Another blog post raving about one of our Kind Exchange stores!
Special thanks to Kanda for proving that “the world is your runway.”

Read the original article, here: http://do-you.ca/2013/04/29/old-is-the-new-new/

Kind Exchange: Old is the new…New???

April 29, 2013 / by Kanda

Attention all my fellow Thrifters!

If your like me and you can’t resist a sale brace yourself.

I had the opportunity to interview (more importantly shop) with fabulous store owner Jeff Wexler of a phenomenal  second hand and consignment store on queen called Kind Exchange.

Kind Exchange is not only a consignment store, it is also triples as a place that you can donate or trade in clothing and accessories.

The store is FILLED with unique finds such as these great mustard yellow jeans and nude pumps from ALDO.

Here are some more shots taken at Kind Exchange and let me tell you, these pieces were tough to walk away from.

Especially the 90′s wind breaker. Something about it’s Fresh Prince of Bell-esqueness makes me adore the whole look.

Like all the items at Kind Exchange, these items were gently used.

I know I’m not alone when I say the thrifting adventure can be  frustrating at times.

There you are… standing at the accessories rack.

Your eyes lock to a beautiful statement piece at a steal.

You take it off of the rack and raise it high above your head like the baboon in Lion King did to Simba.

You look a bit closer …the clasp is broken or there’s discolouration of the metal . Alright I’m being a little dramatic but when dents or stains are sported as patterns on goods, a fab find quickly turns into an undesirable piece.

That problem is totally averted at Kind Exchange! 

Aside from a thoroughly checked inventory, whats so special about this second store is the contribution made back to the community. The beauty and one of my favourite things about Kind Exchange is that it donates proceeds of

items customers donate directly to local charities or causes such as Multiple Sclerosis-The Partners MS Center at Brigham & Women’s Hospital. An example of a store who’s doing their part to make the world a more beautiful

place in their way. Keep it up Kind Exchange! This store is definitely worth checking out. For more info check out kindexchange.ca

A big thanks goes to Jeff Wexler and his beautiful partner in crime Courtney for giving the DO YOU team and myself a fabulous Kind Exchange experience!

Until next time lovelies,

Express and dress yourself in whatever way you choose.

The world is your runway.

- Kanda <3

Special thanks given to user “Silknsparkles” for featuring Kind Exchange in one of her blog posts. We love her motto, “You don’t have to be rich to sparkle!”

Read the original article, here: http://silknsparkles.wordpress.com/2013/04/09/the-kind-exchange/

 
April 9, 2013

We were thrilled to discover that Kind Exchange has been featured not just once – but twice on MasterCard’s Stylicity Blog for Fashion Week!

Read the original article, here: http://www.worldmastercardfashionweek.com/Stylicity/blog/kind-exchange-part-two

March 28, 2013

For my first Stylicity blog, I visited Kind Exchange at Queen and Peter to drop of some clothes,, browse the selection and chat with the owners. Since there’s another location just a few blocks west of there at Queen and Bathurst, I decided to check it out too! CLICK HERE for a little background on Kind Exchange and how it works.

It’s a smaller store and even though it’s just a few blocks away, the selection is surprisingly different. In addition to the basics and some great accessories, there seems to be more designer labels at this location, from my observations.

These gently used goodies never last long at second-hand prices. According to the employees, I missed out on a Rebecca Minkoff M.A.C. clutch that sold for less than $100 in great condition an hour before I arrived! If you see something you love at Kind Exchange – scoop it up fast! I found items from Pink Tartan, J. Brand, BCBG, YSL, Jeffrey Campbell, House of Harlow and more – all in great condition!

Hint: check out the Staff Picks for the designer stuff!

Love these floral Doc Martens and they look like they’ve only been worn once!

In addition to the designer discoveries at this location, I learned a little more about their philanthropic efforts. I was already impressed with their clothing donation program and various charity partnerships, but the Skip a Bag Program is pretty wonderful too! If you Skip a Bag, Kind Exchange will donate the five cent bag fee to charity. There’s a little collection box on the wall for each of the current charity partners and they’ll actually give you a nickel to pop in the donation box of your choice. Such a thoughtful and generous idea – seeing a donation box filled to brim with bag fee savings for charity really puts things into perspective.

This location (the original) is also home to the basement charity room. Items that you opt to DONATE end up here and all proceeds from the sale of donated items go to charity. It’s worth it to take a peek at this huge selection too – Torontonians have been generous with their donations and anything you purchase goes to a great cause!

I’m so impressed with Kind Exchange and the lovely owners Courtney and Jeff. Check out the Queen Street locations for second-hand discoveries and Stylicity deals. Stay tuned for their third location opening at Yonge and Eglinton in April!

Stylicity Offer: Enjoy 20% off items purchased at Kind Exchange with your MasterCard from March 15 to 31. If you shop with your BMO MasterCard, you’ll also earn 3x the reward points.

We are pleased to announce that one of our Queen West stores was featured on MasterCard’s Stylicity blog for Fashion Week!

