A bit of Italy on Georgia
Vetrina boutique offers European fashion in the heart of Vancouver
You don’t have to hop on a plane in order to shop Italian style. In fact, you don’t even have to leave the downtown core.
Rachel Kapsalis, the owner of the Vancouver-based boutique Vetrina, has curated a selection of unique and stylish threads by Italian brands (and others), in her Georgia Street shop. And she’s been doing it more nearly 20 years.
Kapsalis recently chatted with Postmedia News about her store, her love for European brands and why exclusivity is key in a world of big-box retailers.
When and why did you first open Vetrina?
I opened Vetrina in the summer of 1998. Quorum, which is for men’s fashions, was already open below and I decided to take over the space upstairs. I had been working in another field and was really ready for a change. I’d always loved fashion, and as I’m Greek, I’ve always loved Mediterranean food, fashion and style. I wanted to bring some of that, in particular Italian style, to Vancouver and give local ladies some unique clothing options that they couldn’t find anywhere else in the city.
For those who aren’t familiar, what do you sell in the boutique?
We sell European fashion and accessories, with a focus on Italian designers. We have a lot of dresses, gowns and formal wear, so it really is a great place to come if you have a special event like a wedding, party or gala. But we also carry unique business wear pieces and more casual options, including jeans, sweaters, costume jewelry, handbags and that kind of thing. I even have some athleisure wear this season.
You stock many exclusive European brands. How do you choose them?
I go on two buying trips to Europe every year and, I have to say, that I choose mainly by instinct. I see something and it just feels right. I’ve been doing it for almost 20 years now so you do get a sense of what works, what will sell. And some pieces are so gorgeous, so special, you just have to have them. Because I have a close relationship with many of my clients, I’ll also buy pieces that I know they’ll love, or pieces that I know they’re looking for. Say, a beautiful trench coat or something. I’ll pick that up and think yes, that’s perfect for X, she’ll love that. Or if a client tells me they have an important event coming up, say a wedding, mother-of-the-bride, or birthday, I buy with that in mind as well.
And why is it important for you to offer items that aren’t available at most other boutiques/department stores?
Vancouver is small. Yes, it’s growing, but it’s still small. And my clients love to have exclusive pieces that they won’t see on anyone else. They count on me to offer them something fresh and unique. I’ll often only buy one size of something too, just to ensure that there is that exclusivity. Not everything of course, just a few statement pieces. A lot of my clients are busy, like everyone else. But they trust that when I call them to come in, I have pre-selected pieces, especially for them. It saves them time and gets them things they love.
Who is your target customer?
My target customer is a woman who loves fashion, quality and appreciates really good service. We take great care in ensuring our customers find the best pieces for them, and that they really fit. We have in-house tailoring, which makes a big difference. And we welcome outside alterations, too. Our customer also wants pieces that will last a long time, that she can wear for many, many seasons. This isn’t fast fashion. These are items that you will have in your closet for years and they should always make you smile.
What’s new for the season?
We are carrying a number of new lines this spring, including artistic, whimsical handbags from Annalisa Caricato, the most adorable fashion socks by Pierre Mantoux — Lady Gaga was even seen wearing a pair that we have — and a new line, Creazioni Antonella Haute Couture, which designs some beautiful evening gowns, truly special. In terms of trends, we’re seeing a lot of lace, white, bright colours — lots of red and pink, for example — and wider jeans.
What is the price point of pieces in your boutique?
Most pieces we sell are $400 and up. Handbags range from about $400-$700. The socks and some accessories are under $100.