Dolce Summer 2015 by Dolce Media Group

summer 2015

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DOLCE MAGAZINE 7

IF YOU WORSHIP FOOD WE’VE BUILT YOU A TEMPLE.

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SUMMER 2015 • VOLUME 19 • ISSUE 2 Publisher/Editor-in-Chief MICHELLE ZERILLO-SOSA michelle@dolce.ca Director of Editorial SIMONA PANETTA simona@dolce.ca Director of Operations ANGELA PALMIERI-ZERILLO angela@dolce.ca

ART DEPARTMENT Co-Founder/Creative Director FERNANDO ZERILLO fernando@dolce.ca Web Project Manager STEVE BRUNO Senior Graphic Designers CHRISTINA BAN, LUAY SAIG Web Designer YENA YOO

EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT Copy Editor SIMONA PANETTA Fashion & Home Décor Editor MICHELLE ZERILLO-SOSA Beauty & Travel Editor ANGELA PALMIERI-ZERILLO Proofreaders NINA HOESCHELE, SIMONA PANETTA Senior Writer MICHAEL HILL Contributing Writers RICHARD ALDHOUS, JUSTIN MASTINE-FROST, AMANDA STOREY, ALESSANDRA MICIELI Editorial Intern DANIEL CALABRETTA Contributing Photographers DANIEL A. COOPER, CLAUDIA DIAZ, MARIA EBERFORS, CLAUDIUS HOLZMANN, JOHN PACKMAN, SAL PASQUA, GEORGE PIMENTEL, RICHARD POWERS, MEL YATES

VIDEO DEPARTMENT Videographer DANIEL A. COOPER

ADVERTISING Director of New Business Development SUSAN BHATIA susan@dolce.ca Director of Marketing ANGELA PALMIERI-ZERILLO angela@dolce.ca Senior Account Manager MARIO BALACEANU

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES T: 905-264-6789 Toll-Free: 1-888-68-DOLCE info@dolce.ca • www.dolcemag.com Office Administrator ALESSANDRA MICIELI Front Cover THE RIGHT HON. PAUL MARTIN Photo By Jesse Milns

Dolce Magazine is published quarterly by Dolce Media Group, 111 Zenway Blvd., Suite 30, Vaughan, Ont., L4H 3H9 T: 905-264-6789, Toll-Free: 1-888-68-DOLCE, F: 905-264-3787, info@dolce.ca, www.dolcemedia.ca Publication Mail Agreement No. 40026675. All rights reserved. Any reproduction is strictly prohibited without written consent from the publisher. Dolce Magazine reaches over 900,000 affluent readers annually through household distribution across Canada. Dolce Magazine is also available to over 100 million digital consumers of Magzter Inc. and Issuu. Inquiries about where else Dolce Magazine is available for sale may be directed to Dolce Media Group: info@dolcemedia.ca or 905-264-6789. The yearly subscription fee is CDN $34 and US $48. Send cheque or money order to Dolce Media Group, 111 Zenway Blvd., Suite 30, Vaughan, Ont., L4H 3H9, Canada The opinions expressed in Dolce Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or advertisers. Dolce Media Group does not assume liability for content. The material in this magazine is intended for information purposes only and is in no way intended to supersede professional advice. We are proud to be a Canadian company that has successfully published magazines for the past 19 years without any government funding or financial assistance of programs to cover editorial costs. It has all been possible thanks to the wonderful support of our readers and advertisers. ISSN 1206-17780 Next Issue: Fall 2015 ©2015 Dolce Media Group. Printed in Canada. Printed in Canada

This magazine is printed on Recycled Paper.

Up to

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facebook.com/dolceluxurymagazine

@dolcemag

summer 2015

AN IDYLLIC SETTING Just a short drive north of the city, XXI Chophouse serves rstrate meals in the peaceful village of Kleinburg, one of the GTA’s most beautiful and coveted communities. EXTENSIVE WINE AND SCOTCH SELECTION An ever-evolving wine program features vintages from Canada, France, Chile, the U.S. and beyond. A sizeable Scotch Wall boasts a rich selection of single malts, ne cognacs and specialty liqueurs. PREMIUM AGED BEEF An in-house dry-aging locker ensures precise aging times of 35 to 50 days of the highestquality cuts of beef sourced from top purveyors, including Paradise Farms, the American Angus Hall of Fame’s Best Breeder of Aberdeen Angus in North America.

Located in The Doctor’s House in the village of Kleinburg, XXI Chophouse blends the area’s historical setting with contemporary design to deliver a premier steakhouse experience north of the city.

www.XXIchophouse.com info@XXIchophouse.com 905 893 CHOP (2467) www.thedoctorshouse.ca 21 Nashville Road, The Doctor’s House Kleinburg, Ont.

PUBLISHER’S Note

Breeze is the conductor, trees the musicians, leaves the instruments — Terri Guillemets

hat do you hope people remember you for? Is it what you have done or what you have failed to do? If someone were to ask you this sort of question, you would probably have one or two things you could offer in your answer. But isn’t it interesting that when our senior writer Michael Hill asked the former prime minister this question, his only reply was, “To be quite honest, I don’t think when you’re six feet under legacy counts.” This shows two things. The first is how humble this man is and the second, how unique his sense of humour is. Had you been present at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel a few weeks back you would have volunteered a thing or two that he should say. After all, the gathering was to present him with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Club of Toronto. As the speaker shared the many reasons as to why the Right Hon. Paul Martin was so worthy of this award, a few that stuck in my mind were Martin’s

ability to reduce the country’s deficit during his tenure as minister of finance, later setting the record for recording five consecutive budget surpluses. As prime minister he set the tone for a 10-year, $41-billion plan to improve health care and wait times. But the one reason that most Canadians will one day remember him is the signing of the Kelowna Accord. A historical moment, for this would erase the gap in funding, housing and education that aboriginal people had been subjected to over the years. During our interview, one of the quotes that will always stay with me is when he shared how aboriginal people’s world view had a fundamental impact on his own personal world view. One of the pivotal differences is how Western civilization looks at nature differently from how aboriginal people look at nature. We believe we are above nature and therefore we can master it. Aboriginal people look at nature as something that should be preserved. Thus the reason why First Nations

people’s quantum physics is that we are all one with nature. All of these mantras allow me to further understand this man’s character and life’s passion for his work to ensure no Canadian continues to ignore the needs and hardship of another fellow Canadian. After all, life in Canada would not be as glorious and free as it is without iconic Canadians such as our cover man. I know many of you will agree with me that Paul Martin will indeed be remembered for the things he did and not for what he failed to do. We hope you continue to be an exemplary citizen not just of your country, but also of the world, as you share your Dolce Vita with others in the spirit of good stewardship.

Michelle Zerillo-Sosa Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

michelle@dolce.ca @dolcetweets |

@amorebagstoronto

Dolce Magazine The Honey of Life Sin

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ce 1996

summer 2015

CONTENTS SUMMER 2015 / VOLUME 19 / ISSUE 2

OBJECTS OF DESIRE Give in to these seductive and unforgettable items

AUTOMOTIVE

THE CHARGE OF PAUL MARTIN

The future is now with the ultramodern BMW i8

The former prime minister’s quest to improve aboriginal education

OLD SOUL

Actress Blake Lively on fashion, motherhood and The Age of Adaline

DIAMONDS IN THE RUFF Fetching jewelry fit for the dog days of summer

FEEL THE FENDI A preview of the Miami condo that’s elevated by the Fendi touch

ON THE COVER Photographed by Jesse Milns, The Right Hon. Paul Martin on the 19th floor of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto 19 Q&A WITH ANDREW O’HAGAN The Scottish author waxes poetic on his fifth novel, The Illuminations 76 UNTIL THE LAST CHILD A businesswoman aims to find 30,000 permanent, loving homes for Canadian kids More stories inside ... 14 DOLCE MAGAZINE | www.dolcemag.com

summer 2015

DOLCE WAS THERE

Gigi Cihan Guler

Vanessa Di Girolamo

Kamila Drotlef

Doruk Yorgancioglu

Sav Caputo

Sam Ferrari

Jacques Dinel

Angela Caputo

Loretta Ferrari

Josie Josie G olam Gir mo Di Girolamo

ARTERIORS

PHOTOS BY KAYLA ROCCA

Luxury furniture and accessories retailer Arteriors recently celebrated its showroom opening in Toronto with the exclusive debut of Dorya and Trump Home by Dorya collections. A partnership between Sav and Angela Caputo, Vanessa Di Girolamo and Jacques Dinel, Arteriors provides elegant and high-quality furnishings from brands that are synonymous with excellence and innovation. www.arteriorsto.com

Linda Leatherdale

Jacques Dinel

Spiros Christopoulos Lowell Hall

Ekaterina Kotovitch

Glen Peloso

Jamie Alexander

WEST INDIES GALA Andria Case

Margaret McCain

The sixth annual UWI Toronto Benefit Gala, honouring individuals and organizations whose work has affected the Caribbean, was held at the Ritz-Carlton Toronto and drew in over 400 guests. Attendees enjoyed a performance by Grammy Award-winning artist Orville “Shaggy” Burrell, who along with Hon. Juanita WestmorelandTraoré received the Luminary Award.

Orville “Shaggy” Burrell

www.uwitorontogala.com

Orville “Shaggy” Burrell E. Nigel Harris Sir George Donette D Do Don one on ett et tttte te Alleyne Chin-Loy Ch Ch Chi hiin n---L L Loy oy oy 16 DOLCE MAGAZINE | www.dolcemag.com Chang Cha C Ch han ha ng g

Michael Thompson

Jean Augustine

Ed Sado

Anne Sado

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PIMENTEL PHOTOGRAPHY

UNIVERSITY OF THE

Tracy Vogrin

Summer 2015

Sheldon Levy

summer 2015

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DOLCE MAGAZINE 17

DOLCE WAS THERE

Fengxia (Maria) Ai Michelle Zerillo-Sosa

!XAM DIAMONDS Toronto-based custom fine jewelry house !Xam Diamonds recently hosted “An Evening of Italian Jewelry” at Rutherford Marketplace. Gem expert Katherine Dunnell from the Royal Ontario Museum was on hand to provide her expertise on Italian jewelry while answering questions from the audience.

“An Evening of Italian Jewelry” at !Xam Diamonds

Ian Brenner

Jeffrey Brenner

Terry Brenner

Katherine Dunnell

PHOTOS BY SAL PASQUA

www.xamdiamonds.com

Drew Howard

Julie Calla

Mayaa May Oczeretko Ocz O czere eretk tko o

Natalie Elliott

Broadbent Sisters

MASSIVE PARTY HOTBED AT THE ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO

Candice Chan

Alison Slight

www.massiveparty.ca, www.ago.net

Sarah Lieberman

YOUCANTSEEUSBUTWESEEYOU Y OUCANTSE TSEEUS EUSBUT BUTWES WESEEY E OU U ins installation nstal t lattion

Donna Ramirez

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Talwst

summer 2015

PHOTOS BY GEORGE PIMENTEL PHOTOGRAPHY

Nearly 2,000 guests flocked to the 11th annual Massive Party at the AGO, which was divided into a series of rooms and curated by artistic director Talwst. Over $300,000 was raised to support the AGO’s ongoing education programs and exhibitions.

