Folio.YVR ☆ Issue 6 ☆ Luxury Lifestyle Magazine ☆ Vancouver, BC ☆ September 2019
In this issue, we present Manuel Bernaschek - purveyor of Stefano Ricci & Showcase Pianos, take luxury getaway Villa Eyrie Resort on Vancouver Island, attend the astounding Diner en Blanc, interview luxury slow-fashion visionary Geoffrey B Small and shop at KAPADE, dine with Juno Kim, take a walk through West Van $10M property, chill in the 13C Wine Storage ☆ Join us each month for stories of personalities, places, and things that make Vancouver amazing ☆ VIP, Private, and Charity Events ☆ Plantbased Culinary ☆ Luxury, Super, and Hypercar thrills ☆ Luxury Designs in Fashion and Furnishings ☆ Adventure Travel in Planes & Trains ☆ Cruelty-free Beauty and Spa Experiences ☆ Published Monthly by EcoLuxLuv Communications ☆ Inquire about Sponsorship Opportunities! [ORDER HARD COPY HERE! https://folioyvr.com/order-print-copies-folioyvr-portfolioyvr-here]
In this issue, we present Manuel Bernaschek - purveyor of Stefano Ricci & Showcase Pianos, take luxury getaway Villa Eyrie Resort on Vancouver Island, attend the astounding Diner en Blanc, interview luxury slow-fashion visionary Geoffrey B Small and shop at KAPADE, dine with Juno Kim, take a walk through West Van $10M property, chill in the 13C Wine Storage ☆ Join us each month for stories of personalities, places, and things that make Vancouver amazing ☆ VIP, Private, and Charity Events ☆ Plantbased Culinary ☆ Luxury, Super, and Hypercar thrills ☆ Luxury Designs in Fashion and Furnishings ☆ Adventure Travel in Planes & Trains ☆ Cruelty-free Beauty and Spa Experiences ☆ Published Monthly by EcoLuxLuv Communications ☆ Inquire about Sponsorship Opportunities!
[ORDER HARD COPY HERE! https://folioyvr.com/order-print-copies-folioyvr-portfolioyvr-here]
Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!
Leverage SEO-optimized Flipbooks, powerful backlinks, and multimedia content to professionally showcase your products and significantly increase your reach.
folio.yvr
SEPT 2019
I SSUE 6
PERSONALITIES
MANUEL BERNASCHEK 6
VANEESHA ADVANI 14
LUXURY LIVING
1036 MILLSTREAM ROAD 22
HOSPITALITY
VILLA EYRIE RESORT 32
CULINARY
THE CHEFS OF ALPINA 44
ALPINA COCKTAILS 56
JUNO KIM 60
13C WINE CELLAR 62
LUXURY RETAIL
GEOFFREY B SMALL 70
EVENTS
CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE 78
DINER EN BLANC 82
RUBEN'S OPEN 90
THE MAID 98
PHILANTHROPY
CHARLIE'S FOUNDATION 106
2
All rights reserved. No part of the material protected by this copyright notice may be reproduced or
utilized in any form or by any means, w ithout w ritten permission from EcoLuxLuv Com m unicat ions.
FOLIO.YVR does not accept any responsibilities for incorrect information as all information is deemed to
be accurate as of date of publishing. FOLIO.YVR does not accept unsolicited materials.
FOLIO.YVR is published monthly by EcoLuxLuv Com m unicat ions and is a sponsored supplement to luxury
lifestyle blog EcoLuxLuv .com , and as part of services 2 provided to clients. Queries regarding collaboration,
sponsorship, marketing, consulting, inclusion in FOLIO.YVR, and all inquiries should be directed to the
2
publisher via hyperlink or text to 778.847.3011.
Mailing address is c/ o Helen Siw ak, Suite A, 489 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Y 1L3
Personalities
4
Art ist : Bunnie Reiss
201 East 7th Avenue
Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Mural Fest 2018
4
4
5
Manuel Bernas
Of Lessons Learned & Living Life Well
Poggio Ai Segugi / Stefano Ricci Estate
Via Contessalina, 593C, 50033
Firenzuola FI, Italy
July 14, 2019
6
6
chek
6
6
Having the courage to
build the best life for
your family is something that
Manuel Bernaschek holds in his
heart.
From humble beginnings, he is a
man who has been willing to do
what it took to create a rewarding
and purposeful life for his family.
It was through hard work and
perseverance, he built himself up
from a sales associate in a music
store to the well-traveled purveyor
of some of the most desired brands
in the world.
His entrepreneurial instinct was
piqued when customers seeking
pianos began asking about the
Italian-made Fazioli. After securing
an investor to bring the brand to
Vancouver, Bernaschek traveled to
Italy to meet with the company's
founder Paolo Fazioli, where
his tenacity paid off and a deal
was struck.
8
8
8
8
SHOWCASE PIANOS IS BORN
Together with his wife Judy, he
launched Showcase Pianos. Within
the month they had sold their first
Fazioli. Not that sales came easily,
though; it took hard work and
diligence. Remarking on a story
about the Shangri- La Hotel, he
says, ?I wanted a Fazioli in that
hotel, so I set about contacting the
management, but they wouldn?t take
my calls.? After what he claims was
over 80 unreturned calls, emails and
personal visits (often with
chocolates in hand), he finally got
through to the owner of the hotel.
Since then, the hotel group has
purchased many Fazioli?s, and
Showcase Pianos is recognized as
the top-selling Fazioli dealers in the
world, which also sells its fair share
of excellent European brands like
Seiler, Grotrian, and C. Bechstein.
Bernaschek explains his success
with a modest grin: ?Since we
founded Showcase Pianos in 2007,
we have sold well over 100 Fazioli
pianos ? which is the most costly
line of pianos in the world. Through
it, we have met some of the most
amazing people in town, many of
which would continue to do more
business with me if they had the
need, but most don?t need more
than one or two pianos.?
DISCOVERING STEFANO RICCI
Some years ago, during a trip to
Italy to visit the Fazioli factory,
Bernaschek happened across a hotel
window display showcasing neckties
made by Stefano Ricci. ?I saw this
hand-pleated tie and fell in love
with it. So, with my wife, I walked in
and bought one. It was about 400
euros at the time.? He made it a
point to return to Stefano Ricci
stores each time he was in Italy, and
eventually, he elected to seek the
Ricci family out.
10
10
10
10
11
Bernaschek planned to adopt a similar
strategy to Fazioli, eager to be the first to
bring a quality Italian brand to the
Vancouver market. The Ricci?s made him
work for it, however, offering him the right
to open a store if he agreed to carry the
entire line. After a handshake deal with an
investment partner went awry, Bernaschek
opened his eagle head-adorned storefront
with his new partners, the Ricci?s
themselves.
?Stefano Ricci has the strictest standards
for every aspect of the operation, which I
find very impressive. I got to appreciate
this more through a few experiences before
we opened the store.
For example, the head office sent out their
top visual merchandizing expert from Italy
to come to our store to place all the items
in their perfect position.
