Toronto
has been buzzing for months around rumours of getting the golden-era
inspired dress company behind the Bettie Page brand – Tatyana!
Vintage
and retro style lovers - from swing dancers to rockabilly fans - have been dying to
get their hands on the full range of clothing since they were dreamed up in 2006. The Tatyana company has chosen Toronto to be
it’s 20th location AND it’s first international store....and we
couldn’t be more thrilled!
"Our newest Tatyana boutique is situated in the heart
of Toronto," notes Tatyana Designs co-CEO Jan Glaser. "We continue to
be gratified by the enthusiastic acceptance of Tatyana's designs by women from
all walks of life. This is especially true as we have an enormous Canadian
following with thousands wearing our dresses representing a disproportionate
percentage of our customers. Now we have the opportunity to honor their
patronage with our first Canadian outlet in an amazing location."
The Toronto Vintage Society are huge supporters of any new company that wants to join our ranks in bringing the retro inspired lifestyle to this city...and there is room for everyone!!! To find out more we reached out to the company. The
lovely Hayley from the NYC Boutique and new Toronto Store Manager Martha made time to let
the Toronto Vintage Society have a sneak peek at what’s in store, located at 322 Queen St W.
The first thing we found out is that the SOFT OPENING event will be THIS SATURDAY starting at 2pm! The FIRST 10 people through the door will receive a goody bag, there will be bubbly drinks and tasty treats...more importantly there will a 20% discount to anyone who mentions "TORONTO VINTAGE LOVES TATYANA"
Despite busily setting up for their opening weekend soft
opening, they still managed to take the time to answer some questions for us!
What is the company history of Tatyana?
Tatyana Designs is
named after the founder and lead designer (Tatyana Khomyakova) who began designing
retro inspired dresses when she founded her first clothing line, Bettie Page
Clothing, in 2006. Born in northern
Russia, Tatyana loved the arts and fashion from her earliest memories. After
excelling at the University of Culture with degrees in theater
and fashion, she began her modeling, Tatyana, after becoming a high fashion couture model,
studied fashion design in France and London which led to her expertise in
unique women's vintage style design. Dismissing the “frivolous trends of the
moment,” the high fashion model decided to bring into being a line that
reflects the beauty and mystery of women without being vulgar or “Trendy.”
Bettie Page Clothing was born.
In 2006, we opened
our first boutique at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino on the strip in Las
Vegas, NV. Soon thereafter, we opened Hollywood, Forum Shops in Las Vegas, San
Francisco, San Diego, Boston, New York, Nashville and more so that we now have
twenty Boutiques.
In 2014, Tatyana
emerged from the Bettie Page Clothing line to unveil her new company: Tatyana. The future of the line
is as varied as women themselves. The nature of the dresses appeal to all demographics.
Young people like the dresses because they are unusual and a “little crazy” so
they can stand out in a crowd. Middle aged clients enjoy the elegance and
“mystery” the dresses convey. Moreover, the older generation appreciates the
nostalgia which reminds them of their youth. Everything from fabric content and
design to the silhouettes themselves undergo constant change and evolution to
meet the demands of clients.
Tatyana has found
her place in the fashion world, which is fortunate not only for her, but for
women everywhere.
I feel you two are the main players in making this store come to
life...tell us about yourselves!
Martha (Boutique Manager TO) and Hayley (Boutique Manger NY)
Hayley- Well I am just here in
Toronto helping Miss Martha out, I actually live in Brooklyn and manage our
Manhattan store at 303 Bowery. (Come say hi if you are ever in town!) I started
with the company about four years ago when I opened our San Francisco location
on Haight Street. It was a fantastic time to join the team, because the
company was really taking off. We started opening boutiques all over the
country, and I was fortunate enough to be involved in opening quite a few of
them. When the decision to open in New York City was made, I had to jump
on it. Obviously. I am a die hard vintage fan, and even more so just a fashion
enthusiast. I love all things beautiful and retro.
