Folio.YVR ☆ Issue 7 ☆ Luxury Lifestyle Magazine ☆ Vancouver, BC ☆ October 2019

folio.yvr
OCTOBER 2019
I SSUE 7

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PERSONALITIES
NICK KOSS 6
SANAZ SOTOUDEH 14
LUXURY LIVING
815 KING GEORGES, WEST VAN 20
CULINARY
DREW MUNRO & UPMEALS 32
INTERIOR DESIGN
QUANJUDE 5D RESTAURANT 42
LUXURY RETAIL
HERMES LAUNCH 54
C. BECHSTEIN PIANO 68
STYLE MAKERS
MATLO ATELIER 76
SEWT 84
TRAVEL
KWITONDA LODGE 90
PUBLISHERS MESSAGE 102
PHOTO CREDITS 104
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Personalities
IDS West Behind t he Scenes
Vancouver Convention Centre
1055 Canada Place
Vancouver, BC
September 26, 2019
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Nick Koss
VOLUND JEWELRY
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Asuccessful twelve-year career
in finance kept Nick Koss
engaged and motivated,
but his decision to leave the industry to
start Volund Jew elry went beyond a
desire to change workplace scenery. After
a little prompting, Koss reveals that
designing jewelry is in his blood. His
great-grandfather was the master jeweler
to the Rom anoff family and the Imperial
Court of Russia, a position that
demanded the creation of masterpieces,
as a matter of course.
Koss refers to his great-grandfather in a
mythical way, and as an inspiration for the
name of his business. Volund is the
master blacksmith of Norse mythology,
and in Koss' opinion, his
great-grandfather has the same mythical
status.
Born in Siberia to parents from Sw eden
and Finland, he grew up spending time in
museums, studying ancient artifacts that
inspire his work today. By coincidence, a
set of masterfully engraved silver cups
passed down in his family are stamped
with the double-headed eagle of Russian
royalty, the only evidence of his
distinguished bloodline.
The story of Volund has the same
mystique. Koss knows these tales by
heart. Although he remarks that stories
and prose have been passed down, he
states that "Only a few metal figurines
depicting a man with wings (a Norse
Icarus, if you will) have been found. His
own creations, whether rings or other
royal treasures, seem lost to time." His
own creations, whether it is stories like
these and others that manifest
themselves in Koss' designs, show a
commitment to learning other forms of
art with long and storied histories.
As he transitioned into the jewelry
business, Koss traveled to Europe to learn
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the same arts and trades practiced by his
ancestors, often going as close to its
source as necessary. He visited the
Balt ic Nat ions to learn wax carving,
Germ any and It aly for design studies,
and his ancestral homeland of Russia for
sculpting. He founded Volund in 2012.
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Headquartered in Vancouver, Volund's line
of work involves visiting clients for lengthy
face-to-face discussion when working with
commissioned pieces. This leads him to
places like the UAE, China, and Monaco,
where consultations about the inspiration
and materials used undertaken.
He counts on several noble families in the
Middle East and Europe for patronage and
is finding new inspiration worldwide as his
network of clients grows.
Volund's bespoke pieces are meant to be
genuinely personal, never riding on trends
or emulating something that already exists.
These jewels are referred to 10as numinous,
which Koss explains means to "inspire awe
and radiate power like spiritual reliquaries
or enchanted objects from legends."
Single pieces can take months, while full
collections could involve over a year of
work. This timeline is accepted by Volund's
clients, who recognize what is necessary to
invest in such a unique piece.
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What makes Volund genuinely unique is its
aversion to traditional marketing, relying
instead on word-of-mouth.
In a 2018 interview with Tem pus Magazine,
Koss refers to an early client, a Saudi
nobleman, who stated, "We don't want you
to be known" when accepting a Volund
bespoke piece. Koss has seen this attitude
with increasing regularity as his client base
has grown.
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His clients are tastemakers who want to
preserve the mystery and influence of a
piece that is unique to them. Far
removed from the posturing of the
mainstream luxury jewelry market,
Volund's commitment to quality is
mirrored by the commitment to its
protection.
VOLUND GOES PUBLIC
In spite of this protectionism, Koss
released his first public collection in
2015. The Lions Line is inspired by the
symbolism of strength, dominance, and
nobility, in addition to the influence of
the lion in ancient alchemy.
The results of this are breathtaking
pieces like the Lion Cub Ring, a playful
cat that seems to be springing off the
wearer's finger. The cub has eyes of
emerald and cognac diamonds that
appear as spots on its back. The Lion
Earrings, representing a scene of
astrological inspiration, won Canadian
Jew eller Magazine's Best Pearl Design
in 2016. This collection shows the ease
with how art can imitate nature while
reflecting Volund's themes of the
ancient and the mythological.
