A Parallel Life

In a world full of mass-produced, throwaway clothing, 
Tattered Rose strives to carry clothing that has been sewn by someone's hands...made in small quantities. It's almost like living a parallel life.....a meaningful, beautiful, quiet life right alongside the hustle-bustle of the rest of the world.

We want you to love each piece you buy from us. We hope that you can wear your clothing forever, knowing it will never go out of style...unless the whole world decides to don silver space suits all at the same time.

Sure, we do have some clothing that is mass produced but even then, the styles and colours we choose for the shop blend in with all the hand made, artisan clothing.....complimentary aesthetic.

That's all we wanted to say today....thank you.
♥

A Customer's Question...

Someone walked into the shop a few days ago for the first time. She was very surprised (pleasantly, I think) that such a store existed and it was in Edmonton, of all places.
She looked around for half a minute, trying to soak in the visual effect of Tattered Rose and asked me "How would you describe your store?

For the first time ever (giving this answer) I replied without hesitation "Somewhere between 'Gone With the Wind'' and 'Chanel'...."

It may not make a lot of sense but she seemed to get what I meant. And for a top of my head explanation, I thought it was OK.

The clothing and accessories we sell are inspired by the past but also the present. Some things have ruffles and lace while other items have clean lines that evoke minimalism with a twist....there should always be a twist.

Everything is urban romantic in some way. We don't ever want our customers to feel like they are walking around in a costume. That just wouldn't be fittin'♥

Hanging Out at Tattered Rose

"We" like to think that our shop is unlike any other...not only in what we are selling, but also in the way we present the store and "ourselves".

We strive for having a warm and relaxing atmosphere for you, our customers once they enter the store. Then we want your eyes to light up as you look around at a myriad of vignettes and racks of beautiful clothing. If you are in the mood for trying some things on, we want you to have fun and be daring....like you are playing dress-up in your fashionista-Auntie's closet.

The creation of our conversation pit, right in the centre of the shop, has been extremely gratifying, as we can sit and chat with our dear customers and friends. We talk of the clothing, certainly, but there is usually the personal side of our conversations that I find most special. To share your thoughts with another person in a safe and beautiful environment is really a gift and one that "we" do not take from granted.

Yesterday, on the Saturday before Thanksgiving weekend, two of my favourite and long-time customers/friends, were in simultaneously. They tried on some of the new Magnolia Pearl clothing....and the Grizas as well as some of our other lines. It was so much fun to share this time with these two special women...to express what we liked and what was going home with each of them. I just love days like that.

Now, if only we had a cappuccino machine.......♥

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing all of our customers and friends (who celebrate) a Happy Thanksgiving.

Be safe and happy.

♥

Tales from the Attic and Real Life

Fall 2019 at Tattered Rose is one of the best we have ever had!

An abundance of beautiful clothing, from the very wearable to the the stuff dreams are made of.

It is a pleasure to bring all of this to you, our wonderful customers.

Stop by for a chat in our new conversation pit, peruse the beautiful clothing we have on display around the store.....and if you find something you love, you can take it home with you.

Wearable, Practical, Beautiful Clothing for Fall 2019

Tattered Rose is truly eclectic, which is why the store appeals to such a wide customer base....from teenagers to adults of any age....from business women to urban romantics.

This Fall, along with our more dramatic, ultra feminine, vintage inspired, Gothic, Steampunk and Victorian style clothing (that we are known for) we have some of the most wearable clothing we have ever had.

From beautiful sweaters to a varied collection of t-shirts to leather jackets and blazers. Something for everyone. Totally wearable and practical but still beautiful and romantic.

Our Fall stock is almost complete...still waiting on some new Magnolia Pearl coming next week and velvets soon! Can hardly wait.

You're welcome.

♥

Let's Fix Retail....

After reading the blog of another retailer, I was inspired to write today about bricks and mortar stores and the effect online shopping has had on them.

The blog of C.C. on Whyte

If you get a chance, please read her post. It is most thoughtfully written.

This is the comment I left on her post about retail shopping:

Judy, you are such a caring person to write this blog post with us small retailers in mind. It is SO true that online shopping has forever changed retail. It would be such a shame if all of the individual boutiques closed for they add to the charm and aesthetic of a town or city. They are places like minded people can meet and chat. They are where you can be inspired to find something that evokes your true self….where you get to meet the person behind the curtain, so to speak. The person who put all their eggs in one basket to bring their customers a place to dream and to shop…to touch and feel the fabrics/surfaces and to see the inspired displays that hopefully, inspire their customers. Many of my customers have become my friends….including you! You can’t do that behind closed doors on a computer. Where’s the fun/adventure in THAT?

What's it all about? It's about disappearing retail stores, some that have been here since forever. Not the big chain stores....the smaller bricks and mortar shops that were lovingly created by individuals who had a vision that they brought to reality through a lot of hard work and long hours.

If we want our city to maintain a certain aesthetic and charm and beauty, part of that should always include the retail shops that line the streets in different areas.

When you  buy from a local entrepreneur's shop, you are helping to support them and their family and thereby keeping the local economy alive and vibrant. We are helping each other that way and not putting money in the hands of some unknown entity across the ocean that mass produces merchandise at an alarming pace. When you shop online, you are putting money in their pockets and economy while ours dries up...leading to fewer jobs, closed businesses and a depressed economy where WE live.

As one after the other stores are closing in Edmonton, we are losing something great. But if we all start shopping in our own communities and city, it could lead to a much improved local economy, a more interesting city and good things for everyone, like friendships. That's always a good thing.