Considered the best essayist of his generation, Andrew O’Hagan has twice been a finalist for the Man Booker Prize, he’s won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and he received the E.M. Forster Award from the American Academy of Art and Letters

Q&A WITH

Scottish novelist and journalist Andrew O’Hagan on the compelling life of a writer and his latest book, The Illuminations INTERVIEW BY SIMONA PANETTA

DM: The Illuminations is receiving praise for its ability to shift between the worlds of a woman living with dementia and her grandson ﬁghting on the battleﬁelds of Afghanistan. What compelled you to write this story? AOH: I wanted to write a book about the experience that my generation had had fighting in Afghanistan and I felt that there was a novel there that really wasn’t on the shelf. From the beginning I knew that the grandmother’s relationship with her grandson would be central to the book. War just doesn’t happen on the warfront. It happens on the home front, too. DM: Over the last 20 years you’ve visited many dangerous countries in your role as a UNICEF ambassador. Do you feel nervous before each adventure? AOH: I was quite nervous, especially in Afghanistan. But once you’re there and you’re sort of getting on with it you put your head down and get on with your work. My daughter was very unhappy with me going to Afghanistan. She’s 11. So she made me promise not to do that again. These are really hostile, desperate places but we’re very lucky. We always summer 2015

have plenty of water and transport. The people there are really suffering. DM: Years ago you were commissioned to ghostwrite an autobiography of WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange. What kind of reaction did you receive from him after an article you wrote about the process was published in the London Review of Books? AOH: It’s interesting. I got a reaction before it came out, which was typical of Julian. He wrote to me asking me not to publish it. He, I think, hoped that the piece wouldn’t appear. But I insisted that it would appear and I also understood that it would be the end of our friendship when it did. DM: Of all your literary characters, which would you say you relate to the most? AOH: The thing that you find when you look back over your shoulder at the books you’ve written and the characters you’ve created is that they all have a little bit of you. And sometimes the most unexpected ones have more of you. Probably the character that is most like me is the narrator of my comic novel, The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog,

PHOTO COURTESY OF MCCLELLAND & STEWART

PHOTO BY TRICIA MALLEY AND ROSS GILLESPIE

ANDREW O’HAGAN

Andrew O’Hagan’s fifth novel, The Illuminations, explores themes of family, memory, loss and forgiveness

and of His Friend Marilyn Monroe. Maf, the dog himself, has got most of me. That was always the great laugh for me when I was writing that book — there’s something about his sense of humour and sense of culture that’s quite close to mine. www.dolcemag.com

DOLCE MAGAZINE 19

J.M.M. @

DOLCE WAS THERE

KALTENBOCK PHOTOGRAPHY BY GETTY IMAGES FOR H&M

OLIVIA WILDE In collaboration with Olivia Wilde and Barbara Burchfield of Conscious Commerce, H&M rejoiced at the launch of its Conscious Exclusive Collection and Conscious Pop-Up Shop in NYC. Star guests included Jason Sudeikis and Maggie Gyllenhaal. consciousco.co/hm

Michael Miller

Olivia Wilde

Barbara Burchfield

Rosario Dawson

a Abrima Erwiah Morgan Bogle

Caitlin Crosby

Jacques Marie Mage’s fashionable eyewear collection has arrived. The trendy spring-summer collection exclusively launched in April at Kaltenbock Opticians, a leading Toronto eyewear destination that specializes in custom lenses. The fashion-forward frames from J.M.M.’s Circa collection were inspired by icons such as Bob Dylan and Pier Paolo Pasolini. www.kaltenbockopticians.ca, jacquesmariemage.com

Ali Name Badreddine Surname

PHOTOS BY SAL PASQUA

H&M AND

Michelle Zerillo-Sosa Michelle Zerillo-Sosa

Katie deGuzman

Lily Lil Lily ily Kwong Kw Kwo K wong g

Ryan Hinds

Jonathan Hood

WONDERFUL WOMEN EVENT On April 28, 2015, Weizmann Canada’s Women and Science Committee hosted “Wonderful Women,” an inspiring event honouring women and science. The night consisted of a cocktail reception and a panel discussion that included Lainey Lui and Marnie McBean. The event helped raise funds for two female scientists completing their postdoctoral training at renowned international institutions.

Michele Atlin

Marianne Jenkevice Marilyn Marily Mar ilyn n Ant Anthony thony hony

Renee Bleeman

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Aisling MacKnight

Francie Klein

Eleanor Appleby

PHOTOS BY GIL TAMIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Jeannie Tanenbaum

wonderfulwomen.weizmann.ca

Sylvia Peck

summer 2015

the art of living

Luxury Lofts + Penthouses from the $700s to over $1million Introducing the much-anticipated Art Shoppe* Lofts + Condos, marked by stunning architecture, unparalleled views, and unprecedented indoor HUK V\[KVVY HTLUP[PLZ ZWHUUPUN ÅVVYZ ;OPZ PZ SP]PUN PU \S[PTH[L Z[`SL :\P[LZ Z[HY[PUN MYVT [OL Z

YONGE ST.

EGLINTON AVE.

Soudan Ave.

Hillsdale Ave. E.

Presentation Gallery 2131 Yonge Street, at Hillsdale Ave. E. 416.487.7373 Hours of Operation: Mon-Wed 12pm - 6pm Thurs 12pm - 7pm Fri Closed Sat & Sun 12pm - 5pm

Be part of the transformation ArtShoppeCondos.com *Registered trademark of Art Shoppe Limited. 2131 Yonge Developments GP Limited is an authorized licensee of such trademark. Exclusive listing: Private Service Realty Limited, Brokerage. Brokers protected. Prices and speciﬁcations are subject to change, E. and O.E.

summer 2015

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DOLCE MAGAZINE 21

DOLCE WAS THERE

MET GALA

Ivanka Trump

Fashion’s biggest night took over the Metropolitan Museum of Arts in New York City this spring, with the who’s-who of celebrity royalty taking in the Costume Institutes Gala. The theme and subsequent exhibit of this year’s Met Gala was “China: Through the Looking Glass,” which had fashion icons Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé wowing the crowd with bold gowns. www.vogue.com

Katie Holmes

Zac Posen

Georgina Mi hae M Mic hae aell Michael Blo B llo oomb ber erg rrg g Bloomberg Bloomberg

will.i.am

Mario Testino

TESLA S ELIZABETA The Elizabeta tuning package and new design of the Tesla Model S in the interpretation of Larte Design was unveiled by His Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco at the 2015 Top Marques Monaco, an annual and prestigious luxury car show held at Grimaldi Forum. www.larte-design.com

Larte Design’s Tesla S Elizabeta features a boldly re-designed exterior and face-lifted interior

Prince Albert II of Monaco

Manoj Bairstow

Karen Elson

COPPERWOOD

PHOTOS COURTESY OF LARTE DESIGN

Naomi Campbell

Diana Taylor

KLEINBURG UNVEILING The Sorbara Group of Companies recently welcomed family and friends to the unveiling of Copperwood Kleinburg, an exclusive community of 67 homes set on 60’ and 70’ lots right across from Copper Creek Golf Course. www.mycopperwood.ca

Alexey Yanovskiy

Guests examine the available lots at Copperwood Kleinburg

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summer 2015

GETTY IMAGES FOR MICHAEL KORS

Tabitha Tabith Tab itha Simmons Sim S mmo monss

In Support of

MEET THE AMBASSADOR SYLVIA MANTELLA Chief Marketing Officer at Mantella Corporation, Philanthropist and Fashion Icon According to style icon Sylvia Mantella, fashion is always driven by a deeper purpose. Much more than fabric pieces sewn together, accessories are wearable works of art and have the power to shift the world in a better direction. This is what inspired her to join Amore Bags. Each authentic, refurbished doctor’s bag carries a legacy, and proceeds from every sale support Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) — a worthy cause for a leading fashion icon.

“As a very proud owner of four Amore Bags, it’s clear that I love them! I love that they represent giving back, hope and, of course, love. Every Amore Bag started as a simple vintage doctor’s bag but through the pure passion of Michelle Zerillo-Sosa, each bag is turned into a one-of-akind beautifully hand-painted and functional piece of art. I have yet to wear any one of my Amore Bags out and it not be the centre of conversation.” — Sylvia Mantella amorebags.ca @amorebagstoronto If you are the proud owner of an Amore Bag, contact us to be profiled as the next Amore Ambassador.

summer 2015

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DOLCE MAGAZINE 23

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Dogue de Bordeaux “Ruba” necklace and brooch, vintage. Seen at Josephs Art Interior, www.josephs-art-interior.com

TEXT BY SIMONA PANETTA PHOTOGRAPHY: CLAUDIUS HOLZMANN, WWW.CLAUDIUS-HOLZMANN.DE STYLING: MARCEL GRAUL @ TOP-AGENCE, WWW.MG-STYLING.COM, WWW.TOP-AGENCE.DE

DIAMONDS IN THE RUFF

summer 2015

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DOLCE MAGAZINE 25

“THIS BLING SURE IS DROOL-WORTHY. I WAS JUST TRYING IT ON. FORGIVE ME?” — Molly

Pug “Molly” pearl necklace with citrine pendant and diamonds in white gold by Markus Weller, www.weller-antiquitaeten.de

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Wire-haired dachshund “Bella” flower brooch in white gold with pearls and diamonds by Christel Heilmann, www.christelheilmann.de

Chihuahua “Mia” stingray leather bracelet with gold and blue topaz by A Cuckoo Moment, www.a-cuckoo-moment.de

“IT’S DOGGONE GOOD TO LOOK THIS FANCY” — Mia

summer 2015

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DOLCE MAGAZINE 27

“SOMEONE’S COMING. QUICK! HIDE THE JEWELS AND LOOK NATURAL” — Gina

Papillon “Gina” white gold necklace and pendant with gemstones by Rotraut Hoffmann, www.rotraut-hoffmann.de

Whippet “Joy” rings in rose and gold with gemstones and brilliants by Rotraut Hoffmann, www.rotraut-hoffmann.de 28 DOLCE MAGAZINE | www.dolcemag.com

summer 2015

Fine Giftware

IMPORTED DIRECTLY FROM IITALY TALY TA YA AND ND F ND FRANCE RA AN NC CE

Rosy Blue is a haven for all who wish to inspire with fine, unique gifts and home décor pieces. From birthdays, anniversaries and weddings to religious milestones and other special celebrations, the carefully selected giftware, bomboniere and favours at Rosy Blue offer ample and beautiful ways to make your loved one’s special day memorable. An array of home accents imported from design capitals France and Italy will also add originality and sparkle to your home.

