Hot Wax and Cat Nip in Calgary

Gravity Pope (524-17th Ave. SW; 403-209-0961; www.gravitypope.com) is designer-minded but young in spirit; designers that can be hard to find even in New York and London are displayed casually here (especially for men, with a wide selection of sneakers to dandy-style handmade boots. For women, its informed cull of this season's fashionable lines - from Repetto ballet slippers to Paul Smith pumps - is original, always the best justification for high price tags. The store also has locations in Edmonton and Vancouver, with a good website.