Volund has released other public
collections, including the Init iat ion, Art
Deco, and the Norse. A list of Object 's
D'Art is made up of the Jade Monkey,
Golden Gryphon, and Flight of
Ecst asy, an 18-carat gold piece inspired
by iconic Rolls Royce hood ornament,
was completed after 900 hours of work
and required 7-ounces of gold and
6-carats of diamonds. "The sculpture
was an effort to capture the feeling of
freedom and exhilaration," says Koss. "I
wanted to make gold look like cloth that
moved in the wind, and that took some
modern physics simulation programs
combined with traditional
sculpture-making skills." All labour was
carried out in his Vancouver studio
using sustainably-procured gold and
traceable diamonds. The statue now
resides in London and has been recently
shown at a Royal event celebrating the
birth of Duke and Duchess of Sussex's
baby.
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VOLUND?S GLOBAL APPEAL
Volund shows no signs of compromising the values it
was founded on. As requests pour in from across the
globe, design and production is still based out of
Vancouver - traditional stone setting, casting, and
goldsmithing.
Koss explains that "Los Angeles is the site of
experimental, future-facing development and
experimentation. Work with novel materials and cutting
edge techniques happens here...and Geneva,
Switzerland for very traditional techniques like
enameling and mechanical movements."
Koss feels a particular affinity to the city, calling out its
cultural diversity and its location in "one of the best
natural environments in the world." Less than 20 pieces
of jewelry are produced per year, and each new work
will fulfill a dream of mysticism and wonderment in its
unique way ? even if it will be seen by a select few over
its lifetime.
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Sanaz Sotoude
A Lifet im e of Piano Passion
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Sanaz Sot oudeh has delighted people across
the globe with her talent. She plays even the
most challenging piece with light, enthusiasm, and
confidence.
INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
Sanaz has spanned multiple countries refining her
pianist skills, but the love for the instrument began at
home. ?My mom played piano when I was a baby and
she put us in a music academy in Tehran. I remember
the first and only instrument I chose to play was
piano,? she said.
Her musical education is extensive and includes a
B.Mus and M.Mus in solo piano performance at McGill
Universit y, post-graduate studies in solo piano
performance at The Royal Academ y of Music, studied
with UK pianists Julius Drake and Christ opher Elt on,
and also attended the Franz-Schubert Inst it ut e in
Austria and the Académ ie Francis Poulenc in France.
PERFORMING WITH PASSION
Sanaz has performed in Spain, Dubai, London,
Mont real, and Vancouver to name a few. In
Vancouver, she recently delights crowds with a
multimedia live performance at Facade Fest ival.
Projected on the façade of the Vancouver Art Gallery,
colours and shapes moved to the sound of Sotoudeh?s
performance. On top of performing, she provided
muscle direction for the event.
Sanaz also had the opportunity to perform live with
BBC Radio 3 in London. To be heard live on that radio
was very special for her and she considers this to be
her best performance. ?Performing at BBC Radio 3
Studio in London was so special to me. I was
performing at the space where all the legendary and
famous musicians I have known had performed.?
?Sanaz is a very lovely pianist with a true passion for all
kinds of music?she is always open to thinking outside the
box and trying new ideas for collaborating art and music."
16 ~ Manuel Bernaschek, Showcase Pianos
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Luxury Livi
OMEGA Boutique
The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
900 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, BC
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ng
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815 King Ge
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orges Way
Navid Behroyan PREC
Behroyan & Assoc. Real Estate Services Ltd.
1495 Clyde Avenue
West Vancouver, BC
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This 3-storey luxury estate is
situated on the Brit ish
Propert ies Golden Mile with full
unobstructed views full views of
Vancouver skyline, waterways and
mountains.
Constructed by Sym phony Hom es in
2018, and available through Behroyan
& Associat es Real Est at e Services.
This stunning new property is on
almost an half-acre of property, is
9,779-square-feet and has 5
bedroom s and 8 bat hroom s, marble
and hardwood flooring, incredible
lighting fixtures, and a stairwell made
for grand entrances.
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Spacious main floor has an office off the entryway,
cloakroom, adjoining living room, dining room, and
television lounge, all with floor to ceiling windows.
Single slab marble fireplace is the key element that
ties the various areas together with visual impact and
beauty.
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The lower level has a large theatre, wine
bar, sauna, gym and recreation room.
This level also has a bachelor suite with
full kitchen and 3-piece bath.
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Addit ional det ails t hat m ake t his propert y so at t ract ive:
- Cont rol4 sm art hom e aut om at ion
- 6 surveillance cam eras
- CO2 det ect ors
- Surround sound st ereo syst em w it h WIFI boost ers
- Zoned air condit ioning
- Separat e room clim at e cont rol
Out door fun is all year round w it h large heat ed pool,
sun lounge, sw irlpool and hot t ub, w et bar, and golf area.
