Earlier this week, we were out in Toronto, Canada to celebrate 15 years of partnership with our good friends at Uncle Otis, the city's premier menswear boutique. We caught up with the store's owner and good friend Donnell Enns, as well as General Manager and Senior Buyer Vince Lai to discover a bit more about the origins of Uncle Otis, the menswear scene in Toronto, plus the guys' favourite haunts...
When did you first get into the menswear business and how did the idea of Uncle Otis come about?
DE: Roger O'Donnell, the keyboardist from The Cure actually started the shop as an upper tier streetwear boutique in 1991. I worked there for a few years and took the reins in 2000. We slowly evolved from niche streetwear to men's contemporary and it's been an absolutely fun ride since.
VL: I first started modelling for another boutique here in Toronto. I've always shopped at Uncle Otis since I was a teen through skateboarding and buying Stüssy. I used to be a teacher, at high school for Biology, Chemistry, and Math. In the summer of 2014 a friend who worked at the shop recommended that I applied to work at Uncle Otis. I've worked my way up and Donnell has a great deal of faith in me, which I'm extremely grateful for.
What inspires the Uncle Otis aesthetic/curation?
DE: A boutique is normally a reflection of its owner, and I have a passion for timeless design. I’m pretty low key so the effortless vibe has always been there. Add some current contemporary to the mix and that sums it up. This is why I appreciate Oli, he combines those elements very well.
VL: I feel that appreciation for quality is what drives the store. We work with so many great brands and designers that we feel inspired by working with them.
How would you describe your personal style?
DE: Not fussy, simple, lasting.
VL: Function over fashion always. I want to be comfortable regardless of the weather. I love to be prepared for whatever the day brings, I don't take risks when it comes to weather. Right now I'm a little ivy, a little prep. I enjoy mixing a bit of vintage into my kits. Menswear is quite transparent - it's easy to see where things are derived from, but I try to avoid looking like I stepped out of a period piece movie set!
What do you love doing most in your downtime?
DE: Riding my motorcycle alongside the Grand river outside of the city, landing at a café to enjoy a coffee. Being on the bike is a wonderful escape from the day to day.
VL: With the family up to two kids and a dog I don't get much down time anymore. But I enjoy taking my dog, Ollie, to High Park, It's a beautiful oak Savannah Forest, and I love starting my days there. And at night just being with my wife and a glass of whiskey.
What do you like most about Toronto?
DE: Toronto is highly culturally diverse, so I would say the food options we have are amazing. Among others, we have outstanding Chinese and Italian food in our city.
VL: The overall sense of community. It's a very small city in respect to every other metropolitan in the world. And like Donnell said, because the city is so multicultural you can enjoy the best cuisines from around the world.
How would you describe the menswear scene there?
DE: Toronto is up on trends for sure, but could use more individualistic expression. It's getting better, and we’re doing our best to help cultivate it.
VL: It's constantly evolving. Social media is so quick to introduce new trends that I've seen so many things come and go. But we have been around for so long that we have multiple generations of families that shop with us, we just focus on timeless pieces that exemplify quality production and premium textiles.
Where are the coolest places to eat and drink in Toronto right now?
DE: I’m not sure! I have my go-to, and my favourite place isn't new, but it's exceptional every time. Bar Isabel for Spanish tapas and the best Mezcal cocktails, where the service and menu are top notch. With the Spanish tavernesque interior you don't feel like you're in the same city when you're there.
VL: I'm a creature of habit, when I get go out to eat I'm going to Imanishi Japanese Kitchen amazing vibe, great service, even better food. I don't know about cool places to drink anymore, I'm just simple dive bar guy, E.L. Ruddy is my spot to have a beer with friends and catch up. But I guess if I was in the dating scene I'd bring someone to Black Dice, it's a Japanese Rockabilly Bar down the street.
