Calgary - FASHION & SHOPPING
June 12th, 2013
Father's Day Gift Guide Calgary
June 16 is Father’s Day, so let’s show some appreciation for our Papa’s with one of these lovely gifts.
sock it to ‘emSocks can be a very boring gift, unless they are these “Hula” socks from Instance. Featuring a tropical motif, the 200 needle count sock has a denser stitch which makes it more durable. And he doesn’t need to be a surfer to get away with these. http://www.stance.com
man zoneThe hammock is our favourite piece of furniture - it's almost impossible to have a bad time in one. That's why we love the Teragear Padded Hammock, and the fact that it is standalone means you don't depend on any trees. Buy one for your Dad, and it will be one time you wished you still lived with your parents. $49 at Real Canadian Superstore.
frequent flyer Jolie’s Clarabella bag might have a female name but its masculine shape works for any traveling Dad. It has an extendable handle for long airport hallways, and a number of media compartments including a laptop pouch. Maybe time to suggest a family vacation? You buy the bag, Dad buys the plane tickets. $495 from www.worldofjolie.com
king of the kitchenThe Mantry sends out a crate of American artisan food every month - with straightforward recipes to enjoy the products. Think cold brew coffee, bourbon pecan peanut butter, and Cyprus flake salt. Rather than take your Dad out for brunch, you can give him the perfect ingredients to make one for you. Yum. $75/month at www.mantry.com
—Alexandra Suhner Isenberg
June 11th, 2013
make Room for the crew
It’s official: The doors have opened at J.Crew’s first Calgary store!
Jampacked floor to ceiling with beautiful items to add some punch to your summertime wardrobe, this shop offers both mens and womens departments. Along with a stunning selection of shoes, handbags and accessories this store is completely visually breathtaking with modernist elements, salon style picture walls and a window display design by a team of students from the Alberta College of Art & Design. With new product arriving daily, it will be hard to resist stopping by once (or twice) a week. —Kait Kucy
J.Crew, Chinook Centre , 6455 Macleod Trail SW, Calgary, www.jcrew.comJune 4th, 2013
Knit Wit
Daytime festival style is all about surviving under the hot sun, but come dusk, cooler temps prevail.
This year we'll be cozying up to CASTknitting’s Milk & Honey Chunky Two Color Twisted Handknit ($58.51), a stylish pull-over scarf with a high warmth factor. This cowl can easily be rolled up into your bag for storage and pulled out when the sun starts setting.Rock on. —Kait Kucy
$58.51 on www.etsy.comMay 28th, 2013
where haute meets handmade
We love their flashy designer goods, but this year Holt Renfrew embraces their crafty side.
H Project is a new in-store shop, celebrating artisans from around the world. With a focus on the handmade and unique, the boutique carries an assortment of coveted goods, from clothing and accessories to beauty and home décor. With plenty of eye candy, we found ourselves hovering over Lizzie Fortunato’s intricately embroidered clutches ($475) and caressing the soft pillows and throws (from $135) from Danish-based Aiayu.Verdict’s in: There’s nothing quite as precious as things handmade. —Anya Georgijevic
Holt Renfrew, 50 Bloor Street West, Toronto, 416-922-2333.
Holt Renfrew, 510 8th Avenue, Calgary, 403-269-7341.
Holt Renfrew, 737 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, 604-681-3121.
May 8th, 2013
She's a gem
“They say that diamonds are a girl’s best friend but pearls are her soul mate,” says Kristin Richard, the romantic gemologist behind Kaviar Pearls.
We wholeheartedly agree, which is why this Kaviar Bracelet ($199) is at the top of our shopping list for mom. Comprised of silver-hued pink and lavender coloured freshwater pearl and finished with a rhodium-plated sterling silver sweetheart clasps set with pave zircons, this may be the best Mother's Day gift ever.
Besides the clay candy dish you handmade in kindergarten, of course. —Kait Kucy
Kaviar Pearls, 12 805 1st St. SW., Calgary, www.kaviarpearls.comMay 7th, 2013
On Pointe
Barre and adult ballet classes are popping up all over town, but nsure your tender tootsies have the right gear before pirouetting in.
The black microsuede Emma elasticized Ballerina (US$115) is the perfect go-to slipper to keep you steady in the studio and also looking chic in your dancer ensemble. The line is on good footing thanks to Blake Brody, a Pilates, barre and yoga aficionado who wanted to design a shoe that was not only practical and comfortable but also still allowed feet and ankles to have full range of motion.
While we’ll be snatching up a couple pairs of these as we prep for dance class, we're still debating the tutu. —Kait KucyApril 16th, 2013
Peace, Love, and Beads

While on the lookout for ethical and sustainable jewelry, we discovered Mala Collective.
Based in Vancouver but handmade in Bali, its jewelry is ethically sourced, sustainably harvested, and combines form and function. Made from rudraksha seeds (known to embody peace and love) and gemstones, the pieces not only look good but will also relieve anxiety, improve circulation, or provide protection, depending on the stone.
We like the Surfer Mala necklace ($138) a combination of lava, obsidian, and turquoise, which will deflect negative energy and protect the wearer on a journey. Let’s test it out on a surfing trip to Bali, shall we? —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg
Bracelets start at $20, necklaces at $55 in Vancouver at Nicole Bridger, 2151 W. Fourth Ave., and online at www.malacollective.comApril 9th, 2013
Don't burst our bauble
We've watched the new trailer for The Great Gatsby no less than 10 times (Leo in a suit? Yes please!).
Tiffany’s is getting in on the Roaring Twenties trend with its new collaboration with costume designer Catherine Martin. The Ziegfeld Collection, a reflection of the exuberance and beauty of the amazing 1920s, is full of pieces that are decidedly heirloom-inspired but can easily be transitioned into day-to-day wear, like the stunning Pearl Ring ($525).
We better watch that trailer one more time. Outfit research, of course. —Kait Kucy
Ziegfeld Collection at Tiffany & Co., www.tiffany.caApril 2nd, 2013
Bling on the Sun
Using the word “predictable” isn’t always a good thing when describing fashion, but in the case of Swarovski’s latest collection of sunglasses, predictable is just what we want.
Featuring frames with faceted surfaces decorated with crystals, the range is exactly what we’d expect from a company whose expertise is to make things shine and sparkle. Complete with a high sun protection, these glasses do more than just hide our tired eyes.And without an obviously visible logo, the shades are as discreet as a sparkly, big pair of sunglasses can be. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg
From $300 at Swarovski.com
March 26th, 2013
One to Watch
We spotted Nicole Campre's work on the PARKSHOW13 Runway and were instantly smitten with the Albertan designer's minimalist yet ultra-feminine garments.
At only 23-years-old, Campre has already been featured in British Vogue and FASHION Magazine and her S/S2013 collection makes dressing look effortless with drapey tops and flattering tailored pants.
The next big thing has arrived. —Kait Kucy



