LAUREN BAKER MOVES HER PRE-OWNED PIECES UPTOWN
Photographed by Mark Binks
Styling: Odessa Paloma Parker
Makeup & hair: Christine Calder (Ford Artists)
Model: Danielle Thomas (Elmer Olsen Model Management)
All garments & accessories from LAB Consignment
Story by Jarelle Gabison
Lauren Baker is the owner, curator and mastermind of LAB Consignment. She’s been in the fashion industry on and off for 15 years and began her consignment business in the Spring of 2009. She thought it was a great way for fashionable ladies to find great deals on designer pieces, and if they so desired, to profit financially as well.
Baker has an intrinsic eye for the best pieces, from true classics to modern-day gems. Recently, she took over another consignment store on Avenue Road, adding stock from her original Ossington Avenue shop (which will close later this month). She hopes to introduce an uptown audience to some exciting current designers like Isabel Marant, Vanessa Bruno and Jeremy Laing, while keeping present treasures by Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton.
Plaid caught up with Baker to learn more about the LAB philosophy and her own personal favourite pieces.
When talking about consigning, what does it mean? Where do you find the pieces for your collection?
Consigning is the act of selling someone else’s belongings on their behalf and splitting the profits. The pieces in my store find me in a way. I have regular consignors (over 175) who have found out about me through the press, my website or word of mouth and have made an appointment to come in to have me look at their items.
What is the difference between a vintage store and a consignment store?
Vintage and consignment are two different things. Vintage refers to the age of an item, consignment is an action. In LAB, the majority of my stock is made up of contemporary designer’s like Diane Von Furstenberg, Marc Jacobs, Moschino, Dior, Gucci, Stella McCartney and the like.
For people who are new to vintage clothing, what advice can you give them for wearing the style?
My only advice to people who are interested in the vintage look is know your body and what looks good on you. Go for classic pieces that will mix with all eras of clothing. Ironic garments are tired and immature; leave them in the thrift store.
Looking at the pieces LAB carries, what would you pair together for a night out?
A Giorgio Armani classic long wool coat with an A-line skirt; a Shipley & Halmos short, black bubble skirt and a vintage pattern blouse, paired with Azzedine Alaïa black patent sandals [and] thick black hose.
What is your favourite decade and why?
I’ve been watching a lot of Downton Abbey lately and I really love the styling of the teens, and then the movement into the ‘20s. Great fabrics, embellishments and beautiful designs.
LAB Uptown, 1956 Avenue Road, Toronto
LAB Downtown (closing February 29th, 2012), 15 Ossington Avenue, Toronto