But, the gentleman would not leave the
store until he had first sent the photos to
Mr. Ricci himself, who was waiting to
examine them before giving his approval.
Mr. Ricci wrote back saying that he could
see a wrinkle in one of the shirts displayed
in one of the main windows!?
Opening Stefano Ricci was a strategic
business move by Bernaschek. When asked
about the reasoning behind taking such a
significant risk on taking on the
responsibility of a second luxury brand,
Bernaschek reflected.
?I thought that it would help to have
another brand that was equally exclusive
and luxurious but was at a lower price point
than a $150,000 piano. The Stefano Ricci
brand is very exclusive and ultra-high
quality. I see a great amount of cross over
between the two businesses.?
He further explains, ?? that people don?t
mind paying a higher price for something
that has some clearly identifiable
superiority to other products. In the case of
both Fazioli and Stefano Ricci, it is
immediately apparent that higher quality
materials and workmanship were involved in
their production.?
In his private office in the Stefano Ricci
boutique, Bernaschek recalls the struggles.
?It isn?t easy, you know. People think, look
at him, the high roller. They don?t know how
tough it is to make this work. They don?t
always understand the life of an
entrepreneur.?
12
12
UL: Manuel with BIG Architect Lorenz Krisai at the Fazioli Pianoforti factory
discussing a new Westbank custom piano | The Butterfly Piano at the
Westbank Fight for Beauty Installation | Kengo Kuma designed piano at
Oakridge Mall's Unwritten Exhibition | Paolo Fazioli signing a newly completed
piano.
12
12
14
14
V
aneesha Advani
Designs by Sonia / KAPADE
440 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC, V6B 1L1
August 24, 2019
14
14
When you step
away from the busyness
of West Hastings into KAPADE, you
enter into an atmosphere devoid of the
mood-setting music and chatter typical
of most retail spaces. Instead, you find
yourself enveloped by calm and
carefulness; all crafted by owner
Vaneesha Advani. The displayed
clothing and accessories play into this
theme. Each chosen with care and
diligence that reflects the attention to
detail that Advani brings to all aspects
of her professional career.
As a professional woman, Advani has
amassed a wealth of experience from
working in the fashion industry.
Since studying fashion design at the
prestigious Parsons School of Design
in New York, she has spent time
working in Vancouver, Montreal, and
Eindhoven, the Netherlands, while
consistently showing at international
fashion weeks.
Her family has kept her motivated
along the way, especially her brother
Ramesh Jai Gulabrai, who was
recently awarded the best feature film
at the Cannes International Pan
African Film Festival.
He acts as a source of creative
inspiration and shares her commitment
to constant self-improvement. "We
both inspire one another?we both are
in creative fields. The reason I am able
to go on, despite some bumps on the
road, is because of my brother
Ramesh, and my father. They have
always believed in me. I would say we
are relentless; we don't stop."
Advani's collection, Designs by Sonia
was inspired by her travels throughout
West Africa, specifically her birthplace
of Ghana. She sourced large glass
beads from this region and crafted her
creations in her workshop in
Eindhoven. Her line currently features
other eclectic materials, like burnt
wood, linen ribbons, and Japanese
yarns.
16
16
16
16
"These accessories are statement pie
"meant to be worn by a woman seek
her contemporaries." It is her commit
boldness that creates a consistent m
Designs by Sonia stockists in Europ
devoted fans like legendary fashion i
18
18
ces," Advani shares,
ing to stand-out amongst
ment to uniqueness and
essage that has garnered
e and Japan and
con Iris Apfel.
In November 2018, Advani
opened KAPADE on a whim.
"I was browsing through the
internet and came across the
website which had local retail
spaces for rent. I just got
curious and started to look at
them. Not knowing I would get
into retail, and to make a long
story short, before I knew it I
had a space, and once I had a
space, I made a commitment,"
she remarks with a shy smile.
The usually daunting process of
acquiring labels for a new
venture did not materialize for
Advani. Her vast connections
throughout the industry made
the choice of designers for the
store simple because, with
many, she has developed trust
through personal relationships.
This knowledge allowed her to
ensure quality in workmanship
and materials in her collections.
Her mindset towards buying
echoes this. "I believe in buying
clothes which are timeless; I
focus on fabrics, shapes, and
colours?I am not wild on prints,"
she remarks, then laughs. "In
the end, it is about my clients; I
want them to feel good in
them."
18
18
Labels currently stocked at
KAPADE include the
traditionally adventurous
Ablesia, handcrafted bags by
Mutsaers, multi-functional
dresses by Elementum, unique
screen-printed jewelry by Uli
Rapp, USA-based Nrk Style,
and footwear by Spain's
Petrucha Studio. This diverse
selection attracts a particular
type of customer, according to
Advani. She finds worldly and
progressive women wearing
these clothes, and sees that
they take inspiration from
theatre, the arts and politics
much like herself.
Advani takes care not to define
her patrons by age but
emphasizes the timeless looks
that well-dressed women can
style and own. The result of this
is boutique meant for women to
create enduring and versatile
head-to-toe looks all from one
place.
To see the Kapade collections on
the runway and support the VSO
100 Symphony of Style fundraiser
"EAST MEETS WEST: "A Symphony
of Style" at the Royal Vancouver
Yacht Club on Nov. 8th.
Buy Tickets: 604.876.3434
Luxury Living
20
Ciara Havishya, Art ist
Vintage Ink Wine Launch
Celebrities Underground
1022 Davie Street
Vancouver, BC
August 22, 2019
20
20
20
21
1036 Millstre
22
Navid Behroyan PREC
Behroyan & Assoc. Real Estate Services Ltd.
1495 Clyde Avenue
West Vancouver, BC
am Road
22
22
23
24
9 B
6 Bedro
7 Firepla
5 Applian
Security Sys
Built- in Central
Swirlpool/ Hot
Listing: $10.
aths
oms
ces
ces
tem
A/ C
tub
58M
In 1931, West Vancouver agreed to sell 4,000-acres
of its mountainside to a syndicate owned by the
Guinness Brewing Company. This fortuitous decision has led to nearly
90-years of the most extraordinary development seeing some of Canada's
most lavish homes being built on the North Shore Mountains.
This stunning 8,000-square-foot 3-storey mansion, designed by the
renowned David Christopher, is on a lot of 14,966-square-feet, with
ocean, city, and mountain views.
Navid Behroyan of Behroyan & Associates Real Estate Services is the
Primary Agent for this property.
Click to 24Connect
24
25
26
26
26
26
27
- Infinity Edge Hot Tub
- Double Infinity Edge Pool
- NEST Control
- Miele Appliances
- Smart Home Activation
- Modern Theatre
- Wine Cellar
- Cigar/ Cognac Room
28
28
28
28
30
30
Adventure
Adopt Don't Shop
Tux & Ot hers Are Wait ing
VOKRA: Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue
Registered Non-Profit Animal Rescue Org.
