It’s Cupcakes and High Fashion at Abe&Mary’s
What’s peculiar about Montreal is that all the fashion finds in the city are not located in one area, it’s spread all across the island. So my friend and I trekked from downtown all the way to De La Savanne metro, and walked a good 10 mins to the muchly touted Abe & Mary’s. Hailed a great find by The Constant Shopper and one blog on Loulou Magazine, I was hoping the exercise was worth it.
Indeed it’s an upbeat and great looking store, not as much as posh as it is more of a weird meld between a novelty store and a fashion shop. Their small coffee shop looks like it has exploded into a Bonbonniere decor with cupcakes and candies galore to sell. The first floor mainly contains the kitschy novelties of books, original postcards, funktastic converse shoes, and a large collection of candy/ice cream debauchery of beauty products. Throw in a few designer accessories, like Tom Ford sunglasses in plain view and couture jeans running up at $200 a pop, and you’ll get Abe & Mary’s.
Further back there’s a collection of casual wear of hoodies, knit jackets and sweaters, jeans, and tshirts, but the astonishing expensive price will make you think twice about purchasing them.
Upstairs is the more expensive couture collections of Matthew Williamson (also check out Prince’s music video featuring Williamson’s latest collection), Juicy Couture, St. John’s and so on for clothes. Marc Jacobs for shoes, vintage Chanel bags, and some golden treasures from Michael Kors. Sequins are hot this season, so you’ll be finding all kinds of dresses and tops of the shiniest shades. “Oh I love tacky gold jewelry!” my friend blurted as she made her way over to the accessory shelf full of gold bracelets ($45), necklaces and hair clips.
Currently there’s a sale going on at 70% off on a lot of items, so you might find a bargain or two. Its location surrounded by car dealerships makes Abe & Mary’s an unlikely place for such a high end store. Still, it was bustling with clients so the location may be unusual, but it hasn’t stopped them from getting a steady flow of clients.
“I have to call my friend. I wonder if she knows about this store,” one woman pondered at the cash.
If you’re willing to spend a pretty penny on over elsewhere than Holt Renfrew and Ogilvy’s, Abe & Mary’s would be right up your alley, otherwise for the casual onlooker it’s a far walk out.
