JOURNAL
that which inspires patriciagrace . . . .
MARRAKSHI LIFE wants shoppers to take a risk … to focus on the craft and quality of items, and support brands that are changing the fashion industry and borders of gender. Having connected with the brand over instagram during lockdown, last fall, at the invitation of the owners of MARRAKSHI LIFE, I travelled to Morocco to visit their atelier. There I made a selection of fabrics and styles for the collection now presented at EWANIKA. It was a privilege to visit behind the scenes where local artisans work, drawing on centuries of local sartorial know how.
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Carolyn Gora #theewanikawoman
Carolyn Gora was one of the first customers to visit EWANIKA after the initial lockdown ended in late spring of this year and the shop was open by appointment only. Carolyn has a personal style, an easy manner and an adventurous spirit that makes you want to know more about her. Trained both as a nurse and a lawyer, she is the Director of Professional Conduct at the College of Nurses of Ontario. With such a demanding job in healthcare, we wanted to know more about how she was managing during the pandemic – how it affected her work, her personal life and her sense of herself. She generously shared some thoughts about why she is driven to do the work she does, and how she balances that with a desire for self-expression, and a need for self-care . . . . read more on the journal here.
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During the fall of 2020, when it was hard to see each other, we brought some EWANIKA to our customers. We welcomed them inside the store, to the surrounding streets, and to the nearby park. We offered a vision of a new coat, white boots, a stylish turtleneck and discreet jewelry to adorn one’s everyday uniform. Refuge was to be found here, where one could dress up, sit and reflect, because as Diana Vreeland once said, ‘real elegance is in the mind’.
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EWANIKA is thrilled to have hosted an in-store installation by Heather Goodchild, a Canadian multidisciplinary artist, exhibiting since 2001. Using textile, ceramic, installation and painting, Goodchild’s practice explores archetypal symbols found in folk art, traditional music and mythology as well as the way objects and interiors can act as storytelling tools.
Goodchild’s installation ‘I’d rather be working’ was first exhibited at the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum in 2016. In it she explores how work can contribute to personal well-being, a theme previously addressed in the twelve hour performance ‘Made it then, Make it again’ at the Art Gallery of Ontario in 2012. At EWANIKA Goodchild’s oversized dolls were grouped around a table, manufacturing ceramics. On closer inspection, one realizes that they are making their own porcelain heads — work and camaraderie act to form their identities. Placing this installation at EWANIKA highlights manufacturing within community as well as the shifting hierarchy of artistic disciplines (October, 2019).
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Jess Merber #theewanikawoman
On a recent August morning, a few weeks after having moved her family of five into a new home, Jess Merber invited me to coffee. Over espresso and scones, we touched upon her broad-ranging career in communications covering publishing, health care and banking. Her stories quickly revealed how she has refined the art of translating complex ideas into crisp, well-articulated messaging. ‘I help businesses explain complicated things so that their employees can do (them).’ Here there seemed to be a parallel to Jess’ approach to life - she values the elegance of simplicity, meaningful craftsmanship and the confidence that comes from deliberate practice . . . . click here to read more on the journal.
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Daniela Bosco #theewanikawoman
Stylist and creative consultant Daniela Bosco’s sensibility is clear in the work she does. Her signature eye can be seen in editorials, campaigns and brand work. Previously she was the owner behind the beloved, and much missed, Chasse Gardée. It was more than just a shoe store - Daniela invited you in to have an experience. Immediately after the closure of the store she had a journey that was both emotional and that held moments of uncertainty. She continues with determination and strength, not just in her own path, but in supporting others . . . click here to read more on the journal.
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Lisa Santana #theewanikawoman
I first met Lisa Santana when she joined the team at Zapata, a women’s clothing line in the late 80’s through early 90’s here in Toronto that offered a unique perspective in the realm of Canadian fashion. Our shared beliefs about style and clothing, not just fashion in and of itself, has led to an almost 30 year understanding and friendship. Today Lisa partners with her husband Kelvin Goddard at Unitfive Design Inc., a studio founded by them in 1996. Their decades old exploration of metalwork, combining traditional techniques with modern manufacturing technologies, has them producing custom designs of signature lighting, store fixtures, furniture and sophisticated objects for retail, hospitality and private clients worldwide . . . . click here to read more on the journal.
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Rei Kawakubo, a Japanese designer who began her label, Comme des Garçons, in 1969, was someone whose work and clothes felt outside my understanding, that of someone growing up in Winnipeg at that time. In the 80’s, a time of fluorescent colours and triangular shapes with shoulder pads, she presented widows weeds on the runway. Her sartorial ideas were statements, not entirely comfortable or safe. I was intrigued, but didn’t have the access or vocabulary to have a conversation, let alone see or experience firsthand the feelings her clothes might express. This past spring, the Metropolitan Museum of Art introduced an exhibition of Kawakubo’s work, the first show of a living fashion designer since an Yves Saint Laurent exhibit in 1983, bringing together 40 years of her designs for an extraordinary parade . . . . click here to read more on the journal.
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Jennifer Stewart #theewanikawoman
With a degree in Art History specializing in 20th century European art, Jennifer Stewart has always had an eye for beautiful things. An early interest in the arts led to a fascination with acting, story-telling and film. After over a decade of working at CBC, lastly as Executive Director of Feature Films, she transitioned several years ago and took on the position of Director of Partnerships at the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. Living in close proximity to EWANIKA . . . . . click here to read more on the journal.
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I had never been to Mexico. Not one for sun bathing, or the sun in general, I had not made it a priority to visit. But I am already thinking about a way to travel there again, my main impetus being my visit to the Coqui Coqui Perfumery, Residence and Spa in Valladolid. Built in the 16th century, a secluded one-room retreat sits atop their flagship perfumery, and it inspired me in a way that surprised me . . . . . click here to read more on the journal.
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Nicole Campbell #theewanikawoman
Nicole Campbell is fiercely intelligent, charming and witty. She has piercing green eyes that come alive with purpose and narrow with intensity: when you talk to Nicole she really listens. She also really answers. Her extensive background of professional pursuits (various high-level sports, clinical psychology research, along with wine-making, tasting and buying across multiple continents) provide a wealth of stories and knowledge that are all somehow interrelated. . . . . . . . click here to read more on the journal.
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If you’ve ever spoken to someone who is in the thick of producing something that inspires them, you’ll understand how contagious that feeling can be. The excitement flowing from Rachel Low stemmed from her upcoming festival, Eatable, a four-day film showcase that pairs food and movies for a truly fulfilling multi-sensory experience. Though still in its infancy, Eatable’s second year of existence is far from amateur. Rachel as Executive Director and her team have drawn upon their network to bring in some of the most prominent names in Toronto’s food scene. . . . . click here to read more on the journal.
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Upon entering the studio of artist Joy Walker, there is an intangible sensation of feeling enveloped. The airy white cube, which she has inhabited for 13 years boasts a lofted ceiling with a skylight that rotates a playful square of light around her studio like a sundial. (She has previously compared the studio space to the feeling of being in a James Turrell artwork, it’s easy to understand why.) The walls are dabbled with her works alongside sketches of a more physical dimension. . . click here to read more on the journal.
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Our inaugural invitation for #theewanikawoman series featuring an illustration by Joy Walker. A limited edition poster is available for sale at the boutique.