Retro glam meets edgy street style
‘50s sophistication gets a modern update
Stepping into the Parlour on John Street South is like taking a break from banality in a time when details made all the difference.
From the red velvet Baroque style chair to the gilded goldframed mirror to the mini lanterns dangling near the door and the vintage ’50s barber shop chair, the eclectic decor speaks to the style of its owner and hairstylist, Jackie Conick.
“I love everything vintage,” says Conick, 34, who also works a few days a month as a barber at the Village Cigar Company & Barbershop in Burlington. “If I could look like a ’50s housewife every day, I would.”
In the centre of the light-filled room stands Conick, striking in 5½-inch bordello heels with red ribbon ties, a deer skull circle skirt from Blackbird Studios and a knotted cherry print blouse from H&M. Many tattoos, her most colourful accessory, are a terrific contrast against her glam girl look. A silver anchor necklace from Mexico and pair of turquoise gem stone earrings from Vintage Soul Geek add a bit of sparkle to her outfit.
Vintage-inspired femininity has always been her thing, she says, even back in her 20s when she paired band tees with full skirts. Conick’s look today is a more sophisticated version of her younger self and you’ll find her wearing either a full or pencil skirt every day.
“Every working day I am definitely wearing a skirt,” says Conick who admits to trading in her high heels for sneakers or boots on days when she knows she’ll be on her feet for hours.
“But I’ll pair it up with a top and a pair of Vans. It’s not ultra superfeminine. But I do wear a lot of dresses, and they’re all kind of flowy and vintage-inspired.”
Most eye-catching piece:
My patch jacket … it’s just covered in patches from every single show that I’ve been to. It looks like a black denim jacket with patches all over it. I get a lot of comments when I wear that — good and bad. Quirkiest wardrobe item:
A pair of faux leather, thighhigh stockings. You know how you can get those tights that look like they’re fake leather? They’re like that but they’re thigh-highs so they have a lace top. And the toe is cut out. Wardrobe must-have: A black (full or pencil) skirt and my black Vans. Best purchase:
My Docs (Doc Martens). I like the modern Docs. I don’t like that big, chunky sole so … all I wear in the wintertime is my smaller-sole, ankle Docs. I live in those. I have a pair of black ones and a deep-cherry-red pair. The leather is so good, they’re so worn in. Regrets buying:
I have no regrets. I love everything. I regret the things that I didn’t buy. Loves to shop at: Blackbird Studios, Out of the Past, Vintage Soul Geek. Ridding her closet of:
Polka dots. I went through a polka-dot phase. I looked at my closet and I had four polka-dot dresses, I had skirts that were polka dots, tops that were polka dots … enough polka dots. Splurges on:
Shoes. Docs … and Vans. Anything by Vans. They’re so comfortable and they fit me so well. Beauty item you can’t live without:
Black eyeliner. Any type of colourstay so it lasts a little bit longer. And texturizing spray for my hair. Jackie Conick wears an H&M cherry blouse tucked into a full skirt with deer skull detail from Blackbird Studio. Bordello heels were ordered through Dungeon Divas. Anchor necklace is from Mexico, gemstone earrings are from Vintage Soul Geek.