Folio.YVR ☆ Issue 39 ☆ February 2026 ☆ Luxury Lifestyle Magazine ☆ Vancouver, BC

folio.yvr

ISSUE #39

FEBRUA RY 2026

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A NGELA GROSSM A NN | Private Studio | Gastow n

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WELCOM E TO ISSUE # 39 - February 20 26

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | Publisher's M essage

February is a threshold. The days begin earlier,

the light softens, and the first blush of spring

brings with it an unmistakable sense of

renewal. On the West Coast, that shift feels

intimate rather than dramatic ? a quiet

reminder that evolution often begins in subtle

ways. As we move further into 20 26, that spirit

of transition defines this issue of Folio.YVR.

Our cover artist, Armin Abedi, embodies that

very idea of reinvention. Iranian-born and now

based in Vancouver, Abedi is represented by

Gallery M errick in Victoria and brings a

psychologically charged presence to our

national arts landscape. Born in 1991, he

earned his BFA from the University of Science

and Culture in Tehran in 20 15, and has

exhibited across Iran, Turkey, and Lebanon.

His figurative practice examines the human

body through psychoanalysis, identity, and

cultural taboos, challenging conventional

representation through distortion and

transformation.

Continuing our celebration of artistic depth,

our lead feature spotlights the iconic artist

Angela Grossmann, whose expressive works

invite us into layered interiors of memory,

emotion, and feminine identity. Her presence

anchors this issue with strength and nuance,

reinforcing the vital role that artists play in

shaping cultural dialogue on the West Coast.

Elsewhere, we offer a precursor glimpse into

the world of Dior through Aleem Kassam?s visit

to La Galerie Dior ? a refined preview ahead

of the highly anticipated Dior boutique

opening at Oakridge Park.

Heritage and modernity intersect throughout

these pages. We step inside Spa Soleá at the

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, where restoration

meets contemporary wellness.

In Victoria, the Fairmont Empress relaunches

its Gold Lounge and reintroduces the Bengal

Room, reaffirming its status as both icon and

innovator. Afternoon Tea continues its storied

ritual, honouring tradition while welcoming a

new generation.

We revisit our long-standing admiration for the

Rolls- Royce Spectre, reflect on OM EGA?s

Olympic Seamaster, and explore Florentine

shoemaking mastery through M ario Bemer?s

distinguished partnership with Zahir Rajani

and The Sartorial Shop. Luxury real estate with

a walk-through of 2956 Palmerston Avenue in

Altamont. Music arrives in full bloom with

Georgy M anterola and the Firenze Fazioli, as

part of our Show case Pianos Presents series.

This issue also marks the debut of a new series

in CELEBRATE - Paradise Events Presents,

featuring the remarkable bridal productions of

Liting Chan and her team.

As we enter our seventh year of publishing,

thank you for continuing to champion the

unique West Coast lifestyle with us ? and for

allowing Folio.YVR to share it with the world.

Helen Siwak

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VICTORIA 'S INNER HA RBOUR | Vancouver Island

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TABLE OF CON TEN TS

HELEN SIWAK, EIC | PUBLISHER' S M ESSAGE

AN GELA GROSSM AN N

FAIRM ON T EM PRESS HOTEL

THE BEN GAL ROOM

TEA AT THE EM PRESS

ALEEM KASSAM & LA GALERIE DIOR

M ARIO BEM ER & THE SARTORIAL SHOP

SHOWCASE PIAN OS PRESEN TS

CELEBRATE: PARADISE EVEN TS PRESEN TS

FAIRM ON T HOTEL VAN COUVER: SPA SOLEÁ

2956 PALM ERSTON AVEN UE, ALTAM ON T

ROLLS- ROYCE SPECTRE

OM EGA SEAM ASTER DIVER 30 0 M

M ASTHEAD & PHOTO CREDITS

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A RM IN A BEDI 'Gravity O' | Gallery M errick | Victoria, BC

p e r s o n a l i t i e s

009

ANGELA

GROSSMANN

Recl ai mi ng

Memor y

I dent i t y

and t he

Femal e

For m

Thr ough

Radi cal

Gest ur e

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A NGELA GROSSM A NN | Vancouver, BC

A

GOne does not arrive at

Angela Grossmann?s studio by

accident. You find your way there ?

through hallways that shift from

carpet to hardwood, up a step,

down another, around corners that

feel almost provisional ? until you

reach an open door.

Angela greets you, red lipstick

precise, her smile carrying that

familiar mix of warmth and mischief.

She is wholly at ease, as though you

have stepped not into a workspace,

but into a continuation of her mind.

The room is not curated. It is lived in.

It resists polish.

s p i r i t s

013

THE STUDIO

Sunlight moves across white walls marked

by decades of work. Radiators hum

beneath tall windows. The air holds paper

dust and the unmistakable scent of oil

paint. You notice immediately that nothing

here is staged for effect. This is a working

studio ? scruffy, splattered, and gloriously

honest.

On one wall, a neon pink female figure

bleeds downward in drips, her form

dissolving and asserting itself at once.

Below her, a green figure twists with

visceral immediacy, paint sliding toward

the floor. Nearby, elongated studies on

paper stretch vertically, their bodies

hovering between vulnerability and

defiance.

Stacks of canvases lean against one

another as though holding the architecture

upright. Rolls of paper gather in clusters.

Frames rest in waiting. A small round table

is crowded with brushes crusted in pigment

? hot pinks, ultramarines, flame reds ?

their handles worn smooth from repetition.

You ease through the narrow space.

?Careful where you step. There are wet

surfaces everywhere,? Angela whispers.

What felt like minutes unfolded into an

extended conversation about life, love,

travel, and expression. Time became

irrelevant in the presence of such

intellectual generosity and emotional

clarity, and the exchange has remained

deeply engrained in your consciousness

ever since.

LAYERS OF M EM ORY

On a shelf, a black-and-white photograph

is framed and recontextualized, layered

against darker ground. The image feels

archival, displaced, rescued. Nearby,

ephemera accumulates ? envelopes,

scraps, small keepsakes from travel, tubes

of paint, jars, and fragments that will

eventually migrate into the surface of a

work.

A carved stone figure rests quietly in a

shallow pink box, as though observing the

room. Brushes, some stained a shocking

fluorescent pink, lie across newspapers

and containers. Nothing is precious in

isolation, yet everything feels essential.

015

You begin to understand that this is not

clutter. It is accumulation. It is the

physical manifestation of a practice

built on collecting, transferring,

collaging, and reassembling history.

THE FIGURE

For nearly four decades, Angela has

sustained a relentless probe into the

complexities of identity, gender politics,

and displacement.

Living and working in Vancouver,

Canada, she has built a practice that is

both deeply personal and

internationally resonant. Her paintings,

photo-based collages, and

mixed-media works largely reference

the female form, culled from a vast

archive of images she has collected

over time, including art-historical

references, postcards, and found

snapshots.

Angela does not approach the figure as

ornament or object. She approaches it

as evidence ? of memory, lived

experience, social expectation, and

resistance. Through this lens, she has

positioned herself as a formidable voice

within contemporary art, a woman who

continuously questions traditional

norms while reshaping the visual

language through which women are

seen and understood.

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GAROFALO RESIDENCE | RUSSELL DALBY PHOTOGRAPHY

Her recent works ? Figures (20 25),

The Silver Suite (20 24), and

To a Woman Passing By (20 23) ? move

between monumental and intimate scale.

Dancing, sitting, dressing, the women she

paints are neither passive nor posed for

approval. Their gestures are singular.

Their colours ? neon pink, ultramarine

blue, flame red, gold, silver ? dominate

each surface with emotional force.

As you look, you feel the deliberate

tension between expectation and

surprise. The brushwork is gestural and

unapologetic. Drips are not corrected.

Surfaces remain alive. The female body is

not fixed. It is interrogated.

Philanthropist Christie Garofalo, speaks

to the intimacy of living with her work,

"I have been collecting Angela?s work

since 1999. I am drawn to artists whose

work carries a sense of energy and spirit,

because art lives with you and among

you, and Angela?s work embodies that

beautifully. She has also been remarkably

generous in supporting the next

generation of artists through the Splash

Art Auction in support of Arts Umbrella .