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Culinary
LIVINGSPACE
1706 West 1st Avenue
Vancouver, BC
September 27, 2019
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Drew Mun
The Com passionat e Cat erer
1312 Marine Drive
Vancouver, BC
604.334.8132
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After ten years of running an
event catering company,
Drew Munro realized there was a
significant need for a healthy, prepared
food solution that fell outside the scope of
a traditional catering or meal delivery
service. There was an opportunity to use
technology and his years of experience to
create a new service that could reach more
people, help them eat healthier and more
conveniently. These observations led to the
launch of his latest passion? UpMeals.
However, his time spent without cooking
for others was short-lived. A lack of lunch
options near the office left his co-workers
consistently grumbling about their limited
choices for fresh, healthy food, leading
Munro to begin his office lunch service,
providing home-cooked gourmet meals for
his colleagues. He would arrive to work an
hour early each day to deliver the meals to
his office customers.
A YOUTHFUL PASSION
Born and raised in beautiful BC, teenage
Munro apprenticed under Paris-trained
chef Brian Roodenrys, from whom he
quickly developed a passion for the
freshest local ingredients, beautiful
presentations, and above all, great-tasting
food. Munro received early recognition
competing in local cooking competitions
and was awarded the Provincial
scholarship for culinary arts upon
graduation to further his studies.
Over the next several years, he worked and
apprenticed in several high-end
professional kitchens throughout the
Lower Mainland, developing his skills and a
style of his own. After a number of years,
the unthinkable happened: Munro
accepted a job? in an office?
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GIVING BACK
A COMPANY IS BORN
Word spread like wildfire, and soon
Munro was spending his evenings
cooking 50+ individual gourmet meals
for his co-workers to enjoy the next
day. With a newfound entrepreneurial
spark, he realized the office grind was
not for him, and a personal chef
service called Drew Cooks! was born
in 2008. His service provided
home-cooked meals for busy families
and professionals, as well as private
dinners for special occasions.
Not too long afterward, Munro started
to receive requests to cater weddings
and more significant events. He hired
his first employee in late 2009 and
moved into a tiny basement kitchen
facility in Burnaby that he shared with
three other caterers. By 2010, he had
become so busy that he had taken
over the entire kitchen space and by
2011, needed to find an even bigger
space to run the company.
By early 2016, the company had
moved to a new office and operation
facility and re-branded as Drew ?s
Cat ering & Event s to better reflect
the services and hard work of a
collective of individuals.
Drew is a lifelong learner and has
traveled to various parts of the world
to study and learn, completing a
Master?s culinary program in Italy
training with the finest chefs in
Tuscany, as well as a culinary program
in Japan. Recently Drew and a
colleague traveled to a remote area of
Guatemala to volunteer their cooking
skills at a camp responsible for feeding
hundreds of volunteers and villagers
each day.
?We realized the power of working
with organizations that had goals
already rooted in health and wellness
for their customers or employees and
decided to focus our company solely
on helping them achieve those goals
more quickly and efficiently through a
branded wellness program tailored
specifically to their organization.
?We helped companies and brands
reduce costs, reach new markets, and
generate new revenue streams almost
right away. We knew we were on to
something. Then we thought, why not
help empower schools to do the
same?
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"I volunteer with an organization called
Grow ing Chefs, which teaches elementary
school kids about growing and preparing
vegetables, as well as the importance of
choosing local products.During my time in the
schools, I was surprised to learn that the hot
lunch program was essentially unchanged
from my time in elementary schools. Pizza, hot
dogs, ice cream and other unhealthy,
processed foods made up the majority of the
options.
?We partnered with two amazing companies,
Kinderm eals and Freshprep, to help us
develop and roll out a program in pilot schools
that started this Fall. We are currently
preparing thousands of healthy, plant-based
meals for students to supplement or entirely
replace the currently unhealthy school lunch
program.?
Munro and his partners are also offering
takeaway options for busy families to prepare
at home together. The program is
proliferating, with more schools coming on
board and menu items being developed.
Drew Munro has proven himself to be
anything but a simple caterer. He is a
plantbased champion using technology to
disrupt the way people traditionally eat.
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To learn more about UpMeals, visit their website
for info on their nutritionist-designed,
chef-prepared solutions proven to boost
productivity and profit.
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Interior Des

ign
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QuFi
Re
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anJuDe
rst 5D Rest aurant in Canada
nderings of Future Location
88 Cambie Street
ncouver, BC
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Renowned within China and
throughout the world, the
publicly traded QuanJuDe Rest aurant has
over 150 years of impressive dining history
and the numerous awards to attest to their
level of culinary prowess. Company
shareholders Doris and Andy Zhang are
trusting in the reputation of QuanJuDe to
invest $12M into a build-out of the
establishment at Cambie and West 12th.
The add-on, and what makes the new
QuanJuDe unique, is that it will be the first
5D restaurant in Canada.
