Gracie Carroll

May 2 2012 Gracie Carroll A new style of post for Textstyles debuting today. Chats with inspirational movers and shakers in Toronto and internationally. To launch this series I sat down with Gracie Carroll, 24-year-old fashion wunderkind. You’ll find out who she is, what she does and where she lives her life. I’ll shut up now, leave you to the Q A… As a freelancer who do you work with? Writing: GracieCarroll.com, Post City, FILLER PR clients: Jessica Mary Clayton, Eighty Seventh ST and The Coveteur (for their TO events). I am a bit of a jill of all trades so I’ve got some other things up my sleeves, but we’ll just leave it at that to keep it less confusing. When did you know you wanted to make a career out of fashion? I was in high school and realized I didn’t want to be in school for another ten years (and nearly failed science and math) my ideas of being a doctor went out the window. I’ve always loved fashion and the Fashion Communication program at Ryerson involved a lot of areas in the industry that I was interested in—photography, journalism, art direction—but not sure exactly what I would focus on for a career. I concentrated on working on my portfolio and experience to get into the program. Over the four years, I was able to discoverer that my forte was in writing, pr and events. Your mother Sanghun Oh owns 290 ION at 290 Queen East. What’s it like to work in the same industry as your mother? Growing up in the fashion industry is the only upbringing I know and I’ve always thought of it as a very positive and, obviously, influential part of my life. Pros would include being able to include much of the Toronto industry as close family friends, and having access to great clothes. Cons? Feeling bad about always going shopping “on my tab” in her store. What’s your ideal job in fashion? In a dream world: Supermodel. In the real world: Magazine editor. If you were reincarnated and could do anything you wanted, what would it be? A Doctor in designer clothing Favorite Canadian designers? Jeremy Laing Jessica Mary Clayton Chloe Comme Parris Obakki Favorite Toronto boutiques? The Narwhal The Future of Francis Watson Love of Mine Fawn Favourite area to window shop? Leslieville for the dream home furniture Brunch? Lady Marmalade!! Drinks? 416 Snackbar Dancing? Wherever there’s good music.