When I first encountered this striking,

vivid pink piece, I knew I wanted

to live with it."

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COM IN G OF AGE

As you trace the evolution of her work, you see

how deeply she has explored the emotional

terrain of becoming. Angela?s practice has

examined coming-of-age themes with clarity

and force. Alpha Girls (20 0 4) resonated with

the emotional world of young teen girls,

presenting a narrative grounded in

vulnerability and assertion. Paper Dolls

(20 0 6) continued explorations of social

status, fashion, and identity, interrogating how

young women are constructed and displayed

within social hierarchies.

In M y Vocation (1999), the human figure was

graphically sketched and enlarged, emerging

through ephemeral layers of letters,

photographs, addresses, envelopes, postage,

and cancellation marks. Each exhibition

extended her sustained engagement with

feminine power and displacement.

ARCHIVAL RECLAM ATION

A defining element of Angela?s brilliance lies

in her innovative use of collage and mixed

media. Found photographs, paint, drawings,

and ephemera ? including stamps, text, torn

paper, letters, addresses, envelopes, postage,

and cancellation marks ? merge into layered

compositions that blur the line between

subject and medium. The process mirrors the

fractured nature of memory, identity, and

history.

Her engagement with archival material is

critical rather than nostalgic. In Affaires

d?Enfants (1987), she painted on the insides of

suitcases abandoned by an agency in Paris

that once sponsored summer camp holidays

for orphans.

In (Sign)ifying the EN D of the (Second) 2nd

World War (1991), she used photographs of

unknown European children found in

second-hand shops. In Scapegoats (1994),

she based her exhibition on mugshots taken of

prisoners in the British Columbia Penitentiary

during the 1940 s, forcing viewers to confront

the human side of criminals.

These works hover between fantasy and

reality, documentation and imagination. They

challenge institutional narratives and expose

how systems shape identity and conformity.

EDUCATOR AN D ADVOCATE

After earning an M FA at Concordia

University and teaching at Ottaw a

University, Angela returned to Vancouver in

1997 to paint and to teach at the Emily Carr

Institute of Art and Design and the

University of British Columbia .

In 20 0 6, she was included among the 10 0

artists who have most influenced students at

eleven leading British art schools, including

the Royal Academy, Slade, and Royal

College of Art .

As co-founder of the Portfolio Prize

Foundation, she has financially supported

emerging artists, reinforcing her commitment

to sustaining creative communities.

Her academic and artistic influence continues

to shape generations of painters and thinkers.

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PRESEN CE IN THE CITY

We first encountered Angela at the

Douglas Coupland Suite X launch at the

Fairmont Pacific Rim. Being in the same

room felt momentarily unnerving, and we

found ourselves quietly fangirling while

sipping a very strong martini.

What lingers from that evening is not the

setting, nor the strength of the martini, but

the ease that followed.

The conversation moved fluidly ? life,

love, travel, expression ? and the

atmosphere shifted from awe to

exchange. In that moment, the distinction

between observer and participant

dissolved. What remained was clarity. The

kind that comes from decades of

disciplined inquiry and lived conviction.

Introduced in 1985 as one of the

Vancouver Art Gallery?s Young Romantic

painters most likely to influence the course

of painting in that decade, Angela has

fulfilled that early recognition with

steadiness and resolve.

For more than forty years, she has

remained a significant force within the

Canadian art world. Her work has been

exhibited widely across Canada, the US,

and Europe, and is held in numerous

public and private collections, including

ABN AM RO International Bank in

Amsterdam, Glenbow M useum in

Calgary, Vancouver Art Gallery, museum

Abteiberg in M onchengladbach, and the

Canadiana Fund Heritage Art Collection

in Ottaw a.

Douglas Coupland, artist, author, and

devoted close friend, captures the

essence of her impact:

"Grossman's work is about people who

have been forgotten but have been

preserved somehow. She gives their lives

an arc, a trajectory, a mobility, a

meaning."

LEGACY IN M OTION

Angela Grossmann?s brilliance lies in the

union of conceptual rigour, visual

innovation, and emotional authenticity.

She has shaped Vancouver?s cultural

landscape while influencing audiences

internationally.

Yet none of that feels abstract when you

are standing in her studio.

Here, legacy is tactile. It is in the worn

brush handles. In the hum of the radiator.

In the way stacks of work lean into one

another like accumulated testimony.

You do not leave unchanged.

You leave with the sense that the female

figure ? fragmented, layered, resilient ?

has been expanded before you. And that

in the process, so have you.

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A RM IN A BEDI 'Whisper' | Gallery M errick | Victoria, BC

g e t a w a y

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FAI RMONT

EMPRESS

A Gr and

Canadi an

I con

Rei magi ned

f or t he

Cont empor ar y

Tr avel l er

TALLU

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FA IRM ONT EM PRESS HOTEL | Victoria, BC

EArriving

at Victoria?s Inner Harbour as

the light shifts from silver to gold, the

Fairmont Empress reveals itself in layers.

The façade rises with quiet authority, but

it is inside where the transformation

becomes unmistakable.

Recognized as the # 1 Best Canadian

Hotel in Travel + Leisure?s 20 24 World?s

Best Aw ards, a Forbes Recommended

property, and a M ICHELIN Key recipient,

the Empress stands not as a relic of

Edwardian elegance, but as a living,

breathing expression of modern

Canadian luxury.

Step into the lobby and the scale alone

makes an impression.

Soaring ceilings framed by grand columns

in warm metallic tones anchor the space.

A sculptural chandelier installation

cascades from above like suspended

petals caught mid-air, shimmering with

movement and light.

Twin staircases curve upward with

theatrical symmetry, while plush seating

arrangements invite pause beneath a

palette of gold, charcoal, and deep

indigo. It is dramatic without feeling

dated.

029

Historic architecture forms the backbone,

yet contemporary design language carries

the experience forward.

GOLD REIM AGIN ED

The relaunch of Fairmont Gold introduces

an elevated residential sensibility that feels

attuned to how travellers move today.

The new 4,0 0 0 - square- foot lounge,

accompanied by 22 additional Fairmont

Gold rooms, redefines exclusivity

within the hotel.

Exposed brick archways and original steel

beams, uncovered during renovation, speak

to historic craftsmanship. Yet the styling is

unmistakably contemporary. Rich cabinetry

in saturated blues and greens mirrors the

coastal horizon. Waterfall-edge marble

islands flow through the centre of the

lounge like sculpted stone meeting sea. A

fireplace flickers beneath a crisp mantle,

framed by mirrored panels that subtly

amplify the light.

Multiple living room environments unfold

within the space: intimate library nooks,

upholstered alcoves for private

conversation, refined bistro seating, and an

expansive outdoor terrace overlooking the

harbour. On the patio, low-profile sofas

frame a central fire feature, while the

sunset casts coral and amber tones across

the water. It feels curated rather than

crowded, personal rather than

performative.

Breakfast is presented with thoughtful

restraint. Afternoon tea bites and evening

canapés transition the mood seamlessly.

The Fairmont Gold concierge team

orchestrates private excursions, spa

reservations, and dining plans with

precision. It is elevated service delivered

quietly, which in today?s landscape of

overstimulation feels refreshingly confident.

THE BEN GAL RETURN S

The reopening of the Bengal Room signals

a cultural reset for Victoria?s evening scene.

Historically synonymous with spirited

gatherings, the refreshed space leans into

its heritage without theatrical excess.

Warm wood panelling climbs toward

intricately carved beams. Murals along the

upper walls nod subtly to travel and

exploration. Palm greenery softens the

geometry of the room, and tables are

dressed in textured linens that glow

beneath ambient lighting. The bar itself

feels intimate, designed for conversation

rather than spectacle.

The Bengal Room?s revival reinforces the

Empress as the city?s social nucleus.

When milestones unfold, when deals are

discussed, when anniversaries are toasted,

this is where Victoria returns. Its relevance is

not nostalgic. It is renewed.

TEA, REIM AGIN ED

No experience defines the Empress more

vividly than Tea at the Empress. Served in

the Lobby Lounge overlooking the harbour,

this ritual has unfolded since 190 8, pouring

more than half a million cups annually.