Martha- I am from Prince Edward
Island and new to Toronto! Simply pleased and tickled to be the store
manager for Tatyana Boutique first International location. I have a
background in retail & customer service that has allowed me to collect
passport stamps from also being a retail buyer. I feel like fashion is in
my blood since my 'Granny' wore dresses everyday and taught me you can never be
over dressed!.
Why did the Tatyana company decide to open it's next store on
Toronto?
H-Martha, how many people did you say
live here? Toronto is fabulous city and full of energy. Where else
would we want to open our first international store?
M- 2.5 Million!
The line has vintage/retro inspired feel...are your clients only vintage / rockabilly / swing fans?
H- Not at all. Of course we
have tons of clients that are into the scene (and we adore you!) but we also
cater to a wide a range of clients, we literally have something for everyone.
In NYC I have a great mix of rockabilly pin up gals, professionals, and
just girls into fashion. Our clients are women from all backgrounds that
just want to feel beautiful in what they wear.
M- I am just learning about all the
vintage styles. I have more of a classic or lady-like look so I appreciate the
cut and style that Tatyana Boutique offers to suit a real women's body. I
plan to mix in circle skirts and get a few make-up lessons so that I fit right
in here.
Tell us about the most iconic Tatyana dress and how
it was inspired and designed.
H- That is a tough one! I would
have to say the Brigit, the Alika and the Captain are our most iconic dresses.
All three of these have been in to many magazines and tv shows to name.
My personal favorite at the moment though is the Shirlee Tegee! We had a
"bring it back contest" last year where clients sent in photos of
their mothers and grandmothers in beautiful garments. One of the winners
was this little number, a dress that the first Miss USA wore in 1947. I
am obsessed with the fabric, cut, and the print was so ahead of its time! Oh,
and it has pockets!!
M- I have my eye on a few! I
think that Annie's Garden with a bow belt is the new one I will purchase!
I bought the dress from Hayley while in NY this past spring and wore it to the
What do you hope to happen for Tatyana in Toronto specifically?
Do you see it as a simple walk-in Queen St W business or do you seeing it
having an impact on the community?
H- If this city falls in love with
Tatyana the way we have fallen in love with you, we hope to make this Boutique
a destination shopping location. Yes, tourists will shop with us... but
we really want to get involved. The city has so much to offer and we are
thrilled to be apart of it.
M- Toronto has been patiently waiting
for these dresses with the correct mixture of bright, fun, and flirty...we are
all going to look like ladies!
What else will Tatyana have to offer in Toronto
other than great clothes and accessories?
H- Exceptional customer service. We pride
ourselves in taking client satisfaction to the next level. Our prices may
not be that of a high end designer store, but our mentality is. Oh, and
we are also having a fabulous party mid September! Have you heard of Tempest
Storm? We have something killer in the works...stay tuned!
One
that note, we will be helping out Hayley and Martha to make their Grand Opening
happen in true Toronto Vintage style! A little bit of everything should do the
trick! You DO truly want to stay tuned!
Here are some fun sneak peek pictures of what to expect from Tayana's Toronto Boutique:
Lines ups...inside and out!
Some studio lighting...perhaps for some in-store pin-up shoots??!!
The "Archie" Dress in Diamond Blue
Martha with the "Sweet Berries" dress
Stairs to the upper levels which may include "community space"!
Colour...and lots of of it!
Steaming the "Captain's Circle" in Navy
Hayley looking glamorous no matter the task in the "Ping Pong" dress!
Nautical Playsuit!
Trying to be artistic...
and trying convince myself that stealing lamps is NOT a good idea!
Vintage lamps picked up at Courage my Love in Kensington Market!
I just HAD TO try a dress...or two...or three! "Annie's Garden" is my new fave!
Almost ready to go!
DON'T FORGET:
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2nd at 2pm,
322 Queen St W
- Goody Bag for the first 10 people through the door
- bubbly drinks and tasty treats for everyone
- 20% off if you remember to tell them that....
"TORONTO VINTAGE LOVES TATYANA"
Stay tuned for news about their Grand Opening Event in September!
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