CLASSIC STYLE
Shop owner and makeup artist keeps it simple
Jilly Ijoe sits cross-legged near the makeup table at the back of her Locke Street shop, Kitsu, and points out some of the brands she carries: Ichi, Vero Moda, Noisy May. The vibe of the shop is “comfortably chic,” she laughs.
And even though she caters mostly to young professionals with a penchant for minimalist style and pattern, the look is all hers. She buys what she herself would wear. Classic, clean lines, sophisticated colour palettes.
But there’s another side to Ijoe, too, as evidenced by the Indonesian batik blouse she wears here, designed by her friend Sophia Tobelly. The bright colours and fine hand-drawn prints are typical of the region around Jakarta where Ijoe was born and lived until her preteen years, and where her family still lives today. Every region of Indonesia has its signature batik style, she explains. The pattern in this top is slightly more refined than those you might find elsewhere in the country.
“Every time I wear it, I always feel proud of it,” says Ijoe, 31. “It’s such an eye-catching piece that people are always asking me, ‘Oh, where did you get that?’”
Ijoe came to Hamilton to attend Columbia College at 17 by way of Singapore, where she had been attending school since the age of 12. Then came the psychology department at McMaster University, where Ijoe studied child development. But something happened in her third year that gave her pause. She attended a makeup boot camp in Toronto to learn a few techniques, which she then practised on friends.
It was the transformation that captivated Ijoe — the way a person would carry herself differently after she artfully applied makeup to their face. It was the confidence boost that came with those small cosmetic changes, and the way her clients felt instantly like better versions of themselves that forced Ijoe to rethink her career goals.
Fast forward more than 10 years and Ijoe has taken the concept of helping people feel better about how they look to a new level. Yes, she is still a practising makeup artist from her shop. And yes, she is considering bringing in a line of batik pieces from Indonesia, although that is talk for another day. But with entrepreneurial parents who encouraged their children to become entrepreneurs themselves, opening a business was a natural step for Ijoe.
And the name Kitsu? A take on the word “kitsune,” which means “fox” in Japanese. It’s a nod to her two best friends back in Indonesia; the trio nicknamed one another after the furry, red forest creatures.
Here she pairs her Sophia Tobelly batik blouse with Fidelity skinny jeans and Chanel espadrilles. And she accessorizes with a rose gold fox ring that was redone by Laura Tedesco Jewellery Design, an Apple Watch, diamond studs from her mom and a variety of ear hoops and studs.
Most eye-catching piece:
All of my batik tops. Here, in Canada, they’re probably my most eye-catching pieces just because they’re so colourful and they have all these different patterns ... each piece is unique.
Quirkiest wardrobe item:
Fendi (Monster) slip-ons, and they have sort of like a bug eye on the shoe … it’s just full black and you have these two eyes sticking up from the shoe.
Wardrobe must have:
A good pair of denim jeans … I do like skinny jeans because it’s easier for me to alter them because I’m short, but I do also like boyfriend jeans.
Best purchase:
The Nobis winter coat. It’s a Canadian brand and as you know, winter in Canada is very cold. And coming from a tropical country, we want to keep ourselves warm. Over the years living in Canada, I’ve played around with different winter jackets … Nobis jackets are very warm and probably one of the best purchases I’ve ever done. And one of the first brands we approached to come to the store. So we carry Nobis in the store, which I’m very proud of …
The one that I have is from their old collection, so it’s hip length and just a very nice, A-line type of (black) jacket. It’s very feminine.
Regrets buying:
Shoes that are uncomfortable and hurt my feet and I just stopped wearing them ... I do have some heels and I do have some flats, surprisingly (that are uncomfortable) … I hate the ones that have the elastic at the back. Those hurt — they actually peeled my skin off. Lesson learned. Not all flats are comfortable.
Loves to shop at:
I actually do love to shop at Dakota Mae in Westdale … I shop at Aritzia sometimes, but a lot of my pieces are actually from back home. From Indonesia.
Ridding her closet of:
Clothes that just don’t fit anymore. Stuff that has rips … because we travel a lot between countries, I try not to buy too many clothes. I’d rather invest in pieces I can wear over the years.
Splurges on:
I probably spend too much on bags and shoes.
Beauty product she can’t live without:
Good skin care. Skin care is the No. 1 thing I always have. Because I used to have really bad acne when I was younger, I’ve used so many different products and brands ... the one brand I’ve been using since I was 17 is actually Clinique. I only use the Clinique three-step skin care system. It comes with a cleanser, toner and moisturizer.