Alexander McQueen Opens Its First Canadian Store (And Pop-Up) In Toronto

After years of only being in the Canadian market through specialized luxury retailers, British luxury fashion house Alexander McQueen has finally opened its first Canadian store in Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre. Hot on the heels of the brand’s triumphant return to an in-person runway show this past October, the brand’s entry into the Canadian market is well timed. Though the pandemic is not yet behind us, life in Toronto has a renewed energy about it, and the fashion-forward of us seem more and more eager to push our respective boundaries of conventional fashion. Shoppers stepping into the new McQueen boutique will find men’s and women’s ready-to-wear as well as accessories — innovative and edgy pieces that the brand is best known for.

While the clothing, bags, and boots are the stars of the show, the store itself is an immersive, luxury experience — a destination featuring dark and light woods on the floors and walls which draw from the brand’s interest in nature. The brand-new store’s design follows the same concept as that of the house, conceived by creative director Sarah Burton in collaboration with renowned Chilean architect Smiljan Radic.

Alexander McQueen Yorkdale store in post

A new cladding “cotton-crete” — a cotton-based papier mâché was developed specifically for the new store while changing rooms are housed in glass cylinders lined with fabric inspired by artwork which was designed by the Alexander McQueen studio in London.

Walking in you are immediately transported into the world of Alexander McQueen and can instantly sense that you are there as the house’s design and vision are ever-present — a blend of traditional and contemporary that perfectly encapsulates the brand.

Alexander McQueen Yorkdale store in post

The fashion label didn’t stop there in its trek to enter the Canadian scene. The brand opened a pop-up, also conceived by Burton and crafted primarily in wood, entirely dedicated to one of the brand’s bags: the Curve bag — known by its harness detailing and uniquely modern shape. The Toronto-based pop-up is also located in Yorkdale mall and is part of a series of exclusive pop-ups opening worldwide. The temporary boutique is set to honour the bag — which is a new pillar of the house — from December 2nd until December 23rd so last-minute Christmas shopping just got a whole lot easier.

Alexander McQueen Yorkdale pop up in post
Alexander McQueen Yorkdale pop up in post

Whether you’re shopping for someone who is up to date on the latest trends and is looking for something current and in-season or someone who appreciates more timeless and classic designs, the Curve bag pop-up has every iteration of the bag — and something for just about anyone on your list. And for those looking to shop ready-to-wear, luckily the store and pop up are under one roof.