THE CANADIAN MEN’S MAGAZINE
LIONEL SANDERS TOP PERFORMING TRIATHLETE
$6.99 Display Until Date of August 31st, 2018
THE
FAST AND FURIOUS SUMMER ISSUE
yslbeauty.com
ALEXANDRE ROBICQUET ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RESEARCHER
EVERYTHING STARTS WITH A WHY
Y, THE NEW FRAGRANCE FOR MEN
NSX
O U R M I S S I O N . YO U R S TAT E M E N T.
S TOP D RE AM I N G. STA R T D R I V I N G. SEE YOUR RE TAIL E R OR CRAF T YO U R C U STO M N SX AT N SX . AC U R A .C A
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THE
FAST AND FURIOUS SUMMER ISSUE COVER
Lionel Sanders: The unsuspecting Ironman
RIDES
A look into the most powerful Porsche yet: The 911 GT2 RS Ben Schaffer, Unplugged: A candid interview with automotive entrepreneur Quick Sail: The fastest boats money can buy Second Gear: The best refurbished and custom bikes money can buy The second-generation Acura NSX BMW X5 M: A luxury car for everyday use
WATCHES
Appreciating vintage watches All-black watches for everyday wear Sitting down with top Swiss watch brand Breitling’s new CEO
TECHNOLOGY, & SCIENCE
Breaking Down Blockchain: A look into cryptocurrency Sound Off: A feature on the best sound systems Record players of the future
MARIPIER MORIN
FITNESS
Be like Robert Palmer: A look into what makes the fitness mogul exceptional
TRAVEL
Explore the rich culture of Mexico City All Aboard: Cruises take on a new name with the family-owned Silversea Loue La Vie Exotic: Sweet and short luxury getaways
CINEMA
Fast & Furious: A sit down with director Rob Cohen The best films from Sundance
ART & DESIGN
ACURA
Increase in the Art Market: Behind the buyers’ motivation for picking certain pieces Diving into the creative mind of Stikki Peaches Alessandro Munge’s Studio Munge: Designing with emotion Fast forward: Design for now and the future
GROOMING
Fast Flexing: Fresh grooming looks for summer with flashy rides
MUSIC
Put that record on: Vinyls are back, and these are the best of the season Meet Rhye: Canadian singer Mike Milosh
DESIRE
Meet sexy model Dani Seitz on a beach paradise Star of the screen Maripier Morin
CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE
Learn how to drink Cognac James West’s personal experience with the business of weed
BUSINESS
Michel Grondines’ new direction of Vincent d’Amerique
STYLE
ROB COHEN
Summer of Style: Grooming and style inspiration for the new season The New Geek: Dress for success Coastal Culture: The latest in surfer style Style influencer Kish Raveendran’s guide to staying sharp in the city Christopher Bates is changing the luxury Canadian fashion game DTK MEN - SUMMER 2018
SUMMER 2018 N ̊ 9 Editor-in-Chief: Sylvain Blais President: Kathia Cambron C.E.O.: Shervin Shirvani Creative Director: Sylvain Blais
PRODUCTION
Content Director: Rebecca Kahn Copy Editor: Jane Bradshaw, Rebecca Kahn, Mari Obi Proofreading: Jane Bradshaw, Rebecca Kahn Coordinator: Rebecca Kahn
ART DEPARTMENT
Creative Director: Sylvain Blais Art Director: César Ochoa Graphic Designers: Aaya Hakimi, Robin Westfield
ART, CULTURE, AND LIFESTYLE Lifestyle Editor: Marie-Ève Venne Writers: Marie-Ève Venne, Marla Wasser, James West
BUSINESS
Writers: Brenna Dixon
CINEMA
Cinema Editor: Jason Gorber
DESIGN
Design Editor: Sylvain Blais Writers: Alexandra Moulin
DESIRE
Writers: Brenna Dixon, Rebecca Kahn
GROOMING
Grooming Editors: Pete Goupil, Richard J, Stephane Le Duc, Dooma Wendschuh Grooming, Makeup, and Hair Artists: Pete Goupil, Michael Goyette, Hannah Hurley, Richard J, Caroline Levin, Steven Turpin
MUSIC
Writer: Marie-Ève Venne
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Richard Bernardin, Mark Binks, Donat, Royal Gilbert, Gabor Jurina, Mauricio Ortiz, Carlyl Routh, John van der Schilden
RIDES
Rides Editor: Shervin Shirvani Writers: Themistoklis Alexis, Akeem Johnson-Pierre, Aniseh Sharifi, Benjamin Yong
SPORTS AND FITNESS
Writers: Braydon Holmyard, Robert Palmer
STYLE
Style Editors: Pascal Alhani, Jane Bradshaw, Tatiana Cinquino, Jenn Finkelstien, Akeem Johnson-Pierre, Amy Lu, Randy Smith, Mark John Tripp Writers: Brenna Dixon, Kish Raveendran
TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE
Writers: Aaron Cunningham, Jason Gorber
TRAVEL
Writers: Christine-Elizabeth Laprade, Akeem Johnson-Pierre, Dooma Wendschuh
WATCHES
Watch Editor: Shervin Shirvani Writer: Carol Besler, Akeem Johnson-Pierre
WRITERS
Themistoklis Alexis, Carol Besler, Jane Bradshaw, Aaron Cunningham, Brenna Dixon, Jason Gorber, Braydon Holmyard, Akeem Johnson-Pierre, Rebecca Kahn, Kish Raveendran, Christine-Elizabeth Laprade, Alexandra Moulin, Robert Palmer, Aniseh Sharifi, Shervin Shirvani, Marie-Ève Venne, Marla Wasser, Dooma Wendschuh, James West, Benjamin Yong
COMMUNICATIONS
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1 (416) 871-9069 Kathia Wendschuh: kathia@dtkmedia.com SVP Business Development: Connor Dickie connor@dtkmedia.com
WEB DEPARTMENT
Creative Director: Shervin Shirvani Editors: Akeem Johnson-Pierre Social Media: Yani Loafa
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info@dresstokillmagazine.com Newsstand CRS Media
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Contributors
Richard J
RICHARD J
Marla Wasser
MARLA WASSER
Aaron Cunningham is a Berlin-based artist, musician, and writer. His work is heavily inspired by emerging technologies and social trends, such as cryptocurrency. His involvement in blockchain technology began in 2014 and he has since been a believer in its ability to empower individuals and transform our society.
Mark John Tripp
Canadian-born stylist and fashion editor Mark John Tripp is known for his understated, straightforward approach to fashion. With a background in Fashion Design from Ryerson University and over 15 years of design and styling experience, Mark is a favourite among advertising and editorial clients.
Mark Binks
MARK BINKS
BENJAMIN YONG
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Marla Wasser is President and Chief Creative Officer of Pursuits Inc., an internationally focused art advisory and curatorial firm based in Toronto. Sharing art market expertise, Marla has been featured on BNN, in Dress to Kill Magazine, Bay Street Bull, and the most recent global publication - Design Scapes. Marla believes that the intersections between art, technology, fashion, and design create an incredible stage of opportunity and conversation.
Aaron Cunningham AARON CUNNINGHAM
MARK JOHN TRIPP
With over 20 years of experience in the fashion and beauty industry, Richard J is a leader specializing in hair colour and men’s grooming. Originally from New York, Richard is sought after for his editorial and advertising work while regularly collaborating as beauty editor to international publications. Richard currently divides his time between working on set for a diverse combination of commercial and editorial clients and maintaining a dedicated private following of fashion, music, and celebrity clientele. richardjhair.com.
Benjamin Yong
DTK MEN | FAS T & FURIOUS
Mark Binks was born a while ago, in a place in which he then grew up. He now calls Toronto home but often travels for work, which is alright by him. His loves include, in no particular order, dogs (all dogs ever), riding his bike, eating fish tacos, standup comedy, and hiphop. His dislikes include writing about himself in the third person. Upon realizing he’s not all that funny or particularly good at rapping, he settled into his fallback career as a photographer and soon learned that his worst day on set is still better than a lot of people’s best day at most jobs, and for that he is terribly grateful. Benjamin Yong is a freelance writer based in Vancouver, B.C., often writing about food, travel, and cars. Follow him at twitter.com/b_yong.
INTRODUCING
NEW BEARD FOAM CLEANSER
AND BALM • ASK YOUR STYLIST • AMERICANCREW.COM
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EDITOR’S NOTE
THE
FAST AND FURIOUS SUMMER ISSUE When I think of “fast and furious,” I automatically think about my bank account and how it goes down too FAST and it makes me FURIOUS! I’m just kidding… kind of. Money is too easy to spend, especially when you have expensive taste. When I really think of “fast and furious,” it makes me think of actor Paul Walker in the infamous The Fast & The Furious movie. We had the amazing opportunity to catch up in Los Angeles with the creator of the original The Fast & The Furious, Rob Cohen. “Fast and furious” makes me think of fast cars, speed, and the attitude and the
courage to do anything to achieve your goals in life. It makes me think of pushing the limits. This is exactly what you will find in this issue. When we were looking for our cover star, we happened upon the Ironman triathlete Lionel Sanders. When hearing his personal story, we were truly inspired. It’s an overwhelming story of achievement and overcoming obstacles. You will find profiles of entrepreneurs who bare their souls and push boundaries, like James West, a pioneer in the Cannabis business, and Michel Grondines, a businessman who is conquering all of Canada and the USA with a local menswear brand. The bombshell business woman, Maripier Morin, talks about her fast ascension from reality TV to becoming a full-blown movie star. In this issue of DTK Men, you’ll find the best cars, boats, motorcycles, watches, grooming, design, music, technology, and more. And as always, we have the best styles for summer, including the new corporate cool. Enjoy the speed, intensity, and renewal of summer, but remember, everything is good in moderation. Going too fast always comes with risks.
Sylvain Blais, Editor-in-Chief
Suit ($400) LE 31 at SIMONS. Eyewear ($595) ROBERT MARC at JOSEPHSON OPTICIANS. Creative Director SYLVAIN BLAIS. Art Director KATHIA CAMBRON. Photographer MARK BINKS. Fashion Editor MARK JOHN TRIPP. Grooming RICHARD J using MOROCCANOIL and MAC COSMETICS. Location: WINDSOR INTERNATIONAL AQUATIC AND TRAINING CENTRE.
COVER SHOT WITH FIJUFILM GFX 50S CAMERA
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Les Cours Mont-Royal www.matiniquemtl.com
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A Driver’s
DREAM THE NEW NSX IS THE LATEST FEATURE IN THE ACURA LUXURY MODEL LINEUP. THE PREMIUM AUTOMAKER PRIDES ITSELF IN PRECISIONCRAFTED PERFORMANCE AND THE NSX IS A PURE EXPRESSION OF THAT MOTTO.
By Aniseh Sharifi The NSX is not just a supercar. Built of racing DNA, the vehicle combines an ultra-rigid space frame and an agile Sports Hybrid Super Handling AllWheel Drive to support all of its driving modes. It’s engineered to produce 573hp, 476 lb-ft of torque, and a top speed of 307 km/h. Whether cruising on the weekends, ripping it on the track, or adding some motivation to your daily commute, the vehicle is a reflection of the driver and the emotions behind the wheel. The lightweight suspension and steering system delivers a refreshing balance of adrenaline and composure. And although the interior provides a quiet space from the road, the sound of the engine tunes in with the driving mode. Depending on how the driver may be feeling, there are four mode settings to choose from. From the nearly silent Quiet mode to Sport, Sport Plus, and the aggressive roar of the Track Mode, there’s something for every situation. Across all driving spectrums, the highperformance system delivers precise traction control and poise no matter the speed.
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THE NSX IS A VISUAL EXPRESSION OF BEAUTIFUL DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE WORKING TOGETHER. The NSX brakes and hybrid regenerative brakes are powerful and predictable, allowing the driver to be confident and firm on the road. The exterior is designed with similar nuances as the first generation NSX. While every shape and curve is incredibly pleasing and sexy, every line and crease on the body holds a purpose to its dynamic performance and efficiency. The interior offers a minimalistic and spacious cabin with a uniquely-shaped steering wheel. The multi-function display brings it all together for the driver with the vehicle data and performance keys. It's mounted high on the dash where it's easy to see and manage. Airflow plays a crucial role in design and performance of the vehicle. Starting with the front airflow intake and through the side, all the way to the rear brakes, the intention is to provide airflow and maximize cooling to the engine, transition, and brakes at all times. "The NSX is a visual expression of beautiful design and performance working together," said Michelle Christensen, Acura NSX large project leader designer.
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Porsche: 911 GT2 RS
THE POWER
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SIMPLY PUT, THE NEW PORSCHE 911 GT2 RS IS THE MOST POWERFUL PRODUCTION MODEL PORSCHE HAS BUILT — EVER.
By Benjamin Yong Just how powerful is it? The German automaker broke records at the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in the fall for the road-approved sports car category. The vehicle clocked a blazing time of 6 minutes and 47.3 seconds, which is even faster than anticipated. “At the start of the development process, we set ourselves a lap time target for the GT2 RS of less than 7 minutes and 5 seconds. The credit for beating this target by 17.7 seconds goes to our development engineers, mechanics, and drivers, who demonstrated an exceptionally strong team performance. This result makes it official: The GT2 RS is not only the most powerful, but also the fastest 911 ever built,” says Frank-Steffen Walliser, Motorsport and GT Cars Vice President, in a news release. The 911 GT2 RS first debuted late last summer during the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England. The vehicle did not just sit pretty on display, it participated in the famous 1.16-mile hill climb and gave visitors a glimpse of the impressive piece of road-legal machinery. Let’s start with its specifications. Under the hood beats a biturbo 3.8-litre flat six motor churning out an incredible 700 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. That’s a full 80 horsepower and 37 lb-ft of torque more than the outgoing model. This upgraded setup is great for reaching a top speed of 340 km/h. The list of improvements includes larger turbochargers, an additional cooling system, and a titanium exhaust weighing seven kilograms less.
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Mated to the fire-breathing mill is a customized version of the company’s seven-speed double-clutch Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission designed to allow power transfer with uninterrupted traction, which is essential for helping get the RS from 0 to 100 km/h in a scant 2.8 seconds. Like any Porsche, the handling department is just as polished as the engine bay. The vehicle features rear axle steering and wheels wrapped in wide ultra high-performance tires, 265/35/20 at the front and 325/30/21 in the rear. Available Porsche Stability Management is specifically tuned for the application to maintain stability even at its limit. There are sensors constantly and carefully measuring factors such as direction, speed, yaw velocity, and lateral acceleration to calculate the precise travel direction, then using that information to initiate braking on individual wheels. In other words, smart stuff. The GT2 RS has taken the classic lines of the 911 and turned it up several notches, incorporating aggressive track-inspired functional aesthetics. Just look at those massive air intakes on the front bumper, wheel housings, and behind the doors. A towering wing sits above the trunk and the hood is crafted out of carbon-fibre re-
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Specs
ENGINE
BITURBO 3.8-LITRE FLAT SIX MOTOR
HORSE POWER 700 HP
TORQUE
553 LB-FT
0 TO 100 KM/H 2.8 SECONDS
TOP SPEED 340 KM/H
inforced plastic (CFRP), and the sides are left unpainted to show off the gorgeous weave. Other weight-reducing items are the magnesium roof and the colourful Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes peeking out from behind the wheel spokes. Customers may shed an additional 30 kilograms by purchasing the optional Weissach package. The roof, anti-roll bars, and axle coupling rods are made from CFRP rather than conventional metals. The magnesium wheels also have the added benefit of reducing undesirable unsprung weight.
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Although sparse for the purposes of keeping things light, the interior is purposeful and utilizes plenty of red Alcantara, black leather, and carbon fibre. Gearshift paddles are mounted to the racy steering wheel, and passengers are held tight in gorgeous full bucket seats. As with all modern 911s, the latest Porsche Communication Management infotainment system centred on a gorgeous high-resolution 12-inch monitor accepts smartphone-esque touch gestures. The new Porsche 911 GT2 RS is now on sale for a cool $334,000.
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Ben Schaffer
CAR TUNNING OF THE FUTURE
OVER THE PAST TWO-PLUS DECADES, BULLETPROOF AUTOMOTIVE AND UNPLUGGED PERFORMANCE HEADMAN BEN SCHAFFER WENT FROM A TEENAGE CAR-ENTHUSIAST, (ILLEGALLY) STREET RACING IN HIS NATIVE MASSACHUSETTS TO A VERITABLE CAPTAIN OF THE TUNING INDUSTRY. IN A RECENT CONVERSATION WITH DTK MEN, THE BIGWIG REVEALED HOW A GIG AS A RACING EXTRA ON 2001’S THE FAST & THE FURIOUS TURNED A MARKETING MAJOR INTO AN ENTREPRENEUR AND WHAT PROMPTED AN UNFATHOMABLE FORAY INTO MODIFYING ELECTRIC CARS.
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By Themistoklis Alexis
What made you decide to turn this interest in car tuning into your life’s work? I took two weeks off of Arizona State University, and while I was an extra for filming The Fast & The Furious, I saw a lot of people in [the] tuning industry that, for me, was just a hobby.
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During the course of those two weeks, being immersed with [other] extras and people in the industry who were there having a good time and filming, it occurred to me that I had always done things as an entrepreneur. At that point, I’d already started Bulletproof (in March 2000), but I didn’t think of myself as an entrepreneur. After two weeks of filming, I couldn’t go back to my classes. I was hooked on this idea that I wanted to pursue entrepreneurship, better myself as a business operator, and not pursue this idea of working for a corporation. I ended up taking the rest of the semester off, transferred into the entrepreneur program at USC, and moved to California the next semester. From that point forward, [in] everything I did, I pursued, the best I could, at mastering entrepreneurship as a whole.
“...[IN] EVERYTHING I DID, I PURSUED, THE BEST I COULD, AT MASTERING ENTREPRENEURSHIP AS A WHOLE.”
What was it about Teslas that made you want to start modifying them? When we started Unplugged Performance in 2013, no one was modifying Teslas. In the car tuning world, we always see a feedback loop in which great cars create inspiration that gets copied, reformulated, and turned into something new and then that cycle repeats itself, feeding a gradual evolution. That evolution needs a starting point, and what was interesting was that for EV tuning, I found myself, for the first time in my career, with no specific starting point for how to approach it. There was no safe play, and in some respects, there would be almost nothing that would be accepted at face value to car enthusiasts at that time. The excitement was having a blank sheet of paper, and deciding to take the risk to bet my reputation on becoming the first to tune Teslas. Bulletproof had millions of followers on Facebook, and of course, I knew we were going to get ridiculed posting photos of any electric car no matter how great it was, because from a hardcore car enthusiast’s standpoint at that time, an electric car was inherently uncool. So we took a chance and bet our reputation on the fact that Teslas can be amazing, and we set out to try to prove that fact to petrolheads. Of course, I knew when we brought the only Tesla to the SEMA trade show in 2014 most people at that time were going to not accept it, and they would say, “That’s just a glorified Prius, it’s really lame, there’s no exhaust, [and] it doesn’t make any sound; how is that car tuning?” - all this negativity that I knew was going to come, but the truth of it was, I didn’t care because I believed in the mission. I’d bought a Tesla Model S, and I drove it, and it was so ridiculously good I couldn’t look past it. The car was so good at all the things that I thought a car enthusiast
Ben Schaffer
would like, [so] it seemed to me that to ignore what was right in front of me would be one of the biggest mistakes of my life. So, we went ahead, and over the years we’ve convinced a lot of people to sell their gasoline-powered sports cars and move over to a Tesla. Every year since then, we’ve brought a Tesla to SEMA. We’ve seen excitement building amongst car enthusiasts, and the early risks we took betting on what we believed in don’t seem so risky anymore. What’s been the focus of your efforts as of late? About ten years ago I started transitioning from purely finding and distributing great products in Japan to investing in creating great products in Japan with those same brands. That kind of led to this gradual tipping point of going from first waiting for something cool and distributing it, to then working together to create things that are cool with the brands in Japan that I distribute for. And then gradually, that transitioned to where I can’t expect these companies [to] make all the things I’d like them to make as fast as I’d like it to happen, so I better start making them myself. At [that] point, we got more involved in making our own parts across multiple brands. This gives us the creative freedom to create cars and products more freely when we feel inspired. That results in a pretty diverse variety of cars, ranging from daily-driven Teslas to very extreme one-off builds. We did this one BMW Z4 where we cut the windshield and roof off and turned it into something simply nobody expected…a kind of a rolling, batmobile-looking race car with an exhaust out the side that shoots flames. We tend to spend most of our time building custom Nissan GT-Rs and Teslas, as well as distributing parts to those communities. [They’re] opposite ends of the spectrum, but, at the end of the day, car tuning never respected boundaries, it follows wherever passion leads it.
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Black Fire Edition
BMW X5 M THIS BLACK FIRE EDITION BMW X5 M IS THE DEFINITION OF SPEED AND POWER, AND PROVES THAT FAST AND FURIOUS POWER IS NOT ONLY LIMITED TO SPORTS SEDANS.
