A selection of Gram Design kicks.

For those that don’t know, ‘ones & twos’ is Cockney rhyming slang for shoes. Shoes, shoes, shoes.

For men the choice of footwear is essential; part fashion, part statement and totally political, ones pick of kick can determine how far you get with a girl or your employer. Indeed, the well known and well worn mothers maxim of judging a man by his shoes is a global truth, even reaching as far as the unheralded fashion center that is Pyongyang, North Korea, where in a four colour wardrobe social status is all about the shoes.

Women, of course, have known about the importance of footwear for years. Anyone who has even dipped a toe into the sea of female fashion and surrounding culture will know the perpetual frenzy and near religious zeal that surrounds a pair of Manolo Blahnik’s, Jimmy Choo’s or - praise be! - Christian Louboutin’s. I can’t claim to understand such excitement, but as I do with many things Woman, I bow to superior knowledge.

What is clear is that shoes are crucial to ones outward appearance and potential well being, but where does that leave the habitual sneaker user or the terminally hip? No use have we for the Hush Puppies, penny-loafers or wingtips of this world. Not with our skinny jeans and lo-fidelity attitudes; explaining the hype-ness of a colourway to any prospective mate who is simply not as finely tuned to the relevance of such things is an exercise in failure and possibly humiliation or ridicule.

Thankfully salvation comes from the heavy weight champs of convenient living; the Swedes. Yes, the nation that gave us low cost furniture and high quality porn have turned that native ingenuity to footwear and saved us from an ugly compromise.

Gram Design have put together a high-end blend of the very best parts of sneakers, skate shoes and straight shoes and come up with a range of footwear which fit with any wardrobe. From lo-top to ankle boot all the Gram designs reference the great moments in pop kicks and mix it with an eye towards modern style. The result is a glorious mash up; think Dogtown meets Marty Mcfly’s Nike’s with a twist of John Bender and your getting close. Made from versatile but durable cotton denim these shoes are created with care, both in shape and colour. The flamboyant should check the slick bowling shoe finishes for thoughtful throwback style. The more sombre should reach for the charcoal or neutral tones. Whatever you pick, you’re bound to make a good impression. The Swedes wouldn’t have it any other way.

The Scout Journey Pack in Heathered Olive

Fatherhood.

It’s a big step and, in all honesty, I never expected that the Style Heist would be setting foot in the world of baby fashion, but in honour of the arrival of our very own Guvnor’s firstborn, it seems appropriate that we feature something for the dads.

Making babies is the easy part but after that comes - quite literally - a lifetimes work. The sleepless nights, constant anxiety, diaper changes and pocket money shakedowns, all so the little blighter can grow up and slag you off at parties because you just don’t understand. However, in the time between your beautiful baby becoming a pimply angst machine there is an awful lot of equipment to lug around and for the mothers there is a whole industry built around this need.

Dad, though, fares worse; big spots, bright colours and butterflies are good for the ladies, but what about the style-conscious father who doesn’t want some day-glo tote bag putting a kink in his mack-daddy image? Look no further than the Scout Journey Pack from the unusually titled Petunia Pickle Bottom.

This is a well tailored and beautifully designed baby hold all. Based around a single strap system in a classic satchel style, The Scout features detachable bottle pockets, a matching embossed wipe case, changing pad and it still has room to fit all of juniors needs, with space left over. There is even a dedicated cell phone pouch and magazine sleeve for Dad. Available in Heathered Gray or Olive and finished to the highest standard with antique brass hardware and magnetic clasps.

Sure it’s a little more than your average bag, but this might just be your last chance to spend a little pocket change before baby gets his hands on it, so treat yourself. You deserve it.

In times past, being a gentleman was a thing of pride. It was expected that a man conform to certain standards; he should be well mannered, well dressed and well groomed. Prepared for any eventuality: he packed a handkerchief, pocketknife, umbrella, a book of matches and maybe, just maybe, something for the weekend.

Even my old man, only a generation removed, had a look of capability about him. A man who could fix a broken toilet or order a whiskey cocktail just as easily as he could bribe a cop or snap a deers neck, if his aim was off.

Alas, the halcyon days have passed and now it’s really more a matter of personal choice how a man goes about his business. If you’re lucky enough to live in Vancouver, however, you have no excuse for not looking your best, because since the Belmont opened rain city has one of the premier clip joints on the continent. Master Barber Dustin Fishbrook offers the finest haircuts money can buy and by word of mouth alone he is already hooking up the hippest cats with Chops, Flops, Fades and Flat tops. At $25 it’s not hard to see why he has such large and loyal following.

Located next to its once glorious and now infamous namesake - The Belmont hotel- in the heart of Vancouver’s scenester Main & Broadway, this joint is a below street level gem. Unashamedly male in style, this is a place in which less fairer sex can take pride and enjoy the ritual of looking good.

The interior offers the same attention to detail that Dustin gives his clients barnets; authentic vintage chairs, a washroom library of adult interest magazines, stuffed animals and a thumbnail history of the barbers art. This is a place to put men at ease. Even the sevice is simple;

Haircuts are walk up - just put your name on the chalkboard (call ahead if your smart) - the wet shaves by appointment only. Dustin is a man who takes his art seriously - he already has an apprentice in training and is looking to branch out into making sure men have everything they need to survive these modern times.

Rumor has it he has a suit line and umbrellas to follow.

Visit www.thebelmontbarbershop.com today and book your appointment or head on down and tell Dustin the StyleHeist boys sent you!