A 5D restaurant is similar to Vancouver?s
other multi-dimensional experience,
FlyOver Canada, in that individualized
dining areas will be wholly experiential and
immersive. Guests will choose their
environment and with the use of technology
will be completely immersed in the chosen
narrative, i.e., the hustle and bustle of
Shanghai or the underwater world of a coral
reef. There will be a soundscape, either
music or ambient, visual projections on the
walls and tables, interactive ingredients,
with the food and taste rounding out the
five dimensions.
The visual projections in the room will be
accompanied by a table-top experience,
similar to those seen in Le Pet it Chef
youtube videos. The presentation of the
animations is to be in between courses to
add to the dining experience itself and
creates a timeline for the meal, from
appetizer to dessert.
Reportedly, when QuanJuDe enters a
community, they look to give back to it in a
meaningful fashion. In China, the company
is a leader in public welfare, using their
success to give back by investing in causes
such as international healthcare, poverty
eradication, and social security. All their
US-based restaurants donate 3%-5% of their
sales to charitable organizations and the
company partners with landlords to have
locations developed with sustainable energy
and environmentally friendly designs in
mind.
BACKGROUND OF QUANJUDE
In China, QuanJuDe has hosted countless of
dignitaries and government officials, as it
often is the chosen location of state
banquets. Historical figures such as United
Nations Secretary-General Ant onio
Gut erres, President of the International
Olympic Committee Juan Ant onio
Sam aranch, and U.S. Secretary of State
Henry Kissinger have dined at their
locations. At a recent APEC meeting,
QuanJuDe was tasked with serving 73,000
people.
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As interest in climate change is high in a city
as environmentally conscious as Vancouver,
we are curious to see if diners with vegan
preferences and dietary restrictions, seeking
the 5D experience, will be accommodated,
as the company?s ?claim to fame?is the
annual serving of 7,000,000 roast ducks,
from prix fixe menus, throughout their
120+ international restaurants.

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Luxury Retail
HERMES Launch After Party
Harbour Convention Centre
760 Pacific Boulevard
Vancouver, BC
September 12, 2019
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rmès Unveiled
Luxury Brand Launches w it h a Day of Reveals
717 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC
September 12, 2019
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In a cosmopolitan
city where nature
is bountiful, international
luxury brand Herm ès
opened a new Vancouver
location that takes cues from
its surroundings. From its
contemporary façade to the
elemental features within,
the space was designed to
inspire and unleash
imagination.
On September the 12th,
Hermès hosted the
much-anticipated grand
opening for their Vancouver
flagship store in the Alberni
Street Luxury Zone. The
460-square-metre space at
the southwest corner of
Burrard and West Georgia
was designed by Parisian
archit ect ure agency RDAI
and represents a reimagining
of the brand?s presence in
Vancouver.
?Nearly 25 years ago we
opened our first store in
Vancouver,? says President
and CEO of Hermès Canada,
Jennifer Cart er. ?Today,
we?re proud to unveil an
advanced retail experience
that finds inspiration in the
striking landscape, quality of
living, and strength of spirit
that defines Vancouver.?
The new Hermès space is
captivating from the moment
the visitor passes through the
white terrazzo façade into an
interior featuring warm
natural furnishings, meant to
evoke the land and the
near-by sea.
The first floor exposes
universes of jewelry and
watches across from fashion
jewelry, a lavish scent section,
and men?s selections filling
the expansive space.
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At the top of the first flight of stairs, the pièce de
résistance is found. A Pegasus horse relief by French
sculptor Christ ian Renonciat captured in mid-flight.
Renonciat is known for monumental works, where
he marries the imaginary and the technical with
diverse materials of carved wood, cast steel, and
bronze, often with the tone of an imaginary
archaeology. He has worked for Hermès before,
designing the gardens for their Herm ès à Pant in
head office in 1990.
Rising to the second floor of the space brings the
Hermès home collection and the women?s universe,
home to shoes, accessories, and private salon.
Products exclusive to the Vancouver store can be
found here, such as a triptych of Kelly bags and a
limited edition Tw illy scarf.
The Kelly bag carries the legacy of Princess of
Monaco, Grace Kelly (for which it found its present
name is derived) and is a nod to the 182-year
heritage of the fashion house.
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The Twilly scarf, in its silky elegance, is a testament to quality.
The meticulously crafted accessory has been worn by Queen
Elizabet h II, Audrey Hepburn and many more. Each scarf is the
result of 18-hours of craftsmanship and is worn in seemingly
never-ending ways to give an outfit a level of playfulness that only
Hermes can bring.
The Vancouver store is one of 310 in 49 countries around the
world and uplifts the brand?s values of the freedom of creation, a
constant search for beautiful materials, the transmission of the
savoir-faire of excellence, and aesthetic of functionality to create a
house of objects like no other, family-owned since 1837.
