Jaymin Stewart launched her online store ShadesofJay.ca early in 2022 and speculated back then that she was interested in having a storefront. In October of last year, that became a reality and Stewart’s boutique at 285-8th Ave. NW continues to be a draw to those who enjoy cutting edge fashion at its finest.
The warehouse is nestled in-between Acott Plumbing and Silverstar Salvage — That was a deliberate choice to help keep her brand unique.
“I didn’t want to be on Main Street,” Stewart said. “I want people to come try and find me and be like, ‘Where is she again?’ And once you find it, you have that feeling of ‘Whoa, I was not expecting this!’
“That kind of sums it all right up, for Shades of Jay designs and clothing, just ‘I was not expecting this.’”
Stewart began mixing and matching outfit pieces in high school. She would go to the drama club closet, hang up what she came to school with and trade for a drama jacket — a stage production one-off — and wear that around instead.
Obviously, it being high school, she was a trendsetter. However, she was always asked where she’d found what she was wearing, and what made her think it would be cool to wear it. Sometimes it set off a mini-trend.
She loved it.
“That had me excited, to see that people like what I’m choosing and they’re just these funny old drama clothes.”
Stewart started making bracelets in 2011 as a creative outlet. She loves to make expensive-looking things that are still affordable. When she began selling them, she wondered where it would go.
Shades of Jay Boutique has expanded her online store and has expanded her business to include homemade bracelets, purses, bags, accessories and clothing after being asked where she finds the unique outfits she wears when travelling to markets for ShadesofJay.
Her warehouse store has become another passion.
“It’s just me, and I have full control. There’s no staff running it, so when you come in, you get me. Or else the doors are closed,” she laughed.
She is committed to keeping things one of a kind. It isn’t literally true, but everything she sells is limited edition. There might be ten or so of each item. Once they’re sold, they will not be seen again.
“Now, not everybody can wear the same jacket. I’m only bringing in maybe 12 of them,” she explained. “And I’m shipping most of those out as online orders. So, only three Moose Jaw women are wearing that item, then maybe there are some in Swift Current, some in Saskatoon, some in B.C. That’s kind of fun.
She loves encouraging women, and helping them with outfits that leave them empowered and feeling beautiful.
“It’s like, I say to the designs, ‘thank you for coming, you look awesome on that person, and now you’re gone and we’ll never see you again.’
“It’s fun to be trendy, but with trends you’re left feeling sort of thrown out when it ends. I’m inspired by trends, but I like to find or make things that are timeless and unique and you can wear it two years from now and still feel like it’s a cool piece.”
Opening the warehouse space, Stewart said, helped to check off a lot on her bucket list. Local artist Carly Jaye Smith helped her decorate.
The warehouse continues to provide one-of-a-kind fashion for those that love to wear unique beautiful pieces. Be a ‘One-of-a-Kind’ and drop by soon to the Shades of Jaw warehouse location at 285-8th Ave. NW.
Find Shades of Jay by Jaymin Stewart online at ShadesofJay.ca, on Facebook.com/shadesofjay, and on Instagram.com/shopshadesofjay.ca.