By Aniseh Sharifi
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On the outside, the vehicle has the signature BMW X5 M body with details such as the carbon mirror caps and forged 21inch black M alloy wheels specific to the Black Fire Edition. It’s underneath the Black Sapphire Metallic paint and that iconic black M grill that lays a potent 4.4L V8 engine eager to roar and be heard. This Sports Activity Vehicle can do 0 to 100km/h in just 4.2 seconds. It’s filled with all the functional features you would use in your day-to-day commutes, including Apple CarPlay, Wireless Charging, Multifunctional/Ventilated Seats, Park Assistant, Surround View, and Wifi Hotspot, to name a few. The sporty steering wheel provides absolute control in the eye-catching cockpit, allowing shortcuts to all the commands and drive modes. The Head-up Display is easy to manage from your line of vision and allows easy access to more of the features like calling on your personal assistant, known as the BMW Concierge, anytime and anywhere. Spacious enough for grown men and all their lifestyle gear and accessories, the interior is upholstered in fine-grain Merino leather, in Black and Mugello Red with the contrasting red stitching on the underlining and central console. The piano black finish trim adds the final touches to the stylish interior, emphasizing again its special edition. This X5 M delivers the power and confidence you want on the road. At a top performance of 567 horsepower and fuel consumption of 16.6L in the city, 12.1L on the highway, and 14.6L combo per 100km, the vehicle is surprisingly light and agile. The M TwinPower turbo engine is shamelessly loud and extremely gratifying. The xDrive four-wheel drive system provides the ultimate traction control technology while surpassing stability, handling, and safety standards. The magical M includes M compound brakes, 8-speed M transmission, and Dynamic Stability Control, allowing you to change the driving feel from super sporty to comfort and adapt to any driving situation and preference. The Black Fire Edition BMW X5 M has massive power and provides a truly emotional and extreme driving experience, reminding you every day that you can be fast and furious and still drive an SUV.
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MOTO-MAKEOVERS
MOST MOTORCYCLES HAVE A LINEAR LIFE CYCLE. ONCE THEIR DESIGN IS GREEN-LIT, IT’S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE BIKE GOES FROM THE DRAWING BOARD TO THE OPEN ROAD. EVENTUALLY, THESE BIKES ARE IMPROVED UPON AND REPLACED BY NEWER MODELS, ONLY TO TAKE THEIR PLACE IN HISTORY. THAT IS, OF COURSE, UNLESS A TEAM OF DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS PUTS THEIR CREATIVE JUICES TOWARDS REMIXING THESE CLASSIC RIDES AND GIVE THEM A SECOND WIND. FORGED FROM PASSION, THESE TWO-WHEELERS HAVE BEEN CUSTOMIZED AND GIVEN A PERSONAL TOUCH BY THE PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT THEM THE MOST.
Edited by Shervin Shirvani Text by Akeem Johnson-Pierre
1918 INDIAN TWIN BOARD-TRACK RACER
The board track racing era had a solid 20-year run in the early 20th century. Although the sport was short-lived, it did gain considerable attention from racing enthusiasts in both America and India. The love of the sport led to the creation of some stand out motorcycles from both countries. Now a century old, the 1918 Indian Twin Board Racer has been reassembled and restored to its former state of glory. Thanks to a masterful restoration process, the Board-Track Racer is made of mostly original parts, making it a high commodity among collectors. Price : $150,000 USD
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DEATH MACHINES OF LONDON AIRFORCE MOTORCYCLE
It took Death Machines of London over 100 days of hard work to bring this work of art to life. The Moto Guzzi Lemans MK II Airforce pays respect to World War I veteran and Moto Guzzi founder Giovanni Ravelli (1887-1919). Death Machines of London restored the “Airforce” from its corroding post-collision state in Southern Italy to the modern marvel that it is today. The frame and front wheel have been coated in a custom Airforce Grey, and the redesigned speedometer now features dimmable radial illumination. Nearly every component of the Airforce, from the rear suspension to the internal throttle, is custom made. The Aviator truly captures Ravelli’s radical aviation spirit. Price : $113,000
DEUS EX MACHINA TTT TTT is a standout custom motorcycle MOTORCYCLE The brought to us via the creative geniuses at DEUS EX MACHINA. Personally crafted by Michael “Woolie” Woolaway, the TTT is powered by a 750cc T140. Its frame is one of two custom-made by C&J, built specifically for the motor. Styled after ‘60s Japanese Grand Prix racers, the long angular aluminum tank is handmade by Woolaway and has been painted in a black candy over a black base coat. Don’t let the eye candy fool you, this bike packs an impressive road performance as well. Price upon request.
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RICKMAN TRIUMPH T120 CAFE RACER
Geoff Baldwin, a journalist from Return of The Café Racer, was one of the many journalists who, back in 2016, got to witness the unveiling of Triumph’s Bonneville. After laying eyes on the now two-year-old T120, Baldwin decided to do a custom build. As you can tell from the name of his website, Baldwin refrained from turning the bike into a chopper, and chose to focus the Bonneville’s 55th anniversary as a starting point. While designing the custom T120, he realized that Rickman was also celebrating its 50th anniversary. Baldwin drew inspiration from the Rickman brothers’ designs, implemented them to his custom T120 Bonneville, wrapped it in a fitting emerald green and gold coloured paint job, and the rest is history. Price upon request.
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CURTISS WARHAWK
Limited to only 36 examples, the hand-built Warhawk is the first Curtiss Motorcycle build in over 105 years, while at the same time being the last gasoline-powered motorcycle the company will make before they focus solely on sustainable electricpowered bikes. The Warhawk, powered by an air-cooled 2200cc V-twin, has been brought to life to pay homage to the company’s namesake, motorcycle and aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss. Capable of reaching a top speed of 180mph, the Warhawk is a massively powerful machine and features a unique see-through cam chest and fuel tank.. Price : $105,000 USD
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IRONWOOD CUSTOM MOTORCYCLES BMW motorcycles are relative newcomers in the custom bike R80 Ironwood world, having produced only a handful of custom BMW bikes in the last six years. Be that as it may, the Amsterdam-based manufacturer still manages to impress us with its custom BMW R80 “Mutant” café racer. Its ostentatious raw metals and vintage paint job are reminiscent of Street Fighter motorcycles from a decade ago. Much like the original 1985 BMW R80, the Mutant holds on to the mono-shock and single-sided swing-arm. What has changed is the new longer bespoke Hyperpro suspension coil which creates an extreme stance and pitches the rider forward. To draw attention is the custom exhaust, which so happens to sit pretty under the Mutant’s Alcantara and soft leather seat. Price : €20,000
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Watches
BLACK OUT
BELL & ROSS BR03-92 Black Cam
Building on the success of Bell & Ross’s camouflage watch series is the new all-black camo edition of the BR03-92. Bell & Ross have developed an original tricolor coating, and the 42mm diameter matte black case contains a dial covered with patchwork of matte greys. The strap is entirely matte black as well. The watch is virtually undetectable at night by others, perfect for those covert missions you might find yourself on. Don’t worry about being able to tell time in low light situations, the bottom layer is a solid disk of black Super-LumiNova that glows through the numeral cutouts of the top dial layer. Price: $5,000 BLACK IS SYNONYMOUS WITH POWER, RESILIENCE, AND SOPHISTICATION. THESE ARE ALL CHARACTERISTICS THAT THE GREATEST TIMEPIECES STRIVE TO ATTAIN. WITH THAT BEING SAID, WHAT BETTER SHADE IS THERE FOR WATCHES KNOWN FOR THEIR POWERFUL PRESENCE AND RELIABILITY? GIVING A NEW LOOK TO FAMILIAR FACES, THESE WATCHES ANSWER THE ONLY QUESTION THAT MATTERS: DOES IT COME IN BLACK?
Edited by Shervin Shirvani Text by Akeem Johnson-Pierre
Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar
Ballon Bleu de Cartier Carbon
CARTIER
BREITLING
It takes time to build greatness, and for the Royal Oak by Audemars Piguet, it takes about 30 hours for the case and bracelet alone. The Royal Oak has a 41mm case and a “Grande Tapisserie” dial which includes extra features such as the date, astronomical moon, and leap year indication. It’s powered by the new self-winding calibre 5134, an ultra-thin movement that is visible through the watch’s sapphire case back. Price: $93,900 USD
Each watch has a distinct attribute that sets it apart from the rest. In the case of this allblack timepiece, Cartier decided to name it after the blue cabochon comfortably laying in the crown. The watch’s black steel and ADLC 42mm case, along with its calfskin leather strap, help accentuate this crown gem. The Ballon Bleu’s guilloche dial is decorated in roman numerals and sword-shaped hands. The 42mm Ballon Bleu features Cartier’s selfwinding calibre 1847 MC. Price: $8,350
The Avenger Hurricane looks like it could make it through war; Breitling has fully-embraced militaristic qualities for the all-black timepiece. Powered by the ultra-reliable new Breitling Calibre B12 movement, the Hurricane features a self-winding chronograph with a 24-hour display and a COSC-certified chronometer. It also comes with an ultra-sturdy and ultra-lightweight 50mm Breitlight® case, much lighter than titanium or steel. The XXL Hurricane is extremely robust and is highly resistant to scratches, traction, and corrosion. Price: $9,865
AUDEMARS PIGUET
IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN
PANERAI
Avenger Hurricane
FRANCK MULLER
Big Pilot’s Watch Top Gun
LAB-IDTM Luminor 1950
Vanguard Classical Titanium Full Black
Only the best fighter pilots in the U.S Navy have the privilege of being in the legendary Top Gun academy. IWC naming their Pilot’s watch collection after the Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor Program is no small decision. With it comes an expectation of elevated quality level. This Big Pilot’s watch is as reliable today as it was in 1940, having only received certain modernizations since then. Powered by the 311 component calibre 51111, the Big Pilot features a 7-day power reserve and anti-reflective coating on both sides. Price upon request.
With a 49mm case made of carbotech, a composite material introduced by Panerai, the new Panerai LAB-IDTM is a true testament to the infinite potential of carbon. For instance, the P3001/C calibre movement is one of the first to function entirely without lubrication and is guaranteed to work for 50 years. Its blue Super-LumiNova hands make for a nice contrast and perfect visibility against its pitch-black dial, case, and calf ponte Vecchio strap. Price upon request.
The Vanguard has one of the most captivating case shapes in all of horlogery. What is even more impressive is its amount of variations. Its classical line of Vanguards is already home to four distinct models, and has now added the Classic Titanium Full Black to the lineup. This version of the Vanguard Classic features the same 45mm curved case aesthetic as its peers. However, it now is in PVD-coated titanium and its distinctive applique numerals have been hand-brushed and hand-polished in black. Price upon request.
WATCHES
BREITLING REIMAGINED NORTH AMERICA’S FAVOURITE AVIATOR WATCH BRAND IS CLEANING UP ITS COLLECTION – AND ITS IMAGE.
By Carol Besler
Breitling, North America’s fourth best-selling watch brand, is known not only for its macho-sized aviator watches but for the risque advertising that accompanies them. The theme is macho, with heroic fighter pilots juxtaposed with busty, scantily clad pin-up girls inspired by the nose art on World-War-II-era fighter planes. As of last April, however, there is a new ground crew at Breitling, and although aviation is still a theme, it is less predominant, and the babes are gone altogether. “You cannot show this kind of stuff anymore; it does not reflect the values of today’s society,” says incoming CEO Georges Kern, a watch industry veteran who joined Breitling as CEO and as an investor shortly after it was acquired (for 800 million euros) last year by CVC Capital Partners of Britain. “Today,” says Kern, “we want to reach the new Breitling customer – a guy who is cooler than the sky warrior or the guy after the pin-up girl.”
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WATCHES
This was Kerns’ opening salvo on the New York leg of his “Legendary Future” roadshow, with previous stops in Shanghai and Zurich. The goal was to unveil Breitling’s new collection and design language. Going forward, new models will be pared down, cleaned-up, and categorized into one of three sportsrelated realms: land, sea, or air. Aviation watches are still part of the collection, but will share equal space with sports-inspired models from the land and sea, including motorbike-themed pieces. Breitling has just kicked off a partnership with Norton Motorcycles and dive watches. Breitling’s biggest seller is the Superocean Héritage II, reintroduced this year in a smaller case with an upgraded, in-house movement that comes with a five-year warranty (the industry standard is two). “Nobody does that quality/price ratio,” says Kern. The price range of the Breitling collection is $4,000 to $9,000. To help revamp the collection, he brought in Guy Bove, who, as creative director at Chopard for the past ten years, was instrumental in launching that company’s L.U.C. collection of premium watches with in-house movements. Before that, he worked for Kern for six years at IWC, a higher-end. Yet less-visible sports watch brand owned by the Richemont Group. Bove’s brief was to update Breitling’s line to include cleaner, more contemporary designs, but to take inspiration from the archives (Breitling was founded in 1884, so the archives are extensive).
“TODAY, WE WANT TO REACH THE NEW BREITLING CUSTOMER.”
“The idea is not to remake old watches again,” says Bove, who is as weary as most watch fans of the chronic lineup of vintage reproductions from heritage brands over the past couple of years. “I see it more as taking raw ingredients from older models and using them in new recipes.” Not all of those ingredients will make the cut. Fans were shocked, for example, when Breitling introduced a new Navitimer, its signature pilot’s watch, without the slide rule, a defining feature since the 1950s. It wasn’t that the slide rule was deemed out of date; in fact, it was too modern. The new design was inspired by on-board chronographs produced by Breitling in the 1930s and 1940s, an era before slide rules. “It’s a tool watch inspired by pilots flying small dangerous planes who did not have the time to use a slide rule but who
needed a simpler dial to see the time at a glance, versus the newer Navitimer models, which were useful to pilots planning routes and doing calculations,” says Bove. The new model, the Navitimer 8, is named for Breitling’s Huit Aviation Department, set up by the company in 1938 to produce cockpit instruments. Huit referred, at the time, to the eight-day power reserve of the on-board instrumentation. Aside from pin-up girls and slide rules, Breitling is giving up something else for which it is renowned, at least in some circles. Over the years, Breitling has hosted the biggest, wildest, no-holds-barred party at Baselworld, the industry’s annual spring trade fair in Switzerland. The soiree, which runs for three consecutive nights, is rumoured to cost in the $2-million range each year and has involved not only copious amounts of food and alcohol but, depending on the theme, burlesque dancers, live boxing matches, drag queens, live tigers, and the occasional sword fight. In the small, rather sleepy town of Basel, known best for its bratwurst and beer, this constitutes a spectacle. As of this year, the party is off the agenda. “I have invested my personal money in the company, and I’m certainly not going to blow it on this party,” Kern replied to a press inquiry about the annual bash. “I'm happy to invite you for a sausage instead.”
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Watches
TIME FOR
CLASSICS
PATEK PHILIPPE Nautilus
Introduced in 1976 by the nearly two-century-old Swiss manufacturer, the Nautilus Reference 3700 timepiece was Patek Philippe’s answer to a growing demand for luxury sport watches. It is powered by the same ultra-thin movement found in the Royal Oak watch designed by Audemars Piguet, a piece that originally inspired the creation of high-end sport watches. The Nautilus was first released exclusively in stainless steel. It can now be found in gold and features many more complications, which are all backed by Patek Philippe’s seal of quality. THE ROAD TO PERFECTING THE ART OF WATCHMAKING IS A LONG ONE. THE JOURNEY IS PAVED WITH CLASSIC TIMEPIECES THAT CONTINUE TO INSPIRE THE MANUFACTURING OF THE REMARKABLE WATCHES WE SEE TODAY. OF COURSE, THESE CLASSIC WATCHES USED TO BE CONSIDERED AHEAD OF THEIR TIME. HERE ARE SOME UPSTANDING WATCHES FROM THE PAST; THEIR TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED FEATURES AND UNIQUE AESTHETICS RIGHTFULLY DEEM THEM AS CLASSICS.
Edited by Shervin Shirvani Text by Akeem Johnson-Pierre
ROLEX GMT
CARTIER
JAEGER-LECOULTRE
The Rolex GMT Master 1675 is one of the most sought-after watches. Collectors have endearingly named the watch “Pepsi.” The classic Rolex, which was in production from 1959 to 1980, earned its nickname because of its use of the signature red and blue colours of the Pepsi brand on its beautiful two-tone metal bezel. The “Pepsi” features a 38-mm case and is capable of keeping the time of two locations.
It may be a little ironic that the Santos, a watch that has kept Cartier in the spotlight for some time, initially steered away from what we have come to expect from the French manufacturer. Cartier’s decision to embrace this sporty timepiece, now with automatic movement, made the brand the talk of the town among watch enthusiasts. The mix between stainless steel and 18K gold inspired competing manufacturers to create their own versions.
If you were a navigator in the Australian Air Force during the 1950s, you most likely had a Mark XI around your wrist. Originally commissioned by the British Ministry of Defence, the Mark XI by Jaeger-LeCoultre was subjected to strict 6B/346 specifications. Consequently, the timepiece is of the highest quality and may be the most expensive watch ever commissioned by the military.
Master
Santos
Mark XI
Professional Seamaster 600 (€7,200)
Montreal (€6,700)
HEUER
BREITLING
Those who dive deep also need to be able to tell time. Omega understood this demand of deep sea divers and thus created the Omega Seamaster Professional 600. Nicknamed “Plorof” after the words “Plongeur Professionnel,” meaning professional divers, the Seamaster was built to be a highly reliable watch. Waterproof for up to 600 metres, the watch was only used by the top divers of the 1970s due to its high cost. The Seamaster also includes two outstanding features: the locking mechanism on the crown and the red button that unlocks the Bezel.
Several classic watches from Heuer have been re-released and have regained the attention of collectors. Models like Monaco and Silverstone have been redesigned and are now back in the spotlight. The Heuer Montreal may not have received the same treatment, but this should not detract from its originality or significance. Released in 1972, the Montreal (reference 110.503) features the Heuer calibre 12 and a striking black dial, which compliments its red hands.
Back in the early 1950s, before Tom Cruise ever felt the need for speed, aviation pilots were held in high regard. Breitling held pilots in high esteem too, and thus was born the Navitimer, one of the most stylish and powerful aviation instruments ever made. To further associate the brand with pilots, Breitling even put the official Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) logo on the dial. The Navitimer features a Venus 178 movement and a slide rule bezel designed to solve logarithmic calculations on the go. Breitling watches are still the go-to timepiece for pilots all over the world.
OMEGA
Navitimer
STYLE
MENSWEAR AT ITS FINEST
Meet Canadian Luxury game changer
CHRISTOPHER BATES
BORN AND RAISED IN VANCOUVER, BATES’ EARLIEST MEMORIES OF FASHION INTRIGUE WERE FROM HIS CHILDHOOD OUTFITS. “MY MOM DRESSED MY BROTHERS AND I PRETTY COOL GROWING UP IN THE ‘80S,” HE CHUCKLES, ADDING THAT HE WOULD FEEL A CERTAIN “ENERGY” CONNECTED WITH PARTICULAR LOOKS. GROWING UP IN CANADA, HOWEVER, HE EXPLAINS THAT HE “NEVER REALLY THOUGHT OF FASHION AS A CAREER, IT WAS JUST SOMETHING [HE] LIKED.” HE STARTED OUT SKETCHING CLOTHING AND LOGOS, AND, BY THE AGE OF 13, HE HAD A BOOK FULL OF DESIGNS, AND IT WAS ALL JUST FOR ‘FUN.’
By Brenna Dixon Completing his BA from UBC, he went on to study marketing and advertising. “I liked the creative aspect of the business,” he claims, but he was unknowingly gathering fundamental skills for quite a successful future. He moved on to work as a marketing manager, a role that eventually allowed him to travel to Europe, and as a young adult, he returned to Northern Europe. Having visited when he was younger, he now stepped back into that world with newfound appreciation. “I was blown away by their style and individualism,” he remembers of a trip to Stockholm. Being immersed into the European aesthetic had re-triggered Bates’ inspiration. The decision was made: Bates was going to sell his apartment, move abroad, study, and start his own fashion brand. Researching the best design schools in the world, he naturally came across internationally renowned Art and Design Institute, Marangoni (alumni include: Franco Moschino, Alessandra Fachinetti, and Alessandro Sartori, to name a few). With no fashion portfolio or significant past experience, Bates’ eclectic background was leveraged by his precise vision, leading him to a successful time in Milan. The richness of the country’s culture was one of the main reasons why he chose Italy. “I always considered Italy the heart and soul of fashion for its legacy, materials, tailoring, and more,” he describes colourfully.
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STYLE
© RAI ALLEN.
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STYLE
All Clothing CHRISTOPHER BATES. Photographer MARK BINKS. Fashion Editor MARK JOHN TRIPP. Grooming RICHARD J using MAC COSMETICS and ORIBE. Photography Assistant VEDA FAYE. Models (from left to right) CAMERON at SUTHERLAND, TAEHYUN at ELMER OLSEN, JORDAN at ELITE, FRANKY at DULCEDO, and JACK at SPOT 6.
STYLE
“ALWAYS BEEN MY DREAM TO PRODUCE A WORLD CLASS PRODUCT THAT I’M PROUD TO PUT MY NAME ON.”
Christopher Bates
Enrolling in the fashion design program, he confesses, “My skills were extremely limited at the time,” but he was sure what he did have was “good ideas, [and] maybe some good taste and a strong work ethic.” Living in Milan alone and being confronted with scholastic challenges constantly, Bates started out with a disadvantage. “Most of the students had already completed previous studies at some of the best schools in the world,” he divulges. In the face of evident adversity, he adapted, learned, and persevered. “I worked really hard,” he clarifies. Education was an incredibly useful experience that gave the designer indispensable skills needed for his future success. After graduating from Marangoni, he hit a bureaucratic speed bump when his student visa expired. Even though Christopher had full intentions of remaining in Milan, with expired documents, he had to go. Returning to Canada, he never lost sight of what he wanted. “My goal, from day one, was to start my own brand,” he exclaimed. In November of 2007, he started his company, and, in February 2008, he incorporated his business, dedicating himself entirely to his creations. Having started his label in Canada, Bates describes the experience as the “perfect incubator for my brand,” further elaborating on the fact that Canada was the ideal entry point “to figure out what worked and what didn’t work” for himself, for his brand, and in the industry.
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STYLE
“I ALWAYS CONSIDERED ITALY THE HEART AND SOUL OF FASHION FOR ITS LEGACY, MATERIALS, TAILORING, AND MORE...”