Rosy

Blue

Murano Glass • Capodimonte Ceramics and Porcelain Crystals and Silver • Personalized Favour Boxes Bomboniere

4040 Steeles Ave. West, Unit 6, Woodbridge, ON

905-856-5814

www.rosybluegiftware.com

summer 2015

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DOLCE MAGAZINE 29

Fendi Château Residences, a 12-storey waterfront condominium development in Miami, is over 80 per cent sold and slated to be completed in the spring of 2016. Its luxury developer, Château Group, recently announced the launch of the project’s exclusive concierge service in partnership with Luxury Attaché, a premier concierge management company

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FEEL

Manuel Grosskopf, president of luxury developer Château Group, discusses the launch of an unprecedented concierge service at Fendi Château Residences — the ﬁrst Fendi-branded condominium project in the world

THE

INTERVIEW BY SIMONA PANETTA RENDERINGS BY FENDI CHATEAU RESIDENCES

FENDI Q: Tell me how the Fendi Château Residences project came to be. What inspired the Château Group to execute a 12-storey waterfront condo development in Miami? GROSSKOPF: As developers we have always created distinct residential buildings with the highest level of architectural design and a refined functionality. It made sense to partner with Fendi for this project because they represent the highest level of elegance, innovative style and excellence in the fashion and luxury world. We strive to achieve the same level of quality in our carefully designed real estate developments so the partnership with Fendi was a perfect match. Fendi Château Residences will combine function and fashion on a grand scale. Q: What type of style and vibe can one expect once the development opens in 2016? GROSSKOPF: Fendi in collaboration with interior design firm Fanny Haim & Associates have worked in tandem to design the amenity spaces and residences to reflect the Fendi lifestyle and esthetic. In addition, the team hand-picked the very best furnishings and accessories from Fendi Casa, from the walls to the sofas, the rugs to the light fixtures, for the deluxe amenity spaces and home interiors, giving residents a taste of the contemporary design esthetic that will permeate every inch of this breathtaking building. summer 2015

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DOLCE MAGAZINE 31

BAL HARBOUR SHOPS

Setting the bar high for oceanfront living in Miami, Fendi Ch창teau Residences is being built at 9365 Collins Avenue in Miami, Fla., placing it two blocks south of the renowned Bal Harbour Shops

The imminent development will feature 58 exclusive floor-through oceanfront residences and penthouses ranging in size from 3,300 square feet to more than 7,000 sq. ft., with prices ranging from $6 million to $25 million

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summer 2015

The residences boast 10-foot ceilings, sweeping views and glass-railed terraces. Homes are characterized by bespoke designs and feature distinctive materials such as streaked woods, smoky glass and bronzed reflections — adding yet another element of Fendi luxury. Q: What other luxurious perks will one ﬁnd in this development? GROSSKOPF: Common areas include a private restaurant with a full chef ’s kitchen featuring Officine Gullo. Being one of the world’s leading artisans in professional kitchens, the area will feature bespoke design with metalwork detail. The chef ’s kitchen provides a premium experience in restaurant cooking combined with dinners at sunset for residents and their guests. Residents will also have the option to include Fendi Casa decorative elements throughout their apartments. All residences boast finished bathrooms featuring Calacatta and Botticino marble floors throughout with custom-designed fixtures, along with staff quarters and laundry areas, which include full bathrooms. Residents will also have the option to include Fendi Casa decorative items throughout their living space, which will be decorator-ready.

discerning residents the ultimate amenity in the form of personalized service. Q: How will personalized service set the residences apart from other luxury dwellings in the area? GROSSKOPF: Fendi Château Attaché will offer residents of Fendi’s first branded condominium building with unprecedented luxury concierge services that are tailored to personal tastes and preferences. A dedicated, hand-selected Attaché team member will provide a single touch point for residents with seamless, same-day service, turnaround and personalization down to the very last detail, becoming an integral part of each resident’s everyday life.

“IT MADE SENSE TO PARTNER WITH FENDI FOR THIS PROJECT BECAUSE THEY REPRESENT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF ELEGANCE, INNOVATIVE STYLE AND EXCELLENCE IN THE FASHION AND LUXURY WORLD”

Q: What prompted Château Group to partner with concierge company Luxury Attaché to launch the concierge service Fendi Château Attaché? GROSSKOPF: Today’s global buyer is more discerning than ever and brand-oriented. We are adapting to these new types of global buyers by creating luxury residences that fit their lifestyle needs. Fendi Château Residences has already set the new standard for oceanfront living in Miami. We are now elevating that experience through our partnership with Luxury Attaché and offering our most

Q: What other highlights will discerning clients enjoy at the residences? GROSSKOPF: Fendi Château Residences’ comprehensive amenities package includes a wine cellar, library, ballroom, kid’s club, private cinema with an adjacent business centre, beauty salon, state-of-the-art fitness centre overlooking the ocean, bicycle storage, multiple beachfront pools with cabanas, reflective ponds, spas and Jacuzzis, and a relaxation terrace with aromatherapy. Common areas include a private restaurant with a casual area, bar and full chef ’s kitchen; and an outdoor space designed for barbeques and gatherings and outdoor cabanas.

Q: Which demographic does this project cater to? GROSSKOPF: Fendi Château Residences is attracting a balance of both domestic and international buyers looking to purchase in a luxury-branded development. We are seeing buyers from the Northeast and Midwest, Canada, London, Russia and Latin America. We are currently over 80 per cent sold, proving that today’s global buyer is more discerning than ever and brand-oriented with a Fendi Château Residences boasts a comprehensive desire for a low-density development amenities package that includes a private cinema with white-glove services. with an adjacent business centre, a wine cellar, library, ballroom, kid’s club, beauty salon and a state-of-theart fitness centre overlooking the ocean

Q: Overall, why should global buyers consider 9365 Collins Avenue their next purchase? GROSSKOPF: Fendi Château Residences is a 12-storey building with 58 floorthrough residences that deliver extraordinary and unobstructed views along with 300 linear feet of unadulterated beachfront. All of this is perfectly complemented by chic interiors and amenity spaces curated by Fendi in the same esthetic that has made them sought-after by the world’s most stylish men and women. fendichateauresidences.com

summer 2015

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DOLCE MAGAZINE 33

At 26, David Arduini has already taken the interior design world by storm

ARDUINI’S MODEL

Known for beautifying estates, businesses and luxury model homes, the principal of Albert David Design shares his unexpected formula for creating a ﬂawless space WRITTEN BY AMANDA STOREY PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSE MILNS

ccording to David Arduini, the 26-year-old principal of Albert David Design Inc., interior design isn’t synonymous with a pretty room. His definition of the craft transcends this popular perception, claiming that the beautification of a space is anything but superficial — it’s as much about well-thought-out practicality as it is about “the look.” This is especially the case when working with a model home. Arduini, who in his five years on the scene has designed for luxury residential and 34 DOLCE MAGAZINE | www.dolcemag.com

commercial spaces alike — from Forest Hill rooms to Brixton Parlour salon in midtown Toronto — is a popular pick for elite developers, who know a visionary when they see one. The designer’s most recent canvas was the model home for King Country Estates in Nobleton by Marycroft Homes, an array of estates that’s already turning the heads of local, in-the-market elites. The model home had to be flawless — and, unsurprisingly, Arduini delivered. “My passion and inspiration for each project comes from the client,” says Arduini, who built up his skill

and passion for his craft in his early years by watching his father Massimo, a celebrated plumbing contractor who Arduini considers his greatest mentor. “I always study their lifestyle so I can mimic their way of living in the project. I see interior design as creating a lifestyle.” Since this was a model home, Arduini and his firm were faced with the challenge of creating that lifestyle for not one person, not one family, but for an array of potential buyers all coming from different backgrounds and tastes. “When building a model home, or any home, there’s much more to consider summer 2015

An expert attention to detail has earned Arduini coveted commissions from the area’s leading builders

than the furnishings and finishes,” says Arduini. “You need to be familiar with the neighbourhood, with who the target buyers will be, so you can cater to those demographics. You want to look at the house size to make sure you can make the most of the space. And, of course, you must maintain a good flow within the house, since there will be a lot of people exploring it.” Having been called on by Marycroft Homes in the fall of 2014 before the model space had even been built, Arduini and his team were deeply rooted in the project and heavily involved from summer 2015

Day 1. After being handed the architect’s renderings, Arduini carefully analyzed them and requested to tweak a few small details to ensure his vision for the space would play out soundly. Once construction began, the designer spent much of his time in the fresh space to ensure the plan was being carried out to a tee: the hardwood flooring, the tiles, the mouldings and coffered ceilings, the stone fireplace — like mathematics, everything fell into place with precision. The finished product achieved and surpassed visual beauty, also attaining flawless technical design.

That’s not to say the look of the model home isn’t an innovation in itself. Arduini poured his talent into the style of the house, even custom designing accent pieces like headboards and sofas to elevate the originality of the space. Arduini and his team also curated vital finishing touches from eliteapproved brands, one of which was the Montreal-based Riobel, a plumbing supplier and manufacturer that Arduini avidly supports. “I chose to accent this home with Riobel’s sink and shower faucets not because of my familiarity with the www.dolcemag.com

DOLCE MAGAZINE 35

The designer selected Villa Kitchens and esteemed local company Artizan Interior & Exterior Finishings Inc. to create eye-catching ceilings and mouldings

Arduini’s history in the construction industry allows him a unique perspective when approaching a project — one that blends esthetics with practicality

brand, but because of its style,” says the designer. “The brand is versatile in what it creates, and its products range from a classic feel to more traditional to modern.” Another esteemed brand showcased in the model home is Vaughan’s Artizan Interior & Exterior Finishings Inc. Handpicked by Arduini for its unique ceiling work, this brand is responsible for the exterior stucco as well as the interior mouldings and coffered ceilings — all a big hit for the perusing potential buyers. Using a foam-coated plaster, Artizan 36 DOLCE MAGAZINE | www.dolcemag.com

“I ALWAYS SAY THERE AREN’T ANY RULES TO CREATING A BEAUTIFUL SPACE — YOU JUST HAVE TO FEEL IT” — David Arduini

worked on the ceilings of the main office-slash-library, the family room, the master bedroom and the presentation area, giving each room a completely different style to allow homeowners an opportunity to browse the design variations. With another satisfied client added to his roster, and a masterpiece of a model home tucked into his portfolio, Arduini is inspiring Toronto’s interior design landscape with his fresh perspective and thoughtful artistry — and simultaneously devoting his time

A faucet from Riobel’s Zendo collection adds a shimmering touch to a luminous bathroom

to his role as ambassador for the CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish Foundation. But unlike most industry veterans who follow a tried-and-true routine when approaching a room, this young designer has an unexpected formula for creating a flawless interior — which is that there is no formula. “I always say there aren’t any rules to creating a beautiful space — you just have to feel it,” says Arduini. “Because I think that if you have a vision, there is always a way to make it work.” www.albertdaviddesign.com summer 2015

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THE ART OF LIVING

PHO TO B Y

DAN IE

L A.

COO

PE R

The three partners of the Art Shoppe Lofts + Condos project, managing partner of CD Capital Developments Jordan Dermer, president of Freed Developments Peter Freed and managing partner of CD Capital Developments Todd Cowan

The latest project by Freed Developments and CD Capital Developments brings an iconic fashion designer to Toronto

hick, round, black sunglasses dominate the giant, stoical face of Karl Lagerfeld that’s crowding the enormous screen on the back wall of the Art Shoppe Lofts + Condos sales centre. Just a few days prior this spacious, all-white room, decorated with transparent chairs, plush leather couches and vivid modern art, was rammed with 1,200 rowdy partygoers who came out in droves for the development’s official launch, and to snap a few selfies with Lagerfeld. President of Freed Development’s Peter Freed explains he’s never seen such a crowd for the launch of one of his buildings. “This one far exceeded anything we had done before,” he says of the massive, headline-grabbing party. But who could blame the city for their excitement? Lagerfeld is designing the 38 DOLCE MAGAZINE | www.dolcemag.com

“WE DIDN’T HAVE TO PUT THE AMENITIES INSIDE THE BUILDING IN A TIGHT SPACE. WE REALLY COULD EXPAND OUT ON THE ROOFTOP OF THE ENTIRE SITE TO CREATE SOMETHING REALLY UNIQUE IN THE CITY” — Todd Cowan, managing partner of CD Capital Developments

two lobbies for the Art Shoppe, the latest project to emerge from the partnership between Freed Developments and CD Capital Developments, marking the first time the silver-haired legend of fashion has ever set foot in Canada. “It was a real privilege just to meet him, let alone work with him,” Freed explains. “It made the project more fun, it made it more exciting and it just made it more memorable. And that will be translated into the project itself.” Freed is known for the multiple buildings he’s erected in the King West area; he’s even routinely referred to as the king of King West. But two years ago he partnered with Todd Cowan and Jordan Dermer of CD Capital and moved northeast to the Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue area for 155 Redpath Condos. On the success of that venture, they’re teaming up again summer 2015

