Last Saturday, I made my way down to the Metro Convention Centre and was directed to a large, basement-level space nestled underneath a set of escalators. Perhaps not the most glamorous setting for the bi-annual Toronto Vintage Clothing Show, but what it lacked in first appearances it more than made up for in beautiful vintage apparel.
The show, which urged visitors to “shop like it’s 1969,” brought together exhibitors from across the province — from Toronto staple Gadabout Vintage to smaller outfitters based in towns like St. Jacobs and Cambridge. The assortment of goods on offer was equally varied. Several booths had $10 racks or selections of inexpensive costume jewelry, while others boasted more designer-driven collections — one exhibitor, for example, proudly displayed a three-piece Louis Vuitton leather luggage set, on sale for $950.
Though the crowd grew increasingly diverse as the day wore on, the show was not the most accessible for those on a student budget — the $10 entry fee and emphasis from some booths on designer merchandise might have discouraged those student shoppers who prefer the casual vibes and price points of stores like Black Market Vintage. However, for students who are passionate about vintage culture, the unique vendors that these types of shows attract can be part of what makes attending one worthwhile.
“I think that a lot of the people [selling] here are actually collectors,” explained Christa Waters, who has taken Cherry Picked, her personal collection, to the Toronto Vintage Clothing Show for the past three years. “Most vendors have at least a shop online, but there is a wide spectrum of why they’re here.”
Indeed, many of the booths at Saturday’s show were pop-up shops, personal collections, or online stores that don’t have fixed physical storefronts. For vintage enthusiasts of all ages, the chance to peruse and buy from these unique collections is a big draw.
With what seems to be a growing interest in vintage culture among young Torontonians in recent years, even local shops are learning to cater to a wide audience, both during and outside of these events.
Shelley Pulak, who owns Printvintage at College and Ossington, explained that many shop owners are working to make vintage not only stylish but also financially accessible.
“I have an ongoing sale rack — a $10 rack — all the time. There’s always something for somebody,” Pulak said. “I think you can’t go wrong with vintage, because it’s what stores like Joe Fresh and H&M copy, without copying the same quality. If a pair of vintage boots has lasted for 50 years, they’re going to be fine for another 10.”
For those who missed Saturday’s show, October 9 will be another chance to put Pulak’s theory to the test, during a 7:00-to-midnight Toronto Vintage Crawl, where nearly 50 local vintage stores will feature special promotions. With designer prices less of an obstacle, students will have an opportunity to get creative with how they think about, and shop for, their vintage clothes.
“When we were in school, we wanted to look different, not buy the same dress that everyone had from the mall,” explained Pulak. “We wanted a style that was our own, and [students today] can have that, too,” she said.
