- Story and photography by Lia Crowe
Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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Originally from Ontario, Kerstin followed a footloose and fancy-free path that brought her to a life in Victoria and a shoe store business now 36 years strong. (This path included hitchhiking with a girlfriend from Edmonton to the island in 1977 香蕉视频直播渂ecause that香蕉视频直播檚 just what you did in those days.香蕉视频直播�)
I meet Kerstin in her Fairfield home for decaf lattes, a tour of her beautiful garden sanctuary and a chat about life, style and her favourite pair of shoes (spoiler alert, she couldn香蕉视频直播檛 choose just one).
Rewind to the early 80s where a 20-something Kerstin arrived in Victoria, met her partner and started working with him in his retail store on Johnson Street. Called Renaissance Shop, it had a real 香蕉视频直播渉ippy vibe,香蕉视频直播� selling velour jumpsuits and crystals. It also had a leather workshop in the back. The first shoe brand they carried was Birkenstocks. That soon grew into more shoe brands and the beginning of Footloose shoes in 1983.
With so many years in the shoe business behind her, I wonder, what does she love most about her work? For Kerstin, it香蕉视频直播檚 the buying and the relationships she has developed with customers.
香蕉视频直播淲e have been carrying some brands for a number of years, so we have great relationships with our shoe reps. I think you have to be a people person to be in this business and some of our regular customers are so nice.香蕉视频直播�
Outside of work, it香蕉视频直播檚 clear that Kerstin is passionate about her garden and all of the wild birds that come to visit, including a couple of crows who have become regulars.
She香蕉视频直播檚 also passionate about health and wellness, and has run five marathons.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檝e never been a competitive person who needs to be the best, but I like to challenge myself. The training is daunting at first but then after it香蕉视频直播檚 done you feel so good. I also started biking about five years ago; I have a road bike and I really like it.香蕉视频直播�
Asked how she would describe her style, she says, 香蕉视频直播淩elaxed!香蕉视频直播�
She laughs, 香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檝e never been a heel girl; when I discovered Birkenstocks I thought they were the coolest thing I had ever seen. To me good style is clean, simple and not overdone.香蕉视频直播�
Since she is a mother and grandmother, I ask which qualities she hopes she has passed on, and she says, 香蕉视频直播淚 feel like I香蕉视频直播檓 a kind person; so [I hope they will be] kind, enjoy every day and take risks.香蕉视频直播�
FASHION and BEAUTY
Uniform: Lots of denim with a button down shirt or a T-shirt.
All-time favourite piece: 香蕉视频直播淢y Levi香蕉视频直播檚.香蕉视频直播�
Favourite pair of shoes: 香蕉视频直播淚 have a few favourite brands: , and, of course, .香蕉视频直播�
Favourite Daybag: Currently using an made and designed in Vancouver.
Favourite work tool: A large tote bag by .
Favourite jewellery piece or designer: 香蕉视频直播淎nything in sterling silver, and I love the hammered silver look.香蕉视频直播�
Fashion Obsession: Cosy fall sweaters.
Accessory you spend the most money on: Watches 香蕉视频直播� currently wearing .
Necessary indulgence for either fashion or beauty: Annual visit to the with a girlfriend.
Moisturizer: 香蕉视频直播淚 use a product made in Switzerland called .香蕉视频直播�
Scent: Amber scent from .
Must-have hair product: 香蕉视频直播淢y curling iron.香蕉视频直播�
STYLE INSPIRATIONS and LIFE
Style Icon: Katharine Hepburn.
Favourite Artist: 香蕉视频直播淚 have been admiring pieces by .香蕉视频直播�
Favourite Musician: 香蕉视频直播淚 recently saw , so have been listening to a lot of Neil.香蕉视频直播�
Era of Time that inspires your style: 1920s and 1940s.
Film or TV show that inspires your style or that you just love the style of: The movie Annie Hall and the TV shows Mr Selfridge and Downton Abbey.
Favourite local restaurant: 香蕉视频直播淚 visit almost every Friday for breakfast.香蕉视频直播�
Favourite Cocktail/Wine: 香蕉视频直播淚 currently like drinking Ampersand gin with a good tonic water.香蕉视频直播�
Album on current rotation: Anything .
Favourite Flower: Peonies and tulips.
Favourite App: Spotify, and any sleeping apps.
Favourite place in the whole world: 香蕉视频直播淚 love .香蕉视频直播�
READING MATERIAL
Fav Print Magazine: House and Garden.
Fave Style Blog: 香蕉视频直播淚 do not look at too many, but do like .香蕉视频直播�
Coffee table Book/photography book: Great Bear Wild by .
Last great read: The Power of One by .
Book currently reading: Blue Monday by .
You can find .