604.731.2913 Leave Message
30
30
31
Villa E
32
yrie Resort
Five-St ar Rest & Relaxat ion
600 Ebadora Lane
Malahat, BC
July 19, 2019
32
32
33
When your true home is in the sky, it is
difficult to imagine life without the vast
horizon as your backdrop. With a steaming Nespresso in
hand, I lean back on the deck of the Tuscan-inspired
villa, my experience heightened by a pair of swallows
swooping against a cloudless sky. This weekend is
defined by solitude and my ?home away from home?is
the Villa Eyrie Resort.
Situated atop the Malahat Range, Villa Eyrie is a
leisurely thirty-minute drive from Victoria. This 40-room
resort overlooks Finlayson Arm on the southern end of
the Saanich Inlet with spectacular unobstructed views
of the entire lower half of the island and the Olympic
Mountains beyond. On this morning, my idyllic view
changes occasionally as pleasure boats leave behind
frothy trails of white foam.
ALL PATHS LEAD TO VILLA EYRIE
At an altitude of 1,156-feet, Villa Eyrie features a
heart-achingly beautiful view which is visible from every
aspect of the property where it sits, staggered along a
sloping mountainside. The focal point is Villa Principale
which houses the Alpina Restaurant, a languid mineral
pool, and luxury suites. Minutes away by foot or driver,
are three luxury villas (Cielo, Aquila, and Vista), the
Tuscan Spa, a tented ampitheatre for special events,
a helicopter pad, and convenient additional parking.
Guests will notice that the resort property is very
natural in appearance. The take-away from my arrival
?walk and talk,?with Alexander Fischer- Jean, the
property?s Hotel General Manager, is that the resort
philosophy is to employ a gentler approach to
groundskeeping. They eschew the traditional desire to
tame and groom nature, and in its place, allow native
flora to thrive with appropriate grooming as needed.
34
34
34
34
35
A peaceful early morning walk around the
property is filled with only the sounds of
nature. As I stroll along the curb-less
paved roads, there are long plumes of wild
grass on both sides. All around are an
abundance of white and yellow
wildflowers blanketing the rocky terrain,
bunches of blooming prickly thistle, and
broad-trunked Arbutus standing stoic
amidst their cast-off bark. The scene is
serene.
Moving away from the main buildings and
onto hiking trails, the forest thickens with
towering pine and spruce. The rocky
ground is thick with shrubbery, from
which small birds chirp. In the distance, a
pair of deer graze calmly, and on a nearby
rocky outcropping, a garter snake slows
to glance my way before slinking off. It is
the beginning of a brilliant day.
AERIE REBORN AS VILLA EYRIE
After a 9-year closure and $2M+ in
renovations, the Aerie Resort became Villa
Eyrie. The new name is a nod to the
nesting grounds of the majestic eagles
which soar overhead as they hunt
between the water and the mountain
summit.
Villa Eyrie Resort is the first hotel in
British Columbia and Canada?s second, to
be accepted into the elite Small Luxury
Hotels of the World collection of
independently operated hotels. The resort
joins 520+ four-star and five-star
properties which are held to the highest
possible quality standards. According to
Fischer-Jean, the resort is a perfect fit
for the prestigious collection. ?Our guests
appreciate staying in a breathtaking
setting in the heart of Lower Vancouver
Island.?
On the patio of the award-winning
Alpina Restaurant, Ryan Bissell
(Araxi, Uli?s, Beast and Brine) joins
me as I pop the top of a Ruby Rose
Sea Cider from Mount Vernon. This
semi-sweet cider is named for the
merciless Rosa Rugosa?an invasive
plant that threatens many coastal
regions. Proceeds from the ?Canadian
Invasion?cider line are used to combat
this plant in sensitive ecological areas.
As the Director of Food & Beverage
at Villa Eyrie, Bissell is responsible for
making the decisions that have led the
resort in creating a foundation in
sustainability and the sourcing of
locally produced ingredients. He
proudly shares with me the 'family'
36
relationship that the resort has with
the farms and vineyards within the
Cowichan Valley and throughout the
island.
Mere steps from the kitchen, a herb
garden flourishes with rows of edible
blooms that inspire inventive dishes
with the freshest of flavours and the
most beautiful presentations.
36
Explore Culinary
CULINARY EXCELLENCE
The Alpina Restaurant is helmed
by a trio of culinary leaders
including the Michelin- trained
Executive Chef Mario Gross,
Pastry Chef Matthias Conradi,
and Executive Sous Chef
Andreas Wechselberger. These
three share a Germanic heritage
and given the spectacular
mountaintop location, it was
only natural for the menu to
reflect this.
36
36
The ?Alpine Cuisine?reaps
accolades, and online reviews are
flush with diners voicing the
excellence of their experiences.
Reflecting upon the alpine cuisine
theme, Sommelier Sonja Todd has
curated a 2,000-bottle cellar which
was shaped over three months.
Todd chose to develop the most
extensive selection from British
Columbia?s best wineries, with
representation from every growing
region.
Explore Cocktails
37
Included are Unsworth and Averill Creek from
the burgeoning Cowichan Valley, the
Okanagan Valley (Summerhill, Cedar Creek,
Mission Hill), and Similkameen Valley (Hester
Creek, Burrowing Owl, Le Vieux Pin).
The wines were chosen, not only for taste but
also for exclusivity. Two strict criteria ensured
that each was to be among the best depiction of
its respective winery and that no bottle was
easily found in traditional retail outlet. The
selection includes a limited assortment of wines
from the sub-alpine regions of Austria, France,
Italy, and Germany encourages guests to
compare the local New World wines with those
of the Old.
RELAX IN THE TREETOPS
Taking inspiration from a dream of living
La Dolce Vita, the Lake Como styling of the
villas merges Italian architecture with
contemporary interiors. Whether staying at the
Villa Principale or in the six-suite private
penthouse at Villa Cielo higher up the mountain,
guests can be assured of all the luxuries
associated with an opulent resort stay.
With sustainability at the forefront of the
luxury accommodation industry, Villa Eyrie
is continuously working to reduce their
carbon footprint. The recognition and
eco-centric nature of the west coast, led the
resort to launch with dramatically reduced waste
generation (energy, water, food, plastics),
including the recent conversion from miniature
amenities bottles to a dispenser system with a
scent-neutral vegan and cruelty-free product
from LATHER.
38
The choice of this certified vegan and
cruelty-free brand, along with the option of
non-down bed linens, provides comfort to those
seeking refuge at a resort that is inclusive in its
offerings.
Private balconies, soaker tubs, fireplaces, and
the plushest pillow-top mattresses, reward those
who venture up the mountain to this gem of a
resort.
With
enc
con
enjo
coc
Per
is a
rela
ped
Saa
exp
Usin
com
isla
you
AW
Whi
of c
unp
bas
38
The Vancouver Island Motorcar Circuit gives
guests the chance to test out high-performance
vehicles on professional track only 30-minutes from
the resort. The Circuit provides a portfolio of driving
experience packages including the 'Tour d?Italia?