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The setting balances ceremony and

comfort. Deep berry banquettes

curve around marble-topped

tables. Tiered stands present

delicate sandwiches, warm scones

with preserves, and jewel-like

pastries arranged with

architectural precision. Fine china

patterned with florals rests atop

crisp white linens. Champagne

flutes catch the light beside

porcelain teapots, reinforcing the

interplay between tradition and

celebration.

Beyond its aesthetic elegance, the

ritual feels contemporary in its

pacing. Conversations linger.

Harbour views stretch outward. The

experience honours history without

feeling bound by it. Recognized by

Condé N ast among the 10 Best

Tea Experiences in the World, it

remains an anchor point in the

Empress narrative, continuously

refined yet unmistakably authentic.

SPA RITUALS

At the Fairmont Spa , modern

wellness merges with place-based

intention. The changing lounge

exudes understated refinement,

with polished wood lockers, tufted

benches, and a mirrored vanity

adorned with fresh florals. It feels

private and composed, preparing

the body for restoration.

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The Empress Blue Ritual translates the hotel?s

signature Blue Suede Shoes tea into a full

sensory journey. A tea and honey body polish,

using honey sourced from the hotel?s own

apiary, renews the skin before a coconut milk

and tea-infused bath envelops the body.

Warm tea-infused oils complete the massage,

and guests depart with a tea bath sachet

and Empress honey, extending the ritual

beyond the spa.

Tranq- Willow unfolds with intentional

breathing, lavender oil drizzled along the

spine, acupressure massage, a hydrating

facial, and a soothing scalp treatment. It is

both grounding and revitalizing.

K- Lift introduces LED red light therapy and

impulse micro current technology, awakening

cellular function and encouraging repair.

Enzyme exfoliation and transdermal nutrient

delivery position the treatment firmly within

advanced skincare territory, demonstrating

that heritage hospitality can embrace

modern science. Adjacent to the spa, the

indoor pool and hot tub create an

architectural sanctuary.

Floor-to-ceiling windows draw in natural light,

reflecting off stone-clad walls and black steel

beams overhead. LIVIN G HISTORY

Since it first opened, the Empress has

operated as Victoria?s social and political

epicentre. Designed by Francis Rattenbury

as part of Canadian Pacific Railw ay?s

chateau-style vision, it was conceived to

welcome affluent travellers arriving by

steamship and rail.

Designated a N ational Historic Site of

Canada , the Empress carries its mythology

with quiet humour, including the long-standing

local tale that it is sinking into the harbour. It

is not. Instead, it stands firmly rooted in

community memory.

EVOLVIN G EXPECTATION S

Luxury travellers today seek immersion rather

than ornamentation. They value

personalization, authenticity, and connection

to place.

The Fairmont Empress responds through

curated experiences: Sunset Sips that

transform the Lobby Lounge into an evening

cocktail destination, Pacific Northwest cuisine

at Q at the Empress, the reimagined

Bengal Room, the expanded Fairmont Gold

enclave, and spa rituals that blend botanicals

with technology.

The property?s evolution does not erase its

past. It reframes it. Historic corridors now

lead to modern suites. Traditional tea service

coexists with terrace fire features overlooking

the harbour at dusk. Advanced skincare

treatments complement century-old

architectural bones.

The Fairmont Empress remains Victoria?s

defining address because it understands that

heritage alone is not enough. Relevance

requires reinvention. And here, on the edge of

the Inner Harbour, history and modernity

continue to meet.

Fairmont Empress Hotel

721 Government Street

Victoria, BC

035

THE

BENGAL

ROOM

Wher e

Sout h

Asi an

El egance

Meet s

West

Coast

I ndul gence

TALLU

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THE BENGA L | Fairmont Empress | Victoria, BC

BThe

moment the carved doors close

behind you, The Bengal announces its

rebirth with confidence.

The newly renovated room feels

considered and deeply composed,

every element chosen with care rather

than excess.

Before you even enter fully, the details set

the tone. The door pulls themselves are

sculptural statements ? elongated

bronze handles crowned with intricately

carved elephant heads, trunks gently

curved as though mid-motion.

The metal carries a warm patina, its

etched patterns and stacked bands

catching the light against the rich wood

panels and glass inset doors. They feel

ceremonial to grasp, substantial in the

hand, as though inviting you into

something storied.

Inside, cinnamon-toned wood panels rise

toward a coffered ceiling detailed with

intricate South Asian inspired

latticework.

Brass accents glint beneath

diamond-shaped sconces, casting a

honeyed glow across emerald velvet

banquettes and rattan-backed chairs.

039

Palm planters soften the architecture, while

patterned screens and tapestries introduce

rhythm and texture. There is a lushness here

that envelops rather than overwhelms, an

interplay of West Coast natural light and

South Asian materiality that feels transportive

from the first glance.

The Bengal is not simply a place to dine.

It is a place to linger.

BUBBLES WITH PURPOSE

A room this evocative deserves a sparkling

companion, and the bubbles list is nothing

short of celebratory.

For those milestone evenings, M oet &

Chandon, Dom Perignon, and Cristal wait

patiently on ice, ready to elevate any

occasion into something unforgettable.

For the works-with-every-meal indulgence,

Veuve Clicquot and Laurent Perrier bring

structure and brightness, while Ruinart Rose

remains a personal favourite, its blush hue and

delicate fruit notes playing beautifully against

the room?s warm wood

and jewel tones.

The Queen?s Delights cocktail lives up to

its name, offering a playful yet refined take on

effervescence. Butterfly pea-infused

Bright Light Lumette meets lemon juice,

Bottega Sparkling Life, grapefruit pearls, and

syrup for a cocktail that shimmers violet to

blush as it catches the light.

Zero-proof selections are treated with equal

reverence. The Raspberry Wish blends Seedlip

N otas De Agave with raspberry lemonade

iced tea, soda, and fresh mint for a bright,

herbaceous lift, while local apple cider and

Corona offer easygoing alternatives.

041

BC-based wines by the glass ?

Unsw orth, Church & State, Cedar

Creek Estate, and M t. Boucherie ?

round out a beverage program that

feels both celebratory and grounded in

place.

THE PLATES

The menu unfolds through RAW,

ATTRACT, and EN GAGE, inviting

diners to build the experience course

by course.

The salad arrives as an edible

composition. An edamame mash

anchors the plate, pale green and

softly whipped, carrying a subtle

sweetness that gives way to savoury

depth. Cucumber ribbons are rolled

into delicate swirls, cool and crisp

against slices of avocado presented

two ways ? fanned silkily and folded

into creamy base.

Pickled onions add a gentle acidity and

blush of colour, while fresh herbs and

edible blossoms scatter brightness

across the plate. Each bite balances

freshness, creaminess, and a whisper of

brine, light yet deeply satisfying.

The main course delivers contrast and

warmth. Sweet chili and turmeric crispy

tofu arrives golden and crackling at the

edges, its interior tender and custardy.

The turmeric lends a sunlit hue, while

sweet chili glaze provides a subtle heat

that lingers pleasantly.

043

Asparagus spears recline vibrantly beside

steamed spinach, their greens intensified

by an array of sauces brushed and

pooled across the plate ? creamy,

herbaceous, and delicately spiced.

Carrot curls spiral upward in vivid orange

ribbons, adding both crunch and visual

flourish. It is comfort elevated, indulgent

without heaviness.

Dessert is a study in texture and restraint.

A poached pear, blushed and glossy, rests

beside an in-house crafted sorbet that

tastes clean and bright, its chill cutting

through the sweetness. Fruit crisp adds a

warm, caramelized note, while coconut

whip brings airy richness without excess.

A scattering of crumble offers sandy,

buttery contrast, each spoonful shifting

between cool and warm.

The Bengal?s reopening signals more than

a refreshed dining room. From the first

grip of the bronze elephant handles to

the final spoonful of sorbet, the

experience is immersive.



Victoria, BC

045

TEA

AT

THE EMPRESS

Wher e

Royal

Chi na

Meet s

I nner

Har bour

Tr adi t i on

TALLU

047

TEA A T THE EM PRESS | Fairmont Empress, Victoria

TAt

the legendary Fairmont Empress,

Afternoon Tea unfolds as a two-hour

ceremony shaped by history, royalty, and

ritual.

