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Since I have lived in Kelowna for most of my life, I have been able to see this city change and evolve in so many ways over the years. Having recently returned from six months abroad, it has been really exciting to see the way the city has developed in such a short space of time. There are so many new restaurants I can't wait to try, the arts community is growing, and there are several thriving new industries. A couple of women who are at the forefront of this movement are Brandi and Chelsea of Gypsy Soul Designs. In less than two years their business has grown from a small shop based out of Chelsea's house, to having a worldwide presence through their online store, and a brand new storefront in Kelowna's cultural district. When I wrote about them on this column last summer they had stated that they had no intention of opening a Gypsy Soul retail store, so I caught up with them to find out why they changed their minds, how the line is doing and where Gypsy Soul is headed.
"It happened really organically," states Brandi about the decision to open a retail space for Gypsy Soul. Prior to the opening, they had been focusing on online sales, the wholesale market, as well as offering private shopping by appointment on their location on Bernard Avenue. The demand for Gypsy Soul garments has grown so much in such a short space of time that it simply made sense to open up a small store front where people can shop at their leisure. "The exclusivity of the by appointment shopping worked for some people, but it put others off so we thought it made more sense to have regular store hours. We are still offering by appointment shopping for those who would prefer a one on one styling experience," says Chelsea.
The store itself reads more like a well-traveled woman's walk in closet than it does a retail space. The walls and shelves are adorned with a mishmash of dried flowers, old books, skulls, and knick knacks that all come together to make the space feel much more like a home than anything else. Outside of the fitting room, which is not so much a room as it is a tent created from beautifully dyed silk fabrics, are several plush couches and chairs that make the space feel like someone's living room. They've created a comfortable environment that isn't just about shopping; it's also about connecting with the people behind the business.
Despite having opened a retail space, the prime focus for Gypsy Soul is still festivals and the international wholesale market. Brandi and Chelsea love to travel, and will be taking Gypsy Soul on the road this summer to several music and arts festivals, including Pemberton, Wanderlust, Shambala and Badlands. You'll be able to find them at local festivals too, such as Keloha and Center of Gravity. Their line is being carried at other retailers in Kelowna, such as Ginger Lily, Man + Woman, and Moksha Yoga Studio, and you can often find them at the Penticton farmers market on Saturdays. Gypsy Soul is being picked up by retailers throughout North America as well as in Europe. It's pretty incredible to see how quickly their business has grown in such a short space of time.
During my visit, Chelsea and Brandi show me a few of their newest summer items. They've brought in a line of suede clutches and wallets that are perfect for just about any occasion. The clutch is a wonderful travel piece because it's large enough that you could fit everything you need in it, but still small enough that you could take it with you on a night out. They've designed two new styles of kaftans; the Gypset kaftan is a really simple floor length dress with sleeves and rushing below the bust, and the Abu Dhabi kaftan (my personal favourite) is a really simple floor length dress with a scoop neck and gorgeous detailing down each side. "The Abu Dhabi is a great piece for traveling, and the Gypset is a good choice for women who don't really like to show off their arms as much," says Chelsea. They're also carrying a line of stone and crystal necklaces created by a girl from Penticton, which are exclusive to the retail store. What makes Gypsy Soul Designs so special is that each piece is usually completely unique, so by shopping at their retail space you have access to pieces that you won't find available on their online store or anywhere else in the world.
What I find most inspiring about these two women is that they are making a difference within our community, as well as internationally. They are helping to bring more fashion forward ideas to Kelowna, which, let's be real, can be a little slow on the uptake in terms of style. It's also just really cool to see people in your own community following their passion. Brandi and Chelsea had an idea that they've worked really hard to create and they aren't letting anything stop them from making their dreams a reality. "You need to wake up every day and chase it," says Brandi of the passion that has fueled Gypsy Soul Designs. Internationally, they are helping out communities by using ethical methods of creating their clothes. All of their designs are created in Goa, India at a family owned factory. Brandi and Chelsea have ensured that their factory workers are earning a proper wage and are treated fairly. When they do travel to India they spend a lot of their time in the factories themselves, ensuring that everything is going smoothly. "We feel like our factory workers are part of our family," says Chelsea.
There are a lot of exciting things in store for the future of Gypsy Soul Designs, although these girls like to ensure a little bit of mystery around what they're up to. To follow along you can find them on Instagram @gypsysouldesigns, on Twitter @gypsysouldesign, and on Facebook as gypsysoul. To shop at their new retail store, head down to #135 - 1295 Cannery Lane on Wednesday - Sunday from 12-6.
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