Christopher Bates
As opposed to more competitive markets like New York or Milan, the Canadian fashion industry has a much “softer” approach. For new brands that “will make mistakes (and I have),” Bates points out that the “Canadian market is a little kinder” in terms of the extremely competitive and non-forgiving industry. From his very first collection, and despite being based in Vancouver, Toronto’s immediate response to the label was extremely positive. Founder of Menswear Store GotStyle Melissa Austria was the first to order Christopher Bates’ collection. With mounting sales and exposure to follow, Bates moved to Toronto “as quickly as [he] could,” he states. Today, he splits his time between his Toronto and his Milanese offices, with Toronto continuing to be the brand’s leading market. Now, Bates creates ready-to-wear and footwear collections that embrace the craftsmanship and richness synonymous with “Made in Italy,” with particular attention to details tantamount with luxury. His creations are innovative, debuting
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unique fabric blends topped with alluring colour palettes, while all the brand’s manufacturing remains in Italy (materials and production), collaborating with worldclass suppliers. Producing alongside some of the industry’s most recognizable names, such as, Moncler, Pringle of Scotland, and Tom Ford, Bates says that this has “always been my dream to produce a world class product that I’m proud to put my name on.” The brand is made for clientele who appreciate an artisanal product, unique cosmopolitan styling, and the sophisticated richness of materials that ultimately create an eclectic look attracting a modern-minded customer. Arriving at his refined product and customer target was an “evolution for myself and for the brand,” he explains. Initially, he dabbled in more of a ‘sportluxe’ vibe, with some key pieces dedicated to more tailored clothing. When he recognized that it was the more refined garments that were performing well, he re-branded his company, debuting as “Christopher Bates” in 2010, shifting
STYLE
his focus to emphasize an elegant and contemporary style. Moving forward with his exquisite design and superior craftsmanship, running a luxury menswear brand has its apparent difficulties, and, for Christopher, it is not only about being a designer but simultaneously an entrepreneur and a businessman. With a business dedicated to craft, details, and finishes, his time is heavily dedicated to the perfection of production in order to maintain the brand’s extravagant quality for its price point. Today, Christopher Bates has undoubtedly become a fashion force to be reckoned with. The designer and brand’s mounting accolades have been recognized for a multitude of achievements: 2009 Sharp Magazine’s Top Menswear Designer, 2014 Canada’s Top 100 Most Influential People, and in 2014 & 2015 he was nominated for the Notable Award for Fashion in Canada. The designer confesses that he’s “definitely earned [his] stripes,” alluding to his fashion industry journey through the hardships and the successes.
DTK MEN | FAS T & FURIOUS
This past March 2018, the brand accepted the esteemed NAUMD 2018 Image of the Year Award on behalf of Air Canada for his design of the airline’s new uniforms. Considered the industry’s most preeminent accomplishment, the NAUMD award recognizes the most avant-garde commercial apparel designs in the world. Air Canada additionally won the “Best of the Best” across all categories. With no lack of accomplishments, following the NAUMD, Christopher Bates was also nominated for the ‘Menswear Designer of the Year Award’ by CAFA, which was created to celebrate achievements in the Canadian Fashion industry, with a particular mandate: to honour talent at home and abroad. With years of global recognition, Bates makes an astonishing candidate. After ten years in the business, the esteemed designer is now internationally acclaimed. Having followed his dream and uniting his passion with hard work and determination, Christopher Bates is undoubtedly a Canadian fashion icon.
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The
NEW GEEK
WHEN YOU THINK OF BUSINESSMEN, THE IMAGERY IS NO LONGER OF STUFFY MEN IN SMALL CUBICLES. FASHION HAS ADAPTED TO FIT THE NEW COOL, YOUNG, AND LAIDBACK MEN IN THE BUSINESS WORLD.
Photographer Alex Gilbert Fashion Editor Tatiana Cinquino
Trousers ($200), blazer ($450), and shirt ($200) KRAMER & STOUDT. Tie ($40) SELECTED HOMME.
Style
Edited by Jane Bradshaw and Akeem Johnson-Pierre
PRADA
ARROW LEATHER CARD CASE ($343.50) AT NORDSTROM
RALPH LAUREN COTTON MESH POLO SWEATER IN CREAM WITH BLACK ($795 USD)
BURBERRY
BROWN ALEIGHTON BROGUES ($575 USD) AT SSENSE
PAUL SMITH
TOM FORD
BLACK & GOLD HENRY SUNGLASSES ($415 USD) AT SSENSE
FOLDOVER LAPTOP BAG ($1,909) AT FARFETCH
TIGER OF SWEDEN HEATHER MICRO-CHECK LAMONTE SUIT SLIM FIT ($1,000) AT SIMONS
YVES SAINT LAURENT
ZARA
PIQUE WITH COLLAR ($29.90)
WANT Les Essentials LENNON SNEAKER IN WHITE ($325)
Y FRAGRANCE ($85/60ML OR $115/100ML)
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Style
This page: Blazer, Shirt, and Tie BILLY REID. Pants ($120) TOPMAN. Opposite page: Coat ($140), Blazer ($280), and Trousers ($120) TOPMAN. Hoodie ($895) VÊTEMENTS. Sunglasses ($180) FRAMD STUDIO. Shoes ($735) ANGELA MITCHELL.
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Style
Edited by Jane Bradshaw and Akeem Johnson-Pierre
PAUL SMITH LIPS IPHONE 7 CASE ($162) AT FARFETCH
GUCCI
EMBROIDERED WOOL TIE IN MIDNIGHT BLUE WOOL ($335)
HUGO BOSS ALDORIS SPORT COAT ($575)
CHANEL
BLEU DE CHANEL PERFUME ($116/50ML, $163/100ML) STEPHANE LE DUC’S EDITOR’S PICK
GIVENCHY
STREAMLINED MESSENGER BAG ($2,540) AT FARFETCH
NEW BALANCE
HUGO BOSS HARLEYS TROUSER ($228)
247 ENGINEERED MESH SNEAKER ($159.99)
Opposite page: Short-sleeve suede shirt (Price upon request) HUGO BOSS. Striped shirt BILLY REID. Sneakers ($295) HEIRLOOM. Photographer ALEX GILBERT. Fashion Editor TATIANA CINQUINO at JUDY INC. Stylist assistant MELISSA MORALES. Set Assistant ROBERT KNOX. Models RYAN KEATING and MASSEY at HEROES MODELS
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Business © SYLVAIN BLAIS
Vincent d’Amerique DEMOCRATIZED MENS FASHION OWNER AND DESIGNER MICHEL GRONDINES SPEAKS ABOUT THE EVOLUTION OF CANADIAN MENSWEAR BRAND VINCENT D’AMERIQUE, HIS ROLE IN THE BRAND’S VISION, AND MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF TODAY’S CONSUMER WITH A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE.
By Brenna Dixon
Michel Grondines is the person currently in charge of Vincent d’Amerique, but that wasn’t always the case. In fact, what he works with today started under the name of Felix Homme, created in 1980 by Mario Lamanque. The Felix Homme store flourished throughout Quebec, and in just six years, there were five locations throughout Quebec. In the early 2000s, Felix Homme acquired Vincent d’Amerique, combining forces to double the locations under Vincent d’Amerique’s namesake. With its almost overnight success, the brand continued expansion, opening a store a year since 2005. Today, the store holds steadfast to the original desire: empowering men across the globe, with unique modernizations of the brand as imagined by new owner and designer Michel Grondines. As a democratized men’s fashion brand, Vincent d’Amerique now sells worldwide. We sat down with Michel Grondines who elaborates on his personal career path with Vincent d’Amerique and the unique evolution of the Canadian menswear brand since 1980.
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What sparked your interest in fashion? I have always been interested in fashion since a young age. My mother and grandmother would sew, and I would go shopping for fabrics and patterns with them. Tell me about your ascension into the fashion world. I started working part-time as a salesperson in the Felix Homme stores when I was a student in fashion merchandising. Afterwards, Felix Homme acquired the Vincent d’Amerique stores in 2004. Due to the strength of the Vincent d’Amerique brand, the previous owner decided to convert his Felix Homme stores into Vincent d’Amerique stores and needed my help at the head office to organize the merge. I then became involved in the supervision of the boutiques, merchandising, buying, and advertising. You could say that I got involved in all of the aspects of the business and became a shareholder. In September 2017, I bought over my partner and became the only shareholder of the company.
DTK MEN | FAS T & FURIOUS
Business
“DO NOT BELIEVE IN AN EASY ROAD TO SUCCESS, AS A QUICK SUCCESS CAN LEAD Michel Grondines TO FAILURE.” What drew you to the Vincent d’Amerique brand? I was not drawn to it as a brand initially; we took the strengths of each company and blended them together to create a new and improved Vincent d’Amerique brand and developed a well-merchandised collection. Vincent d’Amerique has opened its first store in 1983 - what was the initial response to this brand back then? Initially, it was Felix Homme that started in 1980. Then, Felix Homme bought the Vincent d’Amerique stores in 2004 from the original owner. Vincent d’Amerique started in 1996. The initial reaction from the consumer was well received. It was a coordinated line and their promotions were also very popular and competitive. After the first store opening, Vincent d’Amerique quickly expanded - what propelled the business growth, in your opinion? In my opinion, it’s having an inspiring vision and direction in regards to communication and good timing between all aspects of the business: syncing the collection, the sales, customer service, and the advertising together. What do you think makes the Vincent d’Amerique brand so successful over a long period of time? We believe that each business should create its own success. We are constantly improving all aspects of our company - this is what keeps us going and evolving with the changing times. How has Vincent d’Amerique been able to remain ‘top of mind’ in such a competitive marketplace? We focus our
© SYLVAIN BLAIS
strategies to boost the confidence level of the consumer who wears our clothes in all aspects of the product, merchandising, and shopping experience to aid in their personal success. Why do you think it is important to bring a twist to the brand in order to portray a modernized image? The consumer’s trend awareness is sharper than ever, [so] you must always be on-trend and give them novelties to entice them. What was one of your biggest career challenges, and how did you overcome it? We are currently living it with our plans of expansion, distribution towards other markets, and franchising of our stores. Defined as “democratized men’s fashion,” how did you arrive at this definition? We base our designs on basic items but with an edge. What advice would you give to today’s up-and-coming fashion entrepreneurs? Do not believe in an easy road to success, as a quick success can lead to failure. You need to work hard with perseverance and build a solid foundation to your business. What do you foresee for the future of Vincent D’Amerique? We are aiming to be an international brand through distribution and expand our retail stores.
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Music
RECORD RELEASES
OF THE SUMMER
A MAJORITY OF PEOPLE FIND THEMSELVES CRAVING SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT MORE TANGIBLE: PHYSICAL PROOF OF THEIR INTEREST OR LOVE FOR SOMETHING. THIS NEED TO BE EMOTIONALLY CONNECTED TO OBJECTS MAY EXPLAIN WHY PEOPLE ARE STILL BUYING VINYLS.
By Marie-Ève Venne Here at DTK, we totally get that need for physical music ownership, and we want to encourage you to experience that fuzzy feeling you get from buying physical records. In that spirit, here is a list of the record releases or re-releases we are the most excited about this summer.
LED ZEPPELIN
Rock and Roll/Friends
One of summer’s most exciting releases is the 7” Olympic Studio Mix of Rock and Roll and Friends specially selected by guitarist Jimmy Page. It comes in an eye-catching shade of yellow and is only available at independent music retailers. The release follows a remastered version of the 2003 triple-live album How the West Was Won, which features recordings from two 1972 gigs in Los Angeles and Long Beach, California.
FATHER JOHN MISTY
God’s Favorite Customer
It seems like it’s been only a hot minute since Father John Misty was releasing Pure Comedy, but his newly released album promises a less cynical vibe. Through this new effort, FJM is determined to reveal a more real and honest side of his persona, taking us through what he describes as being a “heartache album.”
KANYE WEST
(Title TBA)
After dropping various twitter rants & revelations over the past few months, Kanye’s highly anticipated and secret EP has us trying to decode the creative journey he has found himself on after going through a rough patch earlier this year. Plus, his recent project, a collaboration with Kid Cudi called “Kids See Ghosts,” is keeping us on the edge of our seats to see what else the rapper has in store following these releases.
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RUN THE JEWELS
Stay Gold Collectors Edition In addition to a Marvel Comicsbranded 12” vinyl single featuring Kill Your Masters and Stay Gold (Smiff & Cash Remix), the rappers are adding even more to the deal with a Stay Gold metal box to house your RTJ vinyl collection.
ERIC CLAPTON
Rush; Complete Clapton Clapton is dusting off two gems from his discography to be released into records, with his mostly instrumental soundtrack to the 1991 film Rush (which featured the original version of his smash hit Tears in Heaven) and his 2007 compilation Complete Clapton.
DTK MEN | FAS T & FURIOUS
Music
Photographer Carlyle Routh Fashion EditorPascal Alhani
Sweater ($640) ACNE STUDIOS at HOLT RENFREW.
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Music
An Intimate Look at the Life of Music Sensation
RHYE
IT WAS A FEW SUMMERS AGO WHEN THE RADIO WAS SMASHING MY EARS ON A LOOP WITH ELLIE GOULDING’S LATEST SINGLE. AS I WAS SWITCHING BETWEEN STATIONS, A SONG THAT I THOUGHT AT FIRST WAS FROM SADE CAUGHT MY ATTENTION. THE SENSUALITY OF THE VOICE MIXED WITH HAPPY (BUT NOT SAPPY) ROMANTIC LYRICS WAS AN ABSOLUTELY CAPTIVATING COMBINATION, AND I ALREADY KNEW THAT I WOULD SPEND MY SUMMER LISTENING TO IT ON REPEAT. THAT’S HOW I DISCOVERED RHYE’S MUSIC.
By Marie-Ève Venne Born Mike Milosh, the L.A.-based Toronto-bred singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer briefly enjoyed a moment of musical anonymity after the release of his first album Woman in 2013, before having to escape from his shell and expose himself to his public. Now famously known as a talented artist and with a new album, Blood, under his belt, he still approaches music as a private affair between him and his creative flow. “In the studio I always have one or two people around me, and it is a very controlled and private space,” he explains. Even if he has total control over his songs, taking care of almost every aspect of their creations, he stays humble about the whole process. “For me, a song is many different factors put together, allowing me to share something with others. Otherwise, it could just be me singing in my shower. A song is almost like a little entity: a baby or some kind of life form. There are always things you need to put into it to nurture it. If you miss one of the ingredients, the song doesn’t feel complete. It is very important if you want a song to feel complete not to try to intellectualize it because when it is ready, you just know. It takes a lot of elements to make a song. It’s just not a simple thing, you know. There are a lot of skills involved and a big part of it is about understanding your own voice,” declares Milosh.
“In the end, what it comes to is, once I put a song out, I try not to be very controlling of how people [understand it]. I feel like the whole point is you put something out there in the public, and people are supposed to make it their own, they are supposed to experience the song. Also, I am never able to see all the people listening to my music, you know. So, I think it is very important for me to just let go and let people have their own experience with it. And if they want to see my songs on a different level or analyze them, they can. For me, when I listen to a song, I never really pay attention to the lyrics at first. People have interpretation of my songs that weren’t mine at first, but I think it’s what is beautiful about it,” he adds. There was a big leap of time between the release of Woman and Blood, bringing a lot of changes into Milosh’s life. Having to go through separations, both on the personal and professional side (he had to part ways with Robin Hannibal, the second half of Rhye on the first album), he ended up with a lot of time on the road, testing new material during shows directly with his public. Specifically, he feels that sometimes songs work out better being heard live, not necessarily fitting into an album.
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Music
“There was a song that I used to do live for a while. And even if I liked it a lot, it simply didn’t fit on the record, mostly because I wanted to keep the whole record forty minutes long. I obviously had to make some strong choices, otherwise, it would only be a mix of stuff that wouldn’t fit together. I honestly don’t know if some songs can only be heard live or in the studio. I simply think that when I play a song live, I have the freedom to change it a little bit and make them evolve regarding my mood. I think that is very important that the live show kind of changes with the audience. If it is a quieter show, I can be more delicate with my vocals or be a little bit sentimental and emotional. But once I am back in the studio, I can be whoever I want and have total freedom,” he explains.
“I THINK I AM AT THAT PLACE WHERE EVERYTHING I DO NOW SOMEHOW MAKES ME FEEL BETTER. EVEN WHEN A SONG SOUNDS KIND OF SAD, I STILL FIND A LOT OF BEAUTY IN IT AND ENJOY IT...”
Speaking of his songs, he is pretty honest about using his personal experiences to channel his inspiration. “I think I am at that place where everything I do now somehow makes me feel better. Even when a song sounds kind of sad, I still find a lot of beauty in it and enjoy it. I am at a good place in my life. I’ve been through a lot of changes, and I feel more solid than I used to be. I think it is so important that music is honest and comes from a real place, so that is why I never feel like I say too much or allow people to see too much of me when I open through my songs. Music is a very important art form and it shouldn’t be watered down to make it a little bit less difficult to share. I am simply very careful about how much I let people know about my personal life, for example on social media. Even interviews, I don’t really overshare. But when it comes to a song, I think it is important to focus on all the truth in it,” he declares. “I was with a major label for the first record and they wanted to do all this PR and I was starting to feel like a product and couldn’t concentrate on the music. With Blood, I don’t mind showing my face and doing photoshoots. It was never about hiding before, but more about not feeling like a product. Now that I’ve played so many concerts and that people understand what Rhye is, I feel like I can promote songs that people want to hear. I made this one without a label,” he adds. As a Canadian living in the USA during the political climate we are all so aware of, he obviously has to be confronted with a reality that can be hard at times, especially for someone having such a sensitive soul. “Toronto will always feel like home, especially because my family is living there, and I like to be close to them. But LA is now my home and where my people live. It can be sometimes a daunting city because you are
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always in a car… But I discover as I get older that it is about the personal relationship you want to have with a city and the people living there, about being around these people that you enjoy as human beings for different reasons. Regarding the political climate, we know that nobody is really supporting Trump, but it doesn’t make it easier. When you cross the border sometimes, they are kind of weird with you and it’s just a strange feeling, especially coming from Canada. There are things about it that are incredibly sad. Just the way they treat the least fortunate living in their own country. It says a lot about that culture.” “LA is like its own little bubble within the US, it is a very different kind of situation. People who are not super wealthy have a lot of pressure on them. Even the healthcare almost feels like medieval at some point. It adds more to the weight on your shoulders, even people that are in the middle class (pauses). I think in 2018 we should have a society that wants everyone to start on a equal playing field. It is weird that almost everything important for the evolution of a human being is only for the elite in the USA. The only way to deal with it is to lead by example and try to be the best version of yourself.”
LEARN MORE
You are in a car and a really good song is playing. Do you stay in the car to finish listening to it even if you’ve arrived at your destination? I stay in the car to finish it because I actually love car stereos. I think you are in your own little world. I actually do a lot of tests for my albums while being on the road. They are doing a TV special on your career, and they have to use music for the score, but it can’t be your own. Which songs do you choose? Arrow Right Through Me by Wings. Phones at concerts - are you for or against it? I am okay with minimal use of phones, but if someone pays more attention to the screen and loses the feeling of the environment and forgets to be present, I think they’ve lost the point of attending a show.
DTK MEN | FAS T & FURIOUS
Music
Sweater ($640) ACNE STUDIOS at HOLT RENFREW. Photographer CARLYLE ROUTH. Fashion Editor PASCAL ALHANI at JUDY INC. Grooming CAROLINE LEVIN. Assistant photo MIKE KAZIMIERCZUK
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TECHNOLOGY
SPINYOUR SUMMER AROUND The Best Record Tables at Every Price
KRONOS
SPARTA: BRAS BLACK BEAUTY, CELLULE ZYX ULTIMATE OMEGA ($38,500)
THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO THINK THAT TURNTABLES BELONG IN THE PAST, BUT THE ONES IN THIS LIST AREN’T YOUR GRANDPARENTS’ RECORD PLAYERS. THERE HAS BEEN A TON OF INNOVATION THAT MAKES THE BEST MODELS MODERN PRODUCTS. AS A RESULT OF ALL OF THESE NEW OPTIONS AND TRICKY NAMING CONVENTIONS, THE MARKET FOR THE BEST TURNTABLES CAN BE A LITTLE CONFUSING. HENCE THE FOLLOWING LIST, WHICH TURNS SHOPPING FOR A NEW RECORD PLAYER INTO KID’S PLAY.
By Marie-Ève Venne
Here, we are talking about a pure luxury product that belongs to the Olympia of turntables. This model doesn’t seem to produce any sound at all and is basically all the turntables you had before but with more. The Kronos Sparta delivers the illusion of soundstage dimension with even more roundness than its competitors, while using two counter-rotating platters to cancel out any suspension-rocking.
REGA PLANAR 6 ($2,550)
PRO-JECT ELEMENTAL ($299) This model is the physical representation of what happens when a quality brand decides to produce an affordable plastic turntable. The Elemental comes with an Ortofon cartridge and a central gravity mass point. It is so simple to use, all you need to do after opening the box is remove the bearing guard, locate the belt around the platter, remove the stylus guard, and plug it in to play your favourite vinyl. Pure simplicity!
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Coming from a brand that has produced a long series of award-winning turntables, this model is the new and improved little cousin that delivers a refined and perfectly balanced sound. It is uncannily quiet and gives a new vibrancy to any record. Not only has Rega moved performance to a higher degree, but they have done so with only a small difference of price compared to their older models. This turntable is definitely unbeatable.
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WORLD’S CLEANEST INDIGO TECHNOLOGY.
G-STAR.COM/RFTP
100% ORGANIC COTTON.
OUR MOST SUSTAINABLE JEANS EVER.
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RESPONSIBLY SOURCED TRIMS AND LABELS.
Cinema
BEST OF
SUNDANCE 2018 EVERY JANUARY IN SNOWY PARK CITY, UTAH, JUST AFTER ALL THE OSCAR BAIT TITLES HAVE MADE THEIR PRE-HOLIDAY BOWS, CINEPHILES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD GATHER IN A KIND OF CULTURAL RESET, WHERE THE FIRST CLASS OF FILMS FOR THE YEAR MAKE THEIR APPEARANCE ON THE WORLD’S STAGE.
