The first Kate Spade New York store opened in Canada in Toronto’s recently reno’d Yorkdale Mall just in time for the holiday season. On Tuesday, January 15th, we hit the mall’s new wing for a vibrant launch party hosted by style writer Marta Tryshak from With Love Gabrielle.
If there was ever a place to uplift your spirits in the dead of winter, it’s the Kate Spade store with its bubblegum feel and bright, bold pops of colour everywhere. Resonating with the brand’s signature playful, yet sophisticated feel, the store is a girly girl’s paradise with its bright, graphic walls and sign that reads “Live Colourfully.”
Keeping with the theme, brightly coloured mini cupcakes, macaroons, cookies were served. With a steady lineup that spilled out the door and down the hall, the guests were, as expected, pretty and photogenic….yet we decided to stick mostly to the goods around the store when it came to our photo documentation.
You will find everything from lipstick, statement-making costume jewellery and belts to laptop accessories, stationary and bright coloured t-shirts that read “Look on the Bright Side”. There are no shortage of signature spades adorning accessories and clothing alike, and bows made a big appearance as well.
The clothing is heavy in skirts and dresses, but also includes things like coats and coloured jeans. The clothing is colourful, but also includes less attention-grabbing options, like a nautical theme of blue and white stripes.
We loved the bright bangle watches, along with the eyewear and sunglasses, most of which were less than $200 (because those of us prone to leaving sunglasses on restaurant tables know better to spend any more than that).
Of course, there were bags… bags of all sizes, styles and, obviously, in a rainbow of colours. There is everything from fun tote bags that read “Is this Seat Taken #handsomestranger” for those on the younger end of the YP age spectrum to more sophisticated, office-appropriate day bags in slick patent leather with gold hardware.
What makes Kate Spade so popular with the YP demographic is the price point. It is stylish, high quality and luxuriously made, but won’t break the bank like some other options in designer handbags and accessories.
The first Canadian Kate Spade store is a part of Yorkdale’s new retail expansion, which sees the mall increase approximately 10 per cent in square footage and a 15 per cent in the number of stores at the shopping centre.
Kate Spade CEO Craig Leavitt has said the company has seen a steady growth in its international business over recent years and that they have been eyeing the Canadian market for some time. Although the brand has been available in places like Holt Renfrew, the demand revealed the need for a freestanding store.
We can hopefully expect to see more stores in 2013 and 2014 in other parts of the Canadian market, and Leavitt has hinted to possible further expansion in Toronto and Vancouver. Kate Spade New York currently has over 80 retail shops and outlet stores across the United States, and more than 100 shops internationally.