PHOTOS BY JESSE MILNS

WRITTEN BY MICHAEL HILL

QUICK FACTS LOCATION 2131 Yonge St., Toronto DEVELOPER Freed Developments & CD Capital Developments ARCHITECT architectsAlliance INTERIOR DESIGNER Cecconi Simone

for the Art Shoppe project — a building they’re hoping will be part of the area’s continued evolution. “This is going to be a major transit anchor where people can get to here and get everywhere else in the city in very efficient public transit,” says Jordan Dermer, managing partner of CD Capital, of the developing Yonge and Eglinton area. Dermer believes that with the forthcoming east-west LRT Crosstown line connecting with the Yonge-University-Spadina subway line, the already bustling neighbourhood will become one of the key hubs of the city. “We just wanted to make an exceptional home for people to live in within this node,” Dermer adds. The building itself is divided into two sections, a 12-storey south tower and a 28-storey north tower. Both will stand

RESIDENTIAL LOBBY DESIGNER Karl Lagerfeld LANDSCAPE DESIGNER/ ARCHITECT Janet Rosenberg & Studio TENTATIVE OCCUPANCY 2019 CONSTRUCTION STATUS Pre-construction DEVELOPMENT SIZE 548,500 square feet Includes approx. 80,000 square feet retail on 2 levels Podium is 12 storeys — first two levels are retail, each approximately 20 feet high. Tower is 28 storeys LAYOUT/FLOOR PLAN AVAILABLE Bachelor, 1 and 2 bedroom, 2 bedroom + den PRICE RANGE AVAILABLE Starting from the $200s to $2M SALES CENTRE INFORMATION Closed to public 2131 Yonge St. Entrance on Hillsdale Avenue

The Art Shoppe is designed by Peter Clewes of architectsAlliance and, with its protruding squares and rectangles, gives the impression of a modern sculpture

on a six-storey base of which the first two floors will house 80,000 square feet of combined retail space. While they can’t reveal full details this early in the game, Dermer notes that a major Canadian grocer has already expressed their intent to occupy the entirety of the second floor’s 50,000 sq. ft. Freed, Dermer and Cowan are proponents of buildings that facilitate a “live, work and play” lifestyle. The site encompasses an entire city block, summer 2015

nearly two acres in size, affording the opportunity to deliver that way of life in a unique fashion. One of the building’s key features will be the shared rooftop area on the 12-storey south tower, which will include an infinity pool and hot tub, poolside cabana lounges and a BBQ and dining area. “Because we had such a large site we could really do something special,” says Cowan, managing partner of CD Capital. “We didn’t have to put the amenities inside the building in a tight space. We really could expand out on the rooftop of the entire site to create something really unique in the city.” Peter Clewes of architectsAlliance designed the structure, and with its various stacks of protruding squares and rectangles it gives the impression of a modernist sculpture. The idea was to create a building that is clean and contemporary, a theme that flows inside to the roughly 650 units, which start at $200,000 and work up to $2 million, thanks to the designs of Cecconi Simone. Floor plans range from one-bedroom studios to twobedroom-plus-den suites. Tower suites feature generous nine-foot ceilings, while loft-style units feature even higher ten-foot ceilings with stamped concrete walls that give that classic loft vibe. Each comes with various options and amenities, including built-in appliances, sunken kitchen sinks, high-grade materials and bathroom features specially designed for the project. Smokedglass sliding doors between the den/second bedroom on certain units are also smart additions that, when opened, help provide a roomier feel. Freed feels a sense of responsibility to elevate the site to its full potential while being sensitive to the community at large; they even purchased additional property to the east of the building to include a north-south park that will buffer the project from the family homes in the area. He hopes that residents are content with the life they find at the Art Shoppe, explaining, “When this building is finished and they walk out to the rooftop pool area or experience the gym or the courtyard or many of the other things that we designed, I just hope that they’re very happy, which is the whole point.” www.artshoppecondos.com www.dolcemag.com

DOLCE MAGAZINE 39

of the Casa

Queen

INTERVIEW BY AMANDA STOREY

Kelly Hoppen is an interior designer and the eponymous founder of her design studio in England. She is also a former “Dragon” on BBC Two’s Dragons’ Den

40 DOLCE MAGAZINE | www.dolcemag.com

inning an abundance of awards for her design finesse and starring as one of the entrepreneur judges on BBC Two’s Dragons’ Den, interior designer Kelly Hoppen has left her stylish mark across the creative spectrum. After decades of working her magic, the British firecracker launched Kelly Hoppen Interiors (KHI), a design firm with 40 creative minds in tune with her stellar vision. Dolce Magazine chats with the designer about her East-meets-West styling method, why she transplanted KHI from Notting Hill to the heart of West London, England, and why she’s particularly fond of the staircase at the firm’s dreamlike new studio space. DM: How does this new space reflect the style that is so unique to you and your firm? KH: I designed the whole space myself from top to bottom and it was a total refurbishment on the space, so it could not be any more Kelly! The colour scheme is my signature neutral palette and follows my design philosophy of fusing Eastern ideas of clean lines and simplicity with Western-style sumptuous textures and luxury finishes. DM: Do you agree that an interior designer’s studio is one of the most important spaces they’ll ever work on, since it’s their own space to showcase their talent and style? KH: Would you trust a dentist with bad teeth? Of course not! The same goes with a designer and their studio. The studio is a complete representation of my work, my style, my taste, everything! I am so proud of it, and I completely love it. DM: What interesting pieces in the new studio do you find inspiring? KH: Finishing the staircase was an incredibly exciting moment that always sticks in my mind. Once the stairs were in, I started to get really excited that it was all coming together. The studio was a building site before; there is a short video of me in my builder’s hat as the first person to walk up the stairs. I was completely overexcited by the whole thing. I also especially love the long meeting tables — they are beautiful and allow my whole team to sit, talk and create. DM: What must a space have in order to help promote creativity in the people who work inside it? KH: The studio had to spark creativity for the team and me but also be a relaxed, professional environment to work in. One of the most important elements for this, I think, was the lighting — it has to be perfect. Light can have such a huge impact on our moods, feelings and creativity. Having as much natural light as possible is preferable; however, too much glare can be as unproductive as working somewhere which is too dim. I think my design style is perfect for promoting creativity as well because of the Eastern influence, which is so calming and simple and creates a wonderful vibe for creating. DM: Would you say this new studio is a big step for you personally, and for Kelly Hoppen Interiors? How so? KH: Of course. I was sad to be leaving Notting Hill but I knew it was the right time to move on. The new studio can better accommodate my growing team and the ambitions I have for Kelly Hoppen Interiors. summer 2015

PHOTOS BY MEL YATES

Kelly Hoppenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new studio in West London follows her East-meets-West design philosophy that meticulously fuses clean lines and simplicity with sumptuous textures and luxury finishes

DM: Do you imagine the style of this new studio changing frequently, or will it stay mostly the same over time? KH: I try to make my designs timeless, especially in terms of colours. That definitely will not be changing. One element that might change is the accessories that I have on display from the Kelly Hoppen online store. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fun updating the space and keeping it fresh with my latest collections. DM: Kelly Hoppen Interiors is made up of a team of 40 designers. How would you compare working with other professionals to working solo? KH: My team is so fantastic and really helps ease the workload, which is crucial when you work on as many projects as I do simultaneously. Having a reliable, incredibly dedicated and experienced team is essential for my business and my clients know that even if I cannot be on the ground every day, there will always be a member of my team working around the clock and keeping everything on schedule. www.kellyhoppeninteriors.com

summer 2015

www.dolcemag.com

DOLCE MAGAZINE 41

NOUVEAUX

MONDES

Maison Christian Lacroix’s exotic fabric and wallcoverings collection for Designers Guild tickles the imagination with a refreshing twist on unspoiled nature

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TEXT BY SIMONA PANETTA PHOTOS BY RICHARD POWERS

hen one thinks of embellished, histrionic interiors that transform white spaces into magical settings, the house of Christian Lacroix instantly comes to mind. That’s because the couture label — born with an extravagant spirit and reared in fashion history and fantasy — continues to churn out topsy-turvy, hodgepodge patterns and experimental fabrics that have made the brand an international household name. Since 2010, Christian Lacroix’s creative director Sacha Walckhoff has launched various lines of awe-inspiring home accessories. His latest work of genius unfolds in the spring-summer 2015 “Nouveaux Mondes,” a fabric and wallcoverings collection for Designers Guild that carries the signature feel and vibe of the exuberant French brand that favours hot colours and opulence in all of its various fashion and lifestyle ventures. The new home collection bursts in a kaleidoscope of tropical flowers, feathers and foliage, ripened fruit, multicoloured insects and island motifs plucked from the lushness of a Caribbean paradise. Lacroix’s porcelain tableware “Caribe” collection finds a seat at the table with its herbarium baroque mystique. Think ferns, flowers and buzzing dragonflies that seem to land on porcelain wares adorned with gold and platinum outlines. A nod to the wild and wonderful, to the diverse and majestic, Nouveaux Mondes delves into an unexplored world that is just within reach of our imaginations. www.christianlacroix.com

summer 2015

Exotic and colourful, Christian Lacroixâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest fabric and wallcoverings collection, which includes the bold Pantigre rug, inspires an unblemished world where big cats roam

summer 2015

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DOLCE MAGAZINE 43

Christian Lacroix’s contemporary and haute couture designs are mixed and matched in the “Love Who You Want” porcelain gift collection, a fun and creative collaboration with porcelain manufacturer Vista Alegre

THE JOIE DE VIVRE OF CHRISTIAN LACROIX

The Christian Lacroix esthetic comes alive in its various home and lifestyle accents, which include eclectic ottomans and luxe stationery manufactured by Libretto

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The Caribe collection pitcher, coffee cup and saucer with gold and platinum outlines

The Butterfly Parade iPhone case by Christian Lacroix brings a little fantasy to everyday mobile accessories summer 2015

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CREATING A LASTING

BOND

Lifetime Developments releases the ﬁnal units of their highly touted project, The Bond Condominiums, with an aim of connecting residents to the community WRITTEN BY MICHAEL HILL

The Bond Condominiums’ gleaming facade is a modern jewel in Toronto’s skyline

rian Brown knows that in the modern era of condominium development it’s not enough for a developer to simply build a tower and walk away — not if you want it to be successful, that is. “For us, it’s not about just building the building and then moving on,” explains the vice-president of Lifetime Developments from its Toronto office. “It’s about building a building and knowing how it is going to change the neighbourhood in the years ahead, long after we have done our job.” So when the Lifetime team set out to create their latest development in the heart of the Entertainment District, they knew it would need to reflect the connection that the residents had with that transformed area. The Entertainment District is now an area with world-class dining, high-end retail and easy access to entertainment, including theatres, concert halls, clubs 46 DOLCE MAGAZINE | www.dolcemag.com

and venues such as TIFF Bell Lightbox, Ripley’s Aquarium and the Air Canada Centre. “What’s so great about the Entertainment District is that it’s so many different things to different people at different times,” Brown says. People no longer just work and play in this now coveted Toronto neighbourhood — they also call it home. A project would need to echo that connection. It would need to create a bond. The result of that vision is The Bond Condominiums, a gleaming crystal tower on Adelaide Street between John and Widmer streets, designed to give residents of all walks of life a deeper connection with the community they call home. With a variety of unit sizes, from smaller studios to three-bedroom suites, The Bond caters to the whole spectrum of lifestyles, from bachelors and bachelorettes to budding families with young children. When it first launched in 2011, strong

sales helped propel the project into early construction. Riding that wave of success, Lifetime has recently gone back to the city and gained approval for additional height. Two more storeys have now been added, bringing the total to 42. “What that allowed us to do was to introduce suites that had previously been sold out to the public,” Brown says. To usher in this final phase of development, Lifetime has introduced the Connected Campaign. This promotion will feature the new suites on the two additional floors, as well as the terrace suites on the seventh and eighth and the $4-million penthouse on the 42nd. While the new storeys will feature units that were sold at launch, Brown explains that the terrace units will feature unique access to large patio spaces, some well over 1,000 sq. ft., that are situated down a private hallway by the outdoor pool, along with a golf simulation room, billiards room and fitness facility on the spring 2015

