Though she’s planted roots in Los Angeles, where she’s worked with superstars like Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Austin Butler and Kerry Washington, stylist Venetia Kidd still considers Toronto home.
“I was born and raised in Toronto, and still spend a lot of time there,” she told Mansion Global from her home in downtown L.A. “Toronto style is more understated, but there’s a scene there that’s really branching out.”
A regular on Canadian network CTV’s popular show “The Social,” where she dishes out style advice, Kidd also retains clients in her hometown, including “a lot of independent artists” poised to break out big―singer-songwriter Preston Pablo, actress Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Toronto singer-songwriter Dylan Sinclair among them.
Venetia Kidd’s favorite bar is invitation-by-password-only Escobar on King Street West.Destination Toronto
Kidd shared her insider tips on some of Toronto’s most stylish spots.
Shop: Queen Street West is great. I’ve really been into thrifting and vintage shopping. VSP Consignment has a lot of designer items, most at a decent price, since it’s second-hand. I got a Gucci bag for C$300 (US$209). Common Sort is another good thrift shop on Queen Street with designer labels. Along with clothes, Public Butter Vintage also has fantastic home goods. I also love Kensington Market for its mom-and-pop shops. If you want to find a souvenir, this neighborhood’s where you’ll find something no one else will have.
Public Butter Vintage has clothes and home goods.
Destination Toronto
In [upscale downtown enclave] Yorkville, which is great for small, niche boutiques, I love the jacket and coat maker Sentaler, which has dressed a bunch of royals, including Meghan Markle. They have very chic outerwear and accessories. But I have to admit I’m obsessed with Uniqlo right now for basics.
Sip: I just discovered Forget Me Not on Adelaide Street for coffee. It’s very laid-back, with a great aesthetic, and there’s a nook in back where you can work. Their pastries and drinks are delicious. I love the ube latte. You can also buy mugs, salt-and-pepper shakers and knick-knacks by Toronto vendors.
Lamb is served at Myth on King Street West.
Destination Toronto
Dine: Myth on King Street West is where you take people you want to impress. It’s Greek and Mediterranean. Their Baby Gem salad and beef carpaccio are both great, and the servers will light the saganaki [fried cheese] on fire right at your table. You can’t visit and not order it.
Drink: My favorite bar is [invitation-by-password-only] Escobar, right across the street from Myth. I love the decor, the crowd, and the music―they play ’90s hip-hop, R&B, reggae and some top 40. But if it was just solely based on quality of drinks, it would be Isabelle’s, which is also on the King West strip. Their drinks are handcrafted and beautifully presented.
Stay: I love [downtown luxury hotel] Shangri-La. It’s got live music in the lobby, and the food is amazing in its restaurants, Bosk and Mott 32.
Pamper: [Beauty and health spa] Wellness Haus on Spadina Road is really affordable. You can get a package with a sauna and ice plunge, and there’s a comp drink menu that’s included with whichever package you get. I also really want to try the new Guerlain Spa at Hotel X, which was voted best in Canada by the World Spa Awards last year.
Solis Movement offers classes in Pilates and yoga.
Destination Toronto
Sweat: I love doing HIIT [high-intensity interval training] workouts. Spartan Training at Fuzion Gym in Mississauga, where I live, is my gym of choice. And Solis Movement [in Etobicoke and downtown] is where I go for low-impact workouts like pilates and yoga. It’s relaxing, incredibly friendly and accommodating. I hadn’t done yoga in years, but felt welcome and at home there.
