October 31, 2016 Retailer Feature - Pearl & Dot
Meet Alyssa, Owner of Calgary's Pearl & Dot Bridal Boutique:
How did you get into bridal?
After graduating University I worked as a wedding planner for a few years in Calgary before moving out to Victoria and working with the lovely Trish at The White Peony! That is where I found my love for the wedding gown industry, and the rest is history!
About your boutique:
I started dreaming up the idea in the summer of 2014 while living in Victoria, BC. I was planning on moving back home to Calgary the following year and realized that Calgary was in need of a fresh & modern bridal shop. I soon realized that if I wasn't the one to do it, someone else would be! For the next few months in all my spare time I started dreaming up a business plan and things slowly started to snowball. I moved back to Calgary at the end of February 2015, found the location in April and Pearl & Dot opened its doors on September 10th, 2015!
After many failed attempts at coming up with a name - it finally clicked! The boutique is named after my two grandmothers Pearl & Dorothy (how could I not? They had the perfect names!).
There were so many different inspirations behind the shop but I was really driven by the idea of bringing a New York inspired boutique to Calgary. I wanted to create a stylish & intimate space, with just one fitting room, where we could help girls feel beautiful and find the gown of their dreams. When designing Pearl & Dot I had one thing in mind - The Bride! I don't think a bride should have to give up her personal style on her wedding day so it was our aim to create a space and bring in designers that helped with just that!
Best part of your Calgary location?
The Pearl & Dot loft is one of the most unique things about the shop! Located in the Manhattan Lofts building downtown Calgary (which was built in 1911), we are located in a private second story loft! As soon as I walked into the space, I knew it was the one! With two full walls of windows and an all white interior, the space transports our brides into a New York inspired bridal oasis.
We have absolutely fallen in love with our neighbourhood! Between DeVille & Little Henry's our caffeine fix is always in check. There is an amazing little cocktail bar just up the street called Proof & if brunch is your calling you can't miss out on The Beltliner or Yellow Door Bistro!
How did you discover Truvelle?
I first discovered Truvelle through working at The White Peony in Victoria! I knew from the moment I saw the gowns that they were something very special. Truvelle was the first brand I emailed to be carried at Pearl & Dot!
Favourite Truvelle gown:
My all time favourite gown from the 2014-2016 collections is 'Nicolet' but I think Powell from the 2017 collection will soon be stealing my heart!
How would you style it?
I personally think keeping it simple when it comes to styling a gown is always better! I would pair it with Stuart Weitzman block heels, gold ear threader earring from Joanna Bisley, with a simple up-do and classic make-up. I think the perfect venue for a gown like 'Nicolet' would be The Nash here in YYC!
Earrings: Joanna Bisley, Dress: Nicolet, Shoes: Stuart Weitzman,
Dream wedding:
Ah - hard question!! I am torn between the idea of eloping to somewhere like Croatia with just my beau and a photographer or throwing a grand black tie event on New Years Eve! My (dream) gown is of course a custom designed piece from Gaby herself ;)
Maybe I will do both so I can have two dresses!
Visit Pearl & Dot online
Boutique Photography by: Jamie Hyatt, Genevieve Renee & Hattie Root