“IT’S ABOUT BUILDING A BUILDING AND KNOWING HOW IT IS GOING TO CHANGE THE NEIGHBOURHOOD IN THE YEARS AHEAD, LONG AFTER WE HAVE DONE OUR JOB” — Brian Brown, vice-president of Lifetime Developments

and we are tremendously proud of what we have accomplished in its initial year,” says Brown. The Bond’s latest campaign, The Connected Collection, reinforces Lifetime’s dedication to the Entertainment District and celebrates other key individuals who have played an influential role in the district’s evolution. The campaign will include a series of short interviews with notable individuals to the area, including Charles Khabouth, Zark Fatah, Matt Barnes and Hanif Harji, in addition to the opinions of others who have made the district their home, place of work and venue for entertaining. “It’s about celebrating the Entertainment District and hearing from key individuals that have truly

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF GLADSTONE MEDIA - DOUG IZON

amenity floor. “So instead of having a four-foot balcony,” Brown explains of terrace units, “they now have space that they could walk out onto and entertain on in a much different way.” Lifetime turned to Core Architects to give The Bond its clean, modern, standout design. The Bond’s 42 storeys rise from a multi-floor podium that will house retail and office space. This moves the residential units higher, which, when combined with the building’s shape — long from a north-south perspective, and narrow from an east-west perspective — provides stunning views of the cityscape and the waterfront to every suite. When Sam Herzog and Mel Pearl founded Lifetime 30 years ago, they started with housing subdivisions. About a decade ago, however, they switched their focus toward the burgeoning condo development scene in Toronto. In the last eight years, they’ve created over 15

From left, Michael Pearl, vice-president construction, Lifetime Developments, and Brian Brown, vice-president, Lifetime Developments, in Toronto’s Entertainment District

While The Bond’s interior exudes a clean, contemporary design, it still has a very classic feel

projects and have sold over 6,000 suites. But with every project, they’ve always adhered to what Brown describes as a “holistic approach” to building development. This policy ensures that every one of their developments supports causes that are important to the neighbourhood in which they are built. On the Liberty Market Building project, for example, they subsidized rent for artists that were previously working in the building prior to Lifetime’s revitalization plan, allowing them to remain tenants even when rents increased. At Karma Condos, Lifetime and its partner CentreCourt Developments donated $5 for every person that preregistered for the project. summer 2015

The total amount raised was then donated to three different local charities including Wellspring, Sketch and the Ronald McDonald House Toronto. “We try to find different things that make sense for each project in each community,” Brown adds. In 2014, Lifetime launched its own foundation, Lifeline, that raises funds to support charitable organizations and initiatives focusing on Toronto’s homeless and most in need communities. In the last year alone the Foundation raised over $100,000 and provided support to organizations such as Covenant House, Second Harvest, Breakfast For Learning and Eva’s Initiative. “Lifeline was an important milestone for our organization

shown a connection to this world-class city,” Brown says. “We’re very excited about it, because it shows how diverse and exciting this community and district really is.” But while the Entertainment District continues to flourish, space is at a premium. The release of The Bond’s final units is one of the last opportunities for interested buyers to call this coveted area their home. Knowing long ago that this would be an area on the rise, Brown and the Lifetime team devoted their attention to detail and a distinguished design. “This is truly an exciting opportunity for people to live where their life is,” adds Brown. www.thebond.ca www.dolcemag.com

DOLCE MAGAZINE 47

DIOR PENTHOUSE

Christian

This French Riviera dream suite brings the glamorous Dior spirit alive WRITTEN BY DANIEL CALABRETTA PHOTOS BY ERIC CUVILLIER / COURTESY OF KIREI STUDIO

The Christian Dior Suite at the Hôtel Le Majestic Cannes in the French Riviera was designed by Nathalie Ryan, founder and head designer at Kirei Studio

n the early 1930s, Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw visited the opulent Hearst Castle in San Simeon, Calif. The former home of wealthy American businessman George Hearst, the 51-hectare estate contains a 165-room main building, three cottages and acres of gardens, pools, terraces and walkways. Upon his visit to Hearst Castle, Shaw described it as the place God would have built if he had the money. Shaw died in 1950, but if he were alive today and saw the elegant Christian Dior-designed suite at Hôtel Le Majestic Cannes in the French Riviera, he would have said something very similar. Located on the sixth floor of the west wing of the hotel, the Christian Dior Suite is the result of an amalgamation between the Lucien Barrière Hotels & Casinos and the prominent Parisian fashion house. The mammoth 4,845-square-foot

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suite contains two bedrooms and three bathrooms, a wardrobe, private lounge, extensive living room and dining room, and grants guests sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea from its terrace. Charcoal-moulded panels enclose the suite’s living room area, with a sumptuous grey sofa acting as the focal point of the room. The sofa contains historic Christian Dior pleated-design cushions in a shade of red the fashion designer invented himself back in 1947. An antique bronze coffee table with a gold-plated surface is positioned right in front of the couch with a large grey carpet underneath. Sitting on the couch and looking south toward the terrace, one can see the undulating waves of the sea. Stone and Hungarian wooden floors begin in the living room and lead to the dining area. A sizable Louis XVI-style table resides in the middle of the room.

Ten medallion chairs upholstered in grey and silver fabric surround the table. The three mural paintings hanging in the dining area are handmade by highly specialized craftsman. Furthermore, the bedrooms are decorated in various shades of grey and are comprised of Pullman armchairs and caned headboards. Similar to the majority of the features in the hotel room, the embroidered bedsheets, Dior wickerwork headboard, frosted glass bathroom doors and spacious silver wooden walk-in closet are all custom designed. This hotel suite was crafted in the image and style of the aforementioned Christian Dior. Known by many in the fashion industry as “the architect of design,” Dior was an expert at creating shapes and silhouettes. When he was young, Dior did in fact express interest in becoming an architect. However, summer 2015

he gave in to his father’s demands and enrolled at the École des Sciences Politiques to pursue a degree in political science. Despite this, Dior’s passion for architecture did not dwindle. He would transfer concepts of architecture to his work in fashion. “I wanted to be considered a good craftsman,” he once said. “I wanted my dresses to be constructed like buildings, moulded to the curves of the female form, stylizing its shape.” Dior’s dresses were originally designed for “bustier women.” He attempted to provide women with dresses that would allow them to move freely and comfortably. He also believed in using high-quality materials for his clothing. This approach was taken during the construction of the Dior Suite at Hôtel Le Majestic Cannes. The room runs parallel with Dior’s vision and ideology. With the eight rooms and silk and velvet décor throughout, the suite meets Dior’s criteria of elegance. The development of such a complex project requires a knowledgeable and qualified individual. Nathalie Ryan, an accredited interior designer of the Parisian fashion house and owner of Kirei Studio, an interior architecture agency, crafted the suite to emulate the style of 30 Avenue Montaigne in Paris, Dior’s original location in the historic fashion district. She has had experience contributing to the visual identity of fashion shops and houses. Ryan also has a keen sense of colour harmony and texture, atmosphere and emotion. Due to her level of expertise and experience working with Dior, Ryan was the obvious choice as her vision and thinking aligned with that of the Dior brand. www.lucienbarriere.com summer 2015

KNOWN BY MANY IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY AS THE ‘ARCHITECT OF DESIGN,’ DIOR WAS AN EXPERT AT CREATING SHAPES AND SILHOUETTES

Clockwise from top left: A red Lady Dior handbag with matching gloves; one of the three spacious bathrooms in the suite containing frosted glass doors; a Dior pleated cushion in a shade of red the designer created himself in 1947; Pullman armchair upholstered in grey and silver fabric; charcoal-moulded panel walls, an antique bronze coffe table and handmade mural paintings bring elegance to the Christian Dior Suite

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The 21st prime minister of Canada, Paul Martin, sits on the 19th floor of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel 50 DOLCE MAGAZINE | www.dolcemag.com

summer 2015

Paul Martin

The Charge of summer 2015

SINCE RETIRING FROM POLITICS, PAUL MARTIN HAS MADE IT HIS MISSION TO IMPROVE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES ACROSS CANADA. WE CONNECT WITH THE FORMER PRIME MINISTER TO DISCUSS BETTERING EDUCATION FOR ABORIGINAL STUDENTS WRITTEN BY MICHAEL HILL / PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSE MILNS

he first time Paul Martin began to grasp the problems faced by aboriginal Canadians, he was working as a deckhand on a tugboat on the Mackenzie River. The academic year had just ended and an 18-year-old Martin had travelled west from his native Windsor in search of a summer job. He’d found work in the oil fields of Alberta, but the North held a special place in his heart, especially after he spent the prior summer helping to build an RCAF radar station on the outskirts of Winisk, Ont., near the shores of Hudson’s Bay. He decided to hitchhike further north, up to Hay River in the Northwest Territories. Jobs were plentiful in those days and he had no problem landing a gig on a tug. Much of the crew consisted of Dene or other First Nations tribes, as well as Métis and Inuit. They were hard-working young men, “smart as anything,” Martin recalls. After the long days guiding barges up and down the rushing, icy waters of the Mackenzie, they’d park their tugs along the shores and sit and talk under the night sun. Conversations weren’t always as deep as the water they sailed, but from time to time the tone would shift. They’d discuss where they came from and their prospects in life. But most, Martin found, were pessimistic about the future. “These were really bright people,” Martin recalls. “But they had lost a lot of hope. And it was all the consequence of the residential schools.” The Indian residential schools were established by the Canadian government in the 1870s with the intention of removing aboriginal children from the influence of their families and communities to assimilate them into the broader Canadian culture. The hardships these children endured were heartwrenching. A 2014 report by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission revealed that many of these students received inadequate food and shelter, others suffered sexual abuse, others died from illness or malnourishment, in failed escape attempts, in fires after windows were locked to stop children from fleeing, or from physical abuse. But all suffered the mental strain of being separated from all they knew and loved. Over 130 residential schools operated in Canada over a period of roughly 120 years, until the final one was closed in 1996. About www.dolcemag.com

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PHOTO BY DAVE CHAN

The Kelowna Accord represented the first time in the history of Canada that the prime minister, all the premiers and the leaders of indigenous communities sat down together to devise a plan to help improve and fund education, living conditions and employment opportunities for the indigenous communities

150,000 children were subjected to this cultural assassination attempt. More than 4,000 perished. Martin, like most Canadians in the mid-1950s (or even today, for that matter), knew little of the residential schools. The stories that his shipmates shared, of the schools and being forcibly removed from their families, were unsettling, and Martin never forgot them. “Stayed with me all my life,” he says. “Still today, it really is the reason I’m so active in this whole question of aboriginal education.” It’s a clear April morning in downtown Toronto as Canada’s 21st prime minister steps off the elevator and onto the sophisticated, Downton Abbey-esque 19th floor of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. Wearing a cobalt blue suit and a commanding crimson power tie, Martin introduces himself with a hearty “Hello!” and a diplomatic handshake, one that’s not too firm but not too soft, allowing you to set the tone pressure- wise. His thin, snow-white hair is neatly combed and his soft grey eyes cast the acute gaze of a worldly traveller. He’s in town to receive the Canadian Club of Toronto’s 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award, an honour that’s not just recognizing his political achievements, but for his work in Africa, for helping establish the G20 and for his staunch dedication to aboriginal communities. “He is the quintessential world leader and advocate,” says Canadian Club of Toronto president Jennifer Sloan, as she introduces him to the crowd of 450 that has gathered under the sparkling chandeliers of the Fairmont Royal York’s Concert Hall. He’s a man, she continues, who “dedicated his illustrious career to advancing causes that have long-lasting, positive impacts on millions of lives.” Over the periodic thunderous applause, Sloan recounts Martin’s days as finance minister, where he not only erased Canada’s deficit but also recorded five consecutive years of budget surpluses, and his appointment as inaugural chair of the finance ministers’ G20. As prime minister, he spearheaded a 10-year health-care plan, established the country’s first early learning and child-care program, and signed the Kelowna Accord, a historic agreement that aimed to rectify funding shortfalls in health, education and housing for Canada’s various indigenous communities. Today, he’s the chairman of the Congo Basin Forest Fund, he serves on the council of the Coalition for Dialogue on Africa and he’s a commissioner for the Global Ocean Commission. He’s also staunchly dedicated to the Martin Aboriginal Initiative, the organization he established to improve education in elementary and secondary schools in aboriginal communities as well as to support aboriginal businesses. 52 DOLCE MAGAZINE | www.dolcemag.com