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APRÈS LAUNCH CELEBRATION
For days beforehand, the Hermès event
was the most sought after invitation in the
city. Not since Dior launched in December
2017, has the glitterati of Vancouver
assembled en masse.
The evening event began with a smattering
of rain, which kept guests close to the
building as check-in commenced. An army
of umbrella valets was on-hand, ensuring
everyone made it from their vehicles to the
line-up dry and safe.
Guests were shuttled from the Luxury Zone
to the after-party and greeted with an
astounding maze of greenery. Along the
path, gloved hands offered a variety of
libations, and soon guests found
themselves coming upon various
activations including a dance floor
glittering with immense mirrored balls,
a craft cocktail bar watched over by a giant
neon Pegasus flying amongst fluffy clouds,
a VR experience on an Hermès horse, a
dance skills challenge on a electronic
checkerboard, a jazz lounge with whisky
fountain, a Boomerang room with a choice
of wings created from shredded Hermès
scarves, and a 3D mirror ballroom that
made heads spin. Also, roaming
Champagne purveyors topping up flutes as
guests explored and shared experiences via
a never-ending stream of Instastories.
Note to self, when Hermès says 64the event
goes ?until late,?they mean it! Guests were
still dancing after midnight, and we have no
idea when the last limo pulled away.
An incredible event that will stay in the
memory of all who attended for years to
come.
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C. Be
$1.4M Piano La
3rd Floor Aberdeen Ce
# 3480 - 4151 Hazelbr
Richmond, BC
August 6, 2019
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chstein
nds at Show case Pianos
ntre
idge Way
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t has been 133 years since the
first time that the world saw
the C.Bechst ein original of the Sphinx
Grand Piano, a marvel of craftsmanship
and opulence showcased at a London
exhibition. Only a single photograph
remained of the original, so any hope of
recreating this relic with styling dating
back to the era of Napoleon Bonapart e
would be incredibly difficult. Now, this
elegant piano is recreated, and at a retail
price of $1.4 m illion, is being displayed at
Show case Pianos ? Aberdeen Cent re in
Richmond.
The Sphinx is a mythical creature featuring
the fusion of a graceful feminine body and
a lion?s head. Representing mystery and
wisdom, the namesake of the grand piano
is adorned with wings to give mythical
weightlessness. Its feet are in the style
of a lion?s paw, presented in the kind of
realism that comes only from meticulous
craftsmanship, and a liberal amount of
glorious gold.
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The detail is where the Sphinx truly
shines. The cabinet contains
feathered lines of pyramid
mahogany, a Ciresa spruce
soundboard, beech and mahogany
rim, Renner action and hammers,
and a traditional sand-cast iron
plate. The cabinetry is developed
through a process known as ?lost
wax,?where decorative elements
are carved out of wood and fit to
ensure that it will be functional
when casting in bronze. Wax is used
to make models of the interlocking
piece and is then evaporated
through a process called 'metal
chasing' when the bronze is cast.
This freshly-cast bronze is then
fire-gilded with gold, and then
transformed to a dull yellow by
process of 'fire-treating' before
being turned vibrant again through
hand-polishing. After 1,800 working
hours of over 32 months, the
Sphinx is finally complete.
Details such as the lion?s feet and
leaves of laurel and oak are buffed
and show their meticulous detail.
Lauded for having formidable
sound quality along with its royal
presence, the Sphinx has been
reborn to be played as much as it is
to be admired.
Manuel Bernaschek, owner
Showcase Pianos, says, "The arrival
of the Sphinx Grand Piano has
brought great publicity on television
and in print, and the interest has
been incredible. People from all
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over the greater Vancouver area
have been making their way to
Aberdeen Centre so as to catch a
glimpse or take a photo of the rare
instrument."
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yleMakers
LIVINGSPACE INTERIORS
IDS West 2019
Vancouver Convention Centre
September 27, 2019
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Mat
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lo Atelier
Jason Mat lo & Wen-Chee Liu French Kiss
By Appointment Only
Suite 601 - 33 Water Street
Vancouver, BC
604.682.0726
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Vancouver-based designer
Jason Mat lo is turning heads
with his newly rebranded
Mat lo At elier made-to-measure line,
the most recent of the successful
fashion designer?s work in fashion for
women and men.
The Atelier, which can be found
alongside the cobbled streets of
Wat er St reet in Gast ow n, recently
renewed its focus on bespoke
garments through the launch of their
first collection French Kiss. The
collection was showcased with a
Champagne and canapé premiere at
the Fairm ont Hot el Vancouver
Rooft op on Friday, September 27. The
Det ails DESIGN/ Inc. produced event
wasn?t meant to be a highbrow runway
show, as Matlo has made it clear that
he wanted it open to anyone with
interest in fashion, and pledged
proceeds of ticket sales towards the
Girls Inc. of Nort hern Albert a charity.
