address: 1-1440 Wellington St. West, Ottawa
telephone: 613.724.4874
hours of operation: Mon-Fri 10:30am to 7pm/Sat 10a.m. to 5p.m./Sun 12 to 5p.m.
payment methods: Cash, debit, MasterCard, Visa
directions: Transit service to the Westboro area is very good. Your best bet is the #2 Bayshore from downtown, which typically runs every 15 minutes. You can take it practically to the Hush doorstep as there’s a stop right outside.

HUSH co-owner Alison Hughes sums it up perfectly: “[It’s] your closet’s best kept secret.” I really can’t help but believe her. HUSH is the fashion-conscious working woman’s answer to finding reasonably priced, good-quality clothing and accessories that are suitable for both business and pleasure. Each piece is a one-of-a-kind gem with a more than reasonable price tag, thanks to the boutique’s consignment approach.

Between February and August each year, this trendy little shop in Ottawa’s Wellington Village accepts gently used (and brand new) clothing from local fashionistas looking to make some room in their closets. Clothes that make it on the racks are no more than two years old, and they are all in line with current trends. New stock arrives on the sales floor on an almost daily basis, and you won’t see pieces on the racks for longer than three months.

“Our approach is to make fashion more accessible”, Alison says. “By shopping at HUSH, people are able to buy things they might not be able to afford elsewhere.” The boutique carries a well-rounded collection of brand names including the high-enders like Coach, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Prada; work staples like Mexx, Banana Republic, Tristan and America and Club Monaco; and local and little-known brands. They have a denim collection with all the big names like Seven for all Mankind, Citizens of Humanity and Rock and Republic, but the prices are much more reasonable than you would see in a department store. A pair of Sevens goes for about $95 at HUSH, versus the $250+ dollars you would have to shell out for a brand new pair. Sizes typically range from 0 to 18, and XXS to XL.

If you’re looking for a cluttered vintage shop where you’re expecting to dig through endless piles in search of the perfect 1950s housedress, HUSH is not the place for you. This store is clean, well organized, and ultra-modern. In fact, it’s the first consignment store I’ve ever come across with an online inventory and database. And, if you fill your boots and still want more, you can always check their new boutique next door–HUSH Little Baby—for maternity and baby clothing.
profile and photography by Tracie LeBlanc

Christel (pronounced Christelle) Huybregts is one of Montreal’s premiere sultry sexy burlesque performers. Originally from Calgary, she moved to Montreal in 2005 only to find a community of burlesque entertainers willing to welcome her into the fold. Starting out as a cigarette girl with Diary of a Lost Circus and at Worn’s release parties, six months later she found herself taking on the persona of Lola Lamb (her stage name) and performing at the Fringe Festival. She’s now an independent burlesque entertainer whose performance will leave ladies and gents in awe (and a little turned on).

What drew you to burlesque in the beginning?
I saw an Oops Johnny show in 2005 at Café Cleopatra. I didn’t really know anything about burlesque at the time, but there was a girl performing and she was just incredible. It was a plus size woman who was doing a very sensual performance. She had the crowd in the palm of her hand and it was so impressive. It feels like I kind of just came to Montreal and fell into it, but at the same time I also grew up listening to a lot of old music like Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Duke Ellington, and imitating Marilyn Monroe.

How does it feel when you’re on stage?
Its nerve wrecking a little bit, trying to pay attention to steps and making sure everything goes right, and comes off at the right time. I haven’t had any malfunctions yet, but I’m nervous waiting for the day my bra doesn’t unclip on time and I’m stuck trying to get it off during my finale. The cheering and the faces smiling and the ‘wow’, they’re all looking at you, it’s cool. I suppose it’s also a safe place to assert my sense of womanhood, being in control and aware of my sexuality and comfortable with it.

How would you describe the burlesque scene in Montreal?
Really welcoming. I haven’t been doing it very long but the people who I’ve been working with have been amazing at helping out with choreography, song ideas, a second opinion, or anything like that.