(FIAT, Alfa Romeo, Maserati) and 'A Taste of
Germany?(Porsche, Mercedes- Benz, Audi, BMW)
which offer guests a choice of fleet vehicles for an
exhilarating island adventure.
a check-in time of 4 pm, guests are
ouraged to drop their bags with the
cierge, explore the property, and if peckish,
y a light lunch at Alpina or hand-crafted
ktails alongside the mineral pool
haps the most alluring way to pass the time
visit to the Tuscan Spa. With three
xation treatment rooms, a manicure and
icure lounge, and a 180-degree view of the
nich Inlet, the spa provides a truly unique
erience.
g only the finest organic ingredients,
bined with local herbs sourced from the
nd, spa treatments can be tailored to suit
r particular desires.
E INSPIRING EXPERIENCES
le I visited Village Eyrie Resort with the goal
atching up on my writing and spending time
lugged, others enjoy the property as a home
e for island exploration.
38
38
39
In addition to Circuit access, guests can arrange a
visit an otherwise private facility, Coachwerks
Restoration, for an exclusive tour of the
30,000- square- foot facility featuring a vast
collection of classic European sports cars. An elite
group of some of the world?s finest technicians and
restoration specialists with full access to the
highest levels of training, equipment, and parts,
restore and display marquee brands such as
Packard, Jaguar, Ferrari, Bugatti, Avoins Voisin,
and Alfa Romeo.
The Raptors is a conservation area for birds of
prey that is 10-minutes outside of Duncan. The
knowledgeable Raptors team provides a connection
with these powerful albeit vulnerable birds and
offers visitors up-close and personal experiences
with a variety of eagles, hawks, falcons, owls,
and more.
40
Villa Eyrie is also within minutes
of top activities: whale watching
trips originating from the
picturesque fishing village of
Cowichan Bay, sea kayaking the
quiet waters of Mill Bay,
mountain biking and ziplining
through the lush forests, and
exploring the abundant lakes,
waterfalls, and caves.
As the sun set on the last day of
my visit, I stepped into one final
bubble bath, slid deep into the
soaker tub, and disappeared into a
blanket of lavender scented
bubbles. A chilled glass of
Fitzpatrick?s Gewurztraminer
and a trio of house-made sorbet
is within reach.
Over my left shoulder is an
unbelievable 270-degree view of
the majestic mountainside, and
over my right is a big-screen
television catching me up on the
latest entertainment news.
It is my last night in paradise, and
after three days of self-care at
Villa Eyrie Resort, my computer
has yet to be booted, but my
spirit has been replenished.
40
40
41
Culinary
Alpina Rest aurant
600 Ebadora Lane
Malahat, BC
July 19, 2019
42
42
42
43
THE C
44
44
HEF'S OF ALPI NA
Alpina Restaurant at the Villa Eyrie Resort
has garnered its share of acclaim from visitors
thanks to its exquisite culinary fare and
picturesque mountain top location.
Drawing from the bountiful fare of the
Saanich Inlet region, the inspiration from its
menu comes from a different source via two
Chefs from across the Atlantic. Executive
Chef Mario Gross and Executive Pastry Chef
Matthias Conradi bring their Germanic
heritage to the table in their unique west coast
alpine cuisine.
44
44
45
EXECUTIVE CHEF MARIO GROSS
Chef Gross brought a wealth of experience to Alpina
when he accepted the role to lead the restaurant. As
an apprentice, he built his skill set at the
Michelin-starred Relais & Chateaux and Der
Alpenholf in the Black Forest and Munich
respectively. A three-year stint at the one-star Wine &
Tafelhous in the Mosel region saw him earn his first
Head Chef position, a testament to his work ethic
and talent. ?My experience from Europe is that you
have to go slow, step by step,? he says, remembering
his days learning in a competitive environment where
other head chef hopefuls were eager to rise straight
to the top.
With an employment offer that would
require leaving Germany and his beloved
horse, Chef Gross moved with his then
wife-to-be to a new and frigid environment:
Edmonton, Alberta. Adjusting 46 to his new
home meant new challenges, like learning
English, but also presented the opportunity
to continue his development at the
renowned Hardware Grill under owner
Chef Larry Stewart. It was a referral from
a colleague that led to him to consider and
accept his first Executive Chef role at
luxury BC resort Villa Eyrie.
Executive Chef Mario Gross
46
46
47
The stalwart chef has since become
acclimatized to his surroundings and his
dynamic loyal new team. ?They are following
me into the fire,? he remarks, thankful for
their willingness to bring a cuisine
uncommon to the region and adapt it to the
landscape of the resort.
My first evening at Villa Eyrie, I joined
general manager Alexander Fischer- Jean
for dinner. Together we enjoyed an amuse
bouche with walnut meat, house-basked
crisp breads, and the lead dish from the
newly launched Fall/Winter menu?a
Zucchini Spaghetti?inspired by a personal
recipe of Fischer-Jean?s wife, artfully
recreated by Chef Gross.
The dish is prepared with a grillato sauce,
baby gem tomatoes, Italian chickpea fries,
and a stimulating level of fresh garlic.
Lovers of the heady bulb will not be
disappointed with this fresh gluten-free take
on such a time-honoured pasta. With herbs
plucked from a greenhouse, mere steps from
the kitchen, the aroma of the dish was
intoxicating.
48
48
48
48
E
C
a
A
s
H
W
l
t
M
a
f
50
50
EXECUTIVE PASTRY CHEF MATTHIAS CONRADI
Conradi brings a well-honed skill set from training
around the world. After working in Germany,
Abu Dhabi, and Switzerland he flourished at
several reputable restaurants on Vancouver Island.
He developed his craft in Tofino at the
Wikaninnish Inn under Chef Rodney Butters before
launching and operating the Patissier Conradi for
three years.
Most recently he was a member of the culinary team
at the Sooke Harbour House, renowned for their
farm-to-table food service.
Throughout this journey, Chef Conradi worked to
perfect the baking of fresh buns and bread like his
signature sourdough rye bread, a staple of Alpina?s
German-inspired cuisine. His philosophy towards
baking often challenges shape and form, and he is
known to deconstruct and re- assemble dishes
using unorthodox methods.
An avid sketcher, he regularly develops elegant
drawings of his recipes before making them and
often looks to the natural bounty around him as
inspiration. His ample, yet judicious, application of
edible flowers and herb blooms, creates visually
stunning dishes.
Executive Pastry Chef Mattias Conradi
50
50
51
After an early morning wake-up,
I challenged the in-room
Nespresso machine to brew a
cup of coffee strong enough to
wake me?a solid two hours
before my usual. On the balcony
of my suite above the Tuscan
Spa, I watched a pair of swallows
swoop as they caught breakfast
for the chicks that were
discreetly tucked under the
eaves. I sipped in solitude, slowly
shaking off the fresh-air
sleepiness, and anticipating the
first meal of the day.
Sufficiently caffeinated and
appropriately dressed, the driver
delivered me and my appetite to
Villa Principale. After a
refreshing mimosa, an array of
warm plates appeared
accompanied by Chef Conradi,
who took great delight in
presenting a morning repast that
pushed physical boundaries with
a bounty of plantbased
ingredients?a majority sourced
locally from the Cowichan Valley.
