Michael Watier
GRAVITY POPE 1010 Queen West, 647-748-5155, gravitypope.com
If you've shoe shopped out west, you've been lured by the endless footwear selection at Gravity Pope's Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton stores and also directed to their additional clothing outlets. Here, our grand three-level version of the shop combines all that merchandise under one roof at the corner of Queen and Ossington.
Finding that perfect Toronto location took owner Louise Dirks and her team four years. Inspired by designer Peter Turner's trip to Argentina (where he happened upon the store's deco chandeliers and 1934 staircase reclaimed from the Paramount Theatre in Buenos Aires), the opulent look sets off the contemporary styles of footwear by brands like Cydwoq, Common Projects and Mr. Hare and clothing, including exclusive-to-T.O. labels Stephan Schneider, Sofie D'Hoore and Peter Jensen.
There's a good lineup of Canadian-designed buys, too, including WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie bags, Arielle de Pinto jewellery and Fortnight lingerie.
Gravity Pope picks: Keep cozy (and fancy) in a cashmere Sophie D'Hoore sweater, $625; sniff-test Mad et Len's Papiers fragrance, $110; Antipast's statement socks range from $35 to $50.
Look for: A new gift and housewares gallery full of art books, handmade chocolates and playful throw pillows.
Hours: Monday to Wednesday and Saturday 10 am to 7 pm, Thursday and Friday 10 am to 9 pm, Sunday 11 am to 6 pm.