A gentleman at my table leans over and jokingly asks if I have any paper left after that lengthy intro. Indeed, despite those past accomplishments, despite stepping away from politics seven years ago and despite his not-so-young age of 76, Martin seems to be as busy as ever. “I just decided,” Martin says of his post-politics endeavours, “that if I’m going to devote my life to one thing I’m going to devote my life as much as I can to Africa, I’m going to devote as much as I can to G20, but the prime focus of my life is going to be essentially aboriginal education.” The biggest challenge the country faces on the matter of aboriginal education, he explains, is funding. Or more accurately: a lack of funding. It was a matter he tried to reconcile with the signing of the Kelowna Accord in 2005. The Kelowna Accord was the first time in the history of Canada that the prime minister sat down with the premiers of every province and territory, as well as the various leaders of aboriginal groups, to figure out how to improve and fund education, living conditions and employment opportunities for the indigenous communities. Goals were set to boost high school graduation rates and bring them on par with the national average; to reduce healthcare issues, including infant mortality rates and youth suicide; and to increase the number of health-care professionals that worked in aboriginal communities. It would have pumped over $5 billion over five years into improving aboriginal communities. It was one of Martin’s proudest moments as prime minister. “If you think about it: for the first time in the history of the country, the indigenous leaders in the country, all of the premiers, all the territorial leaders and the prime minister and his cabinet at the same table, a table at which we had agreed that we were going to change this deteriorating situation that the First Nations found themselves in, that the Métis found themselves in, the Inuit found themselves in,” he says. “It was an incredibly emotional moment.” Unfortunately for Martin, and the aboriginal communities, when Stephen Harper and the minority Conservative government took power in 2006 they did not move forward with the accord. They instead offered $450 million in funding over two years as opposed to Martin’s $5 billion over five years. Consequently, Martin says, there remains a massive gap in funding for on-reserve education, anywhere from 30 to 40 per cent, giving the youngest and fastest-growing segment of the country’s population the short end of the educational stick. Without proper funding, they won’t have access to quality teachers, supplies, programs and the like that the rest of Canada’s publicly funded schools are afforded. “In a country as rich as Canada and we’re not properly educating indigenous Canadians so they can succeed? It’s immoral,” Martin says with ardent fervour. “I don’t think there’s a Canadian in the country who, if they knew that the degree to which primary and secondary school education was under funded by the federal government on the one hand and that the under funding was affecting the youngest and the fastest growing segment of our population on the other, I don’t think there’s a Canadian that would turn their back on that issue.” Martin feels education is the lynchpin to many of the issues Canada faces. He takes a brief detour back to the mid-1700s. Until that point, economies showed very little progress. But after the 1750s, when the Industrial Revolution took hold and mass public education was implemented, economies were driven to new, previously unfathomed heights. When summer 2015

PHOTO BY MIKE HAGARTY

more people were educated society launched to a level never their surroundings, where as we’re thinking it’s something before imagined. we can master. And we can’t.” He believes there is something “So,” Martin explains, “when you ask me, ‘Well there are a lot significant in this perspective, “and I think that it’s important of things that we should be considering,’ my view is the single for us to listen to it.” most important thing to a better climate to a better economy You sound immensely passionate about this topic. But what do you to better social programs to everything else is fundamentally hope your legacy is? Will it be programs like this? mass education.” “To be quite honest, I don’t think when you’re six feet under This funding gap was a major motivator for him to set up the legacy counts.” Martin Aboriginal Initiative. The Do you ever still get that political MAI is divided into two divisions, itch, though? To maybe get back in the the Martin Aboriginal Education political ring and make that difference? Initiative, which focuses on “Not at all. If you asked me, creating education opportunities do I miss politics? Not a dip. Do I for indigenous students, and the miss government? Yes, because in Capital for Aboriginal Prosperity government you can make things and Entrepreneurship Fund, which happen in five minutes that it takes mentors and develops the business you five months to do outside of proficiency of aboriginal businesses. government. So I miss government. One of the MAI’s big programs is But I don’t miss politics at all.” the Wiiji Kakendaasodaa (translated He explains that, in his early life, to “Let’s All Learn”) model school politics was never something he Canadian Club of Toronto president Jennifer Sloan, Martin project. Let’s All Learn is based on considered. He was 48 when he first with his 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award and Canadian the Turnaround Schools program ran and won the seat for LaSalleClub of Toronto vice-president Fred Mifflin that was implemented in Ontario Émard, the western Montreal when Kathleen Wynne was riding he held from 1988 to his minister of education. Martin and retirement in 2008. Politics was his the MAI worked with a number father’s game, and like many sons of educators, many of whom who want to make their own mark participated in Turnaround, to on the world, he never thought adopt and tailor the program to he’d walk the same path that Paul fit aboriginal students. In 2009, the Martin Sr. had. “I think my father five-year model school project was was one of the great Canadians and implemented in two First Nations that was his,” Martin explains of his schools — one at Kettle and Stony dad’s political service. The elder Point, the other at Walpole Island. Martin was a strong believer in The results, Martin explains, the power of government to make — Paul Martin were astounding. a real, positive impact on the lives Before Let’s All Learn, the of others, and that seems to have vast majority of students in those schools did not meet the slowly swayed his son toward the political realm. “His whole provincial standards for reading and writing. In Grade 3, for view of the international role of Canada and his role in terms of example, in the 2009-10 academic year, only 33 per cent of Canada’s social programs were huge influences on me,” Martin students met or exceeded provincial standards of writing and adds. “But maybe unconsciously I just decided I would go into only 13 per cent did the same for reading. Five years later, politics. I don’t know. But that was what I grew up with, aside once the program concluded in 2014, that all changed. When from business.” Let’s All Learn concluded, 67 per cent of aboriginal students in His life in politics was equally as consuming as his two the program met or exceeded provincial standards for reading decades in business, which included being appointed president (only three per cent below the provincial average of 70) and and CEO of Canada Steamship Lines, a Canadian shipping 91 per cent did the same for writing — 13 per cent higher than company he would eventually purchase. He credits his wife, the provincial average. Sheila, who he’s celebrating 50 years of marriage with this “What that demonstrates,” says Martin, “is if you bring in year, as the one who made their family so successful. the right programs you can turn this around. And you can turn You’ve led a full, and rather busy, life. But you still keep a full it around because you bring the programs, but also because the workload today. Are there ever any plans of slowing down? First Nations want this change. They want better education.” “I’m going to tell you something. You’re going to find when But Martin’s work with indigenous peoples hasn’t been a you get to be my age you won’t slow down either.” one-way street. It’s shifted his view on life. He explains that You think? the worldview of aboriginals is much different than most of “You’ll go nuts if you do. You do what you want to do, and the Western world, and yet its immensely powerful. Many in you won’t slow down.” the Western world view that everything can be categorized And besides, it’s hard to lose that drive when you’ve and compartmentalized, and that there is essentially a seen what Martin’s seen, both the bad and the good. The hierarchy to the world where we’re on top and nature is there memories of those friends he met on that tugboat in the to serve us. Aboriginals on the other hand, “believe we are Northwest Territories will never diminish. They just seem to all a part of nature,” Martin says. “When they say we must keep pushing him forward, like the clear, rushing waters of preserve the environment, they’re talking about preserving the Mackenzie.

“To be quite honest, I don’t think when you’re six feet under legacy counts”

summer 2015

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You’ll be among the stars at Mouton Cadet Wine Bar — this year marks the fifth straight year that the venue will host the Cannes Film Festival. Mouton Cadet has even released a new line promoting the star-studded affair. www.moutoncadet.com

OBJECTS of DESIRE 2

Gentlemen, the days of restraint are over. Flip the peacock switch and let your true colours run wild this season with the brilliant, high-quality wears from Per Lui. www.perlui.ca

Nude lips paired with soft smoky eyes has Toronto makeup artist Jackie Gideon excited for summer. This shade by Burberry Kisses will give off a natural yet glamorous look. Read our story with Jackie Gideon at dolcemag.com / www.burberry.com

The shimmering neutral of this understated and elegant bodyhugging sheath from Monique Lhuillier’s fall 2015 collection exemplifies why a subtle tone can speak volumes. www.moniquelhuillier.com

Your temptation to hang this beautiful chandelier by British designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard in your home is too hard to resist. www.martynlawrencebullard.com

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Set your sights on David Chow’s delicious, decadent and mouthwatering chocolates and pastries that are sweetening up the heart of Toronto. www.davidhchow.com

Summer 2015

TEXT BY ALESSANDRA MICIELI

FULL STORY ONLINE DOLCEMAG.COM

Showcased at this year’s M&O Miami mi and ICFF in New York, DelightFULL’s L’s new Essentials Collection gets vintage with retro-inspired furniture, lighting and d even bicycles, such as this Virgin Cruiser. er. www.delightfull.eu/en

Apple’s much-hyped watch has landed and it’s shifted our collective focus back to the wrist. With a heart rate e sensor, comfortable sport band and 18 hours of battery life, the Sport version iss ideal for tech-minded fitness freaks. store.apple.com/ca

The Dee Ocleppo spring-summer handbag collection bursts with colours and motifs inspired by paradise. adise. The Roma bag in yellow is no exception. eption. Read our Q&A with designer Dee Hilfiger at dolcemag.com / www.deeocleppo.com

Every woman deserves to feel good in her own skin — and d hair. Kérastase Paris has launched its Visions of Style campaign featuring top models odels Cameron Russell and Hye-rim Park. rk. www.kerastase.com

Even footwear deserves the e Midas touch. These perforated, doubleoublestrap, leather high-tops from Giuseppe eppe Zanotti are the on-trend conversation tion starters that will set off your urban-chic n-chic ensembles. www.saksfifthavenue.com

Chile’s Concha y Toro has been ranked the No. 1 most admired mired wine brand in the world. The Don Melchor line is a wonderfully crafted group of curated red wines by Concha y Toro. www.conchaytoro.com

Edgy, modern style melds with French heritage cuisine at Michellin-starred chef Daniel Boulud’s Café Boulud at the Four Seasons Toronto. The signature potato-wrapped sea bass over leeks is a must. www.cafeboulud.com/toronto

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Joseph Abboud’s sophisticated collections for the everyday gentleman are fashion-forward and anything but ordinary. www.josephabboud.com

Summer 2015

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Summer 2015

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NO MATTER HOW GREAT THE DREAM IS, THE BEE IS A SYMBOL THAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING WE PUT OUR MINDS TO

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SLIP INTO A CAREFREE REALM WHERE YOU’RE THE CENTREPIECE OF A BED OF ROSES