The cornmeal waffles were
crunchy on the outside,
wonderfully chewy in the centre
and were accompanied by a spicy
maple syrup and a trio of
toppings: housemade agave
granola, dark chocolate ganache,
and field berry compote. À la
carte sides of delicately sliced
fruit, grilled red peppers, and
crispy herbed potatoes brought a
desired savoury element to the
table.
The following morning Chef
Conradi presented plantbased
granola pancakes topped by a
slice of coconut milk and vanilla
bean panna cotta; creatively
repurposed from my previous
evening?s dinner. As we spoke,
he shared his pleasure to have
created a dish that would be
enjoyed a second time?a
sustainable dessert!
The hearty pancakes were
sweetened with maple syrup, and
the toppings were again stellar:
chili-glazed cherries, a tart berry
puree, sugar-coated blueberries,
and another which was devoured
before making it to the
pancakes?possibly sweet-pickled
shredded apple and radish.
The new menu?s alpine identity is
so wonderfully intertwined with
the essence of the Island and its
abundance that it creates a
genuinely unique dining
experience.
This fall, Villa Eyrie Resort is
indeed bringing a new
perspective to west coast dining,
not on in the award-winning
Alpina Restaurant with a
non-alcoholic menu of
hand-crafted cocktails, but as the
Island's preferred venue for
weddings, special events, and
corporate retreats.
Director of Food & Beverage R
52
52
yan Bissell
52
52
Cocktails
Alpina Rest aurant
600 Ebadora Lane
Malahat, BC
July 19, 2019
54
54
54
54
New Twist on
56
56
There is a societal movement afoot
which has cocktail lovers leaning
away from their usual thirst-quenching
favourites and towards a kinder, gentler
approach to imbibing. As odd as it sounds, they
are drinking without 'drinking.'
As the resort prepares to launch the Senna
Lounge, Villa Eyrie Resort has already
factored in this shift. General Manager of Food
and Beverage Ryan Bissell tapped into his
personal and years experience in the industry to
develop a non- alcoholic menu suitable for a
resort on the top of the mountain.
Ensuring that the beverages they developed
would be just as good or better than those with
alcohol was essential for Bissell, "we have many
guests that are expecting little packages of joy,"
he says, citing the expectations that the
beautiful location brings.
Villa Eyrie provides non-alcoholic options for an
audience that may not desire an alcoholic drink,
whether for health, pregnancy, religion, or
any other reason. "There are a lot of people,
like me, that are choosing not to drink
anymore," remarks Bissell.
Toasting
Alpina Rest aurant
Villa Eyrie Resort
600 Ebadora Lane
Malahat, BC
July 29, 2019
56
56
57
Alpina's bartender Kyle utilizes the
Seedlip Drinks line to devise non-alcoholic
versions of familiar cocktails and to create
new ones that do not exist purely for
mimicry.
Known as one of the world?s first
non-alcoholic spirits brands, the UK's Seedlip
company distills bases that are free of sugar
and artificial ingredients. Instead, the drinks
created lean on quality botanically sourced
flavours. Its newest offering, the Seedlip
Grove 42 blends accents of lemongrass,
ginger, and Japanese Sansho peppercorns
with citrus-forward notes of orange and
mandarin, to create a fresh and delicious
base for many creative cocktails.
For those who wish a right proper drink,
beyond pulls from several taps of
Vancouver Island's Hoyne Brewery, Kyle
crafts delicious gin cocktails from the
award-winning Sheringham Distillery,
offers up frosty vodka drinks from
Ampersand Distilling Co, and pops the tops
on the intriguing flavours of Sea Cider Farm
& Ciderhouse from Mount Vernon.
Also, on the new menu is Grand Basil, which
Kyle has reinterpreted quite cleverly.
Originally this cocktail is a very interesting
Neo- Martini created in 2001 somewhere in
the world by someone unknown ? according
to online lore. Using ingredients plucked from
the fresh herb garden outside of the kitchen
door plus muddled strawberries; Kyle
shakes up a creative combination of
Green Chartreuse, Grand Marnier, pours it
into a Nick & Nora glass après an Absinthe
rinse, and tops it with a floating basil leaf
adorned with spheres of strawberry, basil,
and a crank of black pepper.
After sampling six hand-crafted cocktails by
Kyle, three with and three without alcohol, I
came to the conclusion that pairing the
peppery Grand Basil above with a fresh fruit
and sorbet plate from the talent of
Chef Mattias Conradi. Cheers!
58
58
58
58
60
Haku Vodka Umami Noodles
with kelp, snow pea tips, and
furikake seasoning
60
Juno
Kim
X HAKU VODKA
The House of Suntory and Vancouver
chef, caterer, and food stylist Juno Kim
teamed up to create a vegan recipe using
their newly released Japanese craft
Haku Vodka.
Kim added his personal touch to the vodka
pasta sauce to give it East Asian flavours
with tons of umami and flavour coming
from the miso, tamari, gochujang, and
nutritional yeast.
Suntory is a Japanese craft vodka from
the founding House of Suntory Whisky,
created with 100% Japanese white rice and
bamboo followed by charcoal filtration.
The bottle is adorned with a kanji for Haku
means means white but the subtlety of the
Japanese language often gives kanji
several readings. This particular kanji also
can read as shiro which means 'white.'
If it is read as haku, it is intentionally
rooted and elevated, like this dish.
60
60
? ? Click for Recipe
61
13C Win
62
62
e Storage
15 East 6th Avenue
Vancouver, BC, V5T 1J3
August 1, 2019
By Appointment Only
62
62
The heavy entry door is surrounded
by a smooth grey stone facade,
bare except for the unit number, an
intercom box, and an intimidating
fingerprint scanner. Welcome to 13C, an
exclusive, state-of-the-art wine storage
facility.
The unmarked location is a stone?s throw
from Vancouver?s busy Main Street, but
once you step inside, the noises, smells,
and distractions of the city evaporate.
Closed-circuit television cameras record all
activity inside and outside. The
sophisticated security and scientifically
controlled environment safeguard
members?reserve collections while offering
unparalleled private access any day of the
year, at any time of the day or night.
13C?s founder and owner Drew Malcolm,
does not have a background in the wine
industry. In fact, his primary business
interests lie in sales and marketing,
e-commerce, and real estate investment.
His path to 13C was indirect, the result of
every wine collectors nightmare.
When an electrical failure destroyed his
wine collection in 2010, Malcolm began
searching for off-site storage that would
be accessible 24-hours a day and found
such a facility did not exist in Vancouver.
Sensing a new business opportunity,
Malcolm began to tour various facilities
around North America, noting the best
features of each, and working with
mechanical engineers to design a
climate?control system.
In 2010, he invested in a 2-storey building,
gutted it, and over the next two years
insulated the walls and ceilings to create
?a very large refrigerated box,? which he
would transform into 13C.
The facility has an industrial-chic aesthetic.
