Shop Hop: Inside the New Neighbour Women Location

Sometimes, cozy is nice. And the compact store on Powell Street that had held Neighbour Women since 2015 was just that: a pleasant place to sift through racks of beautiful clothing for a few hours, discovering staples and statement pieces and artful objects: “what we admire,” as co-owner Karyna Schultz puts it simply. But in its new location on Cordova, the Gastown boutique has levelled up—think double the square footage, lofty ceilings and natural light—and that artfully curated collection of womenswear now has a little elbow room.

“It just elevates everything we have,” says Schultz, who runs Neighbour’s mini-empire with husband Saager Dilawri. The home-goods shop Neighbour Object remains on Powell, while the menswear-focused Neighbour is over on Water Street. “It’s funny how a space can just give everything room to breathe and highlight everything we carry.”

And what Schultz has in the new location is just as delightful (and international) as the selection in their former spot. Rails hang with eccentric, pleated shirts from Berlin’s Julia Heuer, oversized wool sweater vests from Antwerp’s Howlin’ and drapey black tees from Parisian brand Lemaire.

The new space is a former Union Bank—a single-storey Edwardian gem built in 1911. Designers Olivia Bull and Dan Garrod of Oddo gave the interiors a refresh (crisp white paint, a valance of cotton muslin along the ceiling, rotary-cut fir millwork) to create a clean backdrop for the pieces on offer. Chic furniture like Charlotte Perriand stools and a Cassina Soriana sofa designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa were selected not only for their design sensibility but also for their backstory. “We worked with Inform Interiors to choose furnishings that were from either female designers or husband-and-wife teams,” explains Schultz. No wonder, then, that when you walk into this space, you can instantly feel the love.

Best Bets: What Schultz and Our Editors Are Loving Right Now

Editor’s Pick: Sun Buddies Barret glasses ($225). Somewhere between oval and square lives the new hot shape for lenses.

Schultz’s Pick: Eleph School shirt in Fuzzy Flower ($530).“She’s a really cool Dutch designer who tries to use as many upcycled materials as she can,” says Schultz.

Editor’s Pick: YS by Yohji Yamamoto half-sleeve cropped cardigan ($1,105). Nubbly and slouchy, it’s a cardi that’s light enough for spring but still comfy-cozy.

Schultz’s Pick: Wanze crinkled nylon set with metallic threads ($425 for skirt, $375 for shirt). “The fabrics are great,” says Schultz. “And it’s all made in Canada.”

Editor’s Pick: Ina Seifart Perlin  glasses holder ($60). Is this the sign you’ve been waiting for to enter your Granny Chic era?

Schultz’s Pick: Casey Casey Ella dress ($1,870). “The silhouettes are forgiving and flattering,” says Schultz.

Editor’s Pick: Lemaire ballerina shoes ($785). Those trending split-toe Tabi slippers aren’t for everyone; this is a hip square-toed flat option without the squeam factor.