OFF THE TOP

I might be a little late on this one, but when I was informed about the seemingly slick love tap between The Bay and Holt Renfrew I was nothing but shocked.

Growing up in Mississauga I always dreamed of Holt Renfrew on Bloor Street with it's luminous window displays and heavenly air that embraced you as you walked in slow motion, savoring the experience before the price tags booted you out. 

To substitute, my family and I took the big trips to the old Eton Center in Toronto (R.I.P. forever) for our weekly "bonding" time, and to see the latest trends that my mother and grandmother would browse. When that empire (to me) died the second best thing was the Bay across the street or the variety of Hudson Bay co. stores found in the ever growing suburb. The women in my life love the lifestyle brand.

Now that I am in my early twenties I have seen a drastic change in  the HBC image over the years. from their window displays to the collections they carry (Polo/Ralph loren is my fav.).

Is this really a battle? Not really. All the mothers/fathers and grandmothers/grandfathers of the up-and-coming bourgeois collective who have been in constant adoration of the now Luxury brand are recognizing the changes and loving them.

Now it is all about the big jump from worker flats to stilettos, nurse cotton/poly vests to cashmere/cotton blend cardigans with crystals, and (lbnl) window shopping to personal shoppers and champaign - too much? I think not. 

With the loyalty, permission and education from the older generations, and a well deserved restoration, the Bay is allowing the next wave of working individuals and shopaholics to play. With the recent release of Top Shop on the Canadian landscape, I am ecstatic to invest in my own stylish future.

I love Canada.

( Image by Jason Hudson @ jasonhudson.com )