By now, you probably know that I love the color navy, celebrating with family and friends, baking, and shopping. What you may not know is that I especially love shoes. I’m always looking for stores that carry high quality shoes and exclusive brands.
Studio D Shoe Boutique in Toronto is one of these boutiques.
Derrick Adams, the owner and visionary behind the store, opened Studio D in the Spring of 2015 in the north Toronto neighborhood of Yonge and Eglinton. Nestled among boutiques where many local residents walk to pick up coffee, groceries, stationery, clothing, and pet food, Studio D is a shoe lover’s dream.
Upon entering Studio D, you feel like you are in a peaceful place. The floors are a light beige hardwood, the walls blue, and the shelving mainly glass or suspended. There are featured paintings (for sale by the artist) on the walls and a sitting area in the back, with a couch, chairs, a coffee table, and an espresso machine. You feel like you can stay a while, chat with Derrick, try on shoes, admire the art, and sip your coffee.
Derrick opened Studio D after more than 20 years in the shoe business including time at Zola Shoes and Holt Renfrew. As the owner, every day is different and offers the chance to be involved in all aspects of the business, from the buying trips to the merchandising and from the business side to building client relationships.
What Derrick enjoys the most about opening Studio D are his clients, the fashion of shoes, and the ability to bring customers new products and ideas. ‘There’s nothing else but this’, says Derrick. The vision for the store was to have customers come in, browse, and talk, with the sale being last. Derrick’s friendliness and ability to remember things about his customers make it easy to spend time here.
What I like most about Studio D are the high-end European brands and quality that are generally hard to find in North America. I’m talking about the craftsmanship, the materials, the styling, and the originality that one looks for in shoes designed and made in Italy, France, England, or Spain. Studio D carries an elegant selection of curated shoes, scarves, and handbags from Sebastian, Coclico, NO NAME, Rudolph Menudier, Missoni, Sartore, John Richmond, and Paul Smith – all under one roof.
So, what’s big in shoes for Spring 2016? According to Derrick, look for soft pastel colors, chunky sandals, and fashion running shoes. These should start arriving in store in the next few weeks.
It was hard for me to resist buying a pair (or more) of shoes from Studio D during their current sale, which you will see in future posts.
Studio D Shoes is located at 2570 Yonge St in Toronto, a few blocks north of Eglinton Ave. Hours are Monday to Wednesday 10-6; Thursday-Friday 10-7; Saturday 10-6; Sunday 12-5. Phone 416-486-7693; Facebook: Studio D Shoes
Do you have a favorite local shoe store?
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