Overlooking Victoria?s Inner Harbour,

this daily tradition has remained

uninterrupted since 190 8.

The origins of afternoon tea date back to

England in 1840 , when the seventh

Duchess of Bedford sought a light

refreshment between luncheon and a late

dinner. What began as tea with bread,

butter, and cake soon evolved into an

elegant social gathering.

By the late 19th century, it had become

a fashionable affair defined by polished

silver, fine linens, and exquisite porcelain

? a standard the Empress would come to

embody on Canada?s West Coast.

In 1939, King George VI and

Queen Elizabeth, later known as the

Queen M other, concluded their

cross-Canada tour with a stay at the

Empress.

For a formal dinner hosted in the

Empress Room, they selected a specific

china pattern from England?s Booth

factory in Stoke- on- Trent and had it

shipped across the Atlantic for the

occasion.

Upon their departure, the royal couple

gifted the complete collection to the

hotel for use.

The pieces were carefully stored to

preserve them, re-emerging briefly during

Princess Elizabeth?s 1951 visit ? the future

Queen Elizabeth II ? before once again

retreating from public view.

049

Decades later, a serendipitous discovery in a

Victoria antique shop led to renewed

research, revealing that the original pattern

was still in production.

Since Victoria Day weekend in 1998, the

faithfully reproduced Royal China Collection

has graced every Afternoon Tea service.

Each piece is created by layering fourteen

lithographic transparencies, then

hand-painted with 22- karat gold. The only

alteration is a safer blue pigment, replacing

the original lead-based hue.

Upon these gilded plates arrive freshly baked

scones with house-made strawberry jam from

local berries, honey from the hotel?s own hives,

lavender from the rooftop garden, and

delicately composed pastries and savouries.

Ethically sourced teas complete the

experience.

At the Fairmont Empress, tea is not simply

poured. It is presented on a canvas of royal

history, inviting guests to linger within a

tradition that continues to define Victoria?s

social elegance.



Victoria, BC

051

A RM IN A BEDI 'Vertigo-2' | Gallery M errick | Victoria, BC

s t y l e

053

FROM

AVENUE

MONTAI GNE

TO

VANCOUVER Al FUTURE eem

Kassam PROOF

& CREATI Di or ?s VES

Li vi ng

Her i t age

055

LA GA LERIE DIOR | 30 A venue M ontaige | Paris

A

K

There are moments in travel when

anticipation shifts into reverence.

Standing before 30 Avenue

M ontaigne, that shift happens quietly.

As Principal of Kalu Interiors,

Aleem Kassam approaches spaces

with a trained eye ? attuned to

proportion, materiality, and emotional

architecture. Yet La Galerie Dior does

not invite analysis first. It commands

pause.

The glass façade rises above the

storied hotel particulier with modern

restraint. Through it, silhouettes and

palms are faintly visible.

057

The transparency feels intentional,

offering only a suggestion of what lies

within. The door opens, Paris softens

behind, and a different atmosphere

takes hold ? measured, luminous,

intentional. The transition from street to

sanctuary is seamless, a study in how

architecture can recalibrate mood in a

single step.

?When Maison Dior first opened, it

had three Ateliers under the eaves of

30 Avenue Montaigne, a tiny studio, a

salon in which to show the dresses, a

cabine or dressing room for the

models, an office, and six small fitting

rooms,? recounted M onsieur Dior in his

memoirs.

For the couturier, it was love at first

sight. That sentiment lingers within the

newly transformed refuge of the

marvelous, where intimacy and

grandeur continue to coexist.

LUM IN OUS TAILORIN G

One of the most striking environments

unfolds in a gallery devoted to Dior?s

mastery of white. The room is luminous

? walls, floor, and ceiling articulated

in crisp geometry. Illuminated vitrines

house sculptural white jackets and

dresses, each form sharp and

architectural against the backdrop.

059

Aleem moves through the space

in a Mandarin orange ensemble by

Harris Wharf London, the saturated tone

introducing warmth into the disciplined

neutrality of the gallery. The clean tailoring

of the coat, cut with understated precision,

mirrors the architectural clarity of the

couture pieces surrounding him. Against a

field of white, the colour reads not as

flamboyant, but intentional ? a confident

counterbalance to restraint.

Light is diffused rather than directional,

eliminating harsh shadow and allowing

each seam, fold, and contour to be studied

without distraction. It is a study in restraint.

White here is not absence; it is power. The

tailoring reads like interior millwork ?

precise, balanced, resolved. For a designer

accustomed to orchestrating calm within

complexity, the room feels almost

meditative. It demonstrates how limitation

of palette can amplify form and how

negative space can become a primary

design element.

Aleem pauses before a double-breasted

jacket with sculpted hips, appreciating the

subtle tension between softness and

structure. In that moment, couture and

interior design converge. Both rely on

disciplined proportion. Both create

confidence through clarity.

CHROM ATIC ASCEN T

The spiral staircase introduces an

entirely different emotional register.

White steps illuminated from beneath curve

upward with fluid grace, edged in warm

metallic detailing.

The handrail arcs like a ribbon, guiding

movement with quiet elegance.

Behind glass walls, an explosion of colour

unfolds. Accessories and garments are

suspended in a meticulous gradient ? from

coral to blush to saturated pink,

descending into pale ivory.

Hats, handbags, shoes, miniature dresses,

and sculptural objects hover in a vertical

tapestry of tone. Each item is individually

mounted, yet collectively orchestrated into

a cohesive chromatic narrative.

POSITION IN G AM ON G A PALETTE

Positioned along the staircase, Aleem

becomes part of the composition, echoing

the deeper corals and warm pinks within

the display. The structured silhouette of his

look holds its own against the exuberant

backdrop, reinforcing the interplay

between personal style and curated

environment. The moment feels cinematic

without excess.

From an interior perspective, the

installation demonstrates the power of

colour curation and vertical storytelling.

Scale shifts from miniature accessory to full

garment, yet balance is maintained through

disciplined spacing. The white architecture

containing the colour ensures that

exuberance never feels chaotic. The result

is immersive and joyful, a reminder that

heritage can be expressed with vitality as

well as restraint.

061

063

THE HOUSE REIM AGIN ED

Spanning over 10 0 ,0 0 0 -square-feet,

Dior?s flagship has been reinvented as

both monument and living archive. Within

its labyrinth, La Galerie Dior unfolds

across thirteen rooms and three floors,

guiding visitors through more than

seventy years of creation.

Circulation is seamless. The number of

guests is tightly controlled, allowing

space for contemplation. Thresholds are

carefully staged, sightlines deliberate. As

in any successful interior, flow becomes

part of the narrative rather than an

afterthought.

It is within these walls that the Dior

Collections have been conceived since

the house?s founding. From Christian Dior?s

revolutionary N ew Look to the visions of

Yves Saint Laurent, M arc Bohan,

Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano,

Raf Simons, and M aria Grazia Chiuri,

the lineage is presented not as

chronology alone, but as evolution

anchored in identity. Archival garments,

original sketches, and exceptional pieces

form a dialogue between past and

present, reinforcing continuity rather than

nostalgia.

FUTURE IN VIEW

Stepping back onto Avenue Montaigne

carries a different weight. The journey

through La Galerie Dior is not simply

retrospective. It sharpens perception. It

clarifies what heritage truly means when

it is expressed through space and

sustained through reinvention.

For Aleem, the visit extends beyond Paris.

Dior is confirmed to be among the

10 0 boutiques featured in the luxury

retailer lineup at Oakridge Park in

Vancouver. That knowledge reframes the

experience entirely.

Having walked through the modest

origins under the eaves, witnessed the

evolution of creative directors, and stood

within rooms where white discipline and

chromatic exuberance coexist,

anticipation becomes layered.

The forthcoming boutique at Oakridge

Park will not be viewed as a store alone.

It will be interpreted as continuation ?

an architectural expression of a house

that understands the power of

environment.

Oakridge Park signals a new chapter in

Vancouver?s luxury narrative ? an

environment where global maisons will

articulate identity within a distinctly

West Coast context. A journey into the

past heightens appreciation for what is

yet to be unveiled.

The refuge of the marvelous moves

forward, carrying memory with it. And in

that continuity lies the anticipation now

felt in Vancouver, as Oakridge Park

prepares to welcome a house whose

legacy continues to shape both space

and imagination.

