Scent and style at Pink Tartan

The Pink Tartan boutique in Toronto is an expression of designer Kim Newport-Mimran’s personal style, from its elegant monochromatic decor and chic city separates to the irresistible perfumes that line the shop shelves.

The historic building situated at 77 Yorkville Avenue in Toronto was originally built in 1837. It was later redesigned by internationally acclaimed designer Diego Burdi of Burdifilek to be the flagship store for the Toronto-based fashion label Pink Tartan.

The Pink Tartan boutique

Since its ribbon cutting in 2010, a trip into Pink Tartan has been like taking a step into Kimberly Newport-Mimran’s own home. The 47-year-old designer uses the brand’s 3,200-square-foot location to showcase her label’s fashion collection, but also cherry-picked accessories, books, fragrances and various objets of style.

The store has bright walls hung with striking black and white photos and art. You might, at first impression, even think you’d stepped into a chic art gallery. Then you see the clothes.

Make your way up a short flight of stairs and you’re greeted by an open, airy space lined with elegant and ordered merchandise. In the middle of the room sits a perfectly curated selection of items—folded sweaters, elegant shoes and handbags—not too crowded, all beautiful and all colour-coordinated. The lower level of the heritage building stocks Pink Tartan’s latest collection along with other labels such as Mark Cross, Rochas, Tabitha Simmons and Paul Andrew.

Beyond the fashion, there are tea tins, blankets, books, luxurious stationery, mugs and Ortigia bath salts, soaps and scents.

“The concept store is my edit of all things in the market: fashion, books, fragrance, beauty,” says Newport-Mimran. She buys “products that inspire” to round out the shopping experience. “I follow my nose not the trend,” says the designer of her approach. “Fragrance shouldn’t overpower; a lingering fragrance should trigger a fond memory.”

Kim’s hand-picked perfumes

Lushly scented candles and nose-charming fragrances line shelves and tables in the flagship: brands such as Olfactive Studio, Regimes des Fleurs, Leaves of Trees, and Cire Trvdon. 

Upon entry, you’re greeted with an artfully merchandised white bookshelf housing jewellery, purses, fashion books and a set of Régime des Fleurs perfumes in vintage-inspired glass bottles in modern colour combinations. Think cobalt and red; navy and chartreuse against pristine white.
These luxurious handmade perfumes will make you feel like you’re walking through the Gardens of Versailles in France. One of the must-try scents is Floralia: full of tuberose, iris and jasmine notes. Régime des Fleurs Floralia, $515 (8.5 ml)

Moving further into the store, you discover Newport-Mimran’s favourite fragrance, Olfactive Studios Chambre. “My personal favourite seems to be the best seller,” she says.

The fragrance is sensual, even mysterious, with notes of patchouli, leather and plum. What’s different about these fragrances is that each is inspired by a photograph which is displayed in the store.

What about Newport-Mimran’s husband, Joe Mimran—the Joe, of course, of Joe Fresh, and original creator of Club Monaco? His favourite fragrance is Ortigia Orange Blossom. An aromatic citrus with neroli, petitgrain and woods.
Olfactive Studios Chambre Noire, $175 (50 ml); Ortigia Orange Blossom, $74 (100 ml)

The Candles

A wall of white shelves is dedicated to Cire Trvdon candles; they’re lined up perfectly on a wooden board with glass bell jars, enabling full-on sensory impressions of the scents under glass. Newport-Mimran’s favourite candle is the brand’s Ernesto, which smells richly of amber, leather and tobacco.
Cire Trvdon Ernesto Candle, $115

All products available at Pink Tartan, 77 Yorkville Avenue, Toronto. www.pinktartan.ca

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