A Spirit Expressed
A Spirit Expressed
Deeper than clothes or business, my Dad was about helping people be the star of their life, a star in their own right. From first dates to Wedding Days and first gigs to sold-out shows, I watched my Dad get people ready, with charm, laughter, and wisdom, but not just their clothes, he helped get them ready. He always had some poignant advice or a much needed boost to their confidence or just would make them laugh. Almost every day I have the good fortune of hearing heartfelt stories from wonderful people about what my Dad and Cabaret means to them. This is not new though.
I’ve grown up in my family’s stores since about four years old. It is amazing the variety of people you meet in a vintage store. Hearing the tales and praise of my Dad had seemed so natural to me over my life that I think I may have taken it for granted. In this year without him though, my gratitude and reverence for the opportunity to carry on this special place, Cabaret, for our clients, and my family has deepened.
My Dad, Thomas Drayton, was an extraordinary man that embodied the essence of life and encapsulated much of that spirit in Cabaret. When you enter Cabaret it almost feels like a theatre, a stage. My family would sometimes joke that it was just Dad’s stage, a chance for him to perform, but I feel that the truth is, he hoped to bring out the star in all of his guests, from starving artists and prom goers to the many famous celebrities. Customers have told me that they would bring in their depressed friends just to cheer them up. One client said “I’m just glad to know a place like this exists.” Maybe it’s the nostalgia that all the vintage stirs up, or the way it is presented, but it seems that people feel something beyond this, an intangible that’s woven into the walls of Cabaret that my Dad started. Now we strive to continue this legacy and maintain the spirit in everything we do, so we remain a special and cherished place for all you stars of your own life.
Thank you Dad
New Arrivals for this week
Also check out our New Arrivals gallery for close-ups of some of this week’s featured vintage clothing items.
Take a look at the gallery here.
“No problem, I can meet you by the red carpet in a couple of hours.”
In Toronto this week, this is a sentence that most people are likely to utter than any other time of the year. With the Toronto International Film Festival in town not only is our fair city a haven for the glitterati, but it also gives us local folk a chance to shine as well. TIFF boasts a stellar lineup of stars here to premiere their new flicks, and an extra bonus that gives a leg up from other festivals; a record amount of tickets available to the public. It is much easier to get festival tickets to TIFF screenings than Cannes or Sundance. So when your BFF lands tickets to a hot screening at Roy Thompson hall this evening there is only one question – what to wear?
The staple for theatregoers this week seems to be basic black. Its everywhere from the media in the trenches to the lovelies on the red carpet. Emerging from one of the most colourful summers in years, Fall ’08 seems to have seen a resurgence of the non-colour. Though it has turned quite cold in a short amount of time here in Toronto, there are still many bearing their arms with lovely sheath dresses and low décolletage. However, for the more adventurous Cabaret has outfitted some red-carpet bodies in a little vintage class that has definably stood out. Check out our gallery for some choice pics.
So what to do if you are looking last minute for something to make you ready to face film festival crowds and parties? Start with some comfortable footwear. With TIFF, you never know where you will find yourself…and with whom. Think classic and functional as even with tickets or passes you may end up waiting in line for your time to shine. For hair, as most of us still have day jobs in addition to being a fashion enthusiast so simply saying “go to your stylist for a blow-out” is not an option for most. Most likely you will barely have enough time to get home and shower before you have to get to the show much less get to the salon. Go for a natural, clean look as it’s the fastest to achieve and the least likely to turn into a pumpkin at midnight just when the post-screening party is getting started. When looking for the perfect outfit; think again comfy and clean. Skip the frou-frou and go for classic lines, and fun eclectic pieces to make you stand out. This is the time to have fun! And remember, when you walk down the streets – strut it.