By Jason Gorber
Tyrel
There were plenty of films that brashly looked at issues of race in America, but none did so this year with as much subtlety and sophistication as Sebastián Silva’s ode to bro-culture and social awkwardness. Shot with documentary precision and with an impeccable cast including Jason Mitchell, Michael Cera, Ann Dowd, and the late, great Reg E. Cathey, this is a film that consistently undercuts audience expectations, twisting any easy feelings of righteousness into knots. It’s less flashy than some that derived more attention, but the rewards are all the more powerful because of that.
This collection of mostly independent films are often a far cry from more general studio fare, but many of the works that come out from these screenings go on to dominate the discussion throughout the year. 2018’s class was a mixed bag, with the festival feeling the effects of the #MeToo movement’s eruption last fall. Sundance was the festival that Harvey Weinstein helped build up through mad acquisition battles, and, while the mood was a bit more guarded, the films tried to make up for it by taking Get Out’s lead and pushing even harder at certain buttons.
Shirkers
While we get many good fiction films out of Sundance, the documentary slate is truly extraordinary. Tops of the list included Sandi Tan’s deliriously fun and quirky Shirkers. A tale of indie filmmaking on the streets of Singapore, the tale turns into a kind of emotional true-crime story, with the director looking back at what happened to her lost work. Colourful, fascinating, and unforgettable, the film was picked up in a lucrative Netflix deal, but you owe it to yourself to see it with an audience if you can.
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CINEMA
Won’t You Be My Neighbor? In an instant frontrunner for next year’s Oscar Best Documentary, Morgan Neville has provided the perfect tribute to Fred Rogers. The story behind the children’s entertainer who helped educate generations of children is one of a powerful mission fueled by his faith. Rogers’ show never shied away from letting kids into some of the darker aspects that we encounter. Profoundly political, Neville’s film unmasks a compassionate conservatism long forgotten in contemporary discourse, and despite eschewing any hagiographic elements, the spotlight on Rogers still manages to sanctify the remarkable legacy that this cardigan-wearing fixture left behind.
Hereditary Toni Collette is no stranger to classics – her part in The Sixth Sense proved a far cry from her breakthrough in Muriel’s Wedding, but in this classically-styled family horror film, she outdoes anything she’s done before in this genre. Along with Gabriel Byrne and Ann Dowd (who was in half a dozen films this fest!), this creepy, Polanskian thriller is macabre and extremely effective. Smart, slick horror is very much in vogue, and with the box office success of the likes of A Quiet Place, this is a film that’s deserving of attention when it opens this summer.
Eighth Grade
Indie fests are littered with coming-of-age tales, but when one gets everything right, it’s still cause for celebration. Bo Burnahm manages a pitch-perfect dramedy that follows Kayla (Elsie Fisher) through the travails of adolescence. Even the way the tired ennui of the teachers is portrayed is cause for glee, as each moment’s specificity rings perfectly true. It’s a film that could easily have been a farcical mess but instead reigns as a glorious testament to a time of supreme awkwardness and fumbling towards adulthood.
Time Share
There were few films scarier than this Mexican drama about a family trip to a resort, one that I described as being as if Kubrick shot some vacation footage. In a land of dreary presentations, awful strangers trying to become instant friends, and unnerving poolside activities, the film toys with all the tropes of a conspiracy thriller by finding the ghastly in the quotidian nonsense endemic of such travel destinations. It’s clever stuff, and anyone who has fought with futility against the Kafkaesque bureaucracy of a tropical resort will share the same chills that I felt.
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Cinema
Button Down Shirt (Approx. $1,320) and Double Face Jacket (Approx. $3,200) LOUIS VUITTON.
Photographer Gabor Jurina Fashion Editor Amy Lu
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Cinema
Needle in the
HAYSTACK
ROB COHEN HAS HAD A DECADES-LONG CAREER IN HOLLYWOOD, STARTING OUT AS A PLUCKY YOUNG AGENTTO-BE AND WORKING UP TO BECOME A WRITER, PRODUCER, AND DIRECTOR, WORKING ON THE TV SHOW M*A*S*H, DIRECTING EPISODES OF THE HIGHLY INFLUENTIAL MIAMI VICE, MAKING PIONEERING CGI FILMS LIKE DRAGONHEART, AND EVENTUALLY HELMING HITS LIKE THE ORIGINAL THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS.
By Jason Gorber His latest film, The Hurricane Heist, is a pulpy film that combines a robbery thriller with disaster flick tropes, making for a hybrid that certainly provides lots of kinetic fun. DTK spoke exclusively to Cohen about his rise in the industry, the changes he’s experienced, and how his motivation to entertain continues to fuel his work. You have the ultimate in Hollywood stories – the young kid who leaves Harvard, gets a gig, and finds a masterpiece in a discarded pile. I had been working at an animal hospital cleaning cages for five months or so and looking for a way into Hollywood, where I wanted to be a director. A woman, who was a successful literary agent at that time, said to me that there’s an agent in [her] building looking for a reader and that's a job [I] ought to get. I ran over there and waited for this young agent, whose name is Mike Medavoy, who became quite a major player in Hollywood. I went to work, and there, in this cubby hole area near the Xerox machine, was this little room with scripts piled higher than I am tall. One day, I reached down near the bottom of the pile, and when I started to read it, within the first ten pages, I knew it was something special. By the end of it, I went, “Holy Christ, this is the great American screenplay!” I wrote my coverage saying that and saying that it would win an Academy Award and would cast major stars and director. I gave it to Medavoy, and he was very skeptical. He said he was going to have breakfast in the morning with a major executive at Universal, and that if [the executive] buys it, we're going to make you an agent, and if he doesn't sell it, I’m fired.
And that film was The Sting, which went on to win Best Picture and opened other doors for you. Two weeks later, the picture was put together, and there was this story about this kid who found this original script in the flush pile. I then got a call from Fox two weeks later to be a studio executive. You obviously still continue to have that same sense of drive, daringness, and hubris to this day. It's continued on fairly consistently from that point. There are things like my recent film - you don't tackle that kind of film unless you're still daring and willing to go there. You've played all of these roles - producer, writer, director, even agent for six weeks - is it still great to be a director? Is it still great to make movies for contemporary audiences? I've always said my worst day as a director is better than my best day as a producer. I love the process, I love the communal creativity, I love the challenge of creating something in front of that lens that's special and telling a story through the camera. It's all so thrilling to me, and I love it even more now. When you haven't tackled these really complex movies, they still come out with a little bit of dread and fear. When I was doing Dragonheart and was doing the first CG acting character, there was so little known about how to do that. You're riddled with the anxiety that you're not going to be able to pull it off, and then after you pull it off, you get an academy award nomination for the effects and everything! When you gain confidence as a director, a lot of the stepping on thin ice thing goes away and you just start creating a kind of mind-meld with the film. You don't think so hard about the technical side because you've kind of, in a way, mastered it, and then you have to master the higher problems of tone and narrative and the stuff that really makes a movie sing.
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Cinema
I say this to all young directors: if you are enthralled with directing now, you'll be really crazy about it after you've done it for 20 years because you will find that you have enough mastery not to worry, and you can focus on the true challenges.
“I'VE ALWAYS SAID MY WORST DAY AS A DIRECTOR IS BETTER THAN MY BEST DAY AS A PRODUCER. ”
Is that the fundamental difference between being a producer and being the director? That the producer is worrying, every day, about what's not working, whereas when you're in the bubble as the director, it's you, the actors, the camera, and you're worrying about the purity of filmmaking? Yeah, that's right. Although there are constant compromises and challenges that come up, in the end, you're like a pregnant mother nurturing the baby within your own body. When people say to me, “Oh, directing is the male role,” I say, “No, actually, it's the female role.” The male role is the producer. The producer normally gets the deal going with the script or a project or a book or something, so that's sort of planting the seed, so to speak. The gestation period goes to the director, and during that period, the producer's supposed to be protecting the director and making sure that the environment works for this baby that's coming. So, based on that metaphor, we should encourage even more women directors! More women need to direct frequently so that more women can experience the freedom you get as you go further into it. That's what I hope for. Hollywood is undergoing a transformation in terms of behaviours – how have you experienced this change? The whole paradigm of Hollywood was men ran it, women were necessary as actresses but [were merely] toys. It was a power game, and the beautiful women you couldn't get in high school, you could get out here if you were powerful. That went with the paradigm of 1920s Hollywood and it's finally started to fade, and a new paradigm [appeared]. Netflix and streaming and electronic distribution or (digital distribution) is all part of it, and who owns studios and what they think their studio is really about has changed. That's why there's so much shock, horror, and discomfort, because of the way
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people used to do things and get away with things is no longer working. There's a consciousness that's changed.
You could easily just stop and rest on your laurels, but you continue to push for new stories and new challenges. That is the calling I chose. I didn't choose to be a small, personal film person. I didn't choose to make [films like] Call Me By Your Name. I wanted to entertain an audience, I wanted to bring them all along, to bring that high-quality entertainment that's both fascinating and has substance in terms of technical dexterity. I go into these things, and I go into them with the same passion as Guillermo del Toro does when directing Shape of Water. I bring that same commitment to Hurricane Heist, while one gets lauded and the other normally gets beaten up. It doesn't matter as, for the audience, Hurricane Heist was an exciting, fun 93 minutes in the theatre. That's what I designed it to do, and that's what I brought complete focus and passion to do. What was the movie you saw that first knocked your socks off? The first one was Lawrence of Arabia - it was David Lean's commitment to that story, to bring it [to life] with an absolute sense of reality, with the scope of it and the choreography of scenes. I was 11 when I saw it, and I'd never seen anything that big, that exotic. The second film was The Great Escape. I was never so caught up in a movie! I think that had a real formative impact. When I got to direct Miami Vice, that was the first time I really got the chance to make things like that, with cars and guns. Miami Vice made me know who I really was - I came out of that television period and wrote Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story starring Jason Scott Lee, and that was the beginning of the real prime of what I've been.
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Top Left: T-Shirt ($85 USD), Sweater ($259 USD), and Jeans ($215 USD) TED BAKER at BLOOMINGDALES. Accessories ROB’S OWN. Photographer GABOR JURINA. Fashion Editor AMY LU.
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TECH
SORROUND SOUND
HERE ARE SOME OF THE BEST SOUND SYSTEMS OUT THIS YEAR. WHETHER SMALL AND AFFORDABLE OR BASS-HEAVY,THESE DEVICES PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL-QUALITY TONE. NOT SURE WHAT TO LISTEN TO ON THESE SPEAKERS? WE’VE GOT THAT COVERED TOO. By Jason Gorber
SVS
PB16-ULTRA SUBWOOFER ($3,375) Getting the bass right in any home audio system is a huge challenge. If you purchase some poorly-designed big box, the sound is boomy and bloated, but if you get something too small or wimpy, the powerful theatrical soundtracks or low-frequency elements of your favourite song are sliced away. Enter SVS’s flagship PB16, a 200lb beast with a 16” driver and 5000W peak amp that implausibly can provide musically delicate bass sounds when required or wallshattering blasts when you really want to take it up a level. With a convenient app controlled by your mobile device, you can tweak all the relevant settings from your couch to satisfy any basshead’s neurotic impulses. Uncalibrated, the subwoofer is unwieldy – my preamplifier’s room correction mic incorrectly set the level way too high which resulted in a “chuffing” port noise (an obnoxious “woofing” sound of air passing through the port) and things falling off bookshelves
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two stories up! Taming the beast with help from fantastic customer support at SVS allowed the PB16 to perfectly integrate into an existing Atmos setup, providing enveloping, unidirectional low frequency effect signals and giving ribcage rumbling boom without causing too much bust. The SVS flagship is more than most will ever need (the truly crazy find room for two of the 25”x21”x30” monoliths to cancel out room issues). There’s a sealed version which is a tiny bit smaller but lacks the flexibility of being able to run ported or not depending on your mood. Bottom line is this - if you’ve got the itch to piss off your neighbours while hearing what producers and sound mixers spent their time perfecting, the PB16 (or its sealed SB16) should be at the top of your list for endless fun.
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TECH
DEFUNC
DUO WIRELESS STEREO SYSTEM ($199) As music becomes more portable and many are trading in bulky speakers for portable Bluetooth options, people are missing out on one of the magical features of a proper setup – decent stereo separation. Sure, a single box with a bunch of digital signal processing (DSP) can fake a bit of soundstage, but nothing beats having your beats come from boxes separated by more than a few inches. Enter the Duo, a clever, compact system from Swedish company DeFunc. Shipped in a paintcan-like cardboard tube, these twin drivers can either be used in “party mode” (playing the same signals) or, ideally, as a true stereo pair with left and right channels sent to the relevant pod. You can connect via Bluetooth or via a 3.5mm headphone jack, a boon for anyone that might want to use them along with anything from a phone to a TV set. At only 12cm in diameter and 6cm high, you’re not getting a lot of bass, but the sound is clean and the sense of performance space is far better than even more expensive standalone units. In a sea of similar speakers, it’s nice to see a company with the smarts to highlight true stereo playback.
STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI
(4K ULTRA HD + BLU-RAY + DIGITAL HD, $34.99) Many complained about Rian Johnson’s eighth episode in the Skywalker saga. These people are wrong. Johnson’s work is wonderful, echoing the likes of Empire Strikes Back while very much taking its own course. This is a film giving fans what they need from the saga, even if it’s not what many think they want. At home, presented in 4K and HDR, The Last Jedi is gorgeous, highlighting the gritty 35mm photography without succumbing to an overly-glossy image. Even the title crawl looks better than you could imagine on a television screen! With a terrific feature-length doc that follows Rian on his journey, the only thing missing is an extra disc that includes the 3D cut (only available outside North America for the stereophilic). Johnson’s commentary track dives deeply into the film, and, for those that don’t normally bother with such things, this is definitely one not to skip. A blockbuster with a brain, this is a rich, complex film deserving of many repeat viewings. The UHD of The Last Jedi is a gem of a title and an instant reference material.
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DESIRE
Authentic, Passionate, and Powerful
MARIPIER MORIN SHE IS THE BUSINESS-ORIENTED BOMBSHELL WHO’S NOW MAKING HER DEBUT IN THE MOVIE INDUSTRY AND QUICKLY BECOMING ONE OF CANADA’S SWEETHEARTS, COMING FAR FROM HER ORIGINS IN REALITY TV.
By Rebecca Kahn Maripier Morin is incredibly busy. She is constantly working on numerous projects, not even able to take a break for this interview, answering questions as she goes from a fitting to a lunch in ten minutes, all while dazzling me with her wit and depth. She’s done everything from being a TV host, acting, modelling, beauty blogging, starring in reality TV show Hockey Wives, being a brand ambassador, and even making her own lingerie line. This all begs the question: is there anything she can’t do? DTK Men had the privilege to get some insider info on her new married-life, her work, and her passions. First of all, congratulations on your recent wedding! It was a long time coming to work around your busy schedules – was it just as special as you had hoped? It was. It was incredible. It was a perfect day, honestly; the weather was great, it was so fun, very intimate, and it was exactly what I dreamed of. Are you and your new husband, Brandon Prust, still having trouble finding time where you’re in the same city? How do you stay close and connected despite the distance? Well, I feel like we love each other more when we’re not in the same city, actually (laughs). I’m joking, but we do long distance really well because when we’re
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separated, when we’re both in our cities, it’s time for us to be focused and to work as much as we can, and then when we’re together, it’s our us-time. So, I feel like we balance work and our relationship really well now. You started out as a television host, then went into reality TV, and now you’re staring in Denys Arcand’s new movie La Chute de L’empire Americain - has it been difficult for you to adapt from one type of TV to the next? And how do you channel such a variety of personalities in your acting and modelling? I think that it was tough for me to go from being a TV host to an actress, but I took acting lessons for a good two and a half months. So that helped me do the transition and really get into character, but it was definitely a huge challenge, probably one of the biggest in my career. But it was such a fun process to create this character, and to see her come to life. And to work with Denys was insane - I mean, he’s such a living legend. He’s basically the pope of Quebec cinema. He accomplished so much - the only Canadian director who won an Oscar. It was really a blessing and an honour to get to work with him.
DTK MEN | FAS T & FURIOUS
Photographer Richard Bernardin Fashion Editor Randy Smith
DESIRE
DTK MEN | FAS T & FURIOUS
This page: Dress (Price upon request) GRETA CONSTANTINE. Shoes JIMMY CHOO. Following page: Pantyhose CALVIN KLEIN. Gloves (Price upon request) GRETA CONSTANTINE. Hair P.69 Piece DENIS PARENT at L'ÉCHEVELÉE.
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DESIRE
Dress GRETA CONSTANTINE. Photogarpher RICHARD BERNARDIN. Fashion Editor RANDY SMITH. Makeup & Hair STEVEN TURPIN at TEAMM MGMT using SHU UEMURA, KÉRASTASE, MIRIGAL OIL, NARS, and CHARLOTTE TILBURY. Hair and Makeup Assistant GENEVIEVE HARDY.
DESIRE
You’d been a constant fan-favourite on the reality TV show Hockey Wives. Why do you think that is? I think that Brandon and I were good on it because we were very honest. We didn’t try to hide things when we’re fighting. We’re very transparent. It’s the same with social media we did it with exactly the same mindset. We just wanted people to see what the reality was and didn’t try to sugarcoat it or make people believe something that wasn’t our reality.
“I THINK THAT BEING IN MY THIRTIES, [I] HAVE THAT LIBERTY OF NOT ALWAYS QUESTIONING MYSELF: “AM I DOING THE RIGHT THING?”, “AM I IN THE RIGHT PLACE?”, “DO I BELONG THERE?” - ALL THESE QUESTIONS THAT I WAS CONSTANTLY ASKING MYSELF WHEN I WAS IN MY TWENTIES.” What’s it really like to be married to a hockey player? Same with being married to any man, honestly, and Brandon doesn’t play anymore. I feel like we have the same struggles as any other couple. What do you do to unwind and relax? I go to restaurants - I love food. I just like to go out with my friends and have dinner and hang out. I’m a very simple girl. I like to go to spas as well. When do you feel your most powerful? When I’m at work, I think. I feel like I define myself a lot by what I do in life. How you balance everything in your life (all your different businesses, married-life, friends and family)? I don’t - nothing is balanced (laughs). It’s just work.
What has been your favourite business venture to do so far? It’s hard to say because they’re all so different. I could answer you the website. I could answer you the Blush lingerie. I could answer you the movie… It’s all so different. Where do you see yourself and your career in the near future? The far future? It’s so hard to answer that because every time I make plans, something else comes up and I’m doing something completely different. Is being a celebrity in your 30s any different than being one in your 20s? I think I have a lot more self-confidence. I doubt myself a lot less. I think that being in my thirties, [I] have that liberty of not always questioning myself: “Am I doing the right thing?”, “Am I in the right place?”, “Do I belong there?” - all these questions that I was constantly asking myself when I was in my twenties. Now, I have why eyes on the prize, and I think it would be dangerous for anyone to get in my way because I’m really focused and dedicated. And not in the way that I would step on people to get where I want to, but in the way that I feel unstoppable.
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Style GROOMING
This page: Blazer ($2,525) VERSACE at HOLT RENFRW. Shirt ($850) MARNI at HOLT RENFREW. Tie ($350) BRIONI at HOLT RENFREW. Hair: Shampoo for Brilliance & Shine ($59) and Supershine Light Moisturizing Cream ($59) ORIBE. #B3 Boar Bristle Brush ($260.60) MASON PEARSON. Skin: Force Vitale Aqua – Vitale Cream 24 ($159) and Cell Shock 360 ($245) SWISS LINE at DELINEATION. Opposite page: Blazer ($2,200) CALVIN KLEIN at HOLT RENFREW. Shirt ($125) MICHAEL KORS MENS. Tie ($119) TIGER OF SWEDEN. Skin: Blue Serum Eye ($90) CHANEL. Skin Revitalizing P.74 Concentrate ($199) TOM FORD.
DTK MEN |FAS T & FURIOUS
GROOMING
Rules of
ATTRACTION STAYING SHARP IN THE BLISTERING SUMMER HEAT IS NO EASY TASK. IT’S TIME TO SHED THE ROUTINES REMINISCENT OF DARK WINTER DAYS AND EMBRACE THE MAGNETISM OF A MODERN LOOK. FIGHT THE HEAT WITH LIGHTER FABRICS, LAVISH LEATHERS, AND POWERFUL NEW PRODUCTS TO KEEP YOU LOOKING YOUR BEST FROM MORNING TO NIGHT.
Photographer John van der Schilden Fashion Editor Mark John Tripp
DTK MEN | FAS T & FURIOUS
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Suit ($3,495), Shirt ($450), Tie ($310), and Pocket Square ($12) ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA at HARRY ROSEN. Glasses ($700) BLAKE KUWAHARA at JOSEPHSON OPTICIANS. Skin: Intense Hydrating Treatment ($42) and Pure Argon Oil ($58) MOROCCANOIL. Hair: Intense Hydrating Mask ($64) and Hydrating P.50Styling Cream ($39) MOROCCANOIL
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STYLE
Edited by Mark John Tripp
18 WAITS
POCKET SQUARE ($35)
DITA
DECADE-TWO EYEWEAR ($1,100) AT SPECTACLE
KITON
DRESS SHIRT ($595) AT HARRY ROSEN
GIORGIO ARMANI SUIT (PRICE ON REQUEST)
ANDERSON’S
SUEDE BELT ($180) AT HARRY ROSEN
ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA
TOM FORD TIE ($325)
WOOL SILK BLAZER ($2,895)
PAUL SMITH BURBERRY DOCTOR'S BAG ($3,695)
WINGTIP SHOE ($495) AT HUDSON’S BAY
DTK MEN | FAS T & FURIOUS
THOM BROWNE CARD CASE ($935) AT NORDSTROM
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GROOMING
This page: Suit ($5,115), Shirt ($825), and Tie ($250) GUCCI. Skin: Enzyme Cleansing Gel ($40) and Honey Moisturizer ($32) MARIO BADESCU at DELINEATION. Hair: Essence Absolue ($69) and Master Wax ($42) SHU UEMURA. Opposite page: Suit and Shirt (Price upon Request) LOUIS VUITTON. Tie ($235) BERLUTI at HOLT RENFREW. Glasses ($550) ROBERT MAC at JOSEPHSON OPTICIANS. Skin: Grapefruit Face Cleanser ($47.60) and Vitamin E Face Moisturizer ($67.20) MALIN+GOETZ at DELINEATION. Hair: Bain Vital Dermo-Calm ($45) and Powder Bluff ($42) KÉRASTASE.
