Ottawa's Best Kept Secret

I was introduced to consignment stores in Paris, France during my one year stay in the city of lights. I remember walking down one of the endless small cobbled streets of Paris and happened to peer into a store window that was littered with designer clothes, bags and accessories. I stepped into the store and was amazed by the amount of designer pieces were available in this little cramped and dim store. As I came home that evening I instantly sat down at my computer to google "consignment stores in Paris." My google search brought back a list of stores that I mapped out. My consignment experience in Paris was mostly window shopping, but I did end up purchasing an YSL blue tank top. My first designer purchase! Since then, I have avidly been googling consignment stops in every city that I have lived in.

The famous Chercheminippes shops in Paris. There are six shops on rue de Cherche Midi that are filled to the brim with designer goodies! Best place to consignment shop in Paris. If you speak French click here

When I was living in Toronto, I wrote a piece about consignment stores in Toronto for Woman.ca If you want to read about some great stores in Toronto that has great designer and non-designer pieces, click here. 

When I moved back to Ottawa for my Master's program, I realized that as a student (a fashion-loving student I might add) I might have to stop shopping at Rideau mall and be a little bit more frugal. This led me to once again pull up my favorite little search engine and type in "Ottawa consignment stores" and AMH Style popped up. The consignment store opened it's doors this May and is located on Wellington street in the Westboro village area. To date, I have spent countless hours in the store shopping and also partying (the store is known for hosting numerous little shindigs). So I thought it would be fitting to introduce my readers to this fabulous consignment store. I caught up with Alison to ask her a couple of questions about her life and AMH Style (thanks for such a GREAT interview Alison). Enjoy!

Picture taken from Ottawa Life Magazine

1. Tell me a little bit about yourself and how started out in the fashion industry
In high school I became addicted to clothing and all things fashion. Since then I have never grown tired of shopping, fashion shows, magazines/books or anything else clothing related. I just can’t seem to get enough and outside the store I am always excited to work on fashion events in particular Ottawa Fashion Week.

2. What made you want to open a consignment store?
When it comes to fashion, I have three great loves: Working with people and clothing, finding unique pieces and and a good deal. Having my own boutique not only allows me to bring these things together, but also has given me the opportunity  to build something that is a destination, a community and something different than from what you would find at any mainstream mall.

3. Do you have a business background?
Yes. Graduated with a degree in International Business Management from Carleton University, I worked for the Canadian Federal Government and a large international company in the U.S.

Picture taken from Maison Style

4. Was it hard to get the idea off the ground? 
Consignment stores have existed for a long time, so the idea is not unique. What is hard is changing people’s old ideas about consignment. There is a stigma attached to the traditional consignment store. Typically people think of a dark, cramped and less than fresh smelling spaces crammed with everything from grandma's closet. We continually have to work extremely hard to offer a clean bright and welcoming shopping environment to fight old ideas.

5. What are some of the challenges you faced when opening up your own business.
Being limited to only 24 hours in a day and finding the right staff for your team

6. How does your business work (if someone wanted to come in with his or her clothes)?
We look for women’s clothing shoes and accessories in new or like-new condition.  We do a three-month consignment period and at the time the item sells the client receives 40% of the final selling price. If the item does not sell, it can be returned or donated to charity.

7. Was it hard to find clients?
It does take time to build up a good clientele. Fortunately, we have had excellent consignors so far.

8. Do you have any advice for people who would want to open up their own business?
Make sure you have a great support network around you. Your business will demand all your time and energy.

9. Do you feel that Ottawa has a vibrant fashion scene?
Ottawa is most definitely becoming a fashion destination. American stores we used to have to cross the border to visit are slowly making their way to our malls and fashion events are happening all over the place. The largest, Ottawa Fashion Week has established itself and is now attracting not only local but national and international designers.


10. What is the future of AMH Style?
We will definitely continue to offer great inventory and grow our style solutions and services. We also do fashion in events in the store for sure. In June we did a fundraiser called 'It takes a runway' to help model Betsy Leimbigler to raise money as part of her Miss Canada Universe qualifications. We also hosted the event "Steak and Stilettos' at Steak restaurant to do a sizzling summer runway fashion show and vendor market place.  We will also be participating in other events this fall. We love the combination of hosting people in our space as well as getting out and enjoying other venues!


11. What kind of services do you offer?

To me, styling services always sounds like something saved for celebrities. Styling is a bit of a catch-all but for me it means: I work with you to resolve any clothing related issues you may have. I will come and help you clean out your closet to determine what you should keep, sell or donate. I will take you shopping to buy something for a particular occasion or a whole new wardrobe depending on your situation. I work with fashion events and photo shoots to select clothing that will achieve the look the director wants to achieve. I also work as a Fashion Event Director which can be on the day of making sure that everything comes together as it should and the event or show runs on time, to working from creation of ideas, selecting and recruiting and coordinating with designers, models, makeup artists and anyone else necessary to make the event happen. This fall I look forward to running workshops to offer more solutions to everyday fashion dilemmas!


To check out more about AMH Style click here. IMPORTANT - AMH Style is now accepting Fall items.