AREA+001
AREA+001 is a high-end menswear store that deals in exclusive streetwear from designers worldwide.
With a stock list that rarely dips below the $500 range, AREA+001 is the type of store that gears itself toward the discerning (read: well-moneyed) type of fashion enthusiast. The 1,200 square-foot store by Jakub Szczepaniak and longtime nightlife promoter Sergio Senatore, the store deals exclusively in brands that distribute to a limited number of retailers, A.K.A. rare stock that usually can't be found elsewhere in the city.
The front of the store showcases more versatile, everyday wear. There's lots of pieces from the Parisian brand Y/Project. You'll find a number of cozy pieces like oversized sweaters and jeans averaging around $500.
Coveted Japanese denim and sweatshirts come by way of Undecorated, which specializes mostly in organic textiles.
You'll also find raincoats ($405) from Stutterheim and pieces from the Parisian menswear brand-meets-publishing house Études.
The centre display showcases only a number of shoes from the Dutch brand ETQ Amsterdam shoes, which range between 460 to $500.
The back section of the store is where you'll find particularly hard-to-find brands, with a pretty clear distinction from the front area in terms of palette and price (everything here is $1000 and upwards).
Meant for the "intellectual or evolved client," this area carries brands like Archivio J.M. Ribot, with a current collection featuring pieces from the Italian designer ranging around $1000, none of which you'll be able to find online.
From the Belgian designer Jan-Jan Van Essche, there's sweaters, pants, and some toques made from a mix of natural fabrics like wool and hemp.
Giving the overall minimalist store a little flare is the change room in the back featuring work from Toronto graffiti artist Duro The Third. Look closely and you'll be able to spot a number of Toronto street names.
Hector Vasquez