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DTK MEN |FAS T & FURIOUS
GROOMING
DTK MEN | FAS T & FURIOUS
Coat STRELLSON ($698). Shirt MICHAEL KORS MENS ($125). P.79
GROOMING
Edited and Text by Richard J
INTENSE HYDRATING MASK ($64)
MOROCCANOIL
MINERALIZED VOLCANIC ASH EXFOLIATOR ($36)
MAC
BARBER & CO
ANY HAIR CAN BECOME DRY AND DULL, BUT FIVE MINUTES WITH THIS HYDRATING MASK BLENDED WITH ANTIOXIDANT RICH ARGAN OIL WILL REVITALIZE YOUR HAIR.
MADE WITH VOLCANIC ASH, THIS EXFOLIATOR CONTROLS OILS AND HYDRATES WHILE CLEANSING AWAY DEAD SKIN CELLS LEAVING BRIGHT, CLEAN SKIN.
HANDCRAFTED IN VANCOUVER AND DESIGNED TO CARE FOR BOTH SKIN AND BEARD, THIS BLEND OF ARGAN, GRAPE SEED, AND JOJOBA OILS WILL DO JUST THAT.
CHANEL
KEVIN MURPHY
BEARD BALM ($24)
CONAIR
BLUE SERUM EYE ($90)
UN.DRESSED ($28) AT DELINEATION
CONAIRMAN FLEXHEAD TRIMMER ($43.99)
FORMULATED WITH INGREDIENTS FROM THE FAMED "BLUE ZONES" OF THE WORLD WHERE PEOPLE LIVE MUCH LONGER THAN AVERAGE, THIS SERUM DELIVERS A SOOTHING AND FIRMING TREATMENT FOR YOUR EYES.
FORMULATED WITH BEESWAX TO SEAL IN MOISTURE AND SHEA BUTTER TO RESTORE HAIRS NATURAL ELASTICITY, THIS BLEND OF BLACK PEPPER AND IVY EXTRACTS GIVES MATTE TEXTURE TO CREATE A NATURAL UNDONE LOOK.
WITH 24 SETTINGS AND ETCHED BLADE TECHNOLOGY, THIS RECHARGEABLE ION POWERED TRIMMER IS EQUIPPED FOR PRECISION DETAILING.QUIETER THAN CONVENTIONAL DRYERS. COMPACT YET POWERFUL, LOOKING GREAT HAS NEVER BEEN SO STYLISH.
MALIN+GOETZ
MARIO BADESCU
ORIBE
FACIAL CLEANSING OIL ($49) AT DELINEATION
COMPLEX MOISTURIZER WITH VITAMIN E ($29)
SHAMPOO FOR BRILLIANCE & SHINE ($59)
IDEAL FOR COMBINATION SKIN, THIS CLEANSING OIL CONTAINS EUCALYPTUS AND CHAMOMILE TO DELIVER ANTIOXIDANTS AND VITAMINS WITH THE INFUSION OF GRAPE SEED, AVOCADO, AND OLIVE OILS.
ENRICHED WITH VITAMIN E, THIS NOURISHING, MOISTURE-RICH FORMULA DELIVERS ANTIOXIDANT HYDRATION WITH THE ADDED PROTECTION OF SPF 20.
USING PEARL PROTEINS AND SILK AMINO ACIDS, THIS SHAMPOO WILL LEAVE YOUR HAIR MOISTURIZED AND POLISHED.
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DTK MEN |FAS T & FURIOUS
GROOMING
GIVENCHY
Gentleman ($107 - 100ml).
HUGO BOSS BOSS Bottled Tonic ($97 - 100ml).
Suit ($825), Shirt ($295), and Tie ($175) BOSS. Skin: Protection 50 Sport ($51), Skin Defense Booster ($78) DERMALOGICA. Hair: Thick.Again ($45) and Un.Dressed ($28) KEVIN MURPHY. Photogarpher JOHN VAN DER SCHILDEN at ISABEL SCHARENBERG CREATIVE MANAGEMENT. Fashion Editor MARK JOHN TRIPP. Grooming RICHARD J using the DYSON SUPERSONIC HAIR DRYER. Models TYREE at ELMER OLSEN MODELS, CARSON at SUTHERLAND MODELS, EMILE at FOLIO MONTREAL, ABEL at ELMER OLSEN MODELS, TARAS at ELITE TORONTO, and BLAKE at B&M. Assistant Photographer MICHAEL SAMARTZIS. Assistant Stylist ALEX PETROPOULAKIS.
DTK MEN | FAS T & FURIOUS
Coat STRELLSON ($698). Shirt MICHAEL KORS MENS ($125). P.81
GroominG
GET ME THAT HAIR DTK MEN IS ALWAYS WILLING TO GO A FEW STEPS AHEAD TO BRING YOU TOP OF THE LINE TIPS.
Photographer Richard Bernardin Creative director Sylvain Blais Fashion Editor Randy Smith Hair Stylist Pete Goupil
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In a search of the perfect hairstyle, we partnered up with iconic grooming brand American Crew Canada. They are a true men’s brand that really provides you with every possible solution. Anything you can think of grooming wise, they’ve got it covered.
By KW
DTK MEN | FAS T & FURIOUS
GroominG
All clothing TOP SHOP. Motocycle HARLEY DAVIDSON 2018 IRON 883 available at HARLEY DAVIDSON MONTREAL.
WANT VISUALS FOR HOW TO GET THESE FRESH MEN’S HAIR LOOKS? WE MADE AN AWESOME VIDEO TUTORIAL WITH AMERICAN CREW CANADA THAT YOU CAN CHECK OUT AT WWW.DTKMEN.COM/DTK-MEN-BLOG/AMERICANCREW. Before working with them, we were familiar with the brand, but what we didn’t know is just how many products they have, making them able to cater to ALL of your possible needs. A stylist told me once that great hair is 30% the cut and 70% the product. Some of the coolest guys you know have a few tricks they might not be eager to share, but we’ve gone directly to the source and worked with American Crew All-Star style-expert Pete Goupil who gave us some great tips for a mid-length rebel style and also demystified how to get the modern beard and have hair like a true gentleman. If ever you find yourself in Montreal, check out Pete’s base, The Tiny Barbershop, to see the master at work.
MID-LENGTH STYLE:
Get “The Rebel” Look Top model Gabriel looks pretty cool in this shoot with his awesome hair and his HARLEY DAVIDSON, but you know he doesn’t wake up in the morning looking picture-perfect. Here are a few of our favourite American Crew products that were used to create this look. The Liquid Wax ($17.95/150ml) can be used on any given hairstyle to add some texture and shine and help your hair stay put while still keeping it flexible. If you are looking for a bit more volume and hold, try their new Techseries Boost Spray ($21.95/200ml) for a great finishing touch. If you’re more of a one-and-done kind of man, opt for a pomade, like the cult favourite Heavy Hold Pomade ($21.95/85g), which offers a maximum hold and shine to create sleek and smooth styles.
TO SEE THE FULL TUTORIAL ON HOW PETE GOUPIL CREATED THIS LOOK, HEAD TO DTKMEN.COM/DTK-MEN-BLOG/AMERICANCREW
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The Classic Gentleman
EVERYONE AGREES THAT PAUL MASON HAS THE “IT” FACTOR. HE JUST LOOKS AMAZING ALL THE TIME. HOW DOES HE DO IT? WELL, HE HAS TASTE, A GREAT PHYSIQUE, AND..... A PHENOMENAL WHITE BEARD. HE ACTUALLY IS MORE SUCCESSFUL NOW WITH THE LONG WHITE BEARD THAN DURING HIS EARLY MODELLING DAYS! HERE ARE THE BEST AMERICAN CREW PRODUCTS TO HELP YOU GET HAIR AND BEARD JUST AS AWE-INSPIRING.
During the filming of our step-by-step video tutorial, we learned a lot about how to master Paul’s classic, sharp look. Starting with beard grooming, the Beard Foam Cleanser ($19.95/70ml) is a great choice; it doesn’t require water to apply or wash out and leaves the beard with a great scent. This is the perfect go-to when your beard needs a quick refresh throughout the day. If you’re more sophisticated in your facial hair routine, you could use the Beard Serum ($19.95/50ml), as it will make your beard soft. It’s perfect if you’re not planning on ending your night solo. If you have a longer beard and want to have a bit more fun styling it, go with the Beard Balm ($19.95/60g). Of course, we also did Paul’s hair, where we discovered the Boost Powder ($19.95/10g). You have to do yourself a favour and try this. It’s a truly magic powder that will give some grip, lift, and density to your hair. All you need is a little bit, and you’re good to go. Perfect for cocktail hours, the Alternator Finishing Spray ($15.95/100ml) will help you re-shape any style with just your hands. But, if you’re more drawn to gels, go for the Light Hold Styling Gel ($15.95/250ml) instead.
If you’re not sure which look to gravitate to or don’t know how to execute it yourself, check out our video for how to use these American Crew products at dtkmen.com/dtk-men-blog/americancrew. Trust us, you will be in good hands. For more information visit americancrew.com. Follow them @americancrewcanada. All products are sold exclusively at salons.
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All clothing TOP SHOP. Photographer RICHARD BERNARDIN. Fashion Editor RANDY SMITH. Models PAUL MASON and GABRIEL GENDREAU at DULCEDO. Grooming STEVEN TURPIN at TEAMM MGMT using NARS. Hair PETE GOUPIL using AMERICAN CREW. Assistant photographer DON LOGA. Assitant grooming GENEVIEVE HARDY.
GroominG
DTK MEN | FAS T & FURIOUS
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RIDES
Luxury on the
OPEN SEA PERSHING 9X
PERSHING YACHTS WHETHER OR NOT YOU’VE GOT SEA LEGS, THERE IS NO DENYING THE ALLURE OF THE OPEN WATER. THE UNTAMED FREEDOM EXCLUSIVE TO THE SEA, AND THE INTIMATE SENSATION OF BEING FAR REMOVED FROM CIVILIZATION, ARE COMPLEMENTED BY THE EVER-IMPROVING LINE OF LUXURY YACHTS WAITING FOR YOU TO CLIMB ABOARD. HOLDING NO LUXURY BEHIND, THESE YACHTS ARE THE PERFECT VESSELS FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR A BETTER WAY TO GET AWAY.
Pershing 9X
By Akeem Johnson-Pierre
The best place to catch some rays will always be the sun deck, but just in case you want to stay inside, the Pershing 9X offers a great view of the ocean from just about any angle. Complementing the striking exterior is the Pershing 9X’s impressive interior. The spacious master cabin features a contemporary interior design and comes with a walk-in wardrobe and a desk facing a large window looking out at the open sea. The master bath has been expertly crafted; the walk-in shower is home to a clean white and silver tile finish. The 28-meter Pershing 9X can accommodate up to 20 people and maintains a high level of sophistication across all four cabins. Max Speed: 42 knots
PRINCESS YACHTS
PRINCESS 40M
Princess 40M
Princess Yachts’ forward-thinking mentality and meticulous attention to detail are fully present in the luxurious Princess 40M. Powerful lines and sublime architecture turn this trilevel 40-meter yacht into a sight for sore eyes. Loaded with everything from a dining room in the main deck, to sunbathing areas and a spa bath on the upper deck, the 40M is just about the closest thing you can get to a 5-star hotel off land. Crafted in Plymouth, England, the Princess 40M is designed to offer you and your friends an unforgettable experience on the open seas. Speed Range: 21-23 knots
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RIDES
OCEANCO
BLACK PEARL
Black Pearl
When an international group of passionate designers, engineers, naval architects, builders, and project managers gather together to work on a single project, something great is bound to happen. For luxury yacht designer Oceanco, their greatness comes in the form of the Black Pearl. Standing at a total length of 106.7 meters, the Black Pearl is the world’s largest sailing yacht. Custom designed are the Black Pearl’s 3 70-meter Dynaric carbon masts and sailing system. The masts, along with the ship’s exterior, have a jetblack finish which gives the yacht a menacing look. This complex vessel falls in line with Oceanco’s dedication to high-tech engineering and innovation. Speed: 17.5 knots / up to 30 knots under sail.
GOLDEN YACHTS
O'PTASIA 85M O’PTASIA 85M
The O’PTASIA is less of a 5-star hotel than it is its own luxury resort. Golden Yachts has made sure that every inch of the 85-meter-long superyacht has been designed to provide one of the most relaxing off-land experiences for both the owner and their guests. The yacht’s best luxuries are of course reserved for the owner: a king size bed, walk-in closet, and a Jacuzzi are just a few features you will find in the suite. The VIP suite is the perfect place to gather up a few guests and watch a movie in the cozy cinema room. As captivating as the rooms may be, it is the lower deck, with its four-meter-long swim platform, bar, steam room, and massage room, that really steals the show. The O’PTASIA even comes with a helipad, just in case. Max Speed: 17 knots SUPERSPORT 48M
PALMER JOHNSON
SUPERSPORT 48M
Supersport 48m
The Supersport 48-meter yacht design builds off its predecessors to harness superior performance and a unique aesthetic. Every detail in the unibody design falls perfectly in sync with the other to create a truly spectacular visual appeal. The exterior stunning metallic finish is complemented by muscular hatches, a predatory stance, and sharp profile lines. Up to 12 passengers have the privilege of basking in natural sunlight thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows. Its revolutionary hull design allows the yacht to go through waves and not smash into them, creating a more stable journey. Its carbon fibre build eliminates corrosion and brings the Supersport’s maximum speed to 32 knots. Thanks to new innovative technology from Palmer Johnson, the Supersport 48M offers high level comfort, all in a neat gold package. Max Speed: 32 knots
DTK MEN | FAS T & FURIOUS
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DESIGN
BISHA HOTEL © BRANDON BARRÉ
Designed
EMOTIONS A HUMBLE VISIONARY, ALESSANDRO MUNGE BREATHES LIFE INTO A MULTITUDE OF PROJECTS WITH THE FRESH ENTHUSIASM OF A CHILD IN A SANDBOX. LED BY UNBRIDLED INSPIRATION AND A TEAM OF 50 CAREFULLY-SELECTED TALENTS, THE STUDIO’S SIGNATURE ABILITY LIES IN TRANSFORMING UNEXPLORED IDEAS INTO REALITY, WITH A DEDICATION TO CREATING EMOTION.
By Alexandra Moulin
Alessandro Munge is a master of empathy: he’s capable of blending his design aesthetic with his clients’ identity and culture to create the unexpected interior design they’ve been looking for. Awarded Best Designer of the Year in January 2018, Munge brings spaces to life and adds soul to each of his projects as a perfect finishing touch. It’s difficult to capture the essence of the soul in a photograph, no matter how talented the photographer. The soul speaks to the emotions of the viewer, whether in a private home or in public spaces like restaurants, hotels, or spas. As Munge notes, “Emotions are not a skill one can learn.” His mission (and passion) is to generate emotion through his works. And what a variety of works there are: reinvented spaces, stylish restaurants, clubs, hotels, and lounges. Here’s an exclusive journey into the world of Studio Munge through the eyes of the designer himself.
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ALESSANDRO MUNGE © RENATA KAVEH
DESIGN
DTK MEN | FAS T & FURIOUS
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DESIGN
BISHA HOTEL © BRANDON BARRÉ
“EMOTIONS ARE NOT A SKILL ONE CANAlessandro LEARN.” Munge
Design Beyond Trends
Uniqueness and timelessness – these two words will resonate with whoever visits the studio’s creations, from Las Vegas to Miami and Toronto to Hong Kong. Ideas are never duplicated from one project to the next, and the studio stays away from hot, short-lived trends. Alessandro acknowledges that it’s a question of respect – respect for the client investing his energy, hopes, and money into the project, and respect for the city and its cultural heritage. On a project like the Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver, a major rework that took five years of creative thinking before construction began, the idea was to pay tribute to the city and the hotel’s history. “We unearthed archives of the building and came up with creative ideas. For instance, we rejuvenated the lobby’s woodwork, yet remained faithful to the edifice’s identity.” Uniqueness is always the goal in such projects, but also within each space in a single project. When walking through the William Vale, Brooklyn’s latest luxurious boutique hotel designed by Studio Munge, the distinct décors and atmospheres make it feel like you’re journeying into different territories. Authentic materials such as stone and wood are creatively worked into its structure. The use of height and lights, the inclusion of massive coloured art pieces in public spaces, and the contrast against the peaceful guest rooms invite guests to enjoy a relaxing stay. First consulted for only a portion of the William Vale, the Toronto-based studio was soon entrusted with the entire project; their creative, detailoriented, and careful approach was successful in creating something truly beautiful and unique. Studio Munge was awarded the most honourable design prizes and press acknowledgements for the William Vale.
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DTK MEN | FAS T & FURIOUS
BISHA HOTEL © BRANDON BARRÉ
CLUNY 21 © MICHAEL STAVARIDIS
DESIGN
VALE GARDEN RESIDENCE, THE WILLIAM VALE
VALE STUDIO MUNGE - VALE GARDEN RESIDENCE
DTK MEN | FAS T & FURIOUS
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DESIGN
BISHA, MISTER C © MAXIME BOCKEN
BISHA, MISTER C © MAXIME BOCKEN
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DESIGN
BISHA, LOBBY © MAXIME BOCKEN
In Toronto, Studio Munge has delivered an impressive collection of differentiated works, from the festive and delightful daytime Cabana Pool Bar, the intriguing Bisha Hotel, the effortless chic French-style Cluny Bistro in the Distillery District, the enchanting Artists’ Alley Gallery, and the luxurious Japanese Nobu. The secret behind their success? Immense care and passion. As an haute-couture designer, Alessandro lays his formidable and somewhat intimidating look on the details of his creation. He takes pride in getting inspiration from his extensive travels. Munge also likes to stay tuned into famous artists’ works and actively listens to his talented team’s ideas. Alessandro cares about the feedback of his clients, whether private – “A client texted me as he was enjoying this perfect moment in the living room we had designed together, feet on the coffee table and a cigar. That turns me on.” – or from public places, where he likes to spend time studying the interactions between his creation and its users – “Watching them and how they feel in my space is my permanent learning curve.”
Design Beyond Boundaries
THE WILLIAM VALE © MAXIME BOCKEN
Alessandro livens as he mentions the latest projects he’s been studying, amazed by the amount of trust his studio has gained from the public. “Some people meet with us to vet their choice of location,” while others “break the mold and come to us with questions that clearly pass our regular business scope; I even questioned a prospective client who had asked to meet with us if he knew where he was, feeling all at once blessed, ecstatic, and yet shy and curious to be consulted on such a new kind of project!” Studio Munge will continue to manufacture furniture with the help of luxurious partners and co-brand projects with famous brands. In 2018, you can expect to see Studio Munge rise in new fields, as the sky is the limit for the warm, friendly, and passionate designer. Utterly Italian, proudly Canadian, and unfailingly happy.
DTK MEN | FAS T & FURIOUS
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INTERIOR DESIGN
SAMSUNG
QLE TV (PRICE UPON REQUEST).
FAST FORWARD
ALTHOUGH MANY LOVE TO DRAW INSPIRATION FROM THE PAST, IT IS THOSE WHO LOOK FORWARD THAT ARE CONSTRUCTING THE NEXT GENERATION OF INTERIORS. AS TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES, SO DOES OUR TASTE IN SHAPES, FABRICS, AND FURNISHINGS. A FUTURISTIC LOOK, ESPECIALLY ONE THAT REFERENCES ULTRA-MODERN IDEAS AND FEATURES BOLD PIECES AND THE LATEST GADGETS IS THE NEW LUXURY. EMBRACE THE CUTTING-EDGE FUTURE OF DESIGN.
By Sylvain Blais
TOMDIXON
PLUM GLASS SERVING BOWL ($92) AT LE STUDIO LUMINAIRES.
B&B ITALIA ZAHAHADID MOON SYSTEM SOFA ($16,059 USD)
TUAREG
CROMO NERO ($7,812) AT AVANT-SCÈNE.
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INTERIOR DESIGN
D’ARMES RA LINE PENDANT LIGHT ($2,900) AT DARMES.CA
GIACOMO GARZIANO
ZEPHYRUS SIDEBOARD (PRICE UPON REQUEST) AT ROCHE BOBOIS.
CATELLANI & SMITH STCHU MOON LAMPS ($825.06 EXCLUDING VAT) AT AVANT-SCÈNE.
SACHALAKIC
AGAPE DINING TABLE (PRICE UPON REQUEST) AT ROCHE BOBOIS.
DTK MEN | FAS T & FURIOUS
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Art
STIKKI The Man Behind the Alias
PEACHES
YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE THE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE ART LOVER OUT THERE TO BE ABLE TO APPRECIATE STIKKI PEACHES’ WORK, YOU JUST SIMPLY HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO LOOK AROUND YOU AS YOU WALK THROUGH YOUR CITY, READY TO CATCH A GLIMPSE OF ONE OF HIS MURALS AND LET IT SINK INTO YOU.
