25 YEARS PETRA KARTHAUS FASHION ANNIVERSARY

PK - Once Upon a Time

The Blog:  WHAT EXACTLY DOES HERITAGE MEAN?

PK: Heritage is not nostalgia - a bittersweet longing for the past - authentic heritage is something you can see, feel, and sense in a product.

The Blog:  WHAT ABOUT "NOW"?

PK: The fashion product has to be relevant to "now", of course. But heritage is built upon many years, sometimes a generation, of tradition and values, built upon experience, passion, and know - how.

The Blog:  WHAT ABOUT DESIGN AND HERITAGE?

PK: Sure, in design start from something, don't invent, but go back through the brand history and try to build up an idea for the new collection.

The Blog:  25 YEARS OF FASHION BUYING IN EUROPE. ADVICE?

PK: Well, it's not about what looks "now" or what looks like "heritage". You have to look at what's commercial, what works for the customer. So, when I'm in Paris or wherever, I often think about the customer - including the customer still to meet. And that's why we put together these images from the past 25 years for the blog - I hope they like it!

The Blog:  AND THE HORSE?

PK: The merry - go - round horse has been in the store from day 1. Children walk by and so the horse is really for them. A 3 year old girl pulled her father in last December. She was so thrilled to get on that horse! He's a little precious so the father had to hold her in the saddle

Once Upon a Time.....Harry and Petra had a great idea, and thus began Petra Karthaus Toronto...

1989 - 2000....

...turned into 2001 - 2014...

....the present!

As Seen on the Village Post this Spring

Petra Karthaus began on the west side of Yorkville Hazelton Lanes in 1989. Their theme: fashion and accessories from Europe - including Paris, Barcelona and Salzburg - and great service to their customers.
PK's new location just opened at The Manulife Centre on Bloor, "it was too good to pass up," says Dorothea Merritt, PK's owner. "Our customers and staff love the new store. We have more space, and the feeling is of a comfortable apartment in Paris."
A fashion expert from Dusseldorf, under the tutelage of designer Jil Sander, what Dorothea really enjoys is working with women in Toronto; to get just the right look. "The fashion, the textile and little things like stitching, a careful handbag design or alteration for a perfect fit. With fun tops from Barcelona or winter wear from Salzburg, and colours from Brussels and southern France. We visit Paris each year to keep au corant," she says.
"Success is what you define for yourself, so I feel successful when the customer leaves the store with the right look for her whether she's off to work or play," she adds.

The Sweet Smell of Nature

Petra Karthaus is exclusively carrying the JJ Garella perfume from France at the store now!

With vibrant aromas of nature, the JJ Garella perfume reflects the spirit of the French fashion, warm and poetic, with delicate and subtle fragrances.

In pure harmony of natural essences, the perfume contains touches of grapefruit, coated with roses and a hint of cassis, enveloped by iris and lily of the valley and base notes of blackberry, musk and sandalwood, to give it a subtle fruity freshness.

Top Notes: grapefruit, roses, cassis
Middle Notes: iris, lily of the valley
Base Notes: blackberry, musk, sandalwood

Located in Gardanne, Provence, the Groupe Garella was created in 1970, named after a family passionately committed to fashion. Their brands have inspiration roots in the south of France; which is full of fertile lands and artistic expression of multiple cultures. Their new exclusive fragrance translates just that into its aroma.

Happy New Year!