Store Guide: Da Zoo, a King West boutique with an impressive lineup of avant-garde designers
Store Guide: Da Zoo, a King West boutique with an impressive lineup of avant-garde designers
Name: Da Zo0
Sells: Avant-garde menswear, womenswear, accessories and shoes
Contact info: 613 King St. W., 416-792-5050, da-zooo.com
Hours: M-W 10-6, Th-F 10-8, Sa 10-6, Su 1-5
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Da Zoo, the new store from habitual boutique owner Peter Halpin, exemplifies the kind of cool, eccentric vibe that independent boutiques excel at and corporate-owned stores can never quite pull off. For the King West shop, Halpin teamed with another Toronto style stalwart, Jakub Szczepaniak, to find the right medley of established designers (Rick Owens Drkshdw, Vivienne Westwood, DSquared2) and lesser-known labels (Undercover by Jun Takahashi, Alexandre Plokhov and the insanely exclusive Geoffrey B. Small). A somewhat more reasonably-priced in-house line, 613 King, rounds out the mix.
Our favourite pieces have unique design details that, coupled with the taxidermy and oddities lining the walls, give the store a playful vibe. A pair of Maison Martin Margiela boots, for instance, have subtle reflective perforations that light up in flash photos ($1,250) and a rope-like scarf tapers into ends that looks like horse tails ($250). With Zeppelin pumping over the speakers and Bay Street wild-card Michael Wekerle as executive director, the shop exudes the swagger of an aging rocker—in the best way possible.
See inside »
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- The store is housed in an old antiques shop on King West just east of Bathurst
- (Image: Kayla Rocca)
- Store Guide: Da Zoo
- Store Guide: Da Zoo
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- The stock is focused on menswear, with a smaller womenswear section and sampling of accessories
- (Image: Kayla Rocca)
- Store Guide: Da Zoo
- Store Guide: Da Zoo
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- Da Zoo’s in-house line, <b>613 King,</b> covers a more accessible price point than the designer labels in store
- (Image: Kayla Rocca)
- Store Guide: Da Zoo
- Store Guide: Da Zoo
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- Shoes include a range of leather boots, plus sneakers by <b>Rick Owens</b> and Japanese brand <b>Undercover</b>
- (Image: Kayla Rocca)
- Store Guide: Da Zoo
- Store Guide: Da Zoo
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- <b>Balmain</b> tux jacket ($2,995), sleeveless turtleneck ($995), pants ($1,695) and scarf ($250)
- (Image: Kayla Rocca)
- Store Guide: Da Zoo
- Store Guide: Da Zoo
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- (Image: Kayla Rocca)
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- <b>Ugo Cacciatori</b> pearl and skull bracelet ($4,995) and ring ($1,395)
- (Image: Kayla Rocca)
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- Store Guide: Da Zoo
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- <b>Maison Martin Margiela</b> travel bag, $1,495
- (Image: Kayla Rocca)
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- Store Guide: Da Zoo
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- (Image: Kayla Rocca)
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- <b>Vivienne Westwood Red Label</b> coat ($1,995)
- (Image: Kayla Rocca)
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- Store Guide: Da Zoo
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- (Image: Kayla Rocca)
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- (Image: Kayla Rocca)
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 and lesser-known labels (Undercover by Jun Takahashi, Alexandre Plokhov and the insanely exclusive Geoffrey B. Small). A somewhat more reasonably-priced in-house line, 613 King, rounds out the mix.
Our favourite pieces have unique design details that, coupled with the taxidermy and oddities lining the walls, give the store a playful vibe. A pair of Maison Martin Margiela boots, for instance, have subtle reflective perforations that light up in flash photos ($1,250) and a rope-like scarf tapers into ends that looks like horse tails ($250). With Zeppelin pumping over the speakers and Bay Street wild-card Michael Wekerle as executive director, the shop exudes the swagger of an aging rocker—in the best way possible.
See inside »
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defiantly a must see!
Definitely not pioneering avant garde fashion for men… Serpentine’s been doing it since 2009. Check your facts!
How sad that someone connected to Serpentine feels so threatened by the success of Da Zoo that they must lash out.
Serpentine?? Oh yeah…the store sandwiched between a bra store and something else. Those guys still in business?? Geoffrey B is 10x more avant grade then anything those guys will come up with.
Serpentine is run a pair of douchie and incredibly unfriendly guys.
Weird to see Jakub Szczepaniak is involved in this… The guy is the personification of king street/ Richmond st. Toronto douche bag.
The store does carry incredible brands Peter Halpin is indeed a pioneer for great taste and and good fashion in the city.
tried to visit twice and store is always closed with nobody in there .. did they go outta business ? where else can i buy good clothes toronto has to be the worst city for fashion.