Why do you think burlesque has made a recent comeback in fashion?
Well, obviously, burlesque has been pretty underground for awhile, the new burlesque stuff anyways. It’s been kind of punk and I think fashion looks towards the underground to find inspiration. It’s a good style for fashion to cling on to because it can sell, it’s sexy. I also think there is some kind of nostalgia in imitating the past.

How would you describe your burlesque style?
My burlesque style is my own cheesy take on cheesy musicals and sappy ‘square’ music. I’m really inspired by the fourties and fifties style, but don’t limit costume choices to be solely dictated by that. I find I’m also often inspired by Broadway musicals. I am not trained in singing, acting or dancing, so I try to keep it simple. I’d love to do something with country music. Country music isn’t exactly sexy, but it speaks to me and is part of my background. I think in the neo-burlesque world it’s all about finding the things that make you feel something, and conveying that feeling to the audience. The fun part is trying to make it sexy at the same time!

Lola Lamb’s Top 10 Montreal Burlesque Performers:
1. Mystery woman from the Oops Johnny show.
2 - tied between Seska Lee, Luci Furr and Miss Sugarpuss
5. Mina Lafleur (she is in Toronto but I’m counting her anyways!)
6. Bobby Strumphose
7. Mr. Enorme
8. Jinx Jezebelle
9. Colin from Bad Taste Burlesque
10. Nat King Pole

photography by Danny Portieous
interview by Melissa Brazier

previous WORN ASKS:
Jen Anisef of Toronto Craft Alert
Amy Johnson of Wooden Apples

subscribe to Worn Fashion Journal here.

location: 97 Roncesvalles Avenue
phone number: 416.516.1333
hours: winter:Sun-Mon closed/Tues–Fri 11–7/Sat 11–6
summer:Mon closed/ Tues–Fri 11–7/Sat 11–6/Sun noon–5
payment methods: Visa, Debit and Cash
directions:

After a career in fashion photography, Frock owner Cathryn Dajka decided to enter the world of retail. Having opened the doors almost five years ago, Frock has already become a neighbourhood fixture, aimed to fill a growing appetite for a fashion-focused ‘corner store’. Like other small stores in the heart of Polish Roncesvalles, Frock has a sixties wooden retail display counter and full wall windows that look onto the street. Instead of finding glass jars filled with penny candy and an assortment of canned goods the shop is strewn with clothing and accessories. On the lower lever of the shop is Frockhead, a small and intimate hair studio (by appointment only) cuts are around $60 for women and $25 for kids.

Frock boasts an assortment of styles and brands. In this mishmash environment, vintage-inspired items blend in seamlessly next to sleek modern office wear. Frock houses a collection of local independent lines, larger Canadian brands and a mindful assortment of international lines. Interestingly, it was these larger Canadian brands at Frock that really caught my attention. The friendly and well-informed staff was more than happy to give me the rundown on any line and explain why they have decided to carry it. For instance, Montreal’s Matt and Nat is not only a vegan-friendly company but now is also an environmentally sustainable one as their new lines are made from recycled materials. Choice pieces by Dex Clothing Co. (also out of Montreal), Toronto’s OK47, and Montreal’s Me(el) (Industry’s higher end line) are consistantly stocked. Smaller local lines are included as well, Allison Wells’ handmade Jewelry line Paper Snake caught my eye. Wells uses small scissors-shaped charms to create ‘charming’ earrings and necklace pendants.

In addition to all these Canadian brands, Frock also has an impressive array of smaller international lines, positioning it as a competitor for larger stores, notably Sweden’s Odd Molly. With a corporate culture of ethical awareness, Odd Molly creates sleek and graceful handmade garments with a certain sense of Swedish nostalgia. Frock’s prices are reasonable and their sale prices are amazing. The space is small and they seem happy to get rid of last season’s stock to make room for the next. In mixing pieces by local designers and craftspeople with a global fashion and environmental awareness, Frock does justice to its general store roots while continuing to focus on neighborhood newcomers.
profile by Vanessa Vanzieleghem
photography by Melissa Kuril

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