![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.cusjc.ca\/ottawainsight\/wp-content\/uploads\/EDITED-Victoire-hanging-clo.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nPreparing for the February opening.<\/span><\/p>\n The Victoire Boutiques primarily sell clothing, shoes and accessories made by Canadian designers, including those from Ottawa, as well as a select few American designers.<\/p>\n Though not all Ottawa boutiques and designers expanded during the recession, Frappier and Paquette\u2019s ability to continue selling at their first downtown location isn\u2019t one-of-a-kind. In fact, boutiques and designers in Ottawa have suffered very little last year despite that the fashion industry suffered globally.<\/p>\n \u201cOttawa\u2019s economy has been hit less than virtually any place in Canada,\u201d says Bob Kirke, executive director of the Canadian Apparel Federation.<\/p>\n Most local boutiques, including those on and around Dalhousie Street in Ottawa\u2019s downtown, and designers say their sales have been stable. Many even report small to moderate growth.<\/p>\n From three years of experience, Victoire owners agree that the Ottawa economy has been protected due to government jobs.<\/p>\n \u201cOttawa, in general, is still doing really well,\u201d says Paquette.<\/p>\n Jana Hanzel, a Ottawa designer, says her sales have remained stable. She has been working for private clients and theatre productions in the city for three years.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was not bad last year, actually surprising,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n But this hasn\u2019t been the case globally.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fashion industry is one of the first to take a hit during the recession because in many respects people are going to put aside clothing purchases,\u201d says Kirke.<\/p>\n In Canada, clothing and accessories sales dropped 4.2 percent from 2008 to 2009 between January to November, according to Statistic Canada\u2019s retail trade and sales figures.<\/p>\n In the United States, clothing and accessory stores suffered a 4.5 per cent drop from 2008 to 2009 between January to November, reported the U.S. Census Bureau\u2019s 2009 estimates of monthly retail and food services sales. <\/strong><\/p>\n December 2009 statistics were unavailable in both countries. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n High quality is key<\/span> Kirke says clear, high quality products can help designers and stores be successful anywhere during hard times.<\/p>\n Keshia Khan, marketing associate at the Canadian Fashion Association, agrees. Designers and boutiques shouldn\u2019t change or cheapen their products for short term sales, she says.<\/p>\n \u201cAs soon as it picks up, you\u2019ll still have your loyal following after,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Ottawa-based designers, who did well in the international market during recession and continue to thrive, keep strong product focus<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n