“Two Cities” carries such a story-driven name. What’s the inspiration behind the brand name, and what original vision sparked the launch of Two Cities?
The name Two Cities was inspired by my love of travel and the idea that every piece can connect two places. Toronto will always be home, but each collection is inspired by another city around the world and the feeling that destination evokes.
When I launched the brand, my vision was to create timeless, high-quality jewelry that people could wear every day – from their morning coffee in Toronto to a vacation halfway around the world. I wanted each piece to become part of someone’s memories, whether they were exploring a new city, celebrating a milestone, or simply expressing their own style. Travel has always been about collecting experiences, and I love the idea that jewelry can become part of those stories too.
How would you describe the core aesthetic and philosophy behind your designs, and where do you look when searching for new creative inspiration?
At the heart of Two Cities is the belief that beautiful, high-quality jewelry shouldn’t have to come with a luxury price tag. Every piece is designed to feel elevated while still being accessible, so our customers can build a collection they love without compromising on quality.
Our aesthetic is timeless with a modern edge. I love creating pieces that feel unique enough to stand out, but versatile enough to wear every day, even with something as simple as a white T-shirt. The goal is for our jewelry to become the pieces you reach for over and over again.
When it comes to inspiration, travel is always the starting point. Whether it’s the architecture of a city, the colours of a coastline, or the feeling of wandering somewhere new, each destination influences the collections in a different way. I also pay close attention to how real people wear jewelry, so every design is not only beautiful but effortless to style.
From initial concept to finished piece, walk us through how Two Cities jewelry is crafted. What materials or techniques are central to your process?
Every piece starts with inspiration. I usually begin by creating a mood board on Pinterest, pulling together architecture, landscapes, textures, colours, and details from different cities that capture the feeling I want the collection or piece to have.
From there, I sketch my ideas by hand, which are usually very rough pencil drawings that evolve over multiple revisions before I send them to my manufacturer. They transform the concept into a 3D rendering, and we work closely together to refine proportions, details, and functionality until everything feels just right.
Once we’re happy with the design, we move into sampling. I’ll review each sample in person, wear-test it, and make any necessary adjustments. Sometimes that’s a small tweak to the design, while other times it means creating another sample altogether. Only once every detail meets my standards do we move into full production.
Quality is at the centre of every decision we make. We focus on durable, everyday materials like stainless steel and gold vermeil to create jewelry that’s beautiful, comfortable to wear, and made to last.
Is there a specific signature piece or collection that you feel best captures the soul of Two Cities—or one that has a particularly special backstory?
If I had to choose one collection that captures the heart of Two Cities, it would be The Essentials Collection. These are the pieces I believe every jewelry collection should have – the perfect pair of hoops, everyday rings, timeless necklaces, and versatile staples that can be worn with absolutely anything.
While many of our collections are inspired by specific cities around the world, The Essentials Collection represents the foundation of the brand. They’re the pieces you’ll reach for every morning without having to think twice. They’re timeless, effortless, and designed to be worn for years, whether you’re dressing up for an event or simply throwing on a white T-shirt and jeans.
To me, that’s what Two Cities is all about: creating beautiful, high-quality jewelry that seamlessly becomes part of your everyday life.
Five years is an incredible milestone! Thinking back to when you first opened your doors at STACKT market, how has Two Cities evolved, and what has being part of the STACKT community meant for your brand’s growth?
When I first opened at STACKT market, I honestly wasn’t sure if Two Cities was ready for a brick-and-mortar store. That’s one of the reasons I loved STACKT’s flexible lease options, I was able to start with a three-month commitment and see how it went.
Those first few months completely changed the trajectory of the brand. Having a physical space meant I could meet our customers face-to-face, watch how they shopped, hear their feedback in real time, and learn what they were looking for. Those conversations have shaped so many of the decisions we’ve made over the past five years.
One of my favourite examples is our ring sizing. Before opening at STACKT, we only offered sizes 6, 7, and 8. After hearing from customers who couldn’t find their size, we expanded our range to include sizes 2 through 12. That change made our jewelry more inclusive and allowed so many more people to find pieces that fit them perfectly.
Being part of the STACKT community has given Two Cities the opportunity to grow alongside so many incredible small businesses. Looking back over the past five years, I’m incredibly grateful for the customers, neighbours, and experiences that have helped shape the brand into what it is today.
Over half a decade at STACKT, you’ve undoubtedly shared special moments with local shoppers, regulars, and visitors. What’s one favorite memory or customer interaction that stands out from the last five years?
It’s hard to choose just one moment because so many of my favourite memories are actually the small, everyday interactions.
Over the years, we’ve had customers come back again and again, and I’ve had the chance to get to know many of them by name. We’ve talked about new jobs, weddings, vacations, growing families, and all the milestones happening in their lives. Watching someone build their jewelry collection over the years and hearing the stories behind the pieces they choose is incredibly meaningful.
Knowing that people choose Two Cities to be part of those moments – whether it’s a gift, a celebration, or something they wear every day is something I’ll never take for granted. Those relationships are what have made the last five years so special, and they’re the reason I still love showing up to the store every day.
As you celebrate this 5-year anniversary at STACKT, what’s on the horizon for Two Cities? Any new collections, collaborations, or exciting next steps you can tease for your community?
We’re always working on what’s next, and there’s definitely a lot to look forward to. We have several new collections in development that I’m really excited to share over the coming months.
One thing I can say is that we genuinely listen to our customers. If you’ve shopped with us at STACKT and shared feedback or suggestions, there’s a good chance we’ve written it down and are already working on it. Some of our biggest improvements and best ideas have come directly from conversations in the store.
Live in and around the Greater Toronto Area? Celebrate Two Cities’ 5 Year Anniversary in-store at STACKT market (28 Bathurst St) on Saturday, August 15, 2026 starting at 12 p.m. You can also shop their 5 Year Anniversary sale online at https://www.twocities.co/.