Festival Fashion Week! A Collaboration between Style Domination and YOW City Style – Store Feature: Twiss & Weber

For today’s festival fashion feature with Katie of YOW City Style, we’ll be focusing on Twiss & Weber.

About a year ago, I was toiling away in my dreary, grey cubicle when I threw up my hands and said out loud: “I need a break.” What do I do when need to decompress and clear my mind?  I go shopping.

I grabbed my credit card and hoofed it to one of my favourite shopping destinations in Ottawa – Wellington Street West.  This cool, vibrant area features some of the best restaurants, cafés, and clothing stores in our city.

While walking along trying to decide which store to hit first, I noticed a bright little boutique across the street named Twiss & Weber.  A couple of awesomely outfitted mannequins stared out at me, pretty much calling my name. The store looked bright and airy, punctuated by hits of neon and metallics – accents that are right up my alley.  Target acquired – I headed in its direction.

I entered the store and was greeted by a lady with ash blond hair cut in a super stylish asymmetrical bob, and dressed in such a uniquely awesome way.  With her megawatt smile and warm demeanour, she gave me a little rundown of the store’s history, vision and aesthetic, and I knew that this place was special.

Her name was Linda and after talking to her for a few minutes, I discovered we were pretty similar.  Linda felt the soul crushing pressure of a busy, yet unfulfilling office job and one day decided she couldn’t do it anymore. An avid shopper of Twiss & Weber’s and an admirer of the store’s positive “give back to the community” feel, she made a point to get to know the bright and vibrant owners, Laura Twiss and Tonia Weber. After much soul searching, quit her job and was hired by Laura and Tonia as the store’s manager.  I looked at her as she was telling me her story, and was taken aback at how happy she seemed.  After purchasing my cool tank to wear to RBC Ottawa Bluesfest, I walked back to the office thinking “I wish I had the guts to do that.”  That visit stuck with me…

When Katie asked me to collaborate on a festival fashion shoot, I immediately suggested Twiss & Weber.  The styles offered by this store were edgy, colourful, comfortable and best of all unique.  Some examples of the stores offerings were lightweight flowy jackets in gold and silver, harem pants in indigo and fuchsia, and awesome handmade t-shirts featuring faux bands on the front.  The owners collaborated with a local artist to design a bunch of faux album covers which they screened onto t-shirts.  Being a public servant, I need their Bill & The Private Members shirt.

What I liked most about this store other than the fact that it appeals to everyone between the ages of 20-60, is that all of the clothing is made on site.  In addition to their made on-site designs, Twiss & Weber offers a host of jewelry and accessories all created by Canadian designers.

I encourage you to visit this boutique to pick up a few items that no one else will be wearing. It’s admirable that Twiss & Weber share a vertically integrated, community-oriented vision and are diehard supporters of local businesses.

Here is Linda wearing two Twiss & Weber outfits perfect for an outdoor music festival.  Twiss & Weber are masters of layering and draping, which is ideal for our unpredictable Ottawa weather.

For this outfit, Linda is wearing:

• the Yoko jacket, rayon knit, Twiss & Weber
• Girl Gang racerback AS Tank (Bamboo fabric), Twiss & Weber
• Razzle Dazzle convertible skirt in Pineapple Glow (also doubles as a tube top), Twiss & Weber
• Borealis leggings, Twiss & Weber
• Vintage cowboy boots (Linda’s own)
• necklace with fish vertebrae pendant, Iron & Wits
• Courts earring, Basement Beads
• Weave Bracelet, JMB (James Michael Brooks) 
• Sunglasses, Sins

Outfit #2:

• Girl Gang Upcycle Jacket repurposed from St. Vincent de Paul with patches, Twiss & Weber
• White Linen Chuck top, Twiss & Weber
• Razzle Dazzle convertible skirt in “Reflection Silver” (offered in five sizes in several fabrics such as crepe and bamboo), Twiss & Weber
• John Clark earrings and painted bracelet in anodized aluminum, Twiss & Weber
• Custom ring, André Chenier
• Headphone necklace, Lost Apostle
• Hoop earrings, Saraswati
• Silver cuff (model’s own), Bija
• Shoes (model’s own)

All items featured are made of natural fibres.

Visit Twiss & Weber online at www.twissandweber.com, on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TwissAndWeber), Instagram (https://instagram.com/twissandweber/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/twissandweber).  Be sure to visit the boutique too at 1282C Wellington Street West, Ottawa, Ontaro.  You’ll be sure to leave with three new friends!

Let us know in the comments section what your favourite pieces are from this shoot! I think I need that Girl Gang jacket!

xo,