose (as is the bare mannequin in the window). “It’s a nod to fashion as an outlet for expression,” explains Figliomeni. “What message do you want to convey?”
The majority of the labels in the store are from Down Under—and aside from one exception, this is the only place in Toronto you’ll be able to find them. The mix of clothes—cut-out dresses, minimalist outerwear, comfy athleisure gear—is super-chic without being intimidatingly fashion-forward. Items like metallic loafers or pleated leather skirts rely on subtle detailing to elevate everyday looks. “It’s important to us to play on contradictions,” says Figliomeni. “Especially between masculine and feminine.” One of our favourite designers in the boutique who does just that is Man Repeller—approved Georgia Alice , who showcases floaty crop tops alongside tomboyish denim robes. Though prices are pretty steep, shoppers can still pull together an outfit for under $500.
320385 All footwear in the store is from <strong>Extraordinary Ordinary Day</strong>, a Sydney- and Seoul-based brand that hand-makes extremely cool shoes, like these metallic loafers. (The designer is a former architect, so they're also very comfortable.) $398 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0351_1-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0351_1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0351_1.jpg 800 1200 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-convey-queen-west-australian-brands/slide/l99a0351_1/ l99a0351_1 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
320386 This <strong>Georgia Alice</strong> crop top is one of our favourite pieces. The designer's known for playing with texture, and you can notice that the edges of this top are slightly frayed. (Here's the <a href="http://www.elle.com.au/fashion/instant-style/2015/2/dee-tales-off-the-shoulder/" target="_blank">black version</a> in <em>Elle Australia). </em>$358 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0354-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0354.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0354.jpg 800 1200 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-convey-queen-west-australian-brands/slide/l99a0354/ l99a0354 0 0
320387 The store also has its own line of scented candles named for moments instead of fragrances. For example, there's “pairs well with a smooth talker.” (That one's infused with tobacco.) $22 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0360-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0360.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0360.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-convey-queen-west-australian-brands/slide/l99a0360/ l99a0360 0 0
320388 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0374-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0374.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0374.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-convey-queen-west-australian-brands/slide/l99a0374/ l99a0374 0 0
320389 Shoppers may recognize Australian native <strong>Hayley Elsaesser'</strong>s bold prints from the <a href="http://www.torontolife.com/style/toronto-fashion-week/2014/10/23/toronto-fashion-week-day-three/slide/toronto-fashion-week-spring-summer-2015-day-3-03/">Toronto Fashion Week runway</a>. This colourful crop-top is the boldest piece in the store. $220 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0386-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0386.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0386.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-convey-queen-west-australian-brands/slide/l99a0386/ l99a0386 0 0
320392 From this angle, lots of back details (like big loopy bows and cheeky cut-outs) are visible. https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0405-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0405.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0405.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-convey-queen-west-australian-brands/slide/l99a0405/ l99a0405 0 0
320390 Yes, Extraordinary Ordinary Day's metallic loafers also come in a vibrant blue. $398 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0398-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0398.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0398.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-convey-queen-west-australian-brands/slide/l99a0398/ l99a0398 0 0
320391 Most of the store's bags are from Israel label <strong>Medusa</strong>. Its signature clutches are handmade in Tel Aviv from vegan leather. $138 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0400-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0400.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0400.jpg 800 1200 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-convey-queen-west-australian-brands/slide/l99a0400/ l99a0400 0 0
320394 As far as leather crop tops go, this one from Aussie label <strong>Jennifer Kate</strong> is pretty sophisticated. $308 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0428-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0428.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0428.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-convey-queen-west-australian-brands/slide/l99a0428/ l99a0428 0 0
320395 This Georgia Alice denim robe goes brilliantly with shiny brogues and matching culottes. $598 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0443-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0443.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0443.jpg 800 1200 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-convey-queen-west-australian-brands/slide/l99a0443/ l99a0443 0 0
320396 They may not withstand a serious workout, but sports bras from Bondi Beach brand <strong>First Base</strong> make for great loungewear. $68 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0446_1-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0446_1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0446_1.jpg 800 1200 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-convey-queen-west-australian-brands/slide/l99a0446_1/ l99a0446_1 0 0
320397 You know what's heavenly? Elsaesser's colour scheme. $210 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0449-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0449.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0449.jpg 800 1200 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-convey-queen-west-australian-brands/slide/l99a0449/ l99a0449 0 0
320398 More of Medusa's clutches—this time with subtle studded corners. $158 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0485-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0485.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0485.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-convey-queen-west-australian-brands/slide/l99a0485/ l99a0485 0 0
320402 <strong>Thursday Sunday </strong>is another Aussie brand known for simple, minimalist looks. We love the striped accents on this cropped denim jacket. $408 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0549-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0549.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0549.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-convey-queen-west-australian-brands/slide/l99a0549/ l99a0549 0 0
320399 If metallic footwear is a bit too flashy for you, Extraordinary Ordinary Day also makes these practical oxfords. $428 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0499_1-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0499_1.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0499_1.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-convey-queen-west-australian-brands/slide/l99a0499_1/ l99a0499_1 0 0
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320400 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0521-150x150.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0521.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/L99A0521.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/style/store-guide-convey-queen-west-australian-brands/slide/l99a0521/ l99a0521 0 0