“We wanted it to feel just like an apartment in Paris,” says Matéo Masquelier of Canon Blanc, the boutique he opened on Queen West at the end of April with his wife, Caroline. In their store, the pair, who left France in search of something new, offer a snapshot (or should we say Instagram) of the Parisian way of life.
Up front, tiles mimic those you might find in a French kitchen; at the back, a wooden floor feels plucked from a living room. Nostalgic furniture and home accessories are dotted about — and are also for sale — while subtle red and blue lights warm the room from above. In the window, a magnificent (and ethically-sourced) stuffed peacock gazes streetward — perhaps not something to be found in the average Parisian dwelling.
Matéo and Caroline are very much taken with the history and workmanship behind the labels they sell, and they are eager to share their backstories with customers. Bracelets from Swedish line saami crafts are made the traditional way, with reindeer leather and horn (from $118). Cigarette and moustache pins from Maçon & Lesquoy are handmade by a manufacturer that works primarily with military badges (from $20). Meanwhile the store’s name and motto — “Liberté, egalité ou la mort!” — nod to the French Revolution.
The lines hail mostly from Paris-based brands, and Matéo tells us that they specifically sought out labels that only those in the know would be able to suss out. A white floor-skimming silk dress by Les Fées de Bengale plays host to a smattering of black stars ($404), while some brightly patterned trousers from By Zoé would pair well with a simple white T-shirt ($178). For men, a Johnbull denim shirt features a menagerie of pockets ($301), while a cotton and linen button-down matches stripes with stripes — a subtle detail that won’t go unnoticed ($301).
Smitten with their new city, the Masqueliers note that they’re still on the hunt for one thing: French eats.
“The fusion food here is gorgeous,” laughs Matéo, “but we’re still looking for a real French restaurant!”
Canon Blanc, 679 Queen St. W., 647-346-5060