By Marie-Ève Venne
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DTK MEN | FAS T & FURIOUS
Art
Mostly anonymous, the artist hiding behind the alias has never let anyone snap a photo of his face, and is known to be absent at his own expositions. “To do the type of art I am doing, you need to be able to go as you want and to travel without the risk of someone recognizing you. Most of the things I do are not always legal. It also allows people to put all their focus on the art itself instead of the artist behind it,” he declares. Meeting him at his atelier somewhere in Montreal, which itself is pretty secret, I expect anyone to show up at the door ready to dig into the interview. I will not go into details in order to preserve his anonymity, but let’s just say the person who invites me into his atelier is one the most chill artists I’ve interviewed in my career. He even makes sure to answer my questions in a way that ensures I have enough new material.
Over many interviews, without giving too many details, he has talked about going through a dark and difficult phase before being the artist that he is today - an experience that made him grow with his artistic vision, but also as a human being.
“MOST OF THE THINGS I DO ARE NOT ALWAYS LEGAL...”
“I am trying not to be to repetitive when I am doing interviews and to bring something new to the conversation, but you can’t really change your story. My background is in fashion, in the textile industry. It had a huge impact on my work obviously, but it was also my life and a passion for many, many years. My parents had a small and simple atelier at home, where I got to see their process. I was surrounded by patterns and sketches… textiles and stuff like that,” says Stikki. You would expect from anyone growing up in such a surrounding to follow the same kind of career path as his parents, but it wasn’t that an obvious of a choice for him.
“When I decided to pick a career, fashion wasn’t my first choice. I was actually going to major in psychology… and when I made that transition from college to university, I found it to be totally different. It kind of got me off guard. I was overwhelmed, and I didn’t feel the same freedom, I guess… So, I fell on my backup plan which was fashion. Not really a backup plan actually, but not necessary my first choice,” he explains.
“Without having to dig deep into the details, I reached a period of my life where a lot of changes were going on. At one point, I just had to stop doing what I was doing. I had to reevaluate things, re-evaluate life, and re-evaluate my (pauses)… my peace of mind, health, everything. I had to reset myself and at the same time, with that, I was staying late at night, doing [my art], creating them and putting them out on the street. I had a couple of very cool supportive friends which are still around today that thought it was a fucking cool trip. We’ve ventured off and did what we wanted,” he explains. “For me, it was an absolute adrenaline rush every time. Excitement. Freedom. It was a bunch of different things and every time we were going out, we were going bigger and picking places with higher visibility. At that point I had made the decision of doing what made me happy and to take my mind away from certain things and ideas, to take my mind away from bad energy. I had to change that, and I had to battle with it for a couple of years. Because, at some point, I was making life for people around me difficult. I am a very easy, chill type of person, so it wasn’t me at all. I wasn’t myself and I was really aware of it. So, it kind of developed into this form of art therapy,” Stikki declares.
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Art
From doing something to stop him from losing his mind to actually find his true calling, the transition happened pretty much right away. “It was almost instantaneous that I knew I had to keep doing this, not even thinking on a business perspective or on a gallery level or anything. Nothing of that. There was no projected plan. I was doing that, creating it, and putting it out there. For me, it was such a release, such… something I had to pursue. I would never had imagined almost ten years later, quite honestly, being where I am today,” he says.
“I WANT TO SPARK A CONVERSATION. WHETHER YOU SUPPORT THE MESSAGE OR NOT, YOU END UP TALKING ABOUT IT” “That is how it all started. From once a week, to twice a week, to every night. It was all getting bigger and better. During some periods I was putting up ten pieces a week and they would come off relatively quickly at the beginning. It was a lot cleaner back in the days. You didn’t see a lot of stuff out there. Stuff will last a day or two. But we were coming back and putting stuff [up] again,” Stikki adds. Doing the type of work he does with the level of risk it implies, you obviously end up with crazy stories to tell. “For Mural Festival, I think two years ago, I had magically found the keys to a lift that was being used by the artists. Overnight, there was a wall that normally doesn’t get touched because it is kind of dangerous. It is that wall on Saint-Laurent, near Station 16 Gallery. It is very old, so with a buddy of mine, we used that lift with couple of flash lights and we put [up] a forty-foot
piece overnight, with big block letters and rollers paint saying ‘Fuck Hate.’ It appeared at the festival overnight. We finished at 6 am, we put back the lift, and we fucked off. The organizers, which I know very well and are a bunch of amazing guys, they called me and were like, ‘You son of a bitch!’ (laughs).” Now a famous artist around the world, Stikki Peaches still considers himself a street artist, even if some of his work is shown in art galleries. Asking him about this decision to make his art more accessible, his reply comes pretty quick. “I want to spark a conversation. Whether you support the message or not, you end up talking about it. If you can make the world talk and [make the art] resonate with people in different ways, it is what it’s supposed to do. I had to deal with every type of criticism, positives or negatives, but I made people talk and question themselves. It is a way of making art for different people. Now that I work for a gallery… it kind of gives me that balance to be able to create within my world and reach new people that would not necessarily notice my work in the streets… It is the beauty about it, you know, to see two different types of emotions one from the people who connect to my art in the streets and the ones who discover it for the first time. As long as I move them in any way, I am happy.”
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BISHA, MISTER C © MAXIME BOCKEN
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TODAY'S TECH SAVY COLLECTOR
WHETHER BUYING ONLINE, VISITING GALLERIES, OR SITTING IN THE AUCTION ROOM, COLLECTORS ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT ART. THE 2017 UBS INVESTOR WATCH “FOR THE LOVE OF ART” ANALYZED WHAT MOTIVATES ART COLLECTORS TO ACQUIRE ART. THE SURVEY REVEALED THAT 57% OF WEALTHY INVESTORS COLLECTED FOR PASSION, WHILE ONLY 13% COLLECTED FOR PROFIT. THE SURVEY ALSO NOTED THAT WHEN ACQUIRING A WORK OF ART, COLLECTORS WERE DRIVEN BY AN APPRECIATION OF BEAUTIFUL ARTWORKS (71%) AND THEIR PASSION FOR EXPANDING THEIR COLLECTIONS (54%).
By Marla Wasser
Alongside love and passion, there are strong social motivations for collecting and owning art. Interests driving the collector include: collecting as an extension of personal identity, aesthetic pleasure, intellectual discovery, status, power, and access to an elite community. In fact, collecting blue chip contemporary art has become so important in today’s social order that inspiring emotions of shock, awe, and envy are now part of the regular drama we have seen in the auction houses’ trophy sales. The global art market gathered steam in 2017, ably assisted by the surging stock market and newly fueled collector confidence. Its ability to adapt to fluctuating financial and economic environments has played a key role in establishing art and collectables as competitive alternative investments to financial markets. Supporting this growth phenomenon, in 2017 several world auction records were shattered as passions ran high. Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi (c. 1500) sold for $450 million USD at Christie’s November Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale – the most expensive work of art ever sold at auction. As arguably the single greatest moment in auction history, Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan al-Saud was identified as the buyer and acquired the masterpiece to be the star attraction in the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the billion-dollar Saadiyat Island cultural project. At another record shattering auction in 2017, JeanMichel Basquiat’s UNTITLED (1982), sold for $110.5 million USD at Sotheby’s May Contemporary Art Evening Sale. The sale is the highest price paid for a contemporary work ever at auction, an undeniable marker of the art market’s growing confidence in living artists. The painting was acquired by the passionate Japanese collector Yusaku Maezawa, founder of the Contemporary Art Foundation and Japan’s largest online fashion mall, Zozotown. Maezawa shared after the sale, “When I first encountered this painting, I was struck with so much excitement and gratitude for my love of art. I want to share that experience with as many people as possible.”
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LEONARDO DA VINCI, SALVATOR MUNDI (C.1500). COURTESY OF CHRISTIE'S IMAGES LTD.
These supernova sales were major contributors to the significant sales percentage growth for the leading global auction houses. In 2017, Christie’s annual auction sales totaled $5.9 billion USD, up 34% from 2016. Sotheby’s auction sales reached $4.7 billion USD, up 15% from 2016, and Phillips auction sales totaled $625.4 million USD, up 28% from the previous year. Global art sales for 2017 were broken down with the private market sales at $33.7 billion USD and auction sales at $28.5 billion USD (The Art Market 2018). The forecast for the art market in 2018 is trending strong, based on solid London, UK February auction sale results.
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Art
tor. Some of the most popular online platforms include: Artsy, Artspace, Artnet, Paddle8, and Invaluable.
“...ART HAS BECOME MY RELIGION - OTHERS PRAY IN CHURCH. IT’S A BANALITY, BUT YOU DON’T POSSESS ART, IT POSSESSES YOU. IT’S LIKE FALLING in LOVE.” Francois Pinault
Chairman of Groupe Artémis (Owner of Gucci, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, and Christies Auction House) With all growth industries, there is the constant threat of falling behind, and maximizing opportunity is always at the forefront of staying ahead of the competition, and competition is clearly fierce between these three dominant auction houses. Historically, art is sold under their business models through highly trained and knowledgeable art specialists who work with huge rolodexes in both locating art trophies to sell and then locating the perfect collector to entice. As the global art world sales machine now extends to multiple platforms, the need for new business technology is vital. The internet has undoubtedly become a game changer in the world of art, both in terms of information access and the development of sophisticated user-friendly research tools. Emerging in the last two decades, online sales are one of the fastest areas of growth in the art market. Online sales totaled $5.4 billion USD in 2017 - an increase of 45% from 2016 and estimated at 8% share of overall art sales (The Art Market 2018). These global online art-buying platforms were created with the sole purpose of bringing art lovers and art professionals together. They have democratized international collecting by making a broad range of global artists and artworks accessible for every level of collec-
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As significant as the growth of the online art buying platforms has been over the last 20 years, the newest technologies to be making an impact in the art world are Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain. The art market is continuously looking for more efficient ways to make informed decisions and address concerns about transparency within art transactions. The prevailing challenge for collectors and the development of the industry is its unregulated nature and issues around sourcing and finding reliable art-related knowledge. Technology is playing a key role in overcoming these hurdles. While data is used to analyze art-buying trends, online sales have proven most successful in the mid to lower end of the market, where transactions happen below $5,000 USD. Art-tech companies using AI and blockchain are looking to change that trend. By building new digital business models and creative solutions that increase trust and transparency, art-tech startups are transforming the industry. Thread Genius, an AI startup, was recently purchased by Sotheby’s, who in the last three years has shown industry leadership in embracing emerging tech. The Thread Genius algorithms can identify similar artworks by using image recognition technology and analyzing digital images online, allowing auction houses to access a new pool of potential buyers on a digital platform. Blockchain also presents unique opportunities for innovation in the art market, promoting the healthy development of the art trading industry through the power of technology. At its core, blockchain is a decentralized, tamperproof, and transparent ledger that is progressively being supported by the art finance industry, auction houses, art professionals, and artists. This creative application allows arts professionals to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently by guaranteeing authenticity, provenance, and copyright, while enhancing their clients’ collecting experience. Being passionate is being invested. Collecting with a deep sense of passion requires a hunger for knowledge, and the global art industry understands it needs to fuel that growth. Technology is changing the landscape of collecting not only for the collector, but also the artist, the auction house, the advisor, the gallery, and art lovers everywhere. One can’t monetize passion, but one can step into the incredibly exciting world of art to become immersed in an environment reflective of the varying tastes, philosophies, and interests as an emotional, social, and intellectual engagement. The sum of which can lead to a continued passionate and profitable art market for all.
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DANI SEITZ
IN PARADISE IF YOU HAD TO BE STRANDED ON A DESERT ISLAND WITH ONE PERSON, WHO WOULDN'T CHOOSE THE BEAUTIFUL MODEL DANI SEITZ? IN AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH DTK MEN, SHE SHARES HER THOUGHTS ON STAYING ACTIVE AND HER FAVOURITE THINGS IN DATING AND LIFE. By Brenna Dixon Meet Dani Seitz: the blonde bombshell who lives next door and could kick your butt shooting hoops. Scroll through her Instagram (@daniseitz) to get a sense of her incredibly active lifestyle, pausing on all her fun moments beyond the fashion lens. We had a chance to sit by the sea with this natural stunner after she posed flawlessly for our beach shoot. We tapped into her love of sports, relationship pet peeves, and what she finds most attractive. You are in tremendous shape. What do you attribute your perfect form to: DNA or hard work? I would definitely say [that] I think it’s a bit of both, so thank you Mom and Dad! I grew up as an athlete and I’ve always worked out in recreational ways. Whether I’m walking to the store instead of taking the car, playing basketball, or doing studio workouts, I’m always moving.
ing active. In my free time I’m involved in community management that brings people together to play all kinds of sports. I’m also part of Lady Ballerz (@ lady_ballerz), a program that gets girls together to learn the fundamentals of basketball. It’s actually always sold out and at max capacity every single time! It’s really exciting for us! You totally owned this shoot. You exude confidence. How important is it to feel comfortable in your own skin to come across as sexy and effortless? I am such a huge tomboy; I’m [in] tomboy mode all the time. When I get to do luxury shoots with all the hair and makeup, it brings out another side of me that is different, fun, and glamorous. I just try to enjoy that transition going into fullon glam mode. You seem completely at ease submersed in nature - is that true? Do you like the outdoors? My father was a conservation officer, so we were naturally always living it up outdoors. I grew up in British Columbia, camping, fishing, hiking - you name it.
Judging by your Instagram, you live a super active life! When you’re not modeling, what’s your favourite thing to do? I love be-
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Previous page: Bathing suit STYLIST’S OWN. This page: Shorts FIFTH LABEL.
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“I LOVE BEING ACTIVE. IN MY FREE TIME I’M INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT THAT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER TO PLAY ALL KINDS OF SPORTS.” As an active babe, can you describe your perfect date? I think playing a sport is such a great way to go on a first date. There’s really no pressure. I actually met my boyfriend playing basketball. He asked me for a game of 21, and if he beat me, he could take me out for dinner. (Un) fortunately he won. I’m so competitive, so I wasn’t too happy about losing the actual game. We’ve really become so close bonding over sports. How would you describe yourself – as an extrovert (outgoing, life-loving, boisterous) or introvert (a shy, quiet dreamer)? Extrovert. I’m so loud! What is your biggest pet peeve in a relationship? I’m quite tall, so I hate it when guys are intimidated by my height. If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring three things with you, what would they be? All types of sports equipment, my friends, and something to keep me hydrated! Do you believe more in love at first sight or in lust at first sight? LUST! What makes your head turn? What do you find most attractive? A sense of humour and someone who is willing to be active is a must!
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This page: Shorts FIFTH LABEL. Opposite page: T-shirt WILDFOX. Photogarpher DONAT. Fashion Editor JENN FINKELSTEIN at FOLIO. Makeup & Hair MICHAEL GOYETTE at FOLIO. Model DANI at FOLIO.
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Tech
ILLUSTRATION © STACIE ANT
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The Future of
BLOCKCHAIN
LATELY, EVERYBODY IS TALKING The blockchain has the power to transABOUT BITCOIN, BUT OFTEN form many aspects of our daily life. THEY ONLY HAVE A THIN your car can automatically and GRASP OF WHAT IT IS OR HOW Imagine autonomously pay for services such as IT WORKS.THE MAJORITY OF THE HYPE SURROUNDING parking, highway tolls, and recharging the BITCOIN CENTERS ON IT battery and it’s all made possible through AS AN ASSET CLASS. MANY the blockchain. Imagine never having to PEOPLE BELIEVE IT WILL MAKE go through another annoying online regTHEM RICH BEYOND THEIR istration process again because your ID WILDEST DREAMS. IT IS TRUE is on the blockchain. Research into these THAT MANY EARLY ADOPTERS use cases is underway but this is only the AND SAVVY INVESTORS beginning. It is the tip of the iceberg when AMASSED FORTUNES FROM it comes to what the blockchain can do to THE METEORIC RISE OF BITCOIN’S PRICE;THIS IS A FACT revolutionize our lives. WHICH CANNOT BE ARGUED. HOWEVER, IF WE PUT THE History of the blockchain HYPE SURROUNDING THE In order to understand how this works, it’s PRICE OF BITCOIN ASIDE, WE important to go back to the beginning of DISCOVER THAT WHAT IS TRULY Bitcoin and the blockchain. Bitcoin was PRICELESS ABOUT BITCOIN IS developed in 2008 by an anonymous figITS UNDERLYING TECHNOLOGY, ure called Satoshi Nakamoto during a time THE BLOCKCHAIN. when a lot of cryptography experts, called By Aaron Cunningham
Cypherpunks, were focused on creating digital cash. A major hurdle they faced was the double-spend problem: if money is digital how do you prevent it from being duplicated? Nakamoto’s solution to this problem was a blockchain database. The blockchain is a distributed ledger that maintains a continuously growing list of records. Simply put, each computer on the network holds a copy of the same ledger. This ledger holds a record of all transactions on the network. So, if you send 1 Bitcoin to someone else, the amount is removed from your account and added to theirs.
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If you thought you figured out a way to resend the same 1 Bitcoin to someone else, the other ledgers on the network would notice and your transaction would not be validated. All of this is done in real time and security is maintained through a complex process of encryption and digital signatures. All of this means that instead of one central actor maintaining a copy of the ledger, there are thousands of copies continually being updated; this allows for greater transparency and resilience of the ledger. The blockchain creates a trustless system and completely does away with the need for third parties, like banks, to oversee transactions. Better yet, if there is no middle man, there is no need to pay the middleman a fee. The invention of the blockchain brought with it a new era that puts power back into the hands of the people.
“THE CRYPTOCURRENCY STELLAR LUMENS’ GOAL IS TO PROVIDE A SIMPLE AND INEXPENSIVE WAY FOR PEOPLE TO SEND MONEY BACK TO LOVED ONES IN COUNTRIES WITHOUT DEVELOPED BANKING SYSTEMS.”
Blockchain 2.0 Moving forward a few years to 2014, and we have the development of Ethereum, which was created in Canada by Vitalik Buterin. Ethereum is the world’s second largest cryptocurrency in overall market capitalization. Ethereum was designed to be the Swiss army knife of blockchains. It does this through the use of smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps), which are advanced types of transactions that can be hardcoded into the Ethereum blockchain. A good way to understand how a dApp works is to think of your cell phone – by itself it has a fairly limited functionality. However, you can download and run apps on your phone, which gives it new functionalities. Ethereum by itself has a limited functionality but by using dApps, it’s easy to customize its functionality. The most successful Ethereum app to date is Cryptokitties, a game where you can buy and breed digital cats. The Cryptokitties phenomenon was so popular that the number of transactions on the Ethereum network skyrocketed to a point that almost overwhelmed the entire network. The Cryptokitties phenomenon is reminiscent of the internet, where we have the collected knowledge of all of mankind at our fingertips but we mostly use it to look at cat memes.
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Of course, there are many more practical things we can do with apps besides collecting digital kitties. NASA recently awarded a grant of over $400,000 CAD to a team of researchers who are developing ways to use the Ethereum network in space. The researchers hope to connect all of NASA’s space exploration vehicles, from satellites to rovers, into one large web of information via the blockchain. Many researchers are looking to the blockchain for humanitarian purposes. The cryptocurrency Stellar Lumens’ goal is to provide a simple and inexpensive way for people to send money back to loved ones in countries without developed banking systems. Currently, two billion people worldwide do not have a bank account, according to a survey by the World Bank. A simple affordable blockchain solution like Stellar Lumens' may be a way to empower the people who live in these less developed regions. The blockchain is also going to make our lives less complicated by taking many minor daily transactions and automating them. Some people want to see our whole lives put onto the blockchain. Imagine your refrigerator tracking what you’re low on, ordering it, paying for it, and having it shipped without you needing to keep track of anything. Or better yet, your ID is on the blockchain and also tracks your shopping habits, and an app on your phone can notify the store you’ve just entered what style of pants and size you’ll want to try on. In some ways, it seems all a bit Orwellian, and some may not want their entire lives recorded forever onto a blockchain, just for the sake of convenience. The truth is the cryptographic technology that the blockchain is based on should allow people to opt-in for differing levels of privacy dependent on the situation.
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Cover Story
Suit ($1,795) BOSS. Shirt ($179) TIGER OF SWEDEN. Eyewear ($550) ROBERT MARC at JOSEPHSON OPTICIANS. Superocean Heritage II Chronograph 46 with Black Rubber Aero Classic Strap ($5,415) BREITLING. P.112
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Fast & Furious: Lionel
SANDERS IT WAS THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. LIONEL SANDERS LACED UP HIS SHOES, STEPPED OUTSIDE AND STARTED TO RUN. HE’D DONE IT HUNDREDS OF TIMES BEFORE, BUT NEVER UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES.
By Braydon Holmyard There he was, racing into the eerie darkness of a quiet November night. The streets were silent, but he couldn’t take any chances. He ran towards the one place he knew no one could find him: the graveyard. He ran until he couldn’t run anymore. Two nights earlier, Sanders had somewhat of an awakening. It was just a regular evening at his place of residence in Windsor, Ontario. A group of people had gathered. There were drugs. Plenty of alcohol. A fistfight.
Photography Mark Binks Fashion Editor Mark John Tripp Shot with Fujifilm GFX 50S Camera
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But on that night of November 5, 2009, Sanders didn’t drink. He didn’t do drugs, either. Nights like this were extremely rare at the time, and watching it all transpire through a sober lens ignited something in him. That’s why he found himself running through the cemetery. He’d do it nearly every night for the next three weeks. Because running has always been something he could come back to. Even when he felt like there was nothing worth running towards. “It was the one thing from growing up, the forming of my self-esteem, that I felt competent in,” Sanders says, reflecting on how he was able to climb back from the depths of what he calls “rock bottom.” Before he became one of the fastest men in the world to compete in the Ironman, a gruelling test of mind and body comprised of a 3.8 kilometre swim, 180 kilometre bike ride, and a 42.2 kilometre run, Sanders had stumbled down a dangerous and destructive path.
