On the Hunt… the Equestrian Marries the Gypsy

By Summer Stanley

The Equestrian Marries the Gypsy… That’s the tagline for the new fashion brand, sigAshop, which just made its debut this year. Juxtaposing country girl style with indie-rock and beach bohemian, co-founders/designers and Virginia hunt country natives, Jennifer Gray Calcagno and Brittany Hartz are bringing an edge to tradition right in our backyards – and we’re enchanted.

Earlier this summer, sigAshop celebrated the launch of their clothing label with a shopping event at Three Fox Vineyards in Delaplane on June 11. On this fiercely hot afternoon, they showcased their new collection, appropriately named “Never Ending Summer.” Customers sipped, browsed and tried on the line consisting of brightly colored, light and breezy dresses. The pieces are flowing, loose-fitted, some risky with low backs and plunging necklines, yet all with a signature image uniquely repeated in each of the patterns: horses.

“Travel inspiration is big for the brand,” Calcagno said. The name sigAshop comes from the Spanish word “siga” meaning “follow,” and both Jennifer and Brittany use this word to express a feeling of joy while following their dreams. They believe that wherever you travel, you bring a piece of that place back with you – you look back on it in a new light, and others see you differently as well. Certainly many of us can relate to wanderlust driven life experiences shaping who we are, and shaping our style.

So who’s wearing the designs? “She is a well-traveled woman in body and spirit, and ready to adorn her inner wild child. She’s looking for that standout dress she can wear to special events, like the races,” Calcagno explained.

Also true to resort-wear style, they’re versatile enough to be worn year-round. A gypsetter moves through life with an exotic, sophisticated and down-to- earth ease. This approach to wardrobe, exquisitely captured on the distant beaches of Bali, where the line is produced, translates just as carefree back home on the farm.

“The Never Ending Summer collection brings the perfect balance of our bohemian style mixed with our love of horses. It was a dream come true for us to bring these two separate worlds together into one,” Hartz said. 

In addition to the dresses are varieties of printed tunics, fringe tanks, head wraps, and other free-spirited accessories. Festival-ready jewelry and purses, handmade in Bali, are embellished with beads, feathers and tribal turquoise. Natural and beautiful, an effortless statement is created with each wear. Keep your eyes open for an expansion into home decor. Think dream catchers.

Currently, the clothing is available for purchase online, though be sure to look for sigAshop pop-up shops as they plan for select events here in Virginia’s horse country, as well as in Florida during the winter months. Visit shopsigashop.com for more boho chic redefined.