Style sister
Owner of new boutique brings exclusive Asian brands to Kitsilano
Q So, how would you sum up Middle Sister? A It’s the culmination of my desire to express myself, inspired by the places I’ve travelled and the people and things I’ve fallen in love with.
Q What’s with the name Middle Sister?
A I am the middle sister. And a very typical one at that. I was always seeking approval from my older sister, while wearing her hand- me- downs and trying (and often failing) to establish some sort of dominance over my brother. One night, we were all sitting around brainstorming names for the store when my brother-in-law threw out the name Middle Sister and it just felt right.
Q What can shoppers expect to find in-store? What are some of the brands you carry?
A Middle Sister has a collection of thoughtfully curated pieces, touching on both modern styles and avant-garde fashion to give the shop a timeless quality. The atmosphere is less about trendsetting and more about evoking a feeling that speaks to my passion for the fashion and accessories I’ve found. Middle Sister has a highly edited selection of the season’s best fashion, from both internationally acclaimed and emerging new designers, as well as exclusive lines that can’t be found anywhere else in Vancouver. I will strive to keep my eye on the next big thing in fashion so that we can be the ultimate source for the best new styles of the season.
Q What are some of the brands that you stock at Middle Sister?
A Brands we carry include: Korean ( brands) Bourie, Enzuvan, LIE and Ti: Baeg; International brands Fobe, French Bull, Karine Sultan and Holly Yashi; and Canadian brands Bodybag By Jude from Montreal, Pink Door Design Lab and Karen Telio (both from Vancouver).
Q Several of the brands that you carry are exclusive to your store in Vancouver — and even Canada. Why was this important to you?
A I want to stand out and be unique. It’s important that I’m not like every other store in Vancouver. I love the boutique culture in Asia and Europe, and I feel that Vancouver is missing that demographic.
Q How do you discover new brands?
A Most of the brands that I carry I have discovered by travelling and exploring new countries and cities. I have also had the fortune in many cases to meet the designers and artists behind the brands. For example, when I was in Greece, before I even knew I was going to open Middle Sister, I stumbled upon this little boutique in Athens and discovered this gorgeous jewelry line that was different from anything I had ever seen. I spent a lot of time talking to the owner about the jewelry, about Athens, about Greek cuisine and on and on. Many months later when I decided to open up Middle Sister, I contacted that woman in Athens, and now I carry that line. That story is indicative of many of the collections I carry in my store, including the best underwear ever, which I discovered in Korea over 10 years ago.
Q What makes it different from what’s on offer at other Vancouver boutiques?
A Because most of my merchandise cannot be found in Vancouver, people are very drawn to something that is very different — women like the fact that there won’t be 50 other women in the city wearing the same outfit. The fashion in Korea is cutting edge and more aligned with European fashion, where contemporary lines meet classic prints and textured fabrics, so the clothing itself also stands out.
Q What is the price point of the items in your store?
A I have a very diverse price point. I have items that sell for under $20: cards, stationary, socks and underwear, and my highest priced items are winter coats that are between $ 700 and $800. Most of the clothing falls in the $100-to-$250 range, with jewelry in the $40-to-$150 range.