In the study of anthropology, a field study is the process of diving into culture firsthand – observing the way people live and embracing the lifestyle. “I resonated with field study as an anthropology major,” says Sarah Knorr, the owner of Fieldstudy. “This is how I feel with my artisans. I meet the artisans, I learn the process, I see their studios. I love the story behind the product."
Fieldstudy adopts this idea and applies it to housewares and women’s clothing. The small shop stocks timeless, functional, quality goods, all curated by Sarah. All pieces are ethically sourced, many from North America and some internationally. Each piece represents the culture of its maker and contributes to the culture of the store. Sarah says she caters to shoppers looking for products made with integrity – shoppers who value accountability.
In Fieldstudy, quality reigns over quantity. “I’m trying to get away from disposable goods,” Sarah says. “We live in such a wasteful, consumerist society. The store is about buying fewer, better things.” When selecting pieces to bring into the store, Sarah asks herself – “Will I wear it? Will I put it in my house?" Sarah opened Fieldstudy on November 25, 2016, fulfilling a long-held dream of hers. “It was the store that I always wanted to exist in Calgary,” she says. “I stopped saying no to myself.”
