It’s hard to miss Lavishy Boutique. Settled in among a row of non-descript storefronts on Dundas Street West in the Junction, the exterior of this specialty women’s accessory gift shop jumps out with its ballerina-pink painted bricks. That it is painted pink is no surprise — after all, it is a store where women can shop for a wide selection of truly fanciful yet functional fashion accessories.
“We are the largest designer of wallets in Canada,” says Serge Monfils, co-owner of Lavishy with designer Leo Wang. “Leo started the company in 2001 as a home-based business,” explains Serge, who worked for IBM at the time and was so impressed with the product that he joined forces with Leo.
The duo opened the storefront on Dundas Street in 2005, first as a warehouse and showroom, and then, as the business expanded, moved the warehouse down the street. That’s when the store became a retail outlet showcasing the products Leo designs and that Lavishy manufactures in its China-based plant.
“We design products here in Toronto and have them made in China with a manufacturer under our name, Lavishy China,” says Serge. The products then come back to the headquarters on Riding Avenue, where they are distributed throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia — and in the Dundas Street store.