Elk & Wolf -

Here we chat to Katie-Jean Simmons, owner of Elk & Wolf; a unique store with a nomadic spirit. Situated in the recently refurbished Arches near Waverley station, Elk & Wolf is sister store to the well-known Miss Katie Cupcake on Cockburn Street. Where Miss Katie Cupcake is sweet and vintage in style, Elk & Wolf has a boho vibe and sells a whole host of beautiful items for home and person, inspired by Katie’s global travels.

Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the shop? Where did the name come from?

The name actually came to me in a dream, I know that sounds strange! A friend of mine loves the Elk as an animal and I always really liked the sound of it. I was trying so hard to brainstorm ideas of something to pair with it to name my store, but nothing seem to come to me immediately.

One night it just clicked and came to me in a dream, like the best ideas sometimes do! When I woke up, I had to quickly write it down. I knew it was the perfect fit.

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Your sister store is Miss Katie Cupcake on Cockburn street. Do the two differ in style?

Yes, the two are very different. Miss Katie Cupcake is my original store and kind of offers a window into my younger life, when I first came to Edinburgh and has a totally different feel and aesthetic to Elk & Wolf. Miss Katie Cupcake sits in the heart of the Old town, is entirely vintage inspired and helps to showcase some of the unique jewellery designs that I have personally worked on.

Elk & Wolf is my new adventure-creating a sister store to complement Miss Katie Cupcake whilst offering something different. The shop itself is so beautiful and bright. This store celebrates the best in bohemian home ware and offers an interesting range of carefully picked items inspired by my travels.

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Why did Elk & Wolf feel like the next step in growing the business?

For me, Elk & Wolf felt like the next logical step, a new chapter and an exciting challenge. I am at a different age and stage in my life, enjoying being a new mum and all the wonderful experiences that come with that. I think this store has given me a new creative outlet to express my Australian roots and I am really proud of how it has come together.

Tell us about the Elk & Wolf customer. What is their style and what are they like?

The store itself is very eclectic and it was important to me to create a space where everyone feels welcome, rather than appeal to a certain type of individual. The store is very fresh and relaxed and we hope that tourists and locals alike can feel free to enjoy the space and hopefully find a special treasure to take away for their home.

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Why was the space in the arches perfect for Elk and Wolf?

The Arches is an amazing new development for Edinburgh and felt like it was the ideal home for Elk & Wolf. Unusual, intriguing spaces draw my attention. As Elk & Wolf is unique and quite special, I felt that it needed a space to match- so here we are!

Can you tell us a bit about the workshops in store? What sort of activities do you usually have going on?

Our workshops have been a fun new venture for us. We launched in September to coincide with our website and blog: www.elkandwolf.com. Elk & Wolf gives us the opportunity to enjoy a different space and to invite others to come and learn a new skill together in addition to it functioning as a shop space.

The workshops themselves are pop-ups, so we aim to connect with local makers and see what creative things people in Edinburgh like to do. We can typically host between 8-10 guests, which is the perfect amount per group to relax, create something during the class and chat over a coffee. So far we have offered Screen Printing and Macrame, with Terrariums and Modern Calligraphy following later in the year.

I love that the classes bring together a one-off mix of people for each afternoon; so all experiences are totally unique.

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Are there any other places in Edinburgh you recommend we check out? Any local secrets?

I can highly recommend The Milkman on Cockburn Street for a cosy space this Autumn/Winter to enjoy a quality cup of coffee. I also enjoy wrapping up in a few layers and taking my baby Chase down for a stroll at Portobello beach- nothing beats the fresh sea air, no matter the time of year! I also love the Secret Herb Garden and cafe- such a perfect haven to sit and relax with a hot chocolate. I find the scent of the plants and greenery really refreshing and grounding. You should also explore The Restoration Yard store and cafe in Dalkeith.