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STIR THE IMAGINATION IN A FROTHY GOWN FIT FOR ROYALS

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Summer 2015

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DON’T LET CONFIDENCE BE IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER Summer 2015

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Summer 2015

OLD SOUL

Months after she and husband Ryan Reynolds welcomed their daughter, James, into the world, 27-year-old beauty Blake Lively speaks about motherhood, fashion and her new ﬁlm, The Age of Adaline WRITTEN BY RICHARD ALDHOUS PHOTOGRAPHY: DOLCE MEDIA GROUP

Q: Your new movie takes audiences on a very epic kind of personal journey. How deeply did this story aﬀect you? LIVELY: I was swept away by its poetry and romance. The story says so much about love and the love of life itself. What I especially enjoyed about the making of the film was falling into my character’s beautiful journey. I thought it was such a moving and dramatic film. I loved everything about it. Q: How do you prepare for a role where your character is immortal? LIVELY: That was the key question for me. Normally when I get ready to play a character I try to prepare by speaking to people who have had similar experiences. But obviously in this case there weren’t any eternally young people I could speak to so I went to speak to people, mainly women in their 80s, who had lived so much history and asked how they remembered their youth. It was so interesting to be able to have their perspectives. Q: What was it about Adaline that was most interesting to you? LIVELY: It was probably how she tries to adapt to each new decade in her life but always feels that she belongs in a different era. She lives like a recluse to protect her identity, she keeps moving to a new city every 10 years, and she never allows anyone to get too close to her. What was also fascinating for me was to explore the relationship with Summer 2015

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her daughter, Flemming, who is the only one who has been able to share her journey over the ages, and we see her as a very old woman while her mother is still 29. It’s an incredible situation but it’s because she is able to lose the one person — her daughter — who has been the only constant thing and love in her life that she allows herself to fall in love with Ellis. Q: Is Ellis the man she always needed or was destined to meet? LIVELY: I don’t know if it was destiny but he was certainly the kind of man that if fate were involved he would be the one. She’s overwhelmed by his energy and enthusiasm. Adaline has been living such a closed, quiet life and suddenly she meets this man who breaks down her defences and renews her interest in life. Her daughter helps her understand how important it is to find love and experience that because your life can seem very empty and meaningless without it. Q: What was the best thing about working with Dutch actor Michiel Huisman? LIVELY: We didn’t find Ellis [Huisman’s character] until two weeks before we started shooting because this is a love story. And not only is it a love story, but this is a woman who hasn’t been in a relationship since the ’60s. So the man that comes along has to be a formidable man. He has to be contemporary and full of life and full of energy to make her want to be young again, and make her want to feel alive. He has to be present enough to make her want to be present. But he also has to have gravity to him, and an elegance, and a timelessness that is meaningful. And you see that in the fact that they’re making jokes about Sonny Liston or talking about Josephine Baker. He’s a part of the historical preservation society, or saving books, and he knows all the books that she’s reading. That means a lot to this woman in the day and age of Tinder. Q: Working with Harrison Ford must also have been a treat. LIVELY: He brings so much confidence and preparation to his work. You have the feeling that he truly understands every element of acting and storytelling. You’re expecting this icon who is unreachable in some way but then when you meet him he gets down to the basics and gets very involved in the work. He’s such a supportive and engaging presence 72 DOLCE MAGAZINE | www.dolcemag.com

New mom, celebrity homemaker and Preserve website founder Blake Lively plays the title character in the romantic drama The Age of Adaline

on the set and I’m so proud to have had this chance to work with him. Q: You’re noted for your deep interest in fashion and vintage clothes. It must have been exciting to get to play a character like Adaline whose fashion tastes have necessarily evolved over so many decades? LIVELY: (Laughs). I was thinking about the clothes Adaline would wear even before I got the part in the film. We see her in modern times in San Francisco but she still dresses more conservatively than other young women. That’s where you see the little old lady side to her that influences her tastes. (Laughs). I work with Gucci and they were so great in how they wanted to be part of the film and they provided some incredibly beautiful designs from the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s. I especially loved the custom golden gown that Adaline wears for the New Year’s Eve ball. Q: How much input did you have in the costuming for the ﬁlm? LIVELY: Michiel was saying that they

couldn’t find duct tape strong enough to keep my influence out of the film. But I was really excited about it, first of all, from just a purely superficial standpoint. I mean, oh my gosh, I can’t believe I get to wear costumes from the early 1900s until now. Then there’s the history in the costumes. What they say about women’s role in society at each different time was really significant, and helped me as an actor. When I came into it, she was dressed very contemporary in modern times. She looked like Serena van der Woodsen in skinny jeans and a trench coat and tall boots. And I thought, “This woman is an old lady, she would not dress like that.” And they said, “Yeah, but why does she dress exactly like each time, in each decade? And then now suddenly she’s not completely contemporary?” And I said, “Yes. So, now let’s weave in. So, even in the ’40s, we weaved in one little piece from the ’20s. So, there’s always a carryover. If you watch the film you’ll see little pieces show up, little Easter eggs throughout the whole film. Q: Do you have a favourite fashion era of your own or the period of clothes that Adaline gets to wear in the ﬁlm? LIVELY: My favourite clothes of hers are those from the ’40s. That’s the fashion era that feels closest to my heart. There was an elegance and style to that period in history that seems unattainable today. There was also a simplicity to the looks of that era that reminds me of the phrase — I don’t know who said it — “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Q: Let’s look at the ﬁlm’s whole subject of what it would be like to age when you still look young. LIVELY: When I read the script, that was the thing that was always the most poignant to me, because I thought, I can’t imagine sitting there watching my child at an old age, being forgetful, and knowing she’s only got a few years left. As a parent, all you want to do is protect that. Your whole purpose of living is keeping that thing alive, and here you can do nothing. You’re granted eternal life, and she’s not. So I imagine that would be really tough. That was the thing that, even in reading the script, hit me the most. And, you know, I didn’t have [my baby] in my arms yet, but I had her in my tummy then. And so it was significant for me shooting this film and thinking of the mother-daughter relationship. Summer 2015

Q: And age? I know you’re not frightened of getting old. I mean, you’re looking — LIVELY: Well, I say that now, but ask me in 10 years when I get my crow’s feet, or two years, or something. I’ll say, “Oh, my gosh.” It’s easy to ask me about that now, and I can say with confidence, “I love getting older.” But I’ve learned that until you experience something, it’s really hard to get on your soapbox and talk about it. Q: Is Adaline’s immortality a curse in a way? LIVELY: Yes. That’s such an important statement and aspect to the story. She has this gift, or curse, about remaining young and beautiful but she’s a recluse, she feels trapped in life. Our society is very much caught up in wanting to look as young as possible but if you look at Adaline’s life you see that the real beauty in her world is her daughter and how we should understand that our time on Earth is limited because we need to make room for new generations. It’s a very poignant thing to consider. Q: Can you talk about work and how your priorities have shifted with the arrival of your daughter? Is career not where it used to be anymore? LIVELY: My priorities are always the same. My personal life has always been my priority. When I was on Gossip Girl, it was completely consuming. I didn’t have much room for a personal life, but I did everything I could to carve it out. And that didn’t feel good, that I had to work so much at a job where you’re outputting so much. We had 27 episodes in one season. We were shooting 10 months a year, 16- to 18-hour days. Q: You just can’t possibly be good at that anymore. LIVELY: At a certain point it becomes muscle memory. They’re handing you lines before they’re about to roll, and you have five minutes and you’re learning things. So it was really important to me to not just jump into the next thing because I could because I was on a successful TV show and I could get a movie. There wasn’t a movie that I really wanted to be in, or that I really wanted to see, or that I felt like I could pull off and do well at. So, taking that break was really important to me, and that’s why I started my company because I wanted to be creatively fulfilled, and I wanted to do something where I could work without Summer 2015

compromising my craft of acting. When I read Adaline, I actually wasn’t ready to go back to work. I wanted to take a bigger break. It had only been like seven months at that point, and I thought, I cannot not be in this movie. And that’s the reason that I did this. I didn’t mean to take a break after Adaline. I just was pregnant. Q: What’s it like being a mother? LIVELY: It’s the most fulfilling and beautiful experience I could ever have imagined. It’s beyond anything I expected and every day is filled with

“I WAS BROUGHT UP TO BE MYSELF AND NOT CATER TO ANY PARTICULAR TREND OR FAD. I WANT TO LIVE AS HONESTLY AND AUTHENTICALLY AS POSSIBLE AND NOT CREATE A FALSE IMAGE OF WHO I AM”

such happiness for me right now. Being a mother is just the most rewarding and exhausting and amazing experience. Q: Do you think we’re at a brilliant place now in terms of women and where we are in society? LIVELY: Look what happened today with Hillary Clinton (announcing her U.S. presidential candidacy). It’s something to be very proud of. The fact that we have to be proud of this advancement is what’s a bit upsetting. I don’t know if you have read the book Half the Sky [by Sheryl WuDunn and Nicholas Kristof ], but if you haven’t, you should because it will change your life. They talk about how more women have died in the past 50 years just for being women than men in all the World Wars. So, it’s

really startling what a woman’s role in society still is, and [the authors] speak about how that will be the plight of this century. But there is progression, and that’s uplifting. Q: How do you see your own fashion sense or way of presenting yourself? LIVELY: I like to be spontaneous and not overly fussy when it comes to dressing up for the red carpet or special events. I was brought up to be myself and not cater to any particular trend or fad. I want to live as honestly and authentically as possible and not create a false image of who I am. That’s why I get annoyed sometimes when I read stories that try to identify me with the character I played on Gossip Girl. I was never anything like Serena even though I loved being able to wear so many beautiful clothes and that character was what gave me the chance to have a good career. Q: Do you think your website Preserve gives the public a better understanding of who you are? LIVELY: I think so. I always thought that the photos of me in magazines or from when I’m appearing on the red carpet only show one side of my life. The site is my way of letting people see who I really am and what’s really important to me in my life, which is my family. It also enables me to discuss my real fashion tastes and other interests that I have. I like the way [Preserve] helps me connect to the public. Q: Your husband, Ryan Reynolds, is famous for starring in Green Lantern (in which you played opposite him) and now he’s playing another superhero in Deadpool. Have you ever been oﬀered a superhero role yourself? LIVELY: No, but I’ve had lots of offers to play in big action movies that really didn’t interest me. I love dramas and comedies and romantic stories, I’ve never wanted to play some kind of kickass Amazon type. (Laughs). But Ryan had done a great job on Deadpool, I’ll leave those kinds of roles to him. Q: What are some dream roles you would like to play in the future? LIVELY: I’d love to do some great comedies. It’s important to be able to laugh and let go sometimes. A comedy can also make you smile and be happy and positive in ways that other kinds of films can’t. That’s what I would like to do. www.dolcemag.com

DOLCE MAGAZINE 73

THE WILL TO

SUCCEED

The new president of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada on a rootless youth, designing for people and lighting a candle in the dark WRITTEN BY MICHAEL HILL

