You've Got Craft: Belvedere Gents classes up holiday wardrobes

In anticipation of Got Craft?’s holiday edition, taking place from December 10 to 11 at the Pipe Shop Building (115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver), we’re getting to know some of the fair’s 80-plus independent designers and makers.

Today, we meet Kari Bergrud, creator and designer of Belvedere Gents.

Who are you

My name is Kari Bergrud and I am the designer and creator of Belvedere Gents.

I've been in the bow tie game for six years now. Belvedere is showcased at the Got Craft? market as well a couple of stores around the city.

What’s your shtick

I am what some people might call a modern-day haberdasher: I make gentlemen's accessories like ties, bow ties, and other classy things.

It began because I had some friends that were in the crafting world and they encouraged me to make some of my hobbies into a business. I started with jewellery but just wasn’t feeling it.

I’m a seamstress at heart but still loved accessories. So I thought to myself, “Self, what can I sew that is an accessory that would make people happy?” The answer was clear: bow ties.

My ideal stocking stuffer

Christmas is great time for people to try out a new bow tie. Being small in size it fits perfectly into a stocking.

While some crave the class that a bow tie brings to an ensemble, others need a little push. The result is the same: dapperness.

This year, I’m gifting…

Like half the creative types out there, I always have plans of making my gifts for family and friends.

This year, the plan is to make some preserves that people can enjoy over the Christmas season and throughout the year. The recipe that I am really excited about is a blackberry lavender jam.

Truth be told, though, once I get to the markets all bets are off. There are so many great gifts made by local artists that I just can't turn down.