“WHEN YOU’VE GOT NOTHING TO LIVE FOR ANYMORE, THAT’S ROCK BOTTOM TO ME.”
Growing up in a small town of Harrow, Ontario, just outside of Windsor, Sanders was a stand-out runner for his age. He broke a handful of records in Windsor-Essex County before high school. He was faster than any other boy his age at the provincial cross-country championships in 2009. During a time when Sanders was discovering himself, his success on the track turned into a chore. People expected him to run. It quickly became an obligation.
“That was when I started to disengage from sport and think of myself as less and less of an athlete and more of a party guy,” Sanders says. So that’s what he did. Winning races used to fuel him, but his definition of success shifted from who could run the longest to who could party the hardest. When he got to university, substance abuse took complete control of his life. Athletics were no longer in the picture. And so, the two years of teetering towards rock bottom began. There was the time he tried to throw himself out the window of a moving car. When it was closed, he tried to break it with his head until he vomited and urinated on himself.
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This page: Suit & Shirt (Price upon request) LOUIS VUITTON. Opposite page: Swimwear ($160) SHAN. Eyewear ($210) RAYBAN. Superocean Heritage II Chronograph 46 with Black Rubber Aero Classic Strap ($5,415) BREITLING.
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“IF I DEVOTE MYSELF TO TRAINING FOR THIS THING, THERE’S JUST NO WAY I CAN BE FEELING LIKE THIS ANYMORE AT THE END OF THIS PROCESS...” Or the time he was turned away by a drug dealer, who was so concerned for his wellbeing that he decided it wasn’t worth an easy sale. “He had crack in his hand. He literally refused to sell it to me and told me to go home,” Sanders says. He speaks about his past freely, as if the weight of the person he used to be left his body long ago. Over the two-year spiral, these moments paved the way to a six-month period where Sanders barely left his home. Living in isolation, his mind often wandered to unfathomable places. “The hardest part was waking up and staring at the roof. Having absolutely no reason or desire to get out of bed,” he says, emphasizing how sad it is for him to reflect on this stage of his life. “When you’ve got nothing to live for anymore, that’s rock bottom to me.”
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It wasn’t long after his midnight tombstone tour that Sanders decided to look up ‘Ironman triathlon.’ He describes himself as “hardcore” and the type of person who puts all of his effort into something, so it is no surprise that he phoned his mother immediately and told her about the race. “If I devote myself to training for this thing, there’s just no way I can be feeling like this anymore at the end of this process,” he says. His competitive nature can be traced back to the time he tripped in a muddy ditch at the beginning of a cross country race in the tenth grade. His shoe became lodged in the sludge. After a brief moment of disbelief, he carried on and finished the race in his sock, which he kept as a souvenir for years. With help from his mother, Sanders bought a bike and signed himself up for an Ironman race. It was incredibly daring considering his physical and mental state.
Since then, the Canadian has managed to put himself comfortably in the conversation with the top Ironman competitors in the world. His list of accomplishments is growing by the year. In 2013, he competed in and won his first professional race, defeating Andreas Raelert, who in 2011, set the world record for an Ironman.
“IT WAS JUST THIS FEELING OF, ‘WOW, I ACHIEVED THAT.’ IF I COULD DO THAT, I COULD DO ANYTHING...”
When it came to training, Sanders was learning as he went. The running came naturally. As for the other aspects of the race, he had taken swimming lessons as a child and used to ride his BMX bike to school. That was it. After ten months of staying mostly clean — there were a couple of brief relapses — and a ruthless conditioning schedule, Sanders completed his first Ironman in Louisville, Kentucky in August of 2010. The feeling of that accomplishment still motivates him today. “It was just this feeling of, ‘Wow, I achieved that.’ If I could do that, I could do anything,” he says. “I’ve been allowing that feeling to percolate ever since.”
Over the last few years, Sanders has battled with one of the all-time great Ironman triathletes. He considers Olympic gold medalist and two-time Ironman world champion Jan Frodeno one of his heroes and even had a poster of him on the wall of his training room. And while he’s come close to overtaking Frodeno on the course, he has yet to break that barrier. Sanders promised himself he would never lose sight of why he runs. Whether it’s through a cemetery before dawn or at the Ironman World Championships in KailuaKona, Hawaii later this year, every step is to test himself. But finally beating his hero in October would be just an extra bit of motivation. “We run 26 miles side-by-side and then it comes down to a sprint finish,” he says. This moment plays on repeat in his head. It’s what he dreams of. “And obviously, I hope to win the race.”
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Cover Story
Suit ($400) LE 31 at SIMONS. Eyewear ($595) ROBERT MARC at JOSEPHSON OPTICIANS. Creative Director SYLVAIN BLAIS. Art Director KATHIA CAMBRON. Photographer MARK BINKS. Fashion Editor MARK JOHN TRIPP. Grooming RICHARD J using MOROCCANOIL and MAC COSMETICS. Location: WINDSOR INTERNATIONAL AQUATIC AND TRAINING CENTRE.
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Travel
SILVERSEA The New Meaning of Luxury
BREAKFAST AT THE TAIL OF SILVER SPIRIT
By Dooma Wendschuh THE INDEPENDENT, FAMILY-OWNED CRUISE LINE SILVERSEA TAKES YOU ON AN ADVENTURE THROUGH STUNNING DESTINATIONS, PROVIDING AN ULTIMATE VACATION OF LUXURY AND RELAXATION. Kathia is the CEO of the publishing company for DTK MEN magazine. She’s built a media empire over the past ten years, but it hasn’t gotten any easier. Five years ago, I left the video game industry to enter the intensely competitive legal cannabis industry. I’ve put everything I had into a company that has since become successful, but had to sue my business partner and his coconspirator following a coup. I’m now building my second rapidlygrowing cannabis company while pursuing litigation on the first in a foreign country. Kathia and I travel a lot, but never for vacation. On the rare occasion that we’re in the same city, we discuss business strategies over rushed 30-minute dinners. Eighteen days aboard Silver Spirit, one of Silversea Cruises’ ultra-premium luxury cruise ships, seemed impossible. So, we made a deal. We’d work on the plane to Rome. Then, we’d each work at least two hours every day on the ship. It was going to be our first vacation in years and we had an agenda.
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Travel
Luxury has a way of creeping up on you. The Silversea hotel in Rome was truly extraordinary, but I didn’t notice much apart from the fact that it had Wi-Fi on the first night. I remarked that the guests were exceptionally well-dressed at breakfast the next morning. There were men with ascots and blazers, and women with Hermès scarves and Burberry coats. I assumed they were stylish Europeans preparing for a day of important meetings in Italy’s capital. Never would I have imagined that they were to be our fellow passengers on Silver Spirit.
celebration. Nor should it be a surprise that the food is absolutely phenomenal.
Silversea changed how I thought of luxury. The moment you enter your suite, a personal butler rings the bell to ask of your preference in beauty products. They tell you that food and drink is complimentary, but they don’t mention that if you order the same beverage more than once, your butler will stock your fridge with it for the remainder of the voyage. Most nights are either black tie or formal, so your butler dry cleans and presses your tuxedo and suits and shines your shoes free of charge. I used to think luxury was about having everything you need. Now, I know it’s about having all your needs met before you ever knew you needed it.
Not having to report to a corporate conglomerate or post quarterly earning updates means the Silversea can do things that most other cruise lines can’t afford to do. Adam Wright, the cruise director of Silver Spirit, told me there were exactly 360 crew members onboard. This allows for a level of service and a standard of luxury that you could never imagine on those 6,000-passenger ships that dominate the cruising industry today. The comparatively small size of the ship also means they can visit more interesting, off-the-beaten-path (and often more upscale) ports. Our eighteen-day adventure took us through the Mediterranean, to the Middle East, around the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden, and culminated in the opulence of Dubai. Silversea also offers cruises on all seven continents. Canadians can board Silversea ships in Montreal, Quebec City, or St. John’s and cruise to exotic destinations such as Les Iles de la Madeleine, Greenland, Nunavut, Reykjavik Iceland, or even New York City, Boston, South Florida, and South Carolina.
Following rapid consolidation at the end of the 20th century, nearly all of the world’s cruise lines are now owned by a handful of giant travel industry or shipping conglomerates. Silversea is the largest independent cruise line in the world and one of only two family-owned cruise lines left standing. It’s also the only family-owned luxury cruise line left in the world. Since the family in question is Italian, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the atmosphere onboard is warm, familial, and one of constant
Our first stop was Naples, Italy in the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius. While several passengers went to see the ruins of Pompei, Kathia and I strolled along the streets and sampled the local cuisine. When the ship pulled in to Alexandria, Egypt, we journeyed to Saqqara to see the oldest pyramids ever built, the Great Pyramids, and the Sphynx of Giza. You couldn’t help but be awestruck by the scope of human achievement from centuries ago.
ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT
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The next day was my birthday, and Silver Spirit sailed slowly down the Suez Canal past lumbering cargo ships and vigilant guard booths. We clacked away on our keyboards, made a few phone calls with our respective offices, suntanned, and hit the gym before dinner at La Dame, a fine-dining French restaurant operated by Relais & Chateaux. In Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, the ship’s shore concierge arranged for Abdel, a private tour guide, to take Kathia and I to the Ras Mohamed National Park. We snorkeled in crystal clear waters, where the fish were as brightly coloured as the coral. We hiked to the tallest peak in the area, took amazing photos, and still had time for a late lunch at one of Abdel’s favourite restaurants, shopping, and a visit to a café, where we sampled Egyptian coffee and took a few puffs from a towering apple-flavoured water pipe. When the ship stopped in Safaga, Egypt, Kathia, and I visited Luxor, Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and the Valley of the Queens. We visited the tombs of Tutankhamen, Queen Nefertiti, and others, each resplendent with polychrome reliefs and narrow bridges over steep chasms (meant to trap grave robbers). It was eerily reminiscent of scenes from an Indiana Jones movie. We drank Egyptian beer and listened to stories of Isis Ra and Osiris as we cruised down the Nile at sunset. Maybe it was the wine or the influence of the amazing passengers, but as the voyage went on, the dinners got longer and the calls to the office fewer and further between. We spent less time on our keyboards and more time in the pool. We still hit the gym every day, but the rest of our “agenda” had begun to seem less important. The gravitational pull of the ship was eclipsing the pull of our respective businesses.
CRUISING MUSCAT, OMAN
Pictures by Dooma Wendschuh using Fujifilm XT2 Camera
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VIEW FROM THE CASTEL SANT'ELMO, NAPLES ITALY
Travel
NATIONAL PARK OF SHARM EL SHEIK, EGYPT
THE NILE EGYPT
In Salalah, Oman, there were camels everywhere. If you’ve ever wondered where the prize-racing camels come from – the ones that win million-dollar prizes at Al-Shahaniya and other camel races – now you know. We followed the Frankincense Trail past breathtaking vistas to a small market on the beach that had hundreds of shops, which all sold frankincense and frankincense burners.
GREAT SPHINX OF GIZA EGYPT
On the fifteenth night of our voyage, the captain, crew, and passengers met on the open-air pool deck (which had been closed for the past two nights so as not to attract the attention of any lurking pirates) for a “pirate party” to celebrate our successful traversing of the Gulf of Aden. Guests were encouraged to “dress as pirates,” and the costumes were hilarious. Somehow, during that evening, it felt like we knew everyone there even though there were 600 passengers. Everyone danced, even the captain!
The ship pulled into Muscat, Oman at sunrise. Amidst the towering mountains surrounding the city stands a frankincense burner so large it could probably burn tons of frankincense at once. We plied the waters of Muscat on a traditional wooden Dhow with friends, drinking Omani coffee and eating local sweets. It was incredibly beautiful but bittersweet, because we knew the next stop – the towering splendor of Dubai - would be our last. When we returned to our suite that evening, I realized it had been almost a week since I’d opened my laptop. I used to think of celebration as something you do when you succeed. You celebrate accomplishments, milestones, and major events in your life. After eighteen days aboard Silversea's Silver Spirit, I realized there’s another way of looking at it. Celebrations don’t have to be things that punctuate your life. Life itself is a celebration. The crew onboard, the people we met, the entire journey, everything was a celebration. Although Kathia and I are still working insanely long hours and are rarely together, now, whenever we see each other, we choose to celebrate.
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Fitness
Go Beyond the Sweat. Create a Fitness Lifestyle.
BE EXCEPTIONAL
ROBERT PALMER IS A NYC FITNESS ENTREPRENEUR AND FOUNDER OF BE EXCEPTIONAL FITNESS. HE HAS CREATED METHODS AND STRATEGIES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND BRANDS THAT HELP PEOPLE LIVE THEIR HEALTHIEST, HAPPIEST LIFE POSSIBLE. AS A MOVEMENT EXPERT AND FITNESS NUTRITIONIST, HE SPECIALIZES IN SPORTS PERFORMANCE, PRE- AND POSTNATAL TRAINING, STRENGTH CALISTHENICS, AND MMA STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING. HE STAYS ON TOP OF FOOD, FITNESS, AND FASHION BY EXPLORING CURRENT TOPICS WITH HIS WEEKLY NEWSLETTER, BLOG, AND BE EXCEPTIONAL FITNESS APP, WHICH CAN ALL BE FOUND AT: BEEXCEPTIONALFITNESS.COM.
By Robert Palmer In the gym, attitude is everything. The problem is that half of the battle is the mental will of taking the first step, being disciplined in diet and exercise routine, pushing past the perceived limitations of your own ability, and going the extra mile to keep you coming back for more. Knowing that these concerns overwhelm everyone and that time waits for no one, (yet everyone wants results now), I have developed a comprehensive and holistic approach to personal training that consistently yields phenomenal results for my clients. The Be Exceptional Fitness philosophy has a vital lifestyle component that maintains and supports an active and social lifestyle by providing diet hacks that substitute the commonly used unhealthy foods with nutrient-rich wholesome alternatives. The Be Exceptional Fitness method allows you to keep up the “work hard, play hard” lifestyle that most of my clients want to continue enjoying (in moderation, of course). The Be Exceptional method is not about showing your muscles or introducing intimidating fitness routines, it is about laying a foundation for an effective fitness program based on a thorough assessment to create personalized techniques that ensures success. All Be Exceptional Fitness programs in-person or virtually through our app, start with an assessment of physical readiness, mobility restrictions, strength, injuries, and past experiences to set your goals. I act as a real-life GPS system for my clients on their fitness journey.
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Fitness
5 Ways to Be Exceptional 1). Eat Smart & Live Well What you choose to fuel your body with can be a game changer. Planning your meals ahead of time and plugging in healthy alternatives will trump any restrictive diet in the long run. Think differently about what you eat by finding nutrient-dense substitutes. Substituting things such as ice cream for frozen Greek yogurt or traditional pancakes with 100% whole wheat and grains are a great start. You have to consciously make healthier choices in order for your body to function optimally. There is more truth than myth in “you are what you eat.” 2) A Positive Perspective Yields Positive Results Surround yourself with a supportive and similarly focused community. Remove yourself from counterproductive environments. These include temptations, negativity, and unhealthy habits, especially when you are beginning a transformative journey and establishing a new routine. Make motivational decisions that build yourself up, such as a great gym environment, workout music, an accountability partner, and activewear that makes you feel good. 3). Push Past 100% and Give Your Max.
"THE BE EXCEPTIONAL FITNESS METHOD ALLOWS YOU TO KEEP UP THE “WORK HARD, PLAY HARD” LIFESTYLE THAT MOST OF MY CLIENTS WANT TO CONTINUE ENJOYING."
When we are able to overcome our fear of failure, we end up pushing past what we thought we were capable of, in terms of weights, distance, or intensity. The human body is made to grow and adapt when presented with physical challenges. That singular moment when you want to give up but don’t, forces your body to perform instead of plateau. Set tangible and quantifiable goals to help you manage your progress. If you want to maintain and transform, then give your maximum effort. 4). Lean into the Weights. Don’t be afraid to lift heavy weights. Muscle is the best way to reshape your body’s composition. Weightlifting creates muscle separation and definition for a toned physique. Your strength training should be progressive and comprise of compound movements that stimulate larger areas on the body such as rows,
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presses, squats, and deadlifts. The heavier loads incorporated with these movements will help you increase bone density, muscle stimulation, and metabolism far more effectively than isolated movements like a bicep curl or a tricep extension. The misconception that lifting weights alone can cause weight gain has long been debunked, although old myths still linger. Strong lean muscle is the enemy of body fat and helps to increase the potential amount of calories you burn throughout the day. A great gauge for weight progression is 2.55% per week. This subtle increase is small enough that you will not overwhelm yourself, yet powerful enough that in a year, I have seen beginners increase their personal weightlifting best anywhere from 150-200%. 5). Don’t Skip the Stretch
After an intense workout, your body starts to repair the damaged areas. The area that you worked on will typically be sore for a day or so. Without a proper stretching and recovery protocol, frequent exercise of the same muscle group can induce pain and delay progress. One issue that most active people experience are sore joints. Bones, tendons, and ligaments lack the same blood flow that the supported muscle benefits from. Because of this, it takes far longer for our joints to recover. You can speed up the healing process and rid yourself of most instances of inflamed sore joints through stretching and other flexibility methods, such as foam-rolling. A stretching routine can keep you healthy and injury-free throughout your fitness journey. Add stretching to the end or beginning of your routine and watch as you bounce back from an intense workout. These are the guiding principles that I used to accomplish my goals as a high-performing collegiate athlete, and now as a fitness entrepreneur to ensure success for my clients. If they are consistently implemented into your wellness routine, the #BeExceptional principles set a foundation for a successful health and fitness journey.
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Fitness
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Travel
MEXICO CITY The Gentleman’s Guide to
THE BIGGEST CITY IN NORTH AMERICA HAS NOW BECOME A PLAYGROUND FOR CREATIVE TYPES, POWER PLAYERS, AND FOODIES ALIKE, NAMELY BECAUSE OF ITS MICHELIN STAR CHEFS, UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES, SWANKY AMENITIES, CULTURAL HOTSPOTS, REVOLUTIONARY MIXOLOGY SCENE, AND ILLUSTRIOUS HISTORIC LANDMARKS.
PUJOL
CHOCOLATE MOUSSE, JAMAICA SORBET, AT CREMA AT MAXIMO BISTROT LOCAL
By Christine-Elizabeth Laprade With a population of 21.2 million people in the metropolitan area (8.9 million living in the city), La Ciudad de México is unrivalled when it comes to exciting getaways. With its culinary scene, Instagram-worthy murals, first-class shopping, and world-renowned mixologists, CDMX has everything to jubilate art lovers by day and hedonists by night. Getting around by taxi is extremely affordable, and the Peso and its colonial aesthetics make it a worthy destination. For the record, saying that Mexico City isn’t safe is absolutely unwarranted - common sense is needed when traveling to any major city, such as Barcelona or Paris. It comes as no surprise that to this day, Mexico still exerts a magnetic pull on visitors from all over the world. Here are our current top picks for a truly memorable stay.
EAT
A genuine feast for all the senses, Mexico’s culinary scene is simply extraordinary. Home to some of the world’s finest dining establishments, unmissable taquerias, and inspired eateries, restaurant selection can end up being quite a daunting process. A few years ago, local chefs started putting indigenous herbs and ancient grains and produce on the map and at the forefront of the new Mexican culinary identity. Don’t be surprised to find chayote squash, huitlacoche (a delicacy, literally translates as corn fungus), grasshoppers, and Pulque (a prehispanic alcoholic beverage) on the food circuit. Head over to the famed Pujol, one of the best restaurants in the world, for the star of the show: a
1437-day-old mole madre. The rich flavours and silky-smooth texture will give you goosebumps. The swanky décor lures in chic crowds, and their margaritas are a synonym for pure amnesic bliss – you’ve been warned! Fonda Margarita is the essential foodie stop for an authentic, hearty Mexican breakfast. It’s Anthony Bourdain approved (“Probably the best Breakfast ever”) and family-run. For a splendid lunch in a trendy hood and to sample some outstanding seasonal ingredients, make sure to score an outdoor table at Máximo Bistrot. Chef Eduardo Garcia helped put CDMX on the world’s culinary map, on top of being an alumnus of Pujol and Le Bernardin, in NYC. Start with the guacamole and blue corn tortillas, and sit back and be ready to enjoy extraordinary Mexican cuisine executed with French and Italian techniques. The foie gras ravioli is not to be missed, just like the rest of the veg-centric menu.
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Travel
Glass floors and a former horse stable make up the elegant space designed by Mexico’s most influential architect - not to mention the drool-worthy findings that await you at this popular Pedregal haunt: Tetetlán. This newcomer is already making waves because of its wonderfully succulent ceviche, parpadelle with smoked octopus and lemon accompanied with impeccable service, matched only by the beautiful surroundings. The innovative space makes it the perfect destination to while away the afternoon and bask in the sun after a leisurely lunch (as it hosts a startlingly cool bookstore on the top floor!). You’ll find traditional ingredients, succulent dishes, and a casual atmosphere.
EARLY-MORNING HAZE IN THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS. © CHRISTINE-ELIZABETH LAPRADE.
PLAY
Home to a plethora of historic sites, art pilgrimage venues, and a vibrant graffiti scene, there’s assuredly a little something for everyone in Mexico City. Even winding through the tree-lined esplanades or Condesa’s scenic hotspots have a magical feel to it. As for museums, Casa Azul, better known as the Museo Frida Kahlo, is a must-visit cultural landmark. The most important art works can be admired at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, in Centro Historico. The prominent centre hosts a wide collection of Diego Rivera murals, infamous Van Gogh paintings, and high-calibre exhibits. The premises are spectacular. Casa Pedragal will delight any design aficionado. The notable architect’s house, also known as Casa Luis Barragan, is located right beside Tetetlán and offers a peek of what impeccable visionary taste and Mexican influence produced back in 1947, still just as relevant today. Check out the minimalistic ebony bathrooms and the opulent swimming pool in the backyard. It’s been featured in numerous magazines (namely, Architectural Digest). Templo Mayor is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located in the sacred precinct of the former Mexican capital, known as Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City). The architectural site is nothing short of monumental, now shadowed by Mexico City’s Cathedral. Its temples and pyramids were originally raided by the Spanish troops back in 1519. Templo Mayor, situated right in the middle of the city, houses sacrificial mounds, snake heads and tombstones, ruins, a collection of artefacts from the site, a splendid museum, and a (once) iconic temple, on top of offering a glimpse into classical Aztec society.