Matlo has a history of producing
clothing with female empowerment in
mind, and this collection was no
different. His garments have been
designed to be accessible for all
genders, ages, and body types, and he
promotes the idea that you do not
need to be attending a gala to wear a
high-quality custom piece.
With fifteen years of experience in the
fashion industry, Matlo has seen
success in design since being invited to
compete in the prestigious Sm irnoff
Fashion Aw ards international finals in
Berlin when he was fresh out of design
school. He went on to win the
Life Net w ork reality TV show
Making it Big, which rewarded him
with a chance to display his collection
in Saks Fift h Avenue.
Since these breakthroughs, he has
been recognized in publications like
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Elle and Flare, had designs on the red
carpets of both the prestigious
Academ y Aw ards and Cannes Film
Fest ival, and was racked in The Room
alongside luxury designer brands.
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Earlier in 2019, he rebranded his fashion company
as Matlo Atelier and has been diligently working on
the newly launched French Kiss collection.
Matlo?s recent experiences traveling in France
inspired his latest collection. ?I love Paris because I
am a very visual person, and everything in the city is
gorgeous,? he says. ?I was immediately struck by the
French aesthetic and the quality of everything from
the food, architecture and bed linens to the
brasseries, and everything in the French culture in
between.?
Returning to Vancouver, Matlo and his design team
pored over French fashion from the 1940s and
1950s, with particular attention given to draping,
beading, and hand-finishing. Much of the collection
was developed by designer Wen-Chee Liu, who has
worked alongside Matlo for the better part of twelve
years. He relies on her ?unique design vision,?
valuing her as ?an intrinsic ?bre of the Matlo Atelier
tapestry and brand.?
Matlo says their design process was much less
linear than it would usually be. ?We had a full
collection before ever sourcing the fabrics,? he
remembers. They searched for additional
inspiration in historical fashion, French architecture,
and old movies, then selected fabrics that fit the
ideas they had developed. This was a reversal of
how they usually design, but he found that focusing
on details, lines, and silhouettes first gave them
more freedom.
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Finishing this show will not mean slowing
down for the busy designer. Matlo is
continuing to develop his work outside of
fashion in drawing, painting, interior design,
and ballet. Other bespoke programs are in
the works, but he remains tight-lipped about
their theme.
?Historically, our clients have discovered the
brand through word of mouth in Vancouver,
a little bit through Calgary, Western Canada,
and sometimes as far as Toronto,? says
Matlo.
Above all, Matlo is always eager to find more
inspiration and mentions the importance of
travel in his creative process. Between his
designing new collections and working with
new clients searching for that breathtaking
made-to-measure look, the team at Matlo
Atelier will have their hands full... of the most
beautiful fabrics, glittery sequins, plush
velvets, and more.
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SEWT
Suit s Especially for Wom en Tailored
Suite # 416, 2050 Scotia Street
Vancouver, BC
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In Vancouver, SEWT is
changing the way
that women shop for suits while
building a community of women
eager to grow in their professional
careers. The brand?s name stands
for Suit s Especially for Wom en
Tailored and boasts a wide range
of custom options, including full
suit s, skirt s, blazers, pant s,
vest s, and out erw ear. Since
being founded in 2018, the brand
has seen growth in Vancouver
and is gaining a presence in
Toront o with regular events.
The idea for SEWT first came to
founder Luan Tolosa during her
MBA studies at Queen?s
Universit y?s Sm it h School of
Business. After realizing that,
although she and her classmates
had grown personally since their
undergraduate years, their
wardrobes had not. Looking for a
way to create suits for women that
reflected their personalities and
promoted confidence, she opened
a showroom in the heart of
Vancouver?s False Creek Flat s, a
neighbourhood gaining a
reputation for galleries and tech
companies.
When asked why she chose the
city known for its relaxed
athleisure wardrobe over the
bustling corporate scene of
Toronto, Tolosa remarks that it
wasn?t a difficult decision.
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?Vancouver is home,? she said. ?A
lot of people say that Toronto is a
bigger market for us (and really,
what industry isn?t Toronto a
bigger market for?), but the reason
why we started SEWT was because
there was a gap for suiting
especially for womxn in
Vancouver.? She aspires to have a
physical presence in any major city
where this need exists.
Tolosa comes to her profession
honestly. Growing up in Winnipeg
with a mother who worked as a
seamstress, she was exposed to
the garment industry from a young
age. This experience led her to
learn to design clothing, which her
mother helped her sew. After
working in com m ercial real
est at e, she was drawn back to the
business idea conceived while
studying for a Cert ificat e in Social
Im pact during her MBA degree.
At the core of SEWT?s values is the
belief in slow fashion, producing
sustainable materials on a
made-to-order basis, and donating
or reusing any returns. ?Our ideal
client is a womxn who values a
personalized experience, knows
she wants something unique to
her and wants to customize their
wardrobe to reflect,? Tolosa says.
