B次元官网网址

Skip to content

Secrets and Lives with Patty Jeffs

Patryka Designs boutique owner talks fashion, Mexico and more
26522300_web1_20210920-BLVD-Patty-Jeffs-Fashion_1

- Words by Angela Cowan Photographs by Lia Crowe

For over 15 years, Patty Jeffs has been a fixture in Mill Bay where her independent boutique Patryka Designs serves up a blend of classic, trendy and elegant fashion for shoppers from all over Vancouver Island. But shortly before the boutique was birthed, Patty had spent half her life in Puerto Vallarta, and loving every minute of it.

B次元官网网址淚 moved to Mexico when I was 24,B次元官网网址 she says. B次元官网网址淚 went on holiday with a couple of my girlfriends, then I went back a few more times and decided I wanted to learn the language.B次元官网网址

That led to an eight-month stint living locally to learn Spanish, and about a year after that, she moved permanently.

Puerto Vallarta is where she got her start in the retail business, managing a dive shop on the main boardwalk. Later, she purchased the shop with a partner. The prime location attracted a booming business, and she was quickly approached about opening up a franchise by a souvenir and T-shirt company based out of Mexico City. Since the inventory was already determined, B次元官网网址淚t was one of those no-brainer retail experiences,B次元官网网址 she says with a laugh.

The businesses were successful, with additional boutiques and galleries in hotel lobbies, but after spending 24 years in Mexico, Patty, her husband and their two young children made the move back to Victoria.

B次元官网网址淢y mom was getting older,B次元官网网址 she explains, B次元官网网址渁nd I felt like I owed it to my husband and children to have the opportunity to choose between one country and one culture and the other. To have dual citizenship and both languages.B次元官网网址

The family didnB次元官网网址檛 know at first whether the move would be permanent or temporary, but soon after they moved back, Patty began building a new career here. In 2005, she purchased an existing boutique in Mill Bay and renamed it Patryka Designs, offering an unparalleled boutique experience.

The shop is over 2,600 square feet, making it one of the largest independent boutiques on Vancouver Island, and the space allows Patty to bring in a wide variety of designers and styles which have evolved over the years.

B次元官网网址淥ut of all the lines I started with, there are only three or four that either still exist, or we still buy from,B次元官网网址 she explains. B次元官网网址淲e try to buy something for everyone. If people want linen or other natural fibres, or Canadian made, or a great selection of jeans and sportswear, we carry it. And the mix of different brands and styles are colour blocked, so people can zero in on their colours.B次元官网网址

But although the designs have evolved and changed over the past 15 years, the boutiqueB次元官网网址檚 atmosphere has remained as warm and welcoming as ever.

B次元官网网址淲e want customers to feel like theyB次元官网网址檙e being taken care of, but not pushed. We want them to feel that weB次元官网网址檙e giving them an honest opinion. And I think for some people itB次元官网网址檚 a break from whatB次元官网网址檚 going on in their lives,B次元官网网址 says Patty. B次元官网网址淪ome people come in like itB次元官网网址檚 the local coffee shop to chat, catch up or share whatB次元官网网址檚 going on in their lives with someone that genuinely cares.B次元官网网址

She adds: B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not just about shopping. We try to make it a fun experience for everybody, and have the atmosphere be upbeat.B次元官网网址

The 7 Sins

Envy:

Whose shoes would you like to walk in?

Meryl Streep. She is one of the most talented and respected actresses of our time and I feel honoured that people have told me at times throughout the years that I look like her.

Gluttony:

What is the food you could eat over and over again?

Mexican. Living 24 years in Mexico made me an addict!

Greed:

YouB次元官网网址檙e given $1 million that you have to spend selfishly. What would you spend it on?

Travelling filled with days of self-care and great food. And if there was anything left over, IB次元官网网址檇 buy a home in my favourite warm place.

Wrath:

Pet peeves?

Messy, tacky or poorly merchandised stores, and things hung on the wrong hangers.

Sloth:

Where would you spend a long time doing nothing?

Enjoying a spectacular view by the water, either alone or with friends and family, filled with laughter and fun.

Pride:

What is the one thing youB次元官网网址檙e secretly proud of?

Building a life and a house in another country, and learning another language that I could gift to my children.

Lust:

What makes your heart beat faster?

Beautiful places, beautiful spaces and seeing my family happy.

You can find Patryka Designs .

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
Like Boulevard Magazine on and follow them on



About the Author: Black Press Media Staff

Read more



(or

B次元官网网址

) document.head.appendChild(flippScript); window.flippxp = window.flippxp || {run: []}; window.flippxp.run.push(function() { window.flippxp.registerSlot("#flipp-ux-slot-ssdaw212", "Black Press Media Standard", 1281409, [312035]); }); }