Read the original article, here: http://www.worldmastercardfashionweek.com/Stylicity/blog/the-kind-exchange

March 17, 2013

It’s no secret – I have a fashion addiction. I’ve been accumulating obscene amounts of clothing, shoes and accessories ever since I moved to Toronto ten years ago. My closet is ready to burst and my hubby is a saint for dealing with just a sliver of space for so long!

Needless to say, it’s been time to purge for a while, so when I heard that Kind Exchange was one of the Stylicity merchants in Queen West, I took it as a sign!

Kind Exchange offers cash or trade on the spot to anyone with unwanted clothing, shoes, or accessories. They also provide the unique opportunity to donate your items so that the proceeds will go to a local charity. This philosophy really encourages community involvement and it’s catching on – they launched in 2013 and already have three locations!

Kind Exchange buys seasonally (but you can donate anytime), so I filled up a bag of my loneliest spring dresses and hit up their biggest location at Queen & Peter. I enjoyed my first experience with co-owner Courtney Callahan, who also took the time to chat with me about her business and Queen West…

NW – What inspired the launch of Kind Exchange?

CC – My husband Jeff is originally from Toronto and was in the consignment business with our business partner for years in the US. The “buy-sell-trade” model is big there but it hasn’t really taken off in Canada. They decided to apply their expertise and tweak the model launch a new concept in a new market. I was working in the wine industry in Chicago at the time but fashion and vintage clothing was always a hobby. I quickly got on board, quit my job and we moved to Toronto to launch our first store at 611 Queen West in 2012.

NW – You have two locations in Queen West – what makes this area so great?

CC - Queen West was the perfect place to introduce Kind Exchange in Toronto because it’s a vibrant and eclectic neighborhood as well as a shopping destination.

NW – The “donate” component really sets you apart – tell me more!
CC - It puts the “kind” in Kind Exchange. Our sellers have the option to donate items that we choose not to purchase for resale. Some donated items are brought to local charities like Dress For Success, others go to local shelters and the rest will be sold in our basement charity room at 611 Queen West. Proceeds from the sale of those items go to our charity partners and we’re always looking to partner with others so let us know your favourite local charities!

NW – How would you describe Queen West style in three words?

CC – Inspired, Global, Edgy

NW – What does the perfect day in Queen West entail for you?

CC – We live and work in Queen West so this neighborhood has become near and dear to our hearts. My ideal day involves my dog Webster, a giant green tea and hitting the street to get lost in fabric stores and my favourite local boutiques. After a trip to the dog park, I would meet up with my husband for tacos and margaritas at Milagro, and if it’s the perfect day, we would be on the patio!!!

As we chatted, Courtney went through the items I brought and provided me with a print out that outlined how much I could get back in cash as well as the trade value, which is 20% higher than the cash-back option. It’s great incentive to scope out some “new to you” goodies of your own!

Everything is priced to sell at 50-90% off the original retail value with an average price of just $20 per item. If you’re lucky, you may even find designer labels!

TIP: Check out the “Staff Picks” for the best goodies! If you become a regular, they have a new arrivals area so you don’t have to waste time sifting through old items.

I found the selection at this location to be fairly mainstream with brands like H&M, Forever 21, Zara, Jacob, Banana Republic, Gap and other well known retailers. They also have a wide selection of costume jewellery and a fairly decent variety of shoes, boots and handbags.

I found these gorgeous patent leather Betsey Johnson pumps for just $45 but they were one size too small. They looked brand new so I tried them on anyway and had to reason with my inner fashion addict to put them back!

I had a great time exploring Kind Exchange at this location with Courtney! Later that day, I checked out the Queen & Bathurst store and the selection is quite different even though it’s only a few blocks away. Stay tuned for my blog on that one!

Stylicity Offer: Enjoy 20% off items purchased at Kind Exchange with your MasterCard card from March 15 to 31. If you shop with your BMO MasterCard, you’ll also earn 3x the reward points.

Happy Shopping and stay tuned for more from Queen West!

Trends to watch out for: Spring 2013

The Helmut Newton Effect, or as we like call it “The Leelo look”.  How can anyone forget Leeloo’s infamous straps in the film “The Fifth Element”.  BCBG and Hervé Léger dominated the runway with this trend. You can save the world, and look fabulous while doing it! I guess the future really is here. We’ve been ready for this look since 1997! 

Stripes are back, but they’re not the straight edges you remember. These lines are curving and going every which way, and they’re growing on us. Although abstract, it’s like wearing a piece of modern artwork. Oscar De La Renta gives stripes a classy edge on an elegant ball gown we are all ogling over. 

Sheer Genius! There’s nothing wrong with showing a little skin, especially after being covered up all winter long. Look cool in sheer button ups, or mix and match with patterns. This trend is classy, and edgy at the same time. Nicole Miller gives this look a hard edge, while Cushnie et Ochs makes the perfect modern day Jackie O dress.

By Ashley Bard November 19, 2012

Photos courtesy of Elle.com