127/ The In Moda Veritas Shop Small Giveaway
127/ The In Moda Veritas Shop Small Giveaway
For six weeks, I’ll be giving away one gift per week to six lucky paid subscribers.
Last month for my 44th birthday, I extended the paid subscriptions of 44 readers because having you read In Moda Veritas is truly the best gift!
At the same time, I thought, wouldn’t it be nice to do a giveaway more often? I asked myself what kind of giveaway would be aligned with the raison d’être of this newsletter and the answer came to me right away.
I reached out to six brands and businesses you see on the pages of this newsletter so often that they need no introduction. But, in case you’re new here (welcome!), I’ll give you one below anyway.
First, a countdown of sorts:
All six are small businesses. I’ve gotten to know each of their owners personally, and can say without reservation that they’re hard-working, kind, wonderful people. Five are brick-and-mortar boutiques in Toronto whose storefronts are integral to the tapestries of their neighbourhoods, whether it’s Queen West, Dundas West, Yorkville, Midtown or Uptown. (For those of you outside of Toronto, all have online storefronts.)
I’ve been a customer at four of them since their inception, and two of them for over a decade. Three are resale businesses. One of the owners moved next door to me two years ago! Neither of us knew beforehand. And, none of these gifts are sponsored.
Who are they?
Thank you to Absolutely Fabrics, Melmira, Mine & Yours, Rewind Couture, Riand 28, and VSP Consignment for generously donating to this giveaway!
Starting the week of October 21, I’ll be giving away one gift per week to a lucky paid subscriber. If you aren’t a paid subscriber yet, consider becoming one today, and not just for the giveaway! I promise that you’ll find valuable and practical styling advice that comes from my 12 years of experience as a personal stylist for hundreds of men and women in Toronto and (virtually) around the world.
1) Week of October 21: $200 Absolutely Fabrics gift card
Absolutely Fabrics is a designer and vintage clothing store that opened in 2023:
It’s accurate to say that I was completely taken aback by the shop’s offerings. Toronto is a big city in terms of size and numbers and is, in fact, North America’s fourth largest city, behind only Mexico City, New York City, and Los Angeles. Yet, when it comes to fashion, the shops here find safety in the more recognizable, already internationally-tested brands.
So, to discover that all of the emerging designers on this list were picked up by this barely one-year-old shop north of the border? To me, that speaks volumes about the knowledge, confidence and eye of its owner, Kaelen Haworth, an accomplished designer and stylist in her own right.
2) Week of October 29: A Cosabella piece of your choice from Melmira
Melmira is multi-generational lingerie boutique, currently owned by four sisters. I discovered them in 2013:
My experience at Melmira that day informed a fundamental principle of styling that I carry with me to this day — that when it comes to how your clothes sit on your body, undergarments matter.
These are the women I have turned to throughout the last decade as my body went through enormous changes over two rounds of pregnancy and breastfeeding. They’re who I refer all my Toronto-based friends and clients to, including those dealing with concerns such as mastectomies and breast reconstruction.
3) Week of November 4: $300 Mine & Yours gift card
Mine & Yours is a Vancouver-based consignment shop that expanded into Toronto in September 2023. I’ve since become a very regular customer!1
Some of the gems I’ve found at M&Y include a vintage tulle Lanvin top that I wore to NYFW last year, and a sequin printed Dries skirt — one of my all-time favourite secondhand finds.
4) Week of November 11: $250 Rewind Couture gift card
Dawn Librach opened her midtown Toronto boutique, Rewind Couture, in 2014. A couple of gems I’ve found at Rewind include my trusty Celine tri-fold bag (highly underrated work bag, IMO) and a jacquard Comme des Garçons skirt that brings tears to my eyes whenever I wear it.
At Rewind, I also found this red McQueen bustier at an absolute steal of a price! I haven’t worn it yet, but its time is coming:
5) Week of November 18: A piece of your choice from Riand 28’s collection
London-based Riand 28 is the epitome of a thoughtful and considered brand. I was literally their first client and have been the loudest advocate of co-owners Monica Velosa and Keda Rich since Day 1.2 I tried on their entire collection at Monica’s house in November 2022 and stitched the videos together here:
6) Week of November 25: $500 VSP Consignment gift card
I’ve been shopping at VSP3 for 11 years (!) which means a significant proportion of my closet originates from them — sometimes, my outfits are head-to-toe VSP! Every What I’m Wearing newsletter probably has at least one VSP piece, so this is my invitation to you to go through my WIW archives — just put “VSP” into the search bar!
Winners will drawn from the list of paid subscribers and announced each week. Good luck to everyone!
With gratitude,
Irene
Mine & Yours gave me a discount code! IRENE10 for 10% off regular price in-store and online.
Riand 28 also gave me a discount code. IRENE10 for 10% off.
Yup, another discount code. IRENEKIM10 for 10% off regular price except for handbags, some exclusions apply.
what a lovely idea!!! i love how you lift up small local businesses (and continue to tempt me to visit toronto again to check out the scene!!)
This is amazing!