065

MARI O

BEMER Handcr af t ed

Legacy

Bet ween

Fl or ence

and t he

West Coast

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THE SA RTORIA L SHOP | Vancouver, BC

MIn

N ovember 20 24, a Florentine master

quietly stepped into Vancouver?s

bespoke conversation.

Italian shoemaker M ario Bemer

travelled from Florence to Canada for

client appointments and trunk show

engagements, marking the first time a

true Italian shoemaker of his standing

had made the journey in an official

capacity.

069

For Bemer, the trip was not promotional

theatre. It was an extension of the same

discipline that defines his practice in Italy.

He produces approximately 20 0 pairs of

shoes per year. Each hide is personally

selected at the tannery. Each last is shaped

with deliberation. Each pair is constructed

entirely by hand. There is no diffusion line,

no outsourcing, no industrial compromise.

Only the shoemaker, the materials, and the

quiet patience required to transform one

into the other.

His work has long attracted collectors and

connoisseurs who understand that footwear

is foundation, not accessory.

Actor Daniel Day- Lew is famously

apprenticed under him prior to filming

Gangs of N ew York, immersing himself in the

discipline of shoemaking under Bemer?s

guidance. Yet Bemer?s stature does not rest

on proximity to celebrity. It rests on restraint.

Two hundred pairs per year. No more.

FLOREN TIN E LIN EAGE

Mario Bemer?s story carries historical weight

within Italian shoemaking.

A founding member of Stefano Bemer,

established in 1983 in Greve, Italy, he later

worked under the name M ario Bemer

Firenze beginning in 20 14. He is no longer

associated with that brand, which is

owned separately.

Today, he operates solely under his own

name, M ario Bemer, with a newly updated

digital presence forthcoming under

'Mario Bemer Bespoke' reflecting his fully

independent made-to-order and bespoke

practice rooted in Florence.

That independence is central. His workshop

remains grounded in traditional techniques,

where pattern, proportion, and balance are

refined through experience rather than

accelerated by machinery.

Every commission unfolds as a dialogue

between foot and form. Measurements and

impressions are taken. Gait is observed.

For his made-to-order programme, custom

adjustments to the last are incorporated

over a 90 - to- 120 day period.

His full bespoke programme extends from

five to nine months and requires multiple

fittings, each one narrowing the space

between concept and perfection.

Comfort is engineered. Line is sharpened.

The final silhouette carries both structure

and softness.

071

CRAFT WITHOUT COM PROM ISE

In an era of mass luxury and

algorithm-driven consumption,

Bemer?s process feels almost radical

in its refusal to accelerate.

Production is intentionally limited.

The pace is human. The result is

footwear that ages with the wearer,

shaping and softening over time without

losing its integrity.

The discipline of hand-lasted

construction cannot be replicated at

scale. It demands technical knowledge

and physical endurance. The textile

must be coaxed, not forced. The sole

stitched with precision. The upper

tensioned evenly.

These details remain invisible to most

observers, yet they define the difference

between a shoe that decorates and one

that anchors.

For clients who travel to Florence, the

experience is immersive. For those in

Canada, the opportunity to work

directly with Bemer in Vancouver

represents a rare bridge between

continents.

A VAN COUVER HOST

It was through The Sartorial Shop

that this bridge first formed. During

preparations for its inaugural

N egroni N ight event alongside

Cappelleria Bertacchi, co-founder and

CEO Zahir Rajani recognized a gap in

Vancouver's sartorial offering.

?We had hats with Bertacchi, we had

bespoke tailoring with our offering, but

we did not have high quality luxury

footwear,? Rajani says. ?Knowing Mario?s

story and the quality of his work, I

reached out, and the partnership came

together within minutes.?

Bemer and his wife, Sandra, travelled to

Vancouver for the event, transforming

what began as an evening of

camaraderie into Canada?s first Italian

shoemaker trunk show. Clients were

measured. Fittings were conducted.

Conversations unfolded around craft

rather than trend.

Since that initial visit, Bemer has

returned for a second trunk show and

The Sartorial Shop?s second annual

Negroni Night, again as chief guest.

What began as introduction has

matured into a formalized partnership,

granting Canadian clients structured

access to his made-to-order and

bespoke programmes.

073

THE SUPPORTIN G FRAM E

The Sartorial Shop operates as a

by-appointment atelier in downtown

Vancouver. Founded by co-owners

Zahir Rajani and Anastasia Besiou, the

atelier is known for technical precision,

incorporating more than 35 body

measurements and detailed postural

notes into each garment.

Fabric libraries from Dormeuil, Holland

& Sherry, Loro Piana, and Zegna line

the walls. Bespoke and semi-bespoke

suiting, tuxedos, formalwear, overcoats,

shirts, skirts, waistcoats, and vests form

the foundation of its offering. A bespoke

womenswear collection is scheduled to

launch in 20 26 under Besiou?s direction,

expanding the atelier?s inclusive vision.

The company?s roots trace back to

Tasleem?s, the M ain Street clothing

business founded by Rajani?s parents in

1984. After a decade-long executive

career in global real estate, Rajani

returned to tailoring in 20 23, reopening

as Rajani Bespoke before re-launching

as The Sartorial Shop in August 20 24.

The evolution reflects careful strategy

rather than rapid expansion.

The addition of Mario Bemer?s footwear

completes the sartorial arc, aligning

shoe and suit within a singular

philosophy of measured craftsmanship.

BETWEEN CON TIN EN TS

Inside the Vancouver atelier, the

atmosphere remains calm. Leather

samples rest beside fabric swatches.

Measurements and other details are

recorded with care.

When Bemer visits, Florence enters the

room not through spectacle, but through

presence.

For Vancouver?s discerning clientele, his

arrival signals more than novelty. It

affirms that global mastery can coexist

with West Coast refinement. That

tradition can travel without dilution.

That a shoe can still be made by one

pair of hands, at a human pace, with

uncompromising intention.

Between Florence and Vancouver,

between last and leather, between

measurement and mastery, a new

standard quietly takes shape.

The Sartorial Shop

# 50 2, 60 2 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, BC

075

SHOWCASE

PI ANOS

PRESENTS

Fi r enze

Fazi ol i

x

Geor gy

Mant er ol a

077

GEORGY M A NTEROLA X FA ZIOLI | Vancouver, BC

FSpring

has arrived in Vancouver ,

and with it came a moment we

simply could not resist.

Accomplished pianist

Georgy M anterola, captured

in full bloom and repping the

season in flowing florals and

crimson heels that echoed the

Fazioli Firenze?s radiant finish, was

beautifully photographed by

M ichelle Diamond.

The result was equal parts romance,

artistry, and unapologetic joy.

081

Georgy, a dynamic pianist, composer,

and arranger with more than two

decades of experience, has long been

a magnetic presence on Vancouver?s

cultural stage.

From luxury galas to performing at

BC Place alongside Coldplay, her

repertoire of more than 1,20 0 songs

glides effortlessly through classical, pop,

rock, jazz, and cinematic soundtracks.

Bridgerton-style arrangements, custom

wedding compositions, and refined

corporate performances all sit

comfortably within her world.

With formal training from the

Escuela Superior de M úsica y Danza

de M onterrey, mentorship under

N atalia Tibets, and master classes with

Jesús M olina and M ichel Dalberto, her

artistry is both disciplined and dazzling.

Collaborations with the Vancouver

Symphony Orchestra, Joe Hisaishi,

Jordan Rudess, and Jonah N ilsson

further illuminate her range.

Yet on this day, it was all about the

Firenze.

Commissioned by a Vancouver-based

Chinese collector, the Firenze Fazioli is

a radiant fusion of East and West.

Its vivid red lacquer exterior nods to

traditional Chinese aesthetics, while

beneath the lid rests a Venetian

landscape inspired by Canaletto,

complete with a playful cameo of

Paolo Fazioli himself. It is theatrical,

refined, and undeniably bold.

Handcrafted in Sacile, Italy, the

instrument features a Val di Fiemme

quarter-sawn spruce soundboard,

laminated maple rim, Renner action,

Kluge keyboard, and double duplex

scale design. Every detail speaks to

precision and longevity.