This ensures that garments will be
worn well into the future and
allows the wearer to show their
personality through the cut, fabric
selection, and customizations.
One trend is evident from SE
styles on display in their look
the ever-dependable relaxed
on the faces of women weari
smart blazers, pencil skirts an
recently released Roque Suit
which features a distinctive tw
on the double-breasted jacke
named for the designer who
crafted it for her thesis collec
at Kw ant len Polyt echnic?s W
School of Design.
This shows that SEWT is all ab
making quality clothing that i
accessible and nonchalant .
Dressing up is not seen as
something that forces the
customer to be anything but
themselves, and this approac
brand of fashion marketing s
them apart in the industry. ?O
mission at SEWT is to be part
the stories of the womxn who
inspire us,? remarks Tolosa. ?
were born out of a simple ide
we wear suits too.?
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SEWT has scheduled a pair o
Coast pop-ups in Kingston a
University and Toronto?s Fin
District, running from Octob
16th and October 17th to 18
respectively.

WT?s
book;
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Adopt Don't Shop
Tyrande & Sylvanas for Adopt ion
VOKRA: Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue
Registered Non- Profit Animal Rescue Org.
604.731.2913 Leave Message
88

Travel
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Kwitonda L
Luxury and Conservat ion Coexist ence
Singita Kwitonda Lodge
Sabi Sand Game Reserve
Rwanda, Africa
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odge
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The Singit a Kw it onda Lodge calls one
of the most incredible landscapes on
earth home, and it is quickly gaining
worldwide notoriety for its ecological
treasures and world-class accommodations.
This corner of nort hern Rw anda bordering
Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the
Congo is exceptionally breathtaking,
especially for a country that has earned the
nickname The Land of a Thousand Hills.
The aptly named Volcanoes Nat ional Park
is located just south of the equator, and
three of its volcanoes (Sabyninyo, Gahinga,
and Muhubura) are visible from the resort.
Most notably, the highland tropical terrain is
home to endangered m ount ain gorillas,
and the Lodge is invested in their protection.
Opened in August of 2019, the property sits
on 178-acres of land adjacent to the gorilla?s
territory, an area that requires a substantial
presence by park officials. This treasured
land is under threat by those seeking to
ext ract m inerals and t im ber and poach
for bush m eat illegally. Gorillas are often a
target for this, which led to a significant
population decline in the ecologically
delicate region. A third of the world?s
remaining mountain gorillas call Volcanoes
National Park home.
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CONSERVATION AT ITS CORE
The Singita Kwitonda Lodge was developed
to work directly with local conservation
efforts, not just give visitors a chance to
enjoy the natural beauty. Sustainability is at
the core of all, and they maintain a garden
on the premises. The Akarabo Nursery
holds over 60,000 plants for biodiversity and
conservation purposes and is available to be
toured by visitors. The effects of agriculture
on local plant species have been a problem
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and the Nursery exists to rehabilitate local
vegetation and work with other 94 local
cooperatives that have the same goals.
The Rw anda Developm ent Board has
made strides to promote the nation?s
leadership in sustainable development, with
tourism being a key driver. The Lodge
promotes this through the involvement of
people living near its protected areas as
partners in conservation.

Since its opening, it has committed to taking
part in a government program that sees 10%
of tourism revenues going back to the
immediate community. Over US$600,000
was distributed last year to over 150
com m unit y-based project s thanks to this
program. The Lodge employed over 200
locals in the construction process and hired
70 perm anent st aff members upon
opening.
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SUSTAINABLE BUILD
The Lodge was designed with sustainability in
mind. Local materials of volcanic rock, river
st one, handm ade ceram ic t iles were used as
building materials, and craftspeople from the
surrounding communities provided oven red
clay bricks.
The landscape blends seamlessly with the hotel
itself, as towering mountain bamboo and giant
ferns were planted to provide a natural
backdrop.
This vegetation is meant to grow free
time to allow the greenery to engulf t
buildings and give visitors a sense of
in the landscape. Green-roofed 96
struct
linked with pathways of volcanic ston
monolithic stone walls give way to vo
boulders. This setting is like nowhere
Earth and provides the visitor with a s
what needs protecting.
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ly over
he
immersion
ures are
e, and
lcanic
else on
ense of
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TREKKING EXPERIENCE
An integral part of the Kwitonda experience is the trekking,
most notably to view gorillas and golden m onkeys, an
endangered species of primate that is found only in these
mountains, where they forage in bamboo vegetation at the
base of volcanoes.
The gorillas are experiencing a slow increase in population,
but conservation workers emphasize that they remain
incredibly vulnerable. Kwitonda?s land serves as a buffer
zone between the ever-expanding agricultural land and the
gorilla?s habitat. Trekking adventures are meant to inspire
awe, where visitors can view the incredible animals from a
distance, but not interfere with them.
