NEW BOUTIQUE SHOES IN THE CITY
Best footwear forward
Just as New York's most notorious Choo consumers hang up their sling-backs. Glasgow‘s fashionable West End finds itself home to a recently opened boutique designed to fuel Carrie Bradshaw-style footwear fever. The aptly named Shoes in the City specialises in offering a snazzy selection of women’s footwear by up-and-coming European designers. including produCIs by Valentina Russo and Shalimar.
Each of the styles is exclusive to the shop within Glasgow, and there's a very limited stock of 12 designs - offering ladies an element of individuality in their purchase compared with high street oflenngs.
The shop was established by Carla Enrici. a trained beauty therapist who previously owned a salon in Fife. Having worked at House of Fraser for four years. Carla's long standing ambition of running her own business became a reality following nine months of research. In October 2003. she opened her boudoir-style store just off Byres Road.
As well as the range of footwear. where prices start from £40. covering sizes three to eight, Shoes in the City also offers a range of jewellery and handbags. Describing her new spring collection. Enrici says: ‘These shoes are something to fall in love with. They are for women with a passion.’ The budding Imelda Marcoses of Glasgow should take heed. (Carolyn Rae)
I Shoes in the City, 47 Rut/wen Lane, off Byres Road, 0747 337 2333.
EXCLUSIVE JEWELLERY ETINCELLE Scottish sparkle
Located in a row of designer boutiques at the far end of William Street. Etincelle is a snug and welcoming shop named after the French word for sparkle. Inside the layout is quite simple: jewellery and accessories are displayed in wooden cupboards and draped over tables and chairs. Shoppers are invited to pick up anything that catches their eye and there is plenty of choice. The style ranges from modern, brushed silver to fun costume-style pieces.
It's run by husband and wife team Catriona McCallum and Gavin MacLean and the couple have selected a number of celebrity-endorsed jewellery designs to raise the shop's profile. Designs by Tarina Tarantino — whose cut-glass slides and earrings have been worn by the likes of J-Lo and Cameron Diaz — are exclusive to the shop in Scotland. Better still. they're not out of reach of the common purse — the shimmering perspex Lucite bracelets (pictured) cost just £12.
In addition to all this showbiz glitz. there are some beautiful and unusual pieces, including delicate ‘charm‘ necklaces with hand-enamelled plaques and an impressive vintage collection. At present the back room of the shop is used as a gallery. of sorts, for original pictures. but the owners hope to open it up to the public to house more exquisite accessories. shoes and clothes. (Rachael Street)
I Etincelle, 45 William Street, Edinburgh, 0737 220 0302, www.etince//e.co.uk
Shoplalk
Spend, spend, spend. ..
I CALLING ALL budding fashion designers: the hunt is on for the next John Galliano or Stella McCartney. In a scheme which sounds like the fashion equivalent of Pop Idol, Colin McDowell, fashion writer with the Sunday Times, has teamed up with IMG and Style magazine to organise a fashion competition to find a new generation of British designers. McDowell has drawn on his experience of the Edinburgh Festival - and its
‘marvellous mix of the sacred and the profane’ - to produce Fashion Fringe. It will be launched by a tour of Harvey Nichols stores. Tickets for the Edinburgh event are limited to 100 and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. To apply, go to www.tashion fringe.co.uk. The website also carries details of how to enter the competition. Four winning contestants will show their collections at London Fashion Week in September. With so much media and industry backing, the winner is bound to be a star, so anyone interested should get their thinking caps on and submit designs by Mon 24 May.
I NARS COSMETICS company is tasting the
Shopping
exotic with its new spring/summer 2004 collection. The range features a profusion of fresh. ripe colours from tropical blues to coral pinks and sandy yellows. Nars is available from Frasers in Glasgow and all branches of Space NK.
I MP3 PLAYERS just keep getting
m".-.
smaller and smaller. Those of you who can’t wait until April for the release of the lPod mini should check out Creative’s MuVoZ. It holds up to 2100 songs (or the equivalent size in photos, videos and documents) and is smaller than a pack of smokes. Priced 2279, the MuV02 is available from www.iwantoneof those.com.
I HARVEY NICHOLS' Forth Floor Brasserie is set to be the scene of many a “stack attack' on Pancake Tuesday. The traditionally gluttonous day before the start of Lent can be even more of a pig-out than usual if you visit the luxury department store. Instead of the usual maple syrup or lemon juice topping options. there will be over 100 combinations to choose from in the pick’n’mix pancake bar. The bar will be open from noon to 10pm and for reservations call 0131 524 8350.
I THE SCOTTISH Wedding Show returns to the SECC from 21-22 Feb. This annual fair will have everything intendeds need for that big, hugely expensive day. Any laydeez thinking of popping the question on 29 Feb might well find the courage and incentive they need here at the abundant champagne stalls. For tickets call 0141 587 6088 or visit www.thescottish weddingshow.com
19 Feb—4 Mar 2004 THE LIST 1 13