Together, Georgy and the Firenze

created a moment that felt like the first

warm breeze of spring ? vibrant,

cultured, and impossible to ignore.

S h o w c a s e P i a n o P r e s e n t s

Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine is pleased to

collaborate with Showcase Pianos in this presentation series

of celebrated pianists and vocalists, their stories of devotion,

and their unique relationships with the exquisite pianos that

bring such joy to the world.

Vancouver Piano Show room

Suite # 1, 1128 West Broadw ay

Vancouver, BC

Richmond Piano Show room

# 3480 - 4151 Hazelbridge Way

Richmond, BC

083

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c e l e b r a t e

085

CELEBRATE

PARADI SE

EVENTS

PRESENT

Shunzi

& Jor dan

087

FA IRM ONT PA CIFIC RIM | 1038 Canada Place

S & J

A Summer of Light, Legacy, and

Love at Fairmont Pacific Rim

On a luminous July afternoon, beneath

Vancouver?s endless summer sky,

Shunzi Sanyi and Jordan Tao began the

next chapter of their lives together in a

celebration that was as heartfelt as it was

impeccably designed.

Planned and produced by

Paradise Events Inc. under the refined

direction of Creative Director Liting Chan,

the wedding unfolded as a seamless

composition of culture, contemporary

elegance, and West Coast ease.

089

A FAM ILY BEGIN N IN G

Their story began in the most

timeless of ways ? through family.

Introduced at a shared dinner by a

mutual family friend, the spark was

immediate. A firm handshake from

Jordan, a knowing glance from

Shunzi, and something quietly

significant shifted in the room.

Years later, that moment would

blossom into a 250 -guest

celebration, welcoming loved ones

from China, Eastern Canada, and

across British Columbia.

A SUM M ER PROM ISE

From the outset, the couple

envisioned a summer wedding ?

not only for the romance of the

season, but for Vancouver?s long

golden evenings and the promise of

natural light.

July 20 th, selected for its auspicious

alignment in honour of Jordan?s

traditional parents, offered both

symbolism and the perfect climate

for florals to flourish without the

height of summer heat.

091

All festivities unfolded within the

architectural sophistication of the

Fairmont Pacific Rim.

Though the couple had considered

the grandeur of the Fairmont Hotel

Vancouver, it was the Pacific Rim?s

modern design, fluid spaces, and

luminous interiors that allowed them

to truly imagine their dream wedding.

The venue?s contemporary aesthetic

provided the ideal canvas for

Paradise Events to bring their vision

to life.

THE FIRST LOOK

The day began high above the city in

the Fairmont Gold Corner Suite,

where the spirited ?door crasher?

games set a joyful tone. In keeping

with tradition, Jordan and his

groomsmen completed playful

challenges ? and negotiated with

bridesmaids ? before he was

granted entry to see his bride.

Laughter echoed through the suite,

foreshadowing the warmth that would

define the day.

The Tea Ceremony followed in the

Amber Room, where reverence and

intimacy took centre stage.

093

For Shunzi and Jordan, this was

among the most moving moments

of the celebration ? a private

exchange of gratitude and

blessings shared with their elders.

The quiet wisdom offered in those

moments grounded the grandeur

that followed.

Their first look, staged along the

second-level staircase, became

the couple?s most intimate pause.

In a fleeting embrace, away from

the crowd, joy overcame them

both. Tears were shed, softly and

without restraint, as the reality of

their shared future settled in.

THE CEREM ON Y IN LIGHT

The ceremony in the Emerald

Ballroom was bathed in natural

light, framed by a full floral arch

and a breathtaking aisle lined

with towering delphiniums.

The aesthetic blended pastel

hydrangeas, peonies, roses, Hanoi

ranunculus, spray roses, and stock

with gold accents and sheer white

drapery.

095

Oversized arched stage

installations created a layered

visual narrative, while curated

lighting transformed the ballroom

from ceremony to celebration with

effortless fluidity.

Shunzi wore the Devonne gown by

Pronovias Privée, sourced from

Luxx N ova Bridal Boutique in

downtown Vancouver, its silhouette

both modern and timeless.

Jordan?s made-to-measure suit

from Bespoke M ade Suits, crafted

with Adam?s guidance, reflected

tailored precision befitting the

occasion.

The groomsmen were impeccably

styled in coordinated rentals from

Debonair, completing a cohesive

and polished sartorial story. Yet it

was the moment the bride entered

the ceremony space that defined

the fashion narrative ? a

collective inhale, a room stilled in

admiration.

097

As vows were exchanged, emotion

swept through the ballroom.

Guests later shared that the

ceremony stood unanimously as

the emotional high point ? voices

trembling, tears restrained,

promises spoken with sincerity.

JOYFUL RECEPTION

The reception in the Star

Sapphire Ballroom shifted the

tone to exuberant joy.

A custom monogram, mirror

welcome signage, and

gold-framed seating chart

adorned with fresh florals

elevated the guest experience.

Curated lighting design enhanced

the atmosphere, transitioning the

space into an inviting evening

celebration.

Guiding the flow of the evening

with warmth and charisma was

M C Lavina, whose poised

presence ensured each moment

unfolded seamlessly. Then, in a

moment no one anticipated, the

groomsmen burst into the

ballroom wearing dinosaur suits ?

an unexpected, playful interlude

that encapsulated the couple?s

spirited nature.

099

A COLLECTIVE EFFORT

From refined catering by the

Fairmont Pacific Rim culinary

team to cinematography by

Asteria Films, makeup artistry

by M omo Liu M ake Up Studio,

and photography by

Beige Weddings, every detail

reflected collaboration at the

highest level.

In the end, Shunzi and Jordan?s

wedding was not merely an

event ? it was a reflection of

Vancouver itself.

A seamless blend of heritage and

modernity, tradition and

lightness, all unfolding against

the Pacific?s gentle horizon.

And as the final dance gave way

to lingering embraces, it was

clear: this was not only a

celebration of love, but of

legacy, family, and the West

Coast lifestyle that makes

moments like these feel both

elevated and deeply personal.

101

THE DREAM TEAM

Wedding Planner, Decor, Florals

Paradise Events Inc.

Photography

Beige Weddings

Venue

Fairmont Pacific Rim

Emcee

M C Lavina

Bride's Gown

Luxx N ova Bridal Boutique

Groom's Attire

Bespoke M ade Suits

Groomsmen Suit Rental

Debonair

Cinematography

Asteria Films

Catering

Fairmont Pacific Rim

MUA

M omo Liu M ake up Studio

103

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w e l l n e s s

105

SPA SOLEÁ A Moder n

Reset

Beneat h

Vancouver ?s

Cast l e

107

FA IRM ONT HOTEL VA NCOUVER | Vancouver, BC

SDescending the marble staircase inside

the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver , the city?s

rhythm softens almost instantly.

Above, the ?Castle in the City? has stood

since 1939, its chateau-style copper roof

and storied elegance anchoring

downtown Vancouver in history.

Below, Spa Soleá unfolds as a

contemporary counterpoint ? a

6,0 0 0 - square- foot w ellness sanctuary

designed for modern restoration.

109

Serene tones, organic textures, and

natural finishes echo the tranquility

of the Pacific N orthw est . Every

detail feels intentional. Lighting is

diffused and flattering. Sound is

hushed. The atmosphere invites

stillness without effort. Within a

landmark defined by heritage, this

reimagined space delivers calm

connection and elevated comfort in

equal measure.

THE ULTIM ATE RESET

The Ultimate Reset begins with the

N uCalm® Guided M editation

Experience, where stillness

becomes the first and most

essential step.

Reclined comfortably,

noise-cancelling headphones

create a cocoon of quiet as guided

frequencies gently settle mental

chatter and guide the nervous

system into profound recalibration.

Twenty minutes unfold in suspended

calm, often compared to several

hours of restorative sleep. Emerging

from this opening ritual, breath

deepens, focus sharpens, and the

body feels primed for restoration.

A 20 - minute back massage infused

with a chosen aromatic oil follows,

dissolving tension with steady,

confident strokes. Shoulders release.

The spine lengthens. Muscles

respond more readily after

meditation has softened resistance.

