Name: Genevieve Allen
Age: 25
Location: Vancouver, BC
Education: A stint at Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Vancouver
Job Title: Owner of Violet Boutique, a high-end women’s clothing shop located in the heart of one of the city’s major garment districts.
What She Does: As head buyer, full-time manager, and resident animal lover—she keeps two teacup-size dogs with her in the store—Genevieve likes the versatility and sense of adventure she gets from her job. “The great thing about my job is that no day is typical. I might be in Paris on a buying trip or I might be washing the floors and taking out the garbage,” she says. Genevieve purchases clothes, jewelry, and shoes from Italy, France, and the U.S. in an effort to offer Vancouver women specialty items from around the world.
How She Got Her Gig: After trying her hand at various post-secondary programs and paths of interest, Genevieve realized it was time to start doing something meaningful. “I’ve always wanted to have my own store,“ she says. “I definitely did my research and tested the waters to make sure I wanted to commit to this undertaking. I think when you work in a creative industry, the people you meet along the way can be a great benefit.” She adds, “It was either that or being a veterinarian.”
Truly Boutique: While the fashion industry conjures up images of highly connected individuals who seem to have their fingers on some exclusive pulse, Genevieve is refreshingly down-to-earth. “I’m not one for networking. I admire people who are capable of things that I am not and people who are open-minded and kind.” In a city that will often take a fashion trend and saturate it to new levels, Genevieve takes her inspiration from abroad and buys only one of each size for every item, giving women in Vancouver a chance to wear truly unique pieces. “Being in fashion means being intuitive and trusting your eye,” she says. “I often look to what the women are wearing in Europe for inspiration.”
A Little Perspective: Although owning her own boutique keeps her hands full, Genevieve considers herself to be extremely lucky. “Sometimes during mundane tasks my mind will wander and I’ll have a great feeling of joy and astonishment that I am doing something I’ve always wanted to do.” She recommends dealing with the stressful days “with humor and sarcasm.”
This Job’s for You if: You have “imagination, courage, blind faith, [and] friends,” says Genevieve, adding that it also helps to “try, persist, [and] have support” to back you up along the way. Also, remember that expertise takes time. “I want to grow, to be challenged, and to one day feel that I know what I’m doing,” says Genevieve.
