It started with two moms, two daughters, and a simple wish.
In March 2016, Enfance was born from a shared dream between two moms who simply wanted to find beautiful, unique clothing for their daughters.
We wanted pieces that felt special — thoughtfully designed, beautifully made, and a little different from what was readily available. We wanted to discover the kind of children's clothing that made you stop and say, “This is so beautiful.”
So we decided to go looking for it ourselves.
From Royal Oak to the world
In September 2016, we opened our first Enfance store in Royal Oak, Calgary.
From the beginning, sourcing was at the heart of what we did. We travelled to Tokyo, Florence, Milan, New York, Montreal, Vancouver, and other destinations, discovering independent designers and beautiful children's brands to bring back to Calgary.
We weren't simply looking for clothes. We were looking for the pieces that we would want our own children to wear.
And we wanted to share that feeling with other Calgary families.
Growing with Calgary
We always dreamed of having a place that was easier for families across the city to reach. Calgary is a big and growing city, and for families living in the south, travelling all the way to the northwest corner wasn't always convenient.
In 2018, we moved Enfance to Downtown Core.
The move allowed us to welcome families from more parts of Calgary and helped Enfance become a familiar destination for families looking for something beautiful and different for their children.
Over the years, more wonderful women joined us and became part of the Enfance family. Our team grew, our brands grew, and our little community grew with us.
Women, mothers, and immigrants
There is another important part of our story.
Enfance is an all-women team, and many of us first came to Canada as international students. We came from different places and different backgrounds, but Calgary became the place where we chose to build our lives.
We studied here.
We started our careers here.
We built our families here.
And we watched our children grow here.
Enfance has grown alongside us.
What started as a small idea between two moms became a business built by women who chose Calgary as home.
When everything changed
Then, in 2020, COVID hit.
Like many small businesses, we faced an incredibly difficult period. Quarantine restrictions meant that we had to close our doors, and suddenly, the way we connected with our customers had to change.
But even during that difficult time, Enfance found a little bit of magic.
Our children became our little helpers — and our models.
They wore the clothes, we took the photos, and we shared them with our customers from home.
And we discovered something that has stayed with us ever since:
Clothing comes to life when you see it being worn.
Instead of simply looking at a piece on a hanger or a product page, seeing a real child wearing it made it much easier to understand the fit, the details, and the feeling of the outfit.
It was more natural. More relatable. And more Enfance.
More than clothing
Today, Enfance is about much more than children's clothing.
It is about discovering beautiful things.
It is about helping parents find something that feels just right for their child.
It is about the excitement of a new season, a first pair of boots, a special dress, a favourite sweater, or an outfit that somehow becomes part of a childhood memory.
And it is about the community that has grown with us over the years.
Thank you for growing with us
Looking back, we feel incredibly grateful.
Grateful for every family who walked through our doors.
For every customer who ordered online, shared our posts, recommended us to a friend, or came back season after season.
For the children who grew up wearing Enfance.
For the families who have trusted us to be part of their children's little moments.
And for everyone who has supported a small, women-led, local business through all the ups and downs of the past decade.
Enfance exists because of this community.
From two moms and a dream in 2016, to the Enfance family we are today, the journey has been filled with challenges, discoveries, friendships, and so many beautiful memories.
We are incredibly thankful to have grown alongside Calgary families for all these years.
And we hope there are many more chapters to come.
Thank you for being part of our story.
Here’s to growing together — for many more years to come.
With love,
The Enfance Team ❤️