An express facial restores

luminosity without haste. Warm

towels cleanse, a face, neck, and

shoulder massage enhance

circulation, and nourishing

moisturizer with eye cream leave

skin visibly radiant. The glow is

refined, never theatrical.

Five minutes of scalp therapy

conclude the sequence, sending a

wave of calm from crown to

collarbone and anchoring the sense

of renewal.

STEAM , SAUN A, STILLN ESS

Access to the infrared sauna, steam

room, and co-ed relaxation lounge

extends the ritual into a complete

urban escape.

Contrast therapy begins with a

warm shower rinse to prepare

muscles for heat. The sauna session

releases tension and boosts

circulation.

Steam follows, delivering deep

hydration and intensified

relaxation.

A brief cold show er closes pores,

supports muscle recovery, and

awakens the senses with

invigorating clarity.

Rest & Recovery is essential,

allowing heart rate to stabilize,

circulation to balance, and the

body to fully integrate the

experience.

111

Wrapped in a robe within the

relaxation lounge, curated selections

from the N otch8 spa menu provide

thoughtful nourishment aligned with

the state of calm cultivated in the

treatment rooms. Indulgence here

feels measured and intentional.

BEAUTY WITH PURPOSE

Illuminating facials such as the

Aqua Boost Hydrabrasion Facial

deliver visible radiance, refreshing

and refining the complexion with

measurable results. Haircare and

nail services extend the polish,

setting a new benchmark for

integrated luxury and wellness in

Vancouver.

Sustainability anchors the philosophy.

Canadian-made, vegan Oneka

and LCN , alongside cruelty-free

M oor Spa from BC and Cela , reflect

a commitment to ethical sourcing

and holistic care. Luxury here is

conscious, grounded, and

responsible.

Within the historic walls of the

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Spa Soleá

offers a refined urban retreat where

restoration is immersive, glow is

authentic, and balance feels

beautifully within reach.

SPA SOLEÁ

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

90 0 West Goergia Street

113

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r e a l e s t a t e

115

2956

Pal mer st on

Avenue

Al t amont

West

Vancouver

117

2956 PA LM ERSTON A VENUE | West Vancouver

2 956

P A L M E R S T O N

A V E N U E

119

A Gated

West Coast

Sanctuary

Crafted for

Grand

Entertaining

and Everyday

Retreat

Imagine turning onto a quiet

Altamont street and passing through

private gates into a world where the

air feels fresher, the trees stand taller,

and the pace instantly softens.

Nearly an acre of lush, manicured

greenery surrounds you. Mature

evergreens frame the sky, flowering

shrubs add colour and softness, and

curated garden pathways lead your

eye toward a grand custom-built

residence that feels both stately and

welcoming.

This is the kind of property that

invites you to slow down, take a

breath, and step fully into your own

private sanctuary.

121

LIVIN G WITHIN N ATURE

Set on a sensational 0 .9- acre lot

spanning 39,160 - square- feet, this

extensively renovated estate offers

just under 11,0 0 0 - square- feet of

luxury living designed for both grand

entertaining and deeply personal

moments.

The landscaping alone is

extraordinary, creating layered

privacy and a true sense of immersion

in nature while remaining minutes

from the city.

M AIN LEVEL LIVIN G

The flat circular driveway makes

arrivals effortless, whether hosting an

intimate dinner or a celebration for

dozens. Inside, a stunning foyer opens

to a dramatic living and dining room

with 30 - foot ceilings and a

statement gas fireplace.

Oversized windows draw the

outdoors in, filling the space with

natural light and offering tranquil

views of surrounding greenery.

123

THE HEART OF THE HOM E

The gourmet kitchen is crafted for

those who love to gather.

Expansive stone counters, custom

cabinetry, and professional-grade

appliances anchor a space that

flows beautifully into the eating nook

and generous family room, complete

with a second large gas fireplace.

It is easy to picture Sunday mornings

here, sunlight pouring in, coffee

brewing, and conversations unfolding

naturally.

The main floor is further enhanced

by a private office, two beautifully

appointed guest powder rooms,

and an en-suited guest bedroom

with walk-in, ideal for visitors

who appreciate both comfort

and privacy.

125

PRIVATE RETREATS ABOVE

Upstairs, the primary suite is a true

retreat, generous in scale and

beautifully appointed with a

spa-inspired en-suite and spacious

dressing room designed for effortless

organization.

Four additional oversized bedrooms

complete the upper level, ensuring

family and guests enjoy both privacy

and proportion.

EN TERTAIN M EN T REDEFIN ED

The lower level shifts into full lifestyle

mode. The expansive recreation room

with wet bar sets the stage for

relaxed evenings, while the

dedicated media room becomes your

private cinema.

Picture plush seating, dimmed

lighting, and immersive surround

sound for the latest blockbuster or a

championship game. This is where

movie nights become traditions and

sporting events feel like front-row

experiences.

A temperature-controlled wine cellar

stands ready to showcase a serious

collection, adding sophistication to

every gathering.

The fully self-contained one-bedroom

nanny suite with its own kitchen and

living room offers flexibility for

extended family or staff.

127

RESORT- STYLE OUTDOORS

Outdoors, the property transforms

into a private resort.

The designer sw imming pool and

hot tub are framed by stone terraces

and vibrant gardens.

A charming gazebo and fully

equipped outdoor kitchen invite

summer dinners that stretch long into

the evening.

The expansive flat grassy yard offers

space for children, beloved

companions, and large-scale

entertaining, while the private sport

court brings year-round recreation,

from tennis to basketball, all

surrounded by towering trees and

curated landscaping.

WEST COAST LIFESTYLE

With in- floor radiant heat, air

conditioning, HRV, four natural gas

fireplaces, two spacious two- car

garages, and additional parking for

four, comfort and functionality meet

beauty at every turn.

129

131

This is West Coast living at its most

intentional.

Here, lifestyle is defined by balance,

by mornings that begin with ocean air

and forest views, by afternoons spent

outdoors in every season, and by

evenings gathered in the media room

or around the outdoor kitchen with

those who matter most.

Choosing the perfect property on the

West Coast is not about excess, it is

about alignment. It is about securing

a place that supports how you truly

want to live, entertain, and unwind.

In a market where exceptional

estates are rare and privacy is

prized, opportunities like this are not

out of reach for those who are ready

to elevate their surroundings.

2956 Palmerston Avenue offers the

chance to anchor your life in one of

West Vancouver?s most coveted

enclaves, where nature surrounds you,

luxury supports you, and the

lifestyle you envision becomes your

everyday reality.

2956 PALM ERSTON AVEN UE

Altamont, West Vancouver, BC

Realtor: Clarence Debelle

133


t r a n s p o r t a t i o n

135

ROLLS- ROYCE

SPECTRE

Fr om

Love

Af f ai r

t o

Fut ur e

Cl assi c

137

ROLLS-ROYCE M OTOR CA RS | Vancouver, BC

R

REvery

so often, a motor car arrives

that quietly recalibrates

expectation. Not with spectacle,

not with noise, but with certainty.

When the Rolls- Royce M otor Cars

Spectre emerged in 20 22 as the

world?s first ultra-luxury electric

super coupé, it did not ask for

permission to belong. It simply did.

139

In Vancouver, that certainty was sealed

at a spectacular launch event in

October 20 23, where the city?s most

discerning collectors and tastemakers

gathered to witness the marque?s first

fully electric motor car in person.

The atmosphere carried the same

composed drama as the vehicle itself.

Under curated lighting and quiet

anticipation, Spectre stood not as a

novelty, but as inevitability.

Folio.YVR had long admired the Wraith,

its brooding presence, its decisive

power, its unmistakable silhouette. Yet

Spectre introduced a different kind of

authority. The power remained, but it

was delivered in near silence. The

composure deepened. The experience

became less about acceleration and

more about glide.

In that instant, the Folio.YVR love affair

began and we reluctantly let the non-EV

Wraith go.

141

GROWTH AT GOODWOOD

Spectre does not present itself as an

experiment. It takes its place within the

growing Goodwood-era collector canon

with the assured composure of a future

classic. From its first full year of

availability, it outperformed both Wraith

and Dawn in their respective debuts,

signalling that collectors immediately

recognized its significance.

