After two consecutive years of hosting our summer pop-ups, I was planning to take a break this year. With my family visiting from Slovakia, I wanted to focus on spending quality time with them. But fate had other plans...
One day, I made the fateful decision to check out the Nordstrom out-of-business liquidation sale. Walking into the store was both heartbreaking and chaotic, a cataclysmic scene of a retail giant shutting its doors. While the discounts on clothing were tempting, what really caught my eye were the store fixtures. And then, I saw them... mannequins! Yes, mannequins for sale!
I had always wanted to get mannequins for our displays, but they are notoriously hard to come by and usually cost a small fortune, around $800 each, plus hefty shipping fees. And not all mannequins are created equal, finding ones with good proportions and aesthetic appeal is a challenge in itself. But here they were, priced between $75-$150 each! A once-in-a-lifetime find! I couldn't walk away with just one, I ended up buying eight! And just like that, I knew it was a sign... we had to do the pop-up this summer!
Here is the before and after vid
Finding the Perfect Space
With the mannequins secured, the next step was finding a location. As luck would have it, an area in Gastown was undergoing a transition, with businesses and residents slowly moving out due to upcoming redevelopment plans. Several retail spaces sat empty, and the landlords were open to short-term leases. It was the perfect opportunity.
We chose a spacious, two-level store that had previously housed a clothing boutique and later a hat shop with some manufacturing. Each floor had its own unique character, which we loved since our brand offers diverse styles to a multifaceted clientele. The main floor featured stunning exposed brick walls, wooden floors, and a wide storefront window, ideal for our coastal boho vibe. The lower level, with its expansive glass window wall and concrete flooring, offered a modern, gallery-like feel.
Of course, not everything was perfect. The space had glossy royal blue walls and a few sections covered in questionable wallpaper. But nothing a little white paint couldn't fix! We spent two days peeling wallpaper and painting walls, a tedious but rewarding process that tested our patience.
Styling the Space
We placed three mannequins in the storefront windows, each showcasing a different style story. Inside, each section had its own mannequins to highlight the looks. To enhance the beachy boho ambiance, we brought in our signature decor elements: a hammock, an egg chair, palm trees, and a shell divider.
The lower level was transformed into a laid-back pool and bar area, complete with chill hammocks, making it the perfect setting for our crochet bikinis and festival pieces.
Bringing Our Coastal Vision to Life
Our pop-ups are all about creating an inspiring, immersive coastal shopping experience, a one-stop destination for all your vacation needs. We collaborated with local brand Malvados, whose flip-flops and sunglasses perfectly complemented our collections.
As with previous pop-ups, we curated different sections for distinct styles:
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Surf Shack: Sporty, surf-chic vibes with breezy cover-ups and bikinis. The mood was set with an old ship trunk and a DIY console we created from collapsible stands (scored at Nordstrom's sale!) paired with a live-edge wood slab.
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Ibiza/Tulum Glam: A dazzling array of gold and shimmery pieces for those glamorous vacation nights.
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Bridal & Special Events: A romantic, lace-filled section with dreamy crochet dresses and honeymoon-worthy ensembles. We repurposed an old TV cabinet from the property, painting it white to create a charming Victorian-inspired display.
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Festival Fashion: A burst of color featuring vibrant patterns, mix-and-match coords, and playful accessories.
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RTW (Ready-to-Wear): Thoughtfully color-coordinated beach-to-dinner looks, crochet dresses, tops, skirts, and pants styled to perfection.
The Final Touch
The entire setup took about 2-3 days, with ongoing tweaks and adjustments to perfect the ambiance. In the end, the space beautifully reflected our brand's ethos: boho, coastal, and effortlessly chic.
From a spontaneous mannequin purchase to a full-fledged pop-up, this summer's adventure turned out to be one of our best yet!
Actually a better yet, even with the pop-up happening, I still managed to spend some quality time with my family, and I’m incredibly grateful for having an amazing staff who ran the store smoothly while I was taking care of them.
Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes glimpses and upcoming events!
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