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THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO THIS YEAR’S JUMP-UP Q+A : Caribana Listings | |
Ashanti Room, 836 Bloor West, 416-588-3934 Bolts of bold African batik fabrics, carved wooden masks and other decor buys fill this west-end shop.
African Drums & Art Crafts, 618 Dundas West, 416-597-0175 Owner Saikou Saho sells a selection of djembes, doundouns and tamas and offers Friday-night jam lessons for newbie thumpers.
B. Skin, 766 King West, 647-222-9054, www.becleansmellgood.com Gillian Downes’s bath and body emporium stocks her line of hand-made bath salts, shower gels and perfectly packaged spa gift sets.
Big It Up, 58 Spadina, 416-591-0864, and other, www.bigitup.com The city’s reigning madly stylish hatter creates cocky fedoras and wide-brimmed sun hats to keep you shady and chic.
Brazen Hussy, 863 Queen West, 647-428-7051 The Brazen Hussy team of Kathleen Pedro, Michele Pedro and Catriona Smart stitch up slinky club-perfect tops, dresses and streetwear for fearlessly fierce femmes.
Burke’s Bookstore, 873 St. Clair West, 416-656-5366, www.burkesbookstore.com Stop by Burke’s to flip through African-Canadian- and Caribbean-centric books for kids and adults.
CocoVanilla, www.cocovanillagroup.com Log onto the CocoVanilla e-store and lather up with luxurious eco-conscious beauty basics including glycerin soap cakes, Starfish body oils and organic baby duds.
Honey Dipp Spa, www.honeydippspa.com Soaps, lotions, body butters and soy-based candles help you outfit a Zen home spa.
Jean Pierre Spa, 2623 Kennedy, 416-964-2505, www.jeanpierrespa.com Skin tones from “natural beige to dark cocoa” benefit from the spa’s own Obsidian by Jean Pierre makeup line.
Just Incredible, 1543 Eglinton West, 416-787-7900 Just Incredible claims Canadian hair store supremacy with its wide selection of wigs, braids and clip-ons.
Kaydee’s, 1541 Eglinton West, 416-787-2664 Dress suits in every Easter-egg pastel shade hang next to men’s club and casual gear.
Play De Record, 357A Yonge, 416-586-0380, www.playderecord.com Mixed in with hiphop and house vinyl are mashup-ready reggae, soca and calypso discs.
Rockwell, 100 Bond, 416-596-6584 Discount jeans and urban wear by big-time labels including Sean John and Fubu fill this Yonge-Dundas Square spot (entrance off Victoria Street Lane).
Stolen Riches, 734 Queen West, 647-428-7497 Sneaker pimps can get their kicks touring Toronto’s runner meccas including Goodfoot (431 Richmond West, 416-364-0734), Live Stock (116 Spadina, 416-360-5483) and this new Queen West store.
Wailer’s, 6 Times, 416-781-6403 Just off of Eglinton at Oakwood, Wailer’s offers custom men’s and women’s fashions and imported designer wear.
