PHILIP SPARKS TAILORED GOODS INC. 162 Ossington, 647-348-1827, philipsparks.com
I figure I’ve written well over 200 Store Of The Week features during my time at NOW, but this one is a little different. The man behind this shop tucked away next to I Deal Coffee off Ossington is my husband, designer Philip Sparks, and I will fully disclose that I spent many a late evening sanding, painting and badly drilling into its walls to help prep the space for its mid-March opening.
Enter off Foxley into the first floor and you’re met with a pair of vintage racks hung with the season’s standout pieces: printed blazers, work chinos and navy-trimmed macs for men plaid shirt dresses, techno fabric trench coats and pleated skirts for women. Down a few steps, more of the spring line hangs close to a pair of change rooms.
I have it on good authority that a summer-wedding-perfect selection of men’s linen suits will be arriving throughout April along with casual tops in red Breton stripes that pay homage to the season’s 1930s beach scene inspiration.
Philip Sparks picks: Dapper men’s dress shirts come in crisp aqua or butter-yellow cotton, $235 a Harbourfront photo print blouse captures sailboats and tall ships on Lake Ontario, $250 a belt is made from vintage multicolour webbing and tan leather tabs.
Look for: A handsome yellow leather briefcase with multiple file and laptop dividers (that I’ve been forbidden from buying myself) also comes in classic navy or tan.
Hours: Monday to Wednesday 11 am to 6 pm, Thursday to Saturday 11 am to 7 pm, Sunday noon to 5 pm.