After trekking and other conservation-based activities, guests
return to their well-furnished suites, and enjoy a meal, visit
the spa, and congregate at the bar.
4 NATIONS, 1 KWITONDA LODG
Singita has a strong reputation f
under the One Planet Living Fra
activities when they build. With 1
four African nat ions, attention
the land while empowering the l
Principles like sourcing local mat
conserving energy 98 are followed a
Kwitonda Lodge represents an o
at conservat ion-based building
boundaries of what is possible.
Rwanda has seen incredible grow
opening represents a chance to
with the world, and most import
preserved.
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E
or sustainability, and works
am ew ork, guiding all
5 lodges in operation over
is given to treading lightly on
ocal community.
erials, minimizing waste and
s much as possible, and
rganization that is very good
and is looking to push the
th in recent years, and this
share the country?s beauty
antly, to show how it can be
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Publisher's Message
Em ily Forgot , Inst allat ion
IDS West 2019
Vancouver Convention Centre
September 27, 2019
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Publishers Message
Since launching in March 2019, the creation of
Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine has been a
solo endeavor, one that had me working at
breakneck speed during the last week of each
month. That all changed this issue with the
welcoming of copywriters, Coleman Pete and
Mona Butler, to assist in creating the stories that
you just enjoyed.
I created Folio.YVR in response to what I saw as a
gap in the coverage of our unique west coast
lifestyle and in the way traditional publishing was
not adapting to meet the needs of their
advertisers.
Now that our sponsored digital publication is
flourishing, the next step is to launch two
additional titles quickly. The first,
EcoLux? Lifestyle will be a magazine-format
digital publication with a focus on the women's
beauty, health and wellness market, to be followed
by The EcoLux? List, which will be a YVR-based
ultra- luxury listicle. The fantastic M?c Kenneth
Licon is our new web developer, so in the next few
months watch for changes to EcoLuxLuv.com.
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Consultant, Tania Hogan, has joined me at
EcoLuxLuv Communications to work with your
team in maximizing your brand's digital strategy.
Her expertise in sales, operations, client
management, and all things that glitter and go
really fast, has been a lifesaver as the demand for
ELL Comms digital consulting has grown.
102

I invite businesses that operate in the luxury
lifestyle market to consider letting us write and
share your story. Many of you know, print
magazines cannot provide actual and accurate
post-publishing readership numbers or social media
reach statistics. This is why I created this unique
digital marketing tool, to help the luxury market
engage further with your brand.
We focus on finding the story within the story and
push it out into the digital universe via direct
distribution to a network of over 22,000
subscribers and multiple RSS feeds, four weeks of
social media boosts, and a 30-day post-publishing
report that reflects the reach of your story.
In addition, ELL Comms offers digital consulting
packages that allows us to work with your team in
maximizing your brand's digital strategy.
The next issue of Folio.YVR will take us to the end
of the year and will be available in mid-November.
Let me know if you would like talk about having
your story in Issue # 8.
Best wishes,
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COPYWRIT
IMAGE CRE
COVER: HE
TOC: MAT
PAGE 4- 5:
PAGES 6- 1
PAGES 16-
PAGES 18-
PAGES 20-
PAGES 30-
PAGES 32-
PAGES 40-
PAGES 42-
PAGES 52-
PAGES 54-
PAGES 68-
PAGES 74-
PAGES 84-
PAGES 88-
PAGES 90-
PAGE 100:
PAGE 101:
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PAGES 76-
MODELS:
BLAI ARA
PHOTOGR
WARDROB
HAIR & M
ASST ST

ERS: COLEMAN PETE, MONA BUTLER
DITS
LEN SIWAK
LO ATELIER (SEE PAGE 76 BELOW)
HELEN SIWAK
5: COURTESY OF NICK KOSS
17: MOSTAFA KESHVARI
19: HELEN SIWAK
29: BEHROYAN & ASSOCIATES
31: HELEN SIWAK
39: COURTESY OF DREW MUNRO
41: HELEN SIWAK
51: COURTESY OF QUANJUDE
53: HELEN SIWAK
67: HELEN SIWAK
71: COURTESY OF SHOWCASE PIANOS
75: HELEN SIWAK
83: COURTESY OF MATLO ATELIER
FAMILY MANAGEMENT: STEPHANIE THOMAS,
BIA, SIERA BRUZZESE
APHY: JAMIE MANN
E: MATLO ATELIER
AKEUP: JASON MATLO
YLING: CORISSA BAGAN
87: COURTESY OF SEWT OFFICIAL
89: COURTESY OF VOKRA
99: COURTESY OF SINGITA KWITONDA LODGE
KUNA PHOTOGRAPHY / HELEN SIWAK
HELEN SIWAK
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