Toronto Designer Returns Home to Spark Retail Scene in Summerhill

Tanya Taylor, a Toronto-based designer who gained international recognition in New York City, is bringing her eponymous brand back to its hometown. Taylor's brand has dressed celebrities like Michelle Obama, Taylor Swift, and Beyoncé, and now she's opening a store in the up-and-coming Summerhill neighborhood.

Speaking about her decision, Taylor says, 'Summerhill reminds me of the West Village in New York City, where we've opened other stores. The neighborhood feels like a community, and that's exactly what I want my retail space to embody.'

The new 3,000-square-foot store, which opens on October 1, will feature a fireplace and a marble kitchen area, designed to feel like a residential space. Taylor notes, 'My goal with retail is always to open in places where I’m going to learn consistent information, and where I’m going to understand the life of the person walking in.'

Residents and digital nomads in Toronto can expect to see more local designers like Taylor setting up shop in the city. The expanding retail scene in Summerhill is attracting not only established brands but also new ones, such as Kaelen Haworth's Absolutely Fabrics, which recently opened a massive flagship store nearby.