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THE ART WALK OF STREET ART CHILANGO PUTS THE EMPHASIS ON COEXISTENCE AND CULTURE. © CHRISTINE-ELIZABETH LAPRADE.
An incredibly fun way to discover CDMX’s unique and colourful neighbourhoods and feel the pulse of the city is to go on an urban art tour. It turns out that the capital is renowned for its murals, drawing in international graffiti artists. Street Art Chilango takes you to the most infamous street art murals via a guided tour of the neighbourhoods of Roma and Juarez. Roma is every vintage lover’s dream and earned the title of “Mexico’s coolest hood” by the New York Times back in 2015. With its absurd number of third wave coffee shops, stationery stores, motorcycle emporium Concept Racer, and skate shops, Roma is distinctly trendy and young. Stop by Apartment 25, a men’s shop, for stylish Swedish & European brands, cologne, and some really cool kicks.
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Travel
SEEK OUT THE CITY’S SPIRIT AT ZÓCALO, THE 2ND LARGEST PLAZA IN THE WORLD, AS SEEN FROM THE TEMPLO MAYOR. © CHRISTINE-ELIZABETH LAPRADE.
ARTIFACTS ON DISPLAY AT THE MUSEO Y ZONA ARQUEOLÓGICA DEL TEMPLO MAYOR. © CHRISTINE ELIZABETH LAPRADE.
JARDIN PUSHKIN, IN COLONIA ROMA. © CHRISTINE-ELIZABETH LAPRADE
STAY AFTER MIDNIGHT
Get ready for a respectable amount of top-shelf nighttime cocktails. The bustling urban Latin hub is filled with avant-garde, exclusive, and everso-slightly grounded watering holes. For some pre-Hispanic cocktail revelry, start things off at Xaman. The notorous hot spot is the mastermind of Le Baron crew, a group of hip young bartenders who collaborated with local nightlife collective Sicario. Inconspicuously tucked in the basement of a building, the dim-lit room in Colonia Juarez is filled with succulents and wooden accessories reminiscent of shamanism. Toast the night at Hanky Panky, one of the city’s most exclusive joints. Its red leather booths and black & gold mirrored walls are highly coveted, so in order to get in, one must book a reservation by phone or become a member. The cheekily-named speakeasy draws tons of hipsters and savvy cocktail connoisseurs alike. Locals swear by Licoreria Limantour, featured on the World’s Best 50 Bars list. The main draw here is the laid-back Latin vibe, and, indisputably, its crew of award-winning bartenders and the way they pay homage to local historical flavours. The two-story art deco watering hole is famous for its tequila-based, Latin take on the Martini, the Texmelucan, (rum, sherry, ancho chile, and plantain) and the Margarita Al Pastor.
Mexico City has no shortage of ritzy five-star lodging and stylish boutique hotels. Located in the heart of the fast-paced city is The Hilton Mexico City Reforma hotel, named because of its immensely popular restaurant, El Cardenal, which serves authentic breakfast fare such as traditionally prepared hot chocolate, tortilla de huevo con escamoles (an omelette peppered with ant larvae), and sweet, freshlybaked goods. Located a stone’s throw away from several major attractions, its amenities include a stylish rooftop pool, perfect for predinner drinks.
Stylish crowds, businessmen and sports teams reportedly stay at the InterContinental Presidente Mexico City. The upscale and newlyrenovated hotel is positioned in one the city’s poshest neighbourhoods, Polanco, home to the rich and famous. The hotel’s surroundings are punctuated with private-chauffeured SUVs, mansions, Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, noteworthy attractions and some of the best fare in town. Chapulin, one of the six restaurants located inside the property, boasts the largest wine cellar in Latin America, and Pujol, one of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, is just a short walk away.
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Style
Live the Life of Style with
KISH
RAVEENDRAN KISH RAVEENDRAN IS A CANADIAN STYLIST, MODEL, SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER, AND THE FOUNDER OF KISHSTYLE & KISHWEAR.
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Style
Style icon Kish shares his favourite trends and best spots in Toronto, so that you can enjoy the city while being the most stylish guy on the block.
STYLE
TIGER OF SWEDEN 56 Ossington Ave, Toronto Tiger of Sweden is a classic Scandinavian menswear brand that proudly uses different, clean-cut, high-quality materials. They develop suits that are attractive to the young and trendy inner-city crowd. None of their collections have ever disappointed, and I personally love each and every piece.
Ralph Lauren JUMPSUIT (SPRING 2017 COLLECTION)
Daks
HIGH-RISE AND WIDE LEGS TROUSERS (DAKS SS18 MENSWEAR COLLECTION)
THOMAS HENRY MADE By appointment only Thomas Henry Made is a custom suit and shirt brand. Most of their clothing is made-to-measure in Europe with a pattern that is personalized for every individual. It’s perfect for the confident and stylish man who appreciates quality craftsmanship combined with smart, timeless details. I have been wearing their clothing for the past two years, and I still can’t get enough of the brand.
Club Monaco SHORT SHORTS (9” MADDOX SHORT, $69.50)
Tiger of Sweden FENDER PULLOVER ($229)
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Style
GOING OUT
CARBON BAR 99 Queen St E, Toronto
JOEY Restaurant (Three Toronto locations)
Located in the east side of downtown, you know this bar is going to be artsy and different. CB has great food and an even better cocktail list. There’s always a great crowd of young professionals.
The casual and cool atmosphere is wonderful, but even better is the food and service that never disappoints. The menu is great for everyone, and it’s a good spot to go when you just want to have a fun time with friends.
GROOMING
MANKIND Grooming Barber Shop 212 Eglinton Ave E #1, Toronto
BARBER & CO. 89 Ossington Ave, Toronto
Mankind is one of the few men’s salons where you can get a haircut, shave, wax, manicure, and other types of grooming all in one spot. Men can now get as equally pampered as the ladies.
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Barber & Co. is a salon where you can get your hair cut and your beard shaved while enjoying a nice cocktail or beer. I always enjoy supporting local businesses.
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Style
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Culture
On the Cusp of a Cannabis
REVOLUTION
PRIOR TO THAT FIRST MAGICAL, INTENSELY DISRUPTIVE HIGH, I WAS A PRETTY TYPICAL, GANGLY, AWKWARD, SOCIALLY INEPT TEENAGER, PULLED IN A THOUSAND DIRECTIONS BY RAGING HORMONES AND A BURGEONING LUST FOR LIFE. AFTERWARD, I WAS A GANGLY TEENAGER, BUT MY SOCIAL AWKWARDNESS HAD BEEN USURPED BY A SENSE OF CONNECTIVITY TO EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING AROUND ME. MY LUST FOR LIFE REFRACTED INTO EMPATHIES AND SYMPATHIES AND EXHILARATIONS,THE LIKES OF WHICH I HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY INCAPABLE OF RECOGNIZING. By James West
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Culture
Cannabis smashed through the paralyzing grip of conformist inhibitions and eroded my acceptance and faith in a defective institutional education. It opened a channel to myriad metaphysical frequencies upon whose waves there was infinite insight. “Enlightenment” is a largely scorned concept these days, usually mocked and ridiculed as the domain of sadhus and monks, with no real status or meaning to huge swaths of society.
“WHEN I FIRST SMOKED WEED ABOUT 40 YEARS AGO, IT WAS A REVELATION.”
But to this day, I recognize that this early introduction to the plant, with which our bodies have a genetic predisposition towards, rescued me from the alternative, which would have had me embark on a much more conventional path. Squares might say I had been brainwashed by drugs. As far as I was concerned, I had become enlightened. What followed in my case was an incremental, wholesale rejection of many of the concepts upon which modern society is built, and a feverish pursuit of mystical and philosophical evidence of the ineffable, indescribable, yet persistently present energy that is replete with wisdom and intuition and knowledge upon which all of the universe’s life force resonates. By the time I turned 30, I was at a hedonistic full throttle, experimenting regularly with incrementally larger doses of stronger drugs – particularly psychedelics. The idea of a career had never, at this point, occurred to me. But it was also during this decade that the concept of moderation began to insinuate itself. The absence of accomplishment in anything that did not involve sex, drugs, and rock & roll began to assert itself with increasing frequency, especially during hangover phases, which were now of longer duration and intensity. Even the drugs’ effects had become predictable and boring. The final dawning of awareness as to what my purpose in life might be – which, as it turns out, is to write (among other things) – catalyzed my abandonment of the bohemian trajectory, and I landed with a thump
in a mindset desirous of structure and productivity. Now that I knew the secrets of the universe, there was a ton of work to be done. Marijuana’s effect (among others) is to slightly shift one’s self-awareness to a perspective where you can see yourself as a third party. With this perspective, one is able to better objectively identify personal motives, desires, and behaviours. It causes you to take yourself much less seriously and relax your judgment of others. The downside, from my own experience, is that it can hold your attention and masquerade as the answer to all things for far too long. Overuse absolutely has undesirable side effects, and benefits will be longer-lasting if a measure of restraint is observed. Marijuana, far beyond medical or recreational usages, has a much more profound connection with humanity than as a mere remedy or psychotropic. It has the ability to unify, pacify, and generally deprecate the more aggressive aspects of the human psyche in favour of warmer and more compassionate sentiments and mindsets. In my opinion, it should be widely consumed from a young age. Everywhere in the world, the consumption of marijuana is imbuing society with its effect, which is the transmission of love, compassion, inclusion, and acceptance. Ultimately, it’s the assertion of the global consciousness and the victory of enlightenment over ignorance. It is the advent of the cannabis revolution, and it’s building steam. Bring on the cannabis revolution, I say.
James West writes about finance, culture, and cannabis at MidasLetter.com.
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lifestyle
© ANGELA LLOP
The art of drinking
HENNESSY PARADIS IMPERIAL
COGNAC
THE FIRST THING TO DO TO TRULY APPRECIATE COGNAC IS TO FORGET WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW ABOUT IT. NO, YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A BIG CIGAR SMOKER WITH A STRANGE THING FOR VELVET DRAPES AND LEATHER CHAIRS TO BE ABLE TO QUALIFY AS AN ACCEPTABLE SPIRIT DRINKER. THAT CLICHÉ IS LONG GONE! YOU SIMPLY HAVE TO GET FAMILIAR WITH SOME BASICS REGARDING ITS MAKING AND HISTORY, ALONG WITH DISCOVERING WHICH BRAND MIGHT BE THE BEST FIT FOR YOUR PALATE. THEN YOU’LL FIND YOURSELF IN FOR A TREAT.
By Marie-Ève Venne LET’S GET STARTED, SHALL WE? First thing that you need to know is that Cognac is a high-quality brandy made from white grapes that can only be produced in the west of France. The wine obtained from the grapes goes through two distillations, a process that runs from November to March. By French law, distillation must stop at midnight on March 31st. You’ll find the spirit graded by its age, that is to say by how long its youngest eau de vie component has been aged. For example, VS stands for “very special,” the youngest Cognac category that rests for a minimum of two years. This is the Cognac that you want to experiment with in some cocktails, like a Sidecar (Cognac, orange-flavoured liquor, and lemon juice) or a French 75 (Cognac, champagne, lemon juice, and simple syrup). When you feel ready to up your game a little, you want to switch to VSOP, or “very superior old pale,” which is aged for at least four years. While VSOP also works in cocktails, it is better enjoyed on its own. The next step is to try the XO, “extra old,” a Cognac that previously required six years of aging (but after April 2018, that number went up to ten). Please, don’t mix it in any drink and save that pricey XO for sipping, since aged brandies have very delicate and subtle notes. Now that you know a little bit more about fine brandy, it’s time to continue your education by discovering some iconic brands and bottles.
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LifestyLe
HENNESSY VSOP
GRAND MARNIER 1880
Hennessy VSOP
It is a blend of 60 eaux-de vie made from Ugni Blanc grapes and aged at least 4 years in oak barrels. Some might describe it as a testament to the never-fading expertise of the master blenders, along with being a natural balance of strength and smoothness. On the palate, you can experience traces of vanilla, clove, cinnamon, and candied fruit melding together for an exhilarating experience.
Hennessy Paradis Imperial
Here, you have a truly unique blend created by Hennessy’s Master Blender Yann Fillioux in 2011, made of 35 to 130-year-old cognacs matured in seasoned old barrels. Only one out of one thousand cognacs is good enough to get in one of these bottles. The palate is filled with golden amber and flowery notes of jasmine and orange blossom, and virtually no wood, but rather hints of spice and florals in a delicate yet persistent style. It’s packaged in a sophisticated crystal decanter designed by Stephanie Balini and features an 18-carat gold-plated label. When speaking about it, Fillioux described the process of creating Paradis Imperial as “a quest to select the ultimate eaux-de-vies of the best quality possible, before maturing them to the point of elegance.” For him, it’s his ultimate legacy to the world, something that people would be able to enjoy even after he will no longer be the Master Blender!
© CHRISTIAN CÓRDOVA
Martell XO
The Martell XO Extra Old Cognac is a sumptuous product from Martell, one of the oldest of the large Cognac houses. It’s a truly complex spirit with 300 years in the making, offering a bold, spicy nose with notes of dried fruit, apple, vanilla, and apricot, and a long, smooth finish with replays of vanilla and apricots. With an impressive depth, it’s a cognac with a rich character, perfect for special occasions!
J. Dupont VSOP
J. Dupont Cognac represents a remarkable timeless family treasure where expertise and tradition meet. Each eaux-de-vie is distilled in small alembics and hand-selected by the master blender. The oldest barrels are over a century old, and only the most exceptional can aspire to be bottled. A classic premier-cru Cognac from Dupont, this VSOP is light, sweet, and fruity with notes of vanilla, caramel, and apples.
Grand Marnier 1880
Cuvée 1880 is a tribute to the beginning of Grand Marnier, when, in 1880, Louis-Alexandre Marnier Lapostolle began blending Cognac with oranges, which, while common today, were an absolute luxury at the turn of the 20th century. The Grand Marnier Cuvée 1880 is a distinctive blend of aged, premium XO Cognac made exclusively from Grande Champagne. With more Cognac in the nose of its taste profile, it is significantly less sweet than the Cuvée du Centenaire, while still incorporating wild tropical orange notes. Full of bold flavours!
MARTELL XO
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lifestyle
Success Story: Inside The Coldroom
WITH KEVIN DEMERS
RE-STRATEGIZING MARKETING PLANS TARGETING THE MILLENNIAL GENERATION HAS BEEN THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR ALL TYPES OF BRANDS. CONSIDERING THAT THIS HYPER-INDIVIDUALISTIC GROUP TALLIES UP TO A WHOPPING 80 MILLION PEOPLE, NO ONE IS EXEMPT FROM THE REALITY OF ATTRACTING THIS INFLUENTIAL POPULATION, NOT EVEN THE LUXURY SECTOR.
By Marie-Ève Venne They were born over 200 years ago and gained popularity during the prohibition era, but speakeasy bars are definitely trending these days. Once described as “illicit establishments selling alcoholic beverages,” their modern take is legal but still exciting. One of them, located in Old Montreal, has been getting a lot of attention around the city, thanks to its creative take on cocktails and secret access. To get inside The Coldroom, which has a funky drunk duck as a mascot, you have to ring a bell and stand in front of a black door with no sign on it. Once the wait is over, someone guides you through the stairs and all the way inside the coveted spot. One look at the place and you know you are in for an unforgettable night filled with delicious cocktails. But to truly get the essence of the place, you have to meet the owner, Kevin Demers. With more than a decade in the industry as one of the top mixologists in the country, he is now making it his mission to introduce new and unique cocktail styles.
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“It took me 12 months to open the space. Since it was originally a real cold room, I wanted to keep some elements of the spot and to play around its history. Any problem I could had, I had it. I am actually now in the process of writing a book about it called How to Open a Bar: The Unorthodox Way, because it wasn’t really a normal way to open a bar,” says Kevin. Located at a very touristic corner in the Old Port, The Coldroom doesn’t necessarily aim to attract that kind of crowd, even if they are more than welcome in the bar, explains Kevin. “All the thrill of the place is to have the bar completely hidden for the people that walk by everyday and wouldn’t guess that it’s there. It was even more important when we opened the place, while we were trying to keep the location as secret as possible. It wasn’t easy, especially since we are living in a modern world where you can learn everything in a minute thanks to social media. But we made it happen, and I think it had a lot to play into the success of The Coldroom,” declares Kevin.
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Speaking about cocktail trends, he feels like Montreal is quickly catching up with more cocktail-oriented cities, like New York. “Right now, you can feel that vermouths, like Martini Rosso are making a comeback, thanks to many different factors. Montreal and Canada are a little bit behind as far as following the New York’s trend. We are just catching up now but we can see a big spike in the sales in the bar. It’s been around for a while, but now you have a variety and that shows that there is really a trend going on and that is what is making it fun,” affirms Kevin. That is exactly the type of knowledge, shared by every bartender working at The Coldroom, that makes the place so popular. Whatever the reason for being there, you will leave more knowledgeable about cocktails and your own personal taste. “People have their taste, but it’s up to us to teach clients as well. Let’s say if you like a Negroni, why not trying to flip it around and make something else a little bit more interesting like a Sbagliato. If there is a kind of vermouth that you particularly like, we are going to try to match your cocktail to it depending on your flavour profiles.” “We try to be welcoming. As soon as you ring the doorbell, we make sure that we know who you are as a person and that you know who we are. It’s all about building the trust. Our ultimate goal is to make sure that you are comfortable with us and that you enjoy the moment. After all, we are selling pleasure,” Kevin concludes.
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Travel
TREASURE
Canadian
EVER WANT TO TOUR THE COUNTRY IN A FOREIGN RIDE? EXOTIC CAR RENTALS (LIKE LOUE LA VIE EXOTIC CAR RENTALS) ARE A TREND SWEEPING THE COUNTRY AND ARE MAKING DREAM ROAD TRIPS THROUGH PLACES LIKE QUEBEC A BREEZE.
By Akeem Johnson-Pierre A long drive through the country’s landscape is a great way to experience Canada, and making the trip in a variety of Porsches makes it all the better. Exotic car rental companies are making it their mission to bring your dream road trip to life. One in particular, Loue La Vie Exotic Car Rentals, is giving travel enthusiasts the opportunity to make the drive from Montreal to St. Paul Bay in some of the best Porsches money that can buy, while sleeping in some of the nicest hotels in the country. Travellers won’t be in a rush to get to their hotels as they will witness some of Quebec’s most picturesque landscapes while at the wheel of the latest 911, Panamera, and convertible Porsches.
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Going above and beyond a simple car rental, travellers will get to stay in the gorgeous Mont-Tremblant Resort and be treated to the finest of ice wines exclusive to the award winning L’Orpailleur Vineyard. At days end, guests will be served supper at the Laurie Raphael restaurant by renowned chef Daniel Vezina.
As the two-day road trip continues, travellers will discover the First Nations of Wendake, enjoy dinner on the terrace of the brewery at Le Café du Monde, and visit the Charlevoix and Coudres Island regions, all while enjoying the road luxuries offered by Porsche.
Further along the trip, drivers will get to cruise alongside the majestic St. Lawrence River. Once in Quebec, drivers will rest at Le Germain Hotel, a historic monument established in 1870.
Loue La Vie Exotic Car Rentals has made it that much easier to experience the best of Quebec in style. The hardest part will be returning to your day-to-day life after experiencing these two days of pure luxury.
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Style
SURF’S UP!
DIVE INTO THE LAID-BACK VIBES OF SUMMER STYLE. TAKING INSPIRATION FROM THE HAWAIIAN SURF SCENE, WE’RE LOVING BOLD PRINTS, CLEAR DETAILING, AND SPORT-INSPIRED GROOMING THAT ALLOWS YOU TO CHAMPION THE HEAT.
By Mark John Tripp
AESOP
PETITGRAIN REVIVING BODY GEL ($53)
ERIC JAVITS
PACKABLE SHORT-BRIM HAT ($399) AT BARNEY’S
KIEHL’S
PFACIAL FUEL NO-SHINE LIP MOISTURIZING LIP BALM ($12)
WARBY PARKER
WAVE II SUNGLASSES (STARTING FROM $150)
BOSS
FRUIT PRINT SWIM TRUNKS ($99)
LOUIS VUITTON
SPRING-SUMMER 2018 SURFBOARD ($8,500)
ACNE STUDIOS
BLÅ KONST TOTE ($290) AT SSENSE
CHANEL
ALLURE HOMME SPORT COLOGNE TRAVEL SPRAY & TWO REFILLS ($96) AT HOLT RENFREW
PENDLETON
ARROW REVIVAL JACQUARD TOWEL ($67) AT NORDSTROM
DIESEL
BERLIN SANDALS ($145)
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NIXON
ASCENDER 42MM ($285)
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Le luxe suprême jumelé à l’aventure sans fin. Votre plus belle évasion débute sur la Honda Gold Wing. Faites dès maintenant l’expérience de cette motocyclette légendaire.
GOLD WING TOUR DCT AIRBAG
GOLD WING
Portez toujours des vêtements protecteurs lorsque vous conduisez une motocyclette Honda. Veuillez respecter l’environnement. Conformez-vous aux lois et lisez attentivement votre manuel du propriétaire avant de conduire votre motocyclette Honda. Les modèles illustrés et les spécifications sont sujets à changement sans préavis. Visitez honda.ca pour de l’information additionnelle sur la sécurité.
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