Freedom Clothing, 939 Bloor West, 647-235-3900, www.freedomclothingcollective.com Rating: NNNNN
When Freedom Clothing Collective member Esther Parry started Ryerson’s fashion program, she pictured herself scoring a design job at Le Chateau post-graduation. Five years later, she and eight of her classmates collaborate on their Bloor and Ossington shop featuring one-of-a-kind, reworked and vintage clothing and accessories by over 40 newbie talents.
On a quick walk by, it’s easy to mistake Freedom Clothing for one of those west-end boutiques that’s been selling lace baby bibs and Elvis busts behind a yellowed acetate window shade for decades. But the indie fashion fans that follow Freedom’s fair trade, sustainable and crafty credo flood in to score unique budget-friendly styles.
Jennifer Young reworks a vintage Arrow dress shirt with plaid inserts and ruffled cap sleeves ($45), while Parry keeps it simple with a turquoise sweater shawl ($30). This fall marks the group’s first collaborative collection, and you can check it out at their fall fashion show on October 26 at the Whippersnapper Gallery (587A College). Freedom Clothing picks: Amanda Sissons cuts washed-out denim into a tailored cocktail dress, $80 a Peter Pan collar accents Fidgit ‘s striped cotton blouse, $95 the find of the summer might be Oddbird designer Tara Campbell ‘s hand-painted domino bracelet, $40.
Look for: A Freedom Clothing sale this weekend featuring 20 per cent off all summer tanks, T-shirts and vintage stock.
Hours: Monday to Wednesday and Saturday 1 to 7 pm, Thursday and Friday 1 to 9 pm, Sunday 1 to 5 pm.
