The retail space at 748 E Broadway is small but undeniably bright and cheery. No surprise, because its new tenant, Poplin & Co., designs and produces some of the most vibrant and colourful patterned cotton tops and bottoms you're likely to find in Vancouver.
It's a jaw-dropping sight: Tropical birds are paired with jade green leaves and red hibiscus flowers. Endless ripe strawberries and stems seem to leap out from a dark background. Yellow cherries, pink flamingoes, blue jagged ocean waves...the racks burst unabashedly with bold patterns in even bolder hues.
Poplin & Co. just opened its first brick-and-mortar shop but might be a familiar name in the local fashion space as it debuted in 2018. Founded by designer Shadi Ahmadisagheb, who runs the label with her husband, Antonio Krezic. Poplin & Co has had a strong presence in Vancouver and around Canada thanks to its presence at artisan markets and pop-up events.
Husband-and-wife business owners exemplify the mom-and-pop shop operation
The decision to open a physical store stemmed from a desire to operate from a dedicated space that would allow them to connect directly and regularly with customers and control their brand narrative. Rather than worry that a retailer anywhere in Canada stocking Poplin's designs might tuck them in the back, Ahmadisagheb tells V.I.A. that the store lets them be front and centre and share their story.
When the East Vancouver location became available, the couple jumped at the chance to take on the space. With a significant portion of its customer base living in the area, Poplin joins many of the city's coolest boutiques and thrift and consignment shops on nearby Main Street.
The store is also crucial for the couple's professional and personal workflow; Ahmadisagheb can use the shop as a design hub and the couple can split duties running the store and caring for their two-year-old son. It's a big improvement from doing it all from home, which had been the case before the Poplin & Co shop opened its doors earlier this month. It doesn't get much more "mom-and-pop" than that.
The space also accords the couple the unique opportunity to have more informal chats, whether its to hash out a plan or just get caught up. Ahmadisagheb shares that she and Krezic have complementary skill sets.
"Whatever I can't do, he can," she says of her husband.
'I am a huge believer that colour completely changes your mood'
Poplin got its start after Ahmadisagheb had been working for several major fashion brands and her desire for creative freedom and the opportunity to design what truly made her happy.
Ahmadisagheb does all the design work, taking cues from trends and her love of colour for her hand-drawn patterns.
Nature serves as a significant inspiration for Ahmadisagheb's designs. The upcoming fall collection, for instance, features mushroom prints and fruit-inspired patterns. Digital printing allows her to explore these designs without limitations, further enhancing the brand's distinctiveness
Her innovative vision is not just about filling a market void but also about bringing a sense of joy and positivity through colour. "I am a huge believer that colour completely changes your mood," Ahmadisagheb shares. "Surrounding myself with colours lifts my spirits, and I wanted to extend that joy to others."
Stepping into Poplin's new shop is an instant mood-lifter. The racks are filled with the brand's compelling and detailed patterns on stylish matching sets of shorts and tops for men and women, along with tote bags and simple dresses. Everything is printed on high-quality moisture-wicking peached cotton and is produced in small batches.
Poplin & Co. initially focused on men's clothing, with a strong emphasis on tops, including long sleeves, short sleeves, and collared shirts. Ahmadisagheb was eager to fill what she saw as a void in the men's market, with most of the patterns she was seeing tracking too conservative or boring. The introduction of matching sets for the line was a game-changer, resonating with the trend and rapidly gaining popularity.
The expansion into women's clothing about a year ago capitalized on the matching set trend as well as Ahmadisagheb and Krezic's realization that many of their shoppers were women buying for the men in their lives. Now Poplin could offer more to their customers and open up the opportunity for couples to get matching matching sets, something Ahmadisagheb says lots of duos want to do, especially for holiday travel.
While Ahmadisagheb says Poplin is often asked about adding a children's line, the nature of their business model makes that a challenging pursuit. Kids' clothing comes in a significant range of sizes, and as small-batch producers, the brand hasn't been ready to commit to the volume of units they'd have to order at each size. That said, Ahmadisagheb hasn't ruled it out and families may eventually be able to head to Poplin to get decked out in matching outfits from the Vancouver brand.
Supporting other small businesses part of the Poplin ethos
What is already in the works for Poplin are events hosted in their new East Van shop designed to showcase other small, independent brands looking for exposure. Already the store's shelves have been rounded out with a selection of carefully-curated local and Canadian brands' products, like earrings, art cards, and candles.
A cornerstone of Poplin & Co.'s ethos is supporting local brands. Ahmadisagheb recalls the struggles of getting into retailers and is now committed to providing opportunities for other emerging brands. "When we were starting out, it was so difficult to get into retailers," she notes.
Giving other businesses in that familiar position is one way the couple hope to pay it forward. They're also excited for the new East Van store to be a means for the community at large to show its support for the family-run fashion brand, whether through purchases, reviews, or simply spreading the word.
Though right now Ahmadisagheb and Krezic are all-hands at the new Poplin shop and working the floor themselves, the duo hope to expand soon, first by bringing on staff and ultimately opening more locations in Vancouver.
