Canada’s largest vintage clothing show is coming to Ottawa to help fashion-challenged residents in the nation’s capital with their spring and summer wardrobes.
The Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show will be held at the Ottawa Convention Centre on Sunday. Demand for the event has grown so much since it was founded more than 30 years ago that organizers had to start holding the event semi-annually, says show co-owner Catherine Knoll.
This will be Knoll’s fourth show in Ottawa and second spring event.
“The spring is fun with amazing springtime colours and fabrics,” says Knoll. “The spring show is of special interest for young ladies looking for that unique prom dress or for dresses for special occasions.” Knoll added that gentlemen should not feel left out, as the show will also feature a wide variety of men’s clothing as well.
While the show has been an Ottawa staple for more than three decades, it was moved to the Ottawa Convention Centre when Knoll took it over two years ago. The show was previously held at the Chateau Laurier. Knoll is also in charge of the Toronto Vintage Clothing Show.
“We moved it to a bigger, brighter location with lots of change rooms,” says Knoll.
Knoll says the space was needed because of the show’s growing popularity.
“The Ottawa show is bigger than the Toronto show, in attendance and number of vendors,” says Knoll. “It’s the biggest vintage show in Canada. Ottawa vintage lovers are fanatical, and tend to stay for most of the day,” says Knoll.
She said Toronto’s show is more laid back because there is more of an opportunity to shop for vintage clothing year round in Toronto’s many vintage boutiques.
For this year’s spring show, organizers are expecting more than 45 vendors from Ontario and Quebec.
Second Grace Vintage is a local Ottawa boutique participating in the show. Owner Leah Miller said she loves the stories that often accompany vintage clothing, and passing those stories on to the new owners of the garments.
“All the really fashionable people in Ottawa know that throwing a vintage piece into your classic look sets you apart. We met so many amazing women and men at the last show who not only look great, but live really interesting lives in those great outfits,” says Miller.
For Centretown residents, the Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show is a chance to freshen up their spring looks. Centretown fashionista and Soléa shoe seller Michelle Wieser is looking forward to the show so she can find new pieces to show off this summer.
“Growing up, my mom made a lot of clothes for my sister and I, so we’ve always been into unique pieces, or one-of-a-kind clothes,” says Wieser.
The show provides people with an opportunity to find unique outfits for special occasions, including wedding dresses.
“Last spring show, after months of searching a young lady finally found her perfect wedding dress. She unfortunately got locked into a change room, but when she was rescued she did say ‘yes to the dress,’ ”, says Knoll.