It is situated below ground level and
houses a series of 500-square-foot zones
? each with a digitally controlled
thermostat and cooling unit which holds at
a constant temperature of 13°C. There is
no natural light and the humidity level,
maintained between 65-75 percent, is
delivered via an ultrasonic mist which
auto-dispenses as conditions require.
While wine storage is the main service
13C offers, collectors who store wine 64
there benefit from an added perk. Before
reaching the lockers through the front
entrance, there is a tasting room, set at
standard room temperature.
64
64
64
66
66
It is comfortably furnished with an extensive
library of wine books, and a beautiful wooden
table made from reclaimed Douglas fir. Members
may enjoy the room at no extra cost by merely
booking it ahead of time.
With each locker individually bolted and alarmed,
members hold the only keys to their treasures.
Lockers are constructed of rough- hewn
tongue- and- groove pine and birch with a highly
lacquered finish. Black metal deadbolts are the
single contrasting colour, and the overall effect
is one of a striking geometric art installation.
The lockers include custom racking, from the
eight- case starter up to a 275- case room
equivalent to a generous walk- in closet. The
mid- range sizes hold 16, 24, 32, 48, and 96
cases.
For those who prefer to remain anonymous, the
option of pulling into sub- ground private parking
behind the building gives them the freedom to
enter and leave?with those at street level none
the wiser.
As we roll into fall, Malcolm is at a bit of a
crossroads with 13C. The facility has long been
operating at capacity and as the waiting list
continues to grow, he ponders the possibility of
expansion and what investment would look like.
Until then, we are quite sure Drew Malcolm will
ponder the next phase of 13C with a glass of his
favourite vintage in hand.
66
66
Luxury Reta
68
Vancouver St udio (A
Artist: Andy Dixon
East 4th between Quebec and
Vancouver Mural Fest 2017
July 13, 2019
il
ft er Mat isse)
Main
68
68
69
Geoffrey B
70
Sm
Leisure Cent er
950 Home Street
Vancouver, BC
August 6, 2019
all
70
70
71
Inside Leisure Center
Vancouver?s slick and
intricately decorated showroom, a
lively crowd gathered for the
introduction of a line from one of
the world?s most imitated but
often least recognized fashion
designers.
Geoffrey B Small may not be a
household name on the West
Coast, but his international
reputation for creating what he
calls the ?best in the world when it
comes to advanced high-end
clothing? precedes him.
Small is known for showing more
collections in Paris than any other
American designer. His journey
has led him across the world from
producing a massively successful
shirt design in his home of
Newton, Mass., to moving his
company to Cavarzere, Italy to
be closer to the world?s greatest
producers of clothing. However,
one thing has remained constant
throughout this journey: his
commitment to quality.
Small is in Vancouver to introduce
his 2020 collection, which
includes the Super 210 Arcadia,
a suit fabric made of almost
unbelievably fine yarns (210 per
every millimetre to be exact),
which are rare to find in the
industry.
?It is an extraordinary, different
category,? says Small, who has
visited Vancouver twice from Italy
to introduce his collections.
The fabric is sourced from the
oldest woolen mill still in operation
worldwide, in Piacenza, Italy.
Leisure Center will be the first
North American retailer to carry it.
This is a notable distinction for
the store, even more so when
considering that Small?s brand
only works with 20 retailers
worldwide.
?We like to think that we work
with the best retailers in the world
when it comes to advanced and
high-end clothing,? he says.
?Mason and MuYun are
spearheading a very important
movement in the North American
market.?
72
72
72
72
Body
The Super 210 Arcadia complements Leisure
Center?s other offerings for the brand, which
include eclectic pieces like intricately printed
silk shirts, a tailored French- style work jacket
and a three-piece leisure set that drapes over
the body with a waist-cinching belt.
These offerings show Small?s influences and
history as a designer, a career that began after
a massively successful design for a white shirt
led him to take his first collection to Paris in
1992. After developing his brand by creating
handmade recycled clothing in Boston, he
moved to the Veneto region of Italy to
produce his designs. He continued to
experiment with Napoleonic, Medieval, and
other avant- garde designs, all handmade, and
giving respect to the principles of ecologically
sustainable design.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Small?s
design is his commitment to fabrics that are as
74
handmade as possible. He refers to his
collection recently shown at Paris Fashion
Week as ?Technically the highest handmade
component percentage in the industry.? He
eschews the use of autonomous machines, and
has voiced his ambition to develop a
stand-alone, 100% handmade collection. The
skilled workers who are able to provide these
74
text
materials are especially important to his vision,
and he is working to distance the brand from
the image of low-cost labour that is so typical
of global fashion brands. ?These are serious
jobs in a serious economy,? he says, ?there is a
customer that is able and willing to pay the
necessary price to support that kind of skilled
work.?
This commitment to quality places certain
limitations on Small?s brand. Demand often
outpaces supply as certain pieces are released
in runs of only dozens of pieces and the
number of skilled craftspeople able to produce
at a high quality is decreasing year over year.
However, as he continues to promote the
rejuvenation of these skills, he admits that his
brand will remain relatively small, as he has no
ambition to be like the juggernauts of global
high fashion. He defines their ?brand? of luxury
as a sort of old-fashioned variety, representing
?the creation and service at a high level of
human excellence.?
?There are very few retailers pursuing the
pathway,? he concludes. Small promises a
different way of viewing where luxury clothes
come from, and surely this earns him the
recognition of being a true pioneer of
sustainable, quality design.
74
74
75
FAULKNER & CO VINTAGE
136 East Hastings
Vancouver, BC
August 5, 2019
76
76
Events
76
76
77
Concours d'
78
Elegance
& Mot orcar Weekend
Presented by the GAIN Group
Shawnigan Lake School
1975 Renfrew Road, Shawnigan Lake
August 25, 2019
78
78
The inaugural Vancouver
Island Concours
d?Elegance by the
GAIN Group, was held on a
splendidly sunny day at the
Shawnigan Lake School. 250
vehicles, many of them rare,
antique, and in mint condition, were
on display on two playing fields at
the School. It was an amazing sight,
chrome and impeccable paint
burnished by the sun.
The centre of attention was the
judging of the Concours entries. An
international calibre panel of judges,
some from such far away places as
Florida and California, and
several of whom had judged at the
Pebble Beach Concours the
previous weekend, were on hand.
Judge Jim Thomas of Florida said
the competition was extremely
impressive, especially given this was
the inaugural year.
Cindy Mui and the GAIN team
ensured a well-organized, full
attention to detail affair. Sponsor
tents lined the upper level field,
including The Agency, David
Foster Foundation, and the
Cowichan Valley Hospital
Foundation. Both Foundations
received some of the over
$185,000 raised over the day.
Other sponsors included Aurange
Jewellery, Stefano Ricci, among
many, many others who displayed a
truly generous sense of community.
The winning car was a magnificent
1954 Bentley Continental R. It is
one of one ever built, and owned by
David Cohen. The judges were
nearly unanimous, although the field
was studded with fabulous entries.
