HOTBOX: Keeping the Flames A-burnin’

September 10th, 2008 | Published in Boutiques

Words by Kari. Above Photo by Maria.

Working in a female-owned and operated small business has given me such incredible respect for the many women (and men, too) who work tirelessly to carve Vancouver’s fashion landscape into something that we can all be even more proud of. I recently had the chance to catch up with two amazing, hard-working, visionary entrepreneur-esses, who operate sister stores, and shared their tales with me. Read below for Kameyo Melina from HOTBOX and click here to read about Brenda McGuire from Riot.

As a person whose workplace (Changes Consignment Clothing and Jewellery Bar) is regularly mistaken for a nearby lingerie store of a similar name (CHANGE of Scandinavia), I can tell you this: A surprising number of people become flustered when looking for underwear, especially when they’re shopping for someone else, and even more so when they walk in expecting to see it everywhere but don’t. But it’s time to relax and rejoice, people! Your undies (and more!) shopping spirit is about to be replenished, because HOTBOX Accessories is going to shake up your underwear drawer and turn it upside down.

Walking into the store is a feast for the senses. There are so many details to take in, from shiny jewelry that dazzles with colour, to luscious belts and bags, to bright Kanye-esque sunglasses, printed fedoras, and hilarious prints on pairs of manties (Definition: Yummy underwear for males), with thumping music in the background, and a super laid-back atmosphere. There is something fun for everybody here (unless they like boring things), so it makes sense that the ladies who run the whole shebang are quite the unique and dynamic duo.

Started by Jills-of-all-trades Brenda McGuire (of Riot fame: read more about her here) and Kameyo Melina, a former Riot squad member, HOTBOX became a major hub for the feisty and fearless who were looking to add a little heat to their current wardrobe, put a lot of something special on underneath it, or rock out with their… socks out (they sell leg wear, as well). Kameyo met Brenda 10 years ago, as a customer at Riot and soon joined her team. Three years ago, they decided to start a separate business together and opened an accessory store that would cater to the same target market that they had already been working with: people who aren’t afraid to experiment with their look, who want to look outrageous in and out of their clothes, and most importantly, have fun!

“The best thing about this job is meeting cool people every day,” Kameyo said. “We know our customers, and they keep it exciting!”

The store has definitely become entrenched in the community (Karissa, the ever-present window mannequin even has a fan following), which is a major victory for a place that is in such a high-traffic area. Feeling lucky to have snagged such a prime piece of real estate, Kameyo reflected on securing their location and the effort it took.

“It was a lot of trouble finding a spot…I was looking on Main and in Gastown, which was my second choice. I spent all day, every day, pounding the pavement and knocking on doors with a business plan that I wrote. Before this building was even completed, I wanted in, but there were no open spaces. A year later, I emailed the owner of the furniture store here, because it was a great storefront but was never open, and if he started an online store, his business would be open 24 hours. We were able to take over his lease, and here we are! It’s an ideal spot, a very east-meets-west area, the best of both worlds.”

Now that took some serious thinking outside of the box. Don’t miss out on the store’s events, which also require just as much creative thinking and craziness. Their last lingerie party/fashion show even moved out onto the street, and featured the bubble-blowing, hula-hooping, and shimmy-shaking talents of local sassmamas from Sweet Soul Burlesque, whose lovely (and handmade) pasties are also carried in the store.

HOTBOX is right up there in the fight to reduce waste and encourage sustainability. It carries some great local/sustainable brands as well, and at the time of the interview, GLAM Vintage Remix Jewellery featured Pirate Booty and Ice Cream, two ornate and jingly collections that are made of reworked vintage pieces, and Bijoux du Monde jewelry had simple, elegant statement pieces that encased (already deceased) butterflies and bugs. In addition, HOTBOX forks over their merchandise in biodegradable bags. Sweet!

Whether you’re shopping for someone special or are a guy who wants to wear something with a little undercover intrigue, the wall of manties that stocks Clever, the candi factory, and JM is a definite must-see. Whether it’s anti-microbial properties, breathable support, strategically positioned horizontal stripes (for a widening effect), or velvet flocked screen prints (for tactile audiences) that you’re looking for, it’s all at HOTBOX.

This fall at HOTBOX, Kameyo says that we ladies can look forward to fantabulous leg wear by the truckload. Lots of colour and prints, and even merino wool, to stay soft and warm! Good news, because even with Honeydew’s frilly bloomer panties on, our bums don’t want to chance getting cold.

Pick your favorite corner on Friday, September 26th at Hotbox’s next action-packed in-store event, the HOTBOXER Fall Fashion Show! Find some punchy new accessories and get ready for a little “friendly” female competition! Read more about this event here.

HOTBOX Accessories
2560 Main Street
Vancouver, BC
V5T 3E5
(604) 871-0095

Published in Boutiques