Totokaelo

Permanently Closed

Totokaelo

Permanently Closed

Curated fashion, accessories & home goods feel like art

Information

1523 10th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122 Get directions

$$$$

@afar

25,132 Postcards · 3,699 Cities

"Reach the Edge of Stars at Totokaelo in Seattle The fabulous and creative Jill Wenger created and founded the beautiful Totokaelo in 2003 in Seattle 's Capitol Hill neighborhood. This store is truly a purveyor of beautifully designed and thoughtfully curated fashion and objects, as the website proclaims. At Totokaelo, they "represent artists and designers whom they believe to have an independent and thoughtful sense of beauty and believe the art and objects a person chooses for their life are a reflection of values and perspective." Totokaelo means 'to reach the edge of the stars' in Latin, and it's easy to see that Jill has done just that, as soon as you walk in the door."

Capitol Hill: Seattle’s Hipster Haven

Totokaelo

@onthegrid

18,031 Postcards · 835 Cities

"Totokaelo, Capitol Hill by Hum Creative. They can’t help but treat clothes as art. With just the right mix of haute fashion that you’re a little afraid to touch, and great everyday pieces by ultra cool designers like Rachel Comey and ACNE, Totokaelo’s clothes are second only to their space. Set up like a museum with expansive white space and lots of light, the whole place turns shopping into an event."

Seattle

Totokaelo

@cntraveler

41,698 Postcards · 5,568 Cities

Where to Go Shopping in NYC | Condé Nast Traveler

"Originally based in Seattle, Totokaelo brought its unique approach to multi-brand retail to Soho in 2015. Somewhere between indie boutique and designer department store, the shop stocks clothing, accessories, and home decor with a distinctively modern, highbrow point of view. Dresses by Zero + Maria Cornejo and Collina Strada share space with Noguchi lamps and ceramics, which look like they came straight out of a Morandi painting. The whole place, in fact, feels like an art gallery. Don't leave without admiring the avant garde shoe collection." - Andrea Whittle

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-places-for-shopping-in-new-york-city

Courtesy Totokaelo

Totokaelo

Andrew L.

Google

I finally visited Totokaelo to actually see in person the fashion I've seen online. The space is very open and housewares and women apparel on the entry floor and men's apparel and shoes on the lower floor. I really like how the space was laid out. I spent most of my time downstairs. I also liked how the men's shoes were laid out along one of the main walls. All of the associates were very friendly and down-to-earth and several checked in to see if I needed any help (it was very refreshing especially because it seems like high-fashion places have a reputation for being very snooty). I also appreciated the blond haired associate's insights on a bunch of the men's fragrances. I'm proud as a native Seattleite to see this brand come out of Seattle and be successful. I'm looking forward to coming back to see what they'll have in store next time!

Vinh Lu (.

Google

Very contemporary, the vibe is so chill. They have a lot of cool styles from all sorts of designers. The way they merchandise product and the open floor plan makes this place very unique. Definitely worth checking out.

Kevin H.

Google

What an amazing place. The interior is well designed and all product on the shelves is from high end designers that we normally do not see in this area of the country. From Balenciaga to Rick Owens, Totokaelo definitely has something for everyone. I have been stopping by every time I am up on the hill and I always leave with something. Staff is attentive, kind and pays attention to the finest of details. If you have any questions, they are very helpful and knowledgeable. If you’re in the need for a boutique that caters to high end clientele. Look no further. Totokaelo will have you feeling right at home and dressed to impress. Also, I originally went in searching for a specific sneaker release, that may have fallen to the wayside since I now have a new boutique to purchase all the latest pieces from some of the worlds finest fashion houses. I will continue to support this great shop. Thanks for the ever great experiences!

Nicholas G.

Google

Quite a unique and excellently designed store. It almost feels like a museum, but still is approachable enough for a good shopping experience. My one concern would be that the associates here would be a little snobby, but they were all very welcoming and nice. I really was quite surprised as I've had very negative experiences from boutiques in Manhattan, but this place made me feel like not all nice places are super snobby.

Emily M.

Google

I'm a Seattlite that moved to New York City. I've worked in designer retail so I have pretty high standards for the kind of stores I shop in. I, without a doubt, have found no store anywhere in NYC that compares to Totokaelo. They have amazing product, amazing salespeople, and great sales. I ordered some shoes online and they send it with beautiful packaging and even a thank you note! I love this place. A+

Joe D.

Google

It's rare when boutiques like Totokaelo are staffed with a crew so knowledgeable but also welcoming and thoughtful. While their aesthetic borders on SoHo Gallery myself and family always feel welcome and what always starts out as "just popping in" turns into an extended stay. I say this because anyone can carry clothes but it's the entire experience as you enter and leave that keeps us coming back.

Lianne B.

Google

I live in Cape Town, South Africa, so I have only experienced Totokaelo via their online shop. But I LOVE their thoughtfully curated clothing selection and friendly, helpful attitude. And the packaging of my shipped items was AMAZING... A work of art in itself! I will definitely be buying more items online from Totokaelo.

Michelly C.

Google

Totokaelo is a rare gem to have in Seattle. They have an extensive selection of favorite designers like Balenciaga, Rick Owens, Comme des Garçons. Dries Van Noten, and the list goes on and on. They do a great job buying and catering to different tastes instead of appealing simply to the avant- guard. I’ve deducted two stars because the visual merchandising is a bit overwhelming. They don’t have their full online selection available in the store, but it still feels like overload with one of each style from the designers. With hundreds of things to look at it almost feels mentally taxing. Additionally, it doesn’t really flow very well. It feels like you jump around to different designers that don’t compliment each other very well, again adding to the overwhelming feeling. Lastly, the staff feels a bit pretentious and they’re not very attentive. Overall, the store has lots of potential with fantastic designers, but it needs some work on organization and sales staff.