Judge Thomas said, at a dinner at
Villa Eyrie's Alpina restaurant held
that evening, that the future is
bright for the Vancouver Island
Concours d?Elegance.
80
Jim Tobler is a Vancouver-based
editor, author, and consultant with
a robust portfolio of lifestyle and
luxury lifestyle writing. A snapshot
of which can be enjoyed on the
MONTECRISTO and NUVO
magazine websites.
80
80
81
Dîner en Bla
George Wain
450 Beach Crescent
Vancouver, BC
August 8, 2019
82
82
nc
born Park
82
82
For many in Vancouver, the day that July turns
into August signals a pursuit for the perfect
all-white outfit. Even if it is only worn once in the
year, it is well worth the effort for The Social Concierge?s
Dîner en Blanc celebration.
The 2019 edition was held in the gorgeous sun on
the 8th day of the 8th month in False Creek?s
George Wainburn Park, on 2.5 hectares of greenery
ituated between a tranquil harbour and the glass cityscape.
Over 3,500 revelers arrived just before 6 pm via the
seawall and on shuttle buses from all over the Lower
Mainland.
Part of the appeal of the event comes from its secret
location, only revealed to its guests an hour beforehand.
Residents of the leafy and vibrant West End had no idea
that their colourful neighbourhood was about to be
invaded, and pedestrians and tourists alike looked
surprised as crowds clad in white ambled by with carts and
picnic baskets.
84
The impressive scale of the event makes it hard to believe
that it started in Paris nearly 30 years ago with Le Dîner
en Blanc de Paris welcoming over 10,000 guests yearly.
In 2013 a record number of 15,000 people attended the
25th-anniversary celebration.
84
84
84
85
THE ORIGIN OF DINER EN BLANC
In 1988, on a warm summer night
half-way around the world, a group
of friends decided to meet
underneath the Eiffel Tower for a
reunion picnic. It was decided that
the chicest way to distinguish
themselves from throngs of tourists
and native Parisians, was to wear
all-white, leading to a memorable
evening that has become an annual
epicurean gathering.
Though it started small, it has grown
internationally with over 70 cities
participating in such far-flung
locations as Auckland,
Copenhagen, Dakar, Haiti, Puerto
Rico, and Sao Paolo. It arrived in
Vancouver in 2012, and in 2018,
founder François Pasquier and his
wife, and members of the Dîner en
Blanc organization attended the
event at the incredible VanDusen
Botanical Gardens. Canada is home
to over a dozen events nationwide,
and you can also dine in white in
Whistler and Victoria every year.
THE NAPKINS ARE WAVED
Once all guests were settled in and
had captured memories at various
photo activation sites furnished by
corporate sponsors De Beers
Jewellery, National Bank, Concord
Pacific, and Mile's End Motors,
host Tyson Villeneuve graciously
welcomed all and prompted the
ceremonial napkin wave to signal the
official beginning of the evening.
As the sun meandere
meals were devoured
topped up, and the p
distributed large spar
to all the guests. Soo
with a sea of glitterin
starry night sky. At 1
to a close and guests
clearing and packing
86 for departure.
While many decry th
elite, others are draw
larger-than-life spec
the effort of organiz
Attendees enjoy plan
wardrobe, and a perf
all the accoutrement
evening of wonder.
d towards the horizon,
, flutes of bubbles were
roduction team
rklers and table candles
n the night was filled
g lights against the
0 pm, the evening came
reluctantly began
their tables and chairs
e event as one for the
n to be part of the
tacle, finding it is worth
ing your own experience.
ning their white
ect meal with
s that go into this
86
86
87
SubscribetoFolio.yvr on
88
For those
process, t
choosing
meal for a
This year,
award-win
Chef Dav
by Mark A
J.P. Chen
by Flowe
who want to simplify the
here is the option of
a pre-ordered 4-course
n additional fee.
the menu was created by
ning renowned
id Hawksworth with wines
nthony, bubbles by
et, and florals furnished
Followus on
r Factory.
As another Dî ner en Blanc fades
into memory, enjoy these
extraordinary images by Kuna Lu
Photography, and know that the
spirit of this Parisian-style picnic will
live on through social media posts,
and will return in 2020 with a new
location and the opportunity to
create new friendships and unique
moments
88
88
For those who have not experienced
Dîner en Blanc Vancouver, visit
The Social Concierge website and
subscribe for email notifications and
invitations to upcoming events.
Join TSC Mailing List
89
Ruben's Open
Ruben's Shoes Charit y Golf Event
Morgan Creek Golf Course
3500 Morgan Creek Way
Surrey, BC
July 18, 2019
90
90
90
90
J
azz music and gorgeously restored vintage cars
greeted the attendees of the first annual
Ruben?s Open at the Morgan Creek Golf Course
on July 18th. Guests had been invited to step back in time
to the 1930s and came out swinging in their
Bagger Vance-inspired best. The manicured greens were
awash in bright plaid trousers, checkerboard knee socks,
flapper dresses, feathered fascinators, and long strings
of creamy pearls.
Although the previous day?s downpour had revelers
concerned, the morning of Ruben?s Open saw azure blue
skies with a shining sun and a cool breeze, making for
near-perfect conditions on the greens.
Throughout the day, golfers played and grazed
hole-to-hole while sampling delicious eats from
Cactus Club and The Wooden Spoon. Rocco?s Deli
generously provided all with a takeaway gift of their
organic tomato pasta sauce. As a Tee gift, golfers
received a custom-tailored dress shirt from Indochino
and a copy of BC Business Magazine?s Top 100 Edition.
92
92
93
92
92
Spirits were elevated with a tasting of
Monkey Shoulder Whiskey
(Convergent Planning Group) and a
unique ritualistic cocktail created with
Cocalero Clasico Herbal Liqueur
(Chad & Co Mortgages).
With TD Canada Candy Bags in hand,
players enjoyed a respite in the Cutler
1920?s-themed lounge, where they
captured the moment in memorable
vintage-themed photographs by
Magik Moments.
At a hole dedicated to Ruben?s Shoes
and its mission, everyone was
encouraged to shuck their shoes and
shoot barefoot with vintage golf clubs.
The hole was a 3-part challenge:
Closest to the Pin (KP), Best Shot for
the Longest Drive, and the $25,000
Hole-in-One prize. Although everyone
gave it their best in the friendly
competition, there was no victor, and
those that tried can seek consolation in
knowing that there is always next year.
94
With a full round of golf under their
belts, participants made their way to
the clubhouse patio to enjoy the
evening with cocktails, jazz with the
Jennifer Hershman Trio, and a gala
dinner presented by ONNI Group.
94
Ruben?s Shoes' founder
Kelly Strongitharm then
delivered a powerful speech
ending in a standing ovation, and
the rest of the evening was
energetic as guests bid on live
auction items including a private
dinner with Michael Varga
(Chopped Canada Winner,
MasterChef finalist), a luxurious
weekend stay The Big White
House Retreat on Galiano
Island and more.
