MAGPIE DESIGNS

Taking its inspiration from the exciting and vibrantly multicultural community that is developing along Toronto's Queen Street West, Magpie Designs is all about exploring new ways to think about textile and design in women's fashion. When you meet Cathy McDayter and Angela Mann; the rogue, irreverent duo behind the label, you understand why they are home sweet home at 884 Queen West! First you're struck by the judies in the front window donning their eye catching, left of centre outfits in the front window. Next you get tangled up in the racks of brilliant and edgy clothes that line the ruby red walls. Before you know it you've walked right into their design den in the back of the store — ahhh this smells like fashion!!

A partnership that began four years ago, McDayter and Mann's creations are not for those wanting to be the wallflower of the party. Their old school philosophy is simple: take a texture and push it to the limits. Transform it into something it's not supposed to have the power to be. Whatever your brain has been trained to think about denim, silk, linen, grommets, lace, buttons or anything else, it's about to be sucker punched and thrown to the curb. Tortured textures meet hand painted leather canvasses. Criss-crossed lace and grommets meets ruffled silk. Their slightly bohemian collection of jackets, shirts, skirts, pants, sweaters, belts, purses and bags are all custom-fitted to the customer. The result is a couture that incorporates influences from the many lands and cultures that have supplied thier textiles: India, Africa, Indonesia, Japan, Italy, and Ireland represented in a look that transcends any single cultural influence.

Each garment is unique, exotic and thoughtfully created to become a part of your look, and a reflection of your personality. Clothing to compliment your life - not the other way around.

WHERE

Magpie Designs is nestled in the heart of Toronto's "new" Queen Street West, a diverse and vibrant community of art galleries, exotic eateries, boutique hotels, and stylish leading-edge couture. Directly behind the store is Trinity-Bellwoods Park, a centre of community life that hums with excitement during the summer. The store is within a 5 minute walk of two of Toronto's newest and most happening places, the Drake Hotel and the Gladstone Hotel. Come experience the neighborhood!

Map to Magpie location

Back to top