Street Style: toddlers, artists and off-duty models hang out on the Ossington strip
By Jean Grant |
By Jean Grant |

Summer nights on Ossington have become even busier now that Bang Bang, the ice cream parlour and bakery that sells the world’s most delicious ice-cream sandwiches, has set up shop on the strip. Fashionably disheveled locals have taken to congregating around the little store—some waiting in line, others just hanging out after a bowl of pho at Golden Turtle or a pint at Bellwoods Brewery. The style is relaxed and unique: we spotted an off-duty model strolling to dinner in metallic Proenza Schouler sandals, a music composer in a slouchy beanie and a very smiley toddler in a nautical jumpsuit. The people we talked to raved about Ossington’s restaurants, vintage shops and theatre culture. Most, however, were united in their distaste for the rowdy weekend nightlife.
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- <strong>Name:</strong> Lyon Smith<br /><br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 40<br /><br /> “I love that Ossington represents the constantly evolving nature of Toronto. Ten years ago it wasn't nearly as vibrant or fun to hang out in. But the nightlife on weekends can be a bit much sometimes. I'm happy for the business owners but it can get close to frat-house obnoxious. We know you're drunk, bro, take it down a notch!”
- (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
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- “I'm a composer and I consider the red summer slouch toque to be lucky—I've worn it in performances everywhere from Toronto to Bogota, New York and Montreal.”
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- “Well worn Docs have been a signature piece of footwear since university and I think my current pair could well be my favourite.”
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- <strong>Name:</strong> Julia Stone<br /><br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 24<br /><br /> “The only thing that would make Ossington better is if it were in the east end, where I live.”
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- “My girlfriend and I split the Proenza Schouler shoes, but luckily for me, she never wears them.”
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- <strong>Name:</strong> Jeff Jasper<br /><br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 25<br /><br /> “I used to build custom cars—muscle cars, specifically. So, when I saw that Toronto brand Regal made a bike after the old Ford GT40 gulf race car, I had to buy it.”
- Street Style: Ossington
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- “There's something about my bike and my beard that always makes people stop and say something. Or shout out of the window while driving past in a cab.”
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- <strong>Name:</strong> Melody Lau<br /><br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 24<br /><br /> “My t-shirt is a bootleg tee from this year's Pitchfork Music Festival. It was a prize at the Pitchfork Review tent, the website's new print magazine. They were making people throw darts at a balloon to win the shirt, but since I was already a subscriber they let me buy it. It shows my love of <em>The Simpsons, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles</em> and emojis all in one shirt!”
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- <strong>Name:</strong> Jonathan Lawlass<br /><br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 26<br /><br /> “I"m actually younger than Carly Rae Jepson, if you can believe it. She's 28!”
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- “Our matching headphones weren't planned, we swear.”
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- <strong>Names:</strong> Paddy Leung, Joyce Ng and Kelly Kwang<br /><br /> <strong>Ages:</strong> 25, 28, 24
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- “I was late for my first day of work, so a single article of clothing was my only hope. No time for clever pairings!”
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- “And the Docs, well, you know Docs are damn comfy.”
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- <strong>Name:</strong> Charlie Reeve<br /><br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 1<br /><br /> “We just had a big bowl of noodles at the Golden Turtle and Charlie is excited that he got to meet his cousins from BC for the first time.” (From his mother, Amy)
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- <strong>Name:</strong> Stevie Drieberg<br /><br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 32<br /><br /> “We're here from Australia on a two-year visa. I love all the cute puppies you see being walked in this area.”
- Street Style: Ossington
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- <strong>Name:</strong> Jonathon Perry<br /><br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 28<br /><br /> “I'm setting down my KFC for this. A quick snack on the way to drink wine on a rooftop.”
- Street Style: Ossington
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- <strong>Name:</strong> Laura Schutte<br /><br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 22<br /><br /> “My favourite part about this area is all the vintage stores. But I don't enjoy the nightlife.”<br />
- Street Style: Ossington
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- “My mom got me this bag, and I love wearing tropical prints in the summer.”
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- <strong>Name:</strong> David Sutrin<br /><br /> <strong>Age: </strong>22<br /><br /> “I've been wearing these black shorts every day since April. They're stuck to my legs.”
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- “I'm not sure how I feel about every guy on Ossington walking around with the beer they just bought from Bellwoods. Too much glass.”
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- <strong>Name:</strong> Christina Mangiola<br /><br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 16<br /><br /> “I work at Bang Bang—it gets pretty crazy during the evenings, but luckily I only work day shifts!”
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- <strong>Name:</strong> Chloe Castonguay<br /><strong><br /> Age:</strong> 25<br /><br /> “Ossington has something that will suit my mood, every time. A flat white at Crafted or a little shopping at J and O usually turns into after-work Pho or feasting at Soos. A sweaty dance party at Baby Hueys never hurt either!”
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- “I tend to pile on the rings. Some of them never come off, and some I change every day. The more the merrier! I used to tend bar, and actually bought myself a gold band to wear on my ring finger so I could easily shut down customers with 'sorry, I'm married!'”
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- <strong>Name: </strong>Emily Moher<br /><strong><br /> Age:</strong> 28<br /><br /> “There are so many amazing places to go and see on Ossington, I just wish there were more trees.”
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- <strong>Name:</strong> Nicole Vincent<br /><br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 35<br /><br /> “My favourite part of my outfit is my hat. I got it in Montreal and it's great for unruly hair.”<br />
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I love Ossington, and all of the every so stylish people that dwell there.
http://www.memoirsofanesha.com
“There’s something about my bike and my beard that always makes people stop and say something. Or shout out of the window while driving past in a cab.”
Is it “Hey hipster”?
Why did the guy with the beard and bike send back his soup? He liked it before it got cool
Or… “hey hipster, that beard went out of style last year”.