94
94
Ruben?s Shoes Society believes
that all children worldwide deserve
access to education and are
currently building a secondary
school for 200 students in the
Dominican Republic, which is
expected to open in August 2020.
96
Support Ruben's Shoes
96
96
97 97
The M
98
aiden Factor
Coal Harbour Marina
Slip C, 1525 Coal Harbour Quay
Vancouver, BC
July 27, 2019
98
98
99
In late July 2019, the 58-foot
restored racing yacht christened as
Maiden sailed into Coal Harbour before being
docked in North Vancouver. The last time that
this vessel was so far from its home docks of
Hamble, United Kingdom was thirty years ago,
when it gained widespread acclaim for being
the first yacht to be sailed around the world by
an all female-crew. Skipper Terry Edwards and
her glass ceiling-shattering team competed in
the 1989/90 Whitbread Round the World
Yacht Race (Now called the Ocean Race),
finishing second in their class and silencing
their harshest critics.
This inspiring story of courage and
perseverance has been captured in a
documentary film MAIDEN which tells the story
of Edwards, a 24-year-old former cook on
charter boats, who became skipper of the crew
in 1989 after remortgaging her home and
purchasing Maiden secondhand and restoring it.
Edwards dream was opposed on all sides: her
male competitors thought the crew would never
make it, the chauvinistic yachting press took
bets on her failure, and potential sponsors
rejected her, fearing that the women would die
at sea and generate bad publicity.
100
100
100
100
102
In November 2018, after being sold,
then discovered abandoned in the
Seychelles, and refurbished a second
time, Maiden left Hamble docks again.
This time, it was on a new mission to
raise awareness and funds for girls?
education around the globe through the
Maiden Factor Foundation.
Edwards and a rotating crew of
international female sailors are
passionate about their empowering
message, supporting charities including
I am A Girl, The Girls?Network,
Orchid Project, and Room to Read.
After sailing along the Western
Australian coast, and stopping in
Fremantle the following March, Maiden
continued to Sydney, Auckland and
then to Honolulu, where Vancouverite
Theresa Reidl joined the crew.
While in Vancouver the crew had many
opportunities to spread their message
including an evening at the West
Vancouver Yacht Club, meeting the
Young Women of Sailing, and hosting
an Official Welcome Ceremony and
Maiden Open Day where the public was
invited onboard to meet and interact
with the crew.
The Maiden Factor World Tour will
continue until May 2021. As their
journey across the high seas continues,
Edwards and the crew will use their
story to help to spread the powerful
message that every girl has not only the
right to an education, but the ability to
accomplish what seems impossible.
102
102
103
Philanthrop
104
104
y
104
104
Charlie's Fou
Creat ing Cha
Tropical Goleta # 1
La Cienaga
Cabarete, Dominica
106
106
ndation
nge Through Educat ion & Tennis
8
n Republic
106
106
The Dominican Republic
makes up half of the island of
Hispaniola in the Caribbean. It is a
vibrant and diverse country; the second
largest in the region (after Cuba), and it
is a place that a young woman named
Ali Le Pierrès fell in love with during
the summer of 2008. Volunteering for
the DREAM Project, this young
French-Canadian woman was embraced
by a welcoming, warm-hearted
community whose laughter, smiles, and
dancing taught her a valuable lesson in
happiness.
Her fond memories of that summer
inspired Ali to frequently return to the
Dominican Republic to visit, volunteer,
and eventually to teach at the
International School of Sosua.
Returning to Canada, she shared her
experiences with her father Charles
(president and co-founder of Canadian
clothing line Judith & Charles). Charles
had grown up a world away in France,
but the more he learned about the
Dominican, the more he recognized the
struggles of the Dominican children were
the same he had faced in his childhood,
particularly the crushing weight of
poverty.
Charles knew firsthand that poverty was
not only a physical condition but one
that breeds low self-esteem, robs
children of potential, and darkens any
hope for a successful future.
When Charles learned to play sports, it
did not solve these problems outright,
but it gave him the tools -
self- confidence, discipline, and a
sense of his potential - to seize on the
few opportunities given to him.
Together, the Le Pierrès interest in
helping grew from mutual experiences in
the Dominican Republic and the respect
they held for its peoples and cultures.
In 2015, the father-daughter duo
undertook the creation of Charlie's
Foundation. A non-profit organization
dedicated to expanding the educational
and vocational opportunities of the
Dominican youth. Together, Ali and
Charles developed the program that 108
provides lessons in English and tennis
and through this Foundation offered the
opportunity and life skills these children
so desperately needed.
108
108
108
109
The Foundation uses tennis
as a method to achieve its
goals, which is about more
than just making the students
have fun. It is the belief that
the skills learned on the court
- the discipline and
commitment to improvement -
that truly translate into the
classroom. Tennis instruction
helps reinforce the day's
language lessons in a fun and
engaging environment that
encourages youth to use
conversational English.
In October 2018, the Le
Pierrès joined forces with
Perry Shak of RBC Wealth
Management to host the
Redefine Success Gala
where Arlene Dickinson
(Dragon's Den, CEO of
Venture Communications) was
the guest speaker. The gala
event, sponsored by Air
Canada, Judith & Charles,
and The Beat 92.5, saw over
350 attendees bring in more
than $160,000 for Charlie's
Foundation.
The additional attention to
their cause has allowed the
foundation to work towards
their goals for the children of
the Dominican Republic.
"We are proud to know that
proceeds will make a
difference and empower the
nation's youth by providing
new opportunities and lift
barriers to a brighter future,"
says Charles Le Pierrès.
110
110
Support Charlie's Foundation
110
110
111
ISSUE #6 SEPTEMBER CONTRIBUTORS:
COPYWRITER: COLEMAN PETE
IMAGE CREDITS:
COVER: HELEN SIWAK
TOC: HELEN SIWAK
PAGES 4-5: HELEN SIWAK
PAGES 6-13: MANUEL BERNASCHEK
PAGES 14-19: HELEN SIWAK
PAGES 20-21: HELEN SIWAK
PAGES 22-29: BEHROYAN & ASSOCIATES
PAGES 30-31: VOKRA
PAGES 32-33: VILLA EYRIE
PAGES 34-37: HELEN SIWAK
PAGES 38-39: VILLA EYRIE
PAGES 40-45: HELEN SIWAK
PAGES 46-47U: VILLA EYRIE
PAGES 47-51: HELEN SIWAK
PAGES 52-53U: VILLA EYRIE
PAGE 53: HELEN SIWAK
PAGES 54-59: HELEN SIWAK
PAGES 60-61: JUNO KIM
PAGES 62-69: HELEN SIWAK
PAGES 70-75: LEISURE CENTER
PAGES 76-77: HELEN SIWAK
PAGES 78-81: GAIN GROUP
PAGES 82-89: KUNA LU PHOTOGRAPHY
PAGES 90-97: DESIREE DUPUIS
PAGES 98-103: THE MAID
PAGES 104-105: HELEN SIWAK
PAGES 106-111: CHARLIE'S FOUNDATION
PAGES 112-113: HELEN SIWAK
112
112
112