?Spectre has been created with the same

legacy that defines every Rolls-Royce. As

the first of its kind, it marks a distinct

moment in our history. Our clients

understand this intuitively and commission

Spectre as a Rolls-Royce to be admired

and passed down for generations. This

was reflected in its reception: Spectre

was our most successful coupé launch to

date.? ~ Chris Brow nridge, Chief

Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Commissioned globally as a collector?s

item, Spectre has become a cornerstone

in discerning garages. In 20 25, it was the

second most in-demand Rolls-Royce motor

car worldwide, a remarkable position for

an electric entrant.

Goodwood-era models such as Phantom

VII, Phantom Coupé, Daw n, and Wraith

have already joined the ranks of revered

classics. Spectre stands confidently among

them, engineered to be inherited.

BESPOKE ELECTRIC

What defines a classic is not merely

performance, but emotion. Spectre has

inspired some of the most valuable

Bespoke commissions in recent years.

Spectre Bailey, created as a tribute to a

beloved companion. Spectre Soulmate,

honouring a shared journey. Spectre

Lunaflair, luminous and celestial, inspired

by a lunar halo. Each commission

reinforces that this motor car is not simply

purchased, it is curated.

Its monolithic form and sweeping fastback

silhouette recall the grace of historic

Rolls-Royce coupés, while dramatic split

headlamps and the commanding

Pantheon grille anchor it firmly in

contemporary design. Inside, Starlight

Doors and the Illuminated Fascia extend

the canvas of expression, executed with

restraint and precision.

EN GIN EERED FOREVER

A romance with an electric Rolls-Royce

demands confidence. Spectre delivers.

Following an exhaustive 1.5- million- mile

testing programme, ongoing real-world

validation revealed that a retired test

vehicle retained 99 percent battery

health after more than 60 ,0 0 0 miles

across multiple climates.

143

The marque now offers an

unprecedented 15- year,

unlimited- mileage battery w arranty,

with confirmed replacement supply

secured through the mid- 21st century.

This is not a fleeting fascination. It is an

investment in permanence.

CLASSIC IN COM PAN Y

In its photographic dialogue with a

1965 Rolls- Royce Silver Cloud,

Spectre does not appear as an upstart.

It converses as an equal. Parked amid

London?s most desirable districts, past

and future share the same frame, the

same composure, the same quiet

authority.

Within the issues of Folio.YVR, Spectre is

positioned not merely as the first

electric Rolls-Royce, but as a

generational marker. A super coupé

that carries the weight of legacy with

the lightness of silence. A motor car

designed to be admired now and

passed down later.

The affair endures, not because it is

electric, but because it remains

unmistakably Rolls-Royce.

ROLLS- ROYCE Vancouver

Available for Order

180 5 - West 5th Street

145


n o v e l t i e s

147

OMEGA

SEAMASTER

DI VER 300M

A Whi t e

Cer ami c

Tr i but e t o

t he Ol ympi c

Wi nt er

Games

149

OM EGA BOUTIQUE | Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

OAs the Olympic Winter Games

unfolded across northern Italy,

there was a quiet, gleaming

tribute marking every measured

second. OM EGA, Official

Timekeeper of M ilano Cortina

20 26, had commemorated the

moment with a dedicated

Seamaster Diver 30 0 M , a

collector?s edition that felt

both celebratory and deeply

considered.

This was not merely a watch

released in time for the Games.

It was a permanent association

with the XXV Olympic Winter

Games, an object designed to

endure long after the medals

were awarded and the podiums

dismantled. Each piece had

arrived in a M ilano Cortina 20 26

presentation box, reinforcing its

place not only as a timekeeping

instrument, but as an heirloom of

sporting history.

151

WIN TER AESTHETIC

At first glance, the palette was striking in

its restraint.

OMEGA had crafted the 43.5 mm case

in w hite ceramic, paired with grade 5

titanium, creating a study in cool

contrasts. The materials were sleek,

luminous, and unexpectedly lightweight.

The polished-brushed case body caught

the light differently from the sandblasted

helium escape valve and crown, offering

texture as much as visual intrigue.

The white ceramic bezel ring, with its

laser-ablated diving scale in positive

relief, added dimension without

disrupting the monochromatic purity. It

felt architectural. Purposeful.

On the dial, the artistry became even

more apparent. The white ceramic

surface revealed laser-engraved

frosting, a delicate finish that echoed

freshly fallen snow. Subtly traced across

the dial was a pattern inspired by the

?26? of the Milano Cortina emblem,

visible only when the light struck just so.

Rhodium-plated hands and indexes,

filled with white Super- LumiN ova,

ensured legibility, while the central

seconds hand carried a refined blue

gradient, mirroring the competition logo.

153

TACTILE EXPERIEN CE

Trying it on was a revelation. The white

rubber strap curved seamlessly around the

wrist, its softness contrasting with the

structured precision of the case. The

titanium buckle closed with a reassuring,

almost ceremonial click.

Despite its robust presence, the watch felt

remarkably light. Ceramic against skin

delivered a smooth, cool sensation, while

the titanium elements contributed strength

without weight. There was a quiet

confidence in how it sat, balanced and

deliberate.

Visually, the impact was immediate. Against

darker winter layers, the white ceramic

appeared luminous, almost sculptural. It

carried the aura of alpine clarity, evoking

snowfields and frozen lakes, while

remaining unmistakably urban in its

sophistication.

LEGACY OF PRECISION

OMEGA?s connection to the Olympic

Games extended back to 1932, and Milano

Cortina 20 26 marked the 32nd time the

Swiss brand had fulfilled the role of Official

Timekeeper. During the Games, OMEGA

recorded all 116 events across 16 sporting

disciplines, capturing moments measured

in fractions of a second.

Inside this Seamaster Diver 30 0 M beat the

Co- Axial M aster Chronometer Calibre

880 6, offering a 55- hour pow er reserve

and certification to the highest Swiss

industry standards. It was precision

engineered not simply for sport,

but for permanence.

The grade 5 titanium caseback bore a

stamped Milano Cortina 20 26 emblem, a

final, discreet homage. In that engraving

lay the spirit of competition, innovation,

and endurance.

This collector?s edition did more than

celebrate a global event. It encapsulated

OMEGA?s legacy of precision, expertise,

and forward-thinking design, ensuring that

long after the Olympic flame had dimmed,

the memory of those measured seconds

would continue to tick on.

OM EGA Boutique

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

90 0 West Georgia Street

155

Folio.YVR Lux ury Lifestyle M agazine

Helen Siw ak , EIC & Publisher

EcoLux Luv Communications & M ark eting Inc.

Suite #2, 1511 Commercial Drive

Vancouver, BC V5L 3Y1

A NGELA GROSSM A NN | Collage Work

IMAGES CREDITS - ISSUE 39 - FEBRUARY 2026

FRONT/ BACK COVER: ARMIN ABEDI 'COIL'

001- 002: COURTESY ANGELA GROSSMANN

003- 004: VLADIMIROS XANTHOPOULOS

005- 006: HELEN SIWAK

007- 008: ARMIN ABEDI


018: RUSSELL DALBY PHOTOGRAPHY

019- 020: COURTESY ANGELA GROSSMANN



025- 028, 030 (UR): HELEN SIWAK

030- 036: COURTESY FAIRMONT EMPRESS

037- 042: HELNE SIWAK

043- 046: COURTESY FAIRMONT EMPRESS



053- 064: COURTESY ALEEM KASSAM

065- 074: COURTESY THE SARTORIAL SHOP

075- 082: MICHELLE DIAMOND PHOTOGRAPHY


085- 102: BEIGE WEDDINGS


105- 108: COURTESY FAIRMONT HOTEL VANCOUVER



115- 132: COURTESY CLARENCE DEBELLE


135- 144: COURTESY ROLLS- ROYCE


147- 154: COURTESY OMEGA

155: COURTESY ANGELA GROSSMANN

Copyright © 2026 EcoLuxLuv Communications & Marketing Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

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FOLIO.YVR is published by EcoLuxLuv Communications &

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This notice, and any dispute arising from or relating to this

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folio.yvr

ISSUE #39

FEBRUA RY 2026

Folio.YVR ☆ Issue 39 ☆ February 2026 ☆ Luxury Lifestyle Magazine ☆ Vancouver, BC

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