PHOTO BY JOHN PACKMAN

hen architect Len Rodrigues heard that his colleague Samuel Oboh was elected the 76th president of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, he could only think one thing: “Well, of course.” Not only was Oboh a key figure in launching the country’s first local chapter of the RAIC, but he also demonstrated a rare drive and capability bolstered by people-first values. Who else could it be? Rodrigues had been the registrar of the Alberta Association of Architects, where he was overseeing the registration process for aspiring architects in the province, when Oboh moved to Alberta from Botswana in late 2003. In order to practise architecture in North America, you must first intern with a firm to gain experience and pass nine exams issued by the National Council of Architectural Registration Board, which regulates the practice of architecture in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The NCARBs, however, are notoriously challenging. Rodrigues explains that because of the sheer difficulty of the exams, compounded with the workload of interning, it wasn’t uncommon for the whole process to take five years, or more, to complete. Then along came Oboh. “He got through them in one year,” Rodrigues explains. “I have never seen that happen. He was focused with laser intensity. It was absolutely stunning.” Speed and dedication have never been things Oboh lacked. After graduating high school at the head of his class, he was accepted to Bendel State University at the remarkably young age of 16. When he graduated in 1992, he had the highest grades of all architectural students in the graduating class. He would finish his master’s degree in architecture at the Ahmadu Bello University, the second-largest university in Africa, and land a job with the prestigious design and construction firm F&A Services. There, in his mid-20s, he would be part of the team responsible for the high-profile refurbishing of the Federal Palace Hotel, the famous site of the signing of Nigeria’s Declaration of Independence. “I always tell people: if the will is there to succeed there will

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Summer 2015

always be a way of making it happen,” says Oboh. “I totally Jean Chrétien refused to commit troops to the U.S.’s war in Iraq. believe that if you have the desire for something and you give it Oboh and his wife applied for citizenship in 2000 and Oboh that commitment and dedication, and then you add a little bit even joined the RAIC as an international associate in 2001. of discipline to it, you can achieve it.” When the Canadian government contacted them for their The Terminal Link train glides silently by the window of interview late in 2003, Oboh, deeply entrenched as the resident the boardroom at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel where Oboh architect of the Maun General Hospital, had forgotten they sits. He sports a pair of rimless glasses, a jet-black suit and a even applied. He was also quite happy with the course of his fresh contrast placket dress shirt. He’s bright and lively and career. But his wife convinced him it was a great opportunity, looks nothing like a man who spent the past 24 hours city one they shouldn’t pass up. hopping — from Edmonton to Calgary to Regina to Winnipeg In Canada, Oboh quickly began to leave his mark. Along with and finally to Toronto — on business. “I try to lump things Rodrigues and Vivian Manasc, he helped launch the first RAIC together and create some efficiencies,” he says of his hectic local chapter in Canada in 2006, serving as its president from travel arrangements. “I’m always 2007 to 2008. Design-wise, he hoping my flight isn’t going to be put his talents to use on projects delayed,” he adds with a hearty such as the Sturgeon Community chuckle. Smiles and laughs are in Hospital in St. Albert, Alta., no short supply with Oboh. the Villa Caritas building Later this afternoon, Oboh, in Edmonton, the Alberta the current regional manager Legislature redevelopment of the Architecture and and the Red Deer Civic Yards. Engineering Centre of Expertise Oboh’s design for the Civic Yards for the Western Region of incorporates copper into parts of Public Works and Government the facade as well as a playful Services Canada, is heading back curved roof to make the facility to Edmonton, where he lives A concept for a museum in Edmonton’s river valley. Oboh feels the area more inviting. He feels that just is underutilized and that a development such as this can “activate” and with his wife and three children. “animate” the area because the work is industrial in The 11 years he’s lived in the nature doesn’t mean buildings Albertan capital is the longest period he’s ever spent in one need to be cold and repressive like a traditional factory. “You place. His life, as it were, is as winding and as varied as this want to give [employees] an environment that they’re actually recent trip to Toronto. very proud of to work at,” he says. Oboh was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1971, the third of six As he explains the importance of understanding a structure’s children. His father was a mechanical engineering technician purpose — What’s it for? Who will use it? Will the design actually serve the client and the community? — he pulls out for a Swiss company and that work took the family all over the his laptop and clicks through images of his various projects, country. Between his father’s job and his eventual university outlining why certain features were implemented and what career, Oboh lived in six cities before he was 20. By age 27, that he was hoping to achieve with them. He lands on a concept number had jumped to 10. drawing he submitted as part of the Alberta Legislature But unlike many who might struggle with so much redevelopment. The building, which Oboh dubbed the Royal movement, Oboh never saw it as a negative. “We didn’t think Alberta Museum of History, is his vision for Edmonton’s river about it,” he says. “That’s life.” For Oboh, things are only valley area, a 7,400-hectare urban parkland that Oboh feels is difficult when you’re told they’re difficult, when you start underutilized. “The whole idea is to actually have something believing it to be so. But if you stop and look around, you see that fits into its environment, and also animate and activate plenty of examples of why you’re living a good life. Waking the river valley,” he explains. The sharp angles and interesting up at 4 a.m. for the several-kilometre walk to fetch water for lines give the impression of a large rock formation jutting from his mother’s cafeteria-style restaurant, for example, wasn’t the sloping hills. It’s modern, unique and quite beautiful. most enjoyable thing in the world. But it instilled the value of The project, unfortunately, never made it to construction. dedication and hard work. His father also took up farming as But such setbacks don’t faze Oboh. As a man concerned with a hobby, and when reflecting on the time to harvest, Oboh inclusiveness and fairness, one of his main initiatives as the doesn’t think about working the fields. He thinks about the president of the RAIC is encouraging architects to help solve sweet and smoky taste of the fresh guinea corn roasted over a issues faced by aboriginal peoples, especially with regards to fire, of sitting with family and friends against the backdrop of a improving building conditions. “We’re not saying we know it peach sunset over distant green mountains. “Some people,” he all,” Oboh quickly explains. “We just hope that what we have says, “don’t have that kind of life.” to offer is going to help improve the life of one person at a time, Oboh’s career in Africa would see him work on a number one community at a time.” of prestigious projects, including the Botswana Police College; He uses the example of lighting a candle instead of cursing the International Law Enforcement Academy, which was the darkness. Darkness is a bad thing — we know that. But commissioned after a bilateral agreement between the Botswana bemoaning it doesn’t improve the situation. If you light a and American governments; and the Maun General Hospital, a candle, though, you create an opportunity to pass that flame $150-million facility in the Okavango Delta, an area so lush and to others. Light enough candles and you can see through the vibrant with wildlife Oboh feels it’s “a true paradise.” darkness. “I think that’s what you want to do,” says Oboh, “just With so much success in Africa, why move to Canada? “I light one candle at a time.” It will require vision, dedication always blame it on my wife,” he laughs. His wife, Aisha, had and a bit of discipline. But those are qualities Oboh knows all worked in New York during the ’90s and developed a liking for too well. Canadian values. That respect deepened when Prime Minister Summer 2015

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DOLCE MAGAZINE 75

UNTIL THE LAST

CHILD In an exclusive interview, Toronto businesswoman Faith Goodman vows to ďŹ nd permanent, loving homes for 30,000 Canadian kids by working alongside child welfare agencies WRITTEN BY SIMONA PANETTA PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN PACKMAN

Faith Goodman at her home in Toronto 76 DOLCE MAGAZINE | www.dolcemag.com

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aith Goodman sits across from me in the living room of her York Mills family home, her honeyblond hair framing big brown and open eyes, her lips pursed together in a pensive smile. The Toronto businesswoman is classic and composed, her pearl necklace and smart orange silk dress coat layering an ivory blouse with gold buttons. But beneath the surface of an impeccable wardrobe and pedigree is a mother whose energy and determination for social reform are so fierce they are among the first things one notices about her. “She’s a dynamo,” says Glen Hodgson, senior vice-president and chief economist at the Conference Board of Canada. “When I first met her in Toronto and we started a conversation I quickly realized she was someone who had huge passion for business but also a passion for kids who are marginalized in our society.” Sitting at the edge of her gingham couch, radiating warmth and compassion, Goodman tells the story of an issue that has compelled her to aim high and join forces with individuals who share her concerns on the complex social issue of child welfare. Fifteen years ago, Goodman took her first steps in philanthropy when she was asked to be a fundraising volunteer for a child welfare group in Toronto. At the time, she was employed as a vice-president of an energy firm, a position that demanded strong leadership and long hours. Having been raised in a loving, nurturing home — a support system she credits with who she is today — Goodman jumped at the opportunity to lend her business expertise. But it was only a matter of time before her deep corporate roots began to question why society looked at philanthropy and challenging social issues such as child welfare differently than how objectives are met in business. “What I really became aware of was that there’s a need to

Glen Hodgson, senior vice-president and chief economist at the Conference Board of Canada

the Last Child in 2009. Unprecedented and results-driven, UTLC aims to work alongside government-regulated child welfare agencies by funding innovation and providing business expertise to entities that generally rely on public sector resources alone. Currently the Canadian system that manages child welfare issues is complex, costly and fragmented. A lack of action on the part of political and corporate Canada to prioritize child welfare, says Goodman, only adds to the frustration that comes from having no national tracking system and each province having its own model of legislation to monitor adoption and foster care. The idea that any child would grow up without the support of a loving, permanent home leaves Goodman “feeling broken.” She’s still haunted by the devastating death of Jeffrey Baldwin in 2002, a Canadian five-year-old tragically placed in the care of abusive grandparents. According to the Adoption Council of Ontario, an estimated 30,000 kids are waiting for a permanent home in Canada — an issue Gov. Gen. the Hon. David Johnston deemed an “adoption crisis” during his keynote speech at the Urgency Around Permanency Summit in late 2014. On top of that, millions of kids continue to experience sexual abuse, neglect and abandonment in silence, while thousands are at risk, in foster care, jumping from one temporary home to the next, and eventually “age out” of the system with limited or no support. UTLC’s vision, albeit optimistic and ambitious, is to support child welfare in finding permanent, loving homes for every last child by 2020. UTLC’s method to address the crisis consists of a four-pronged approach that implements world-class evidencebased research, funding and consulting expertise, rigorous evaluation and leveraging technology to address systemic barriers. So far it has proven successful. “In business we have metrics, very clear objectives, very clear outcomes

“SOMETIMES SOCIETY WILL MOVE AS A WHOLE, BUT SOMETIMES YOU NEED A CHAMPION, YOU NEED SOMEBODY THAT IS ACTUALLY PREPARED TO STICK THEIR NECK OUT, TO SHOW SOME LEADERSHIP AND BUILD A BIT OF CONSENSUS AROUND IT, AND I THINK FAITH IS DOING THAT”

Summer 2015

— Glen Hodgson

tackle complex social issues through an efficiency and effectiveness lens to best address root cause. In the case of children who don’t have permanent, loving homes, how can business come alongside children’s aid societies and help? I saw that there was a gap,” says Goodman. Determined to alleviate the issue, Goodman put together a board of directors, rallied corporate support and launched the charity organization Until

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and a clear line of sight between what is the work we’re doing and how does it lead to a specific outcome,” says Goodman. “Sometimes less than five per cent of Canadian kids find permanent, loving homes. If a business CEO delivered a five per cent success rate, I don’t think he or she would be in charge for very long.” In 2012, UTLC partnered with Family & Children’s Services of Guelph to help improve outcomes for children and youth in or entering care. Before the two-year pilot project began, the Guelph location was averaging 10 to 15 per cent per year in finding homes for children in its care. FCSG implemented a best practice called the Family Finding model, which works by locating and engaging relatives to connect each child with a loving family. UTLC donors contributed just under half million dollars to fund salaries for two social workers and consulting advice from companies such as Deloitte, BCG and McKinsey & Company. The result was an astounding 45 per cent of kids placed in permanent, loving homes deemed just right by the Guelph staff. A year later, that number jumped again, rising to 51 per cent.

“I have a lot of respect for [Goodman] as a person, as an individual who cares about the world outside of her own world,” says Daniel Moore, executive director at Family & Children’s Services of Guelph. “She’s really engaged in a conversation that says, ‘what are some things you would really love to do but you haven’t been able to because of the funding? Tell me, convince me, that that’s going to make a difference for kids.’ And it’s in that conversation that UTLC has been so committed to us.” UTLC is currently entering Stage 2 of its organization, with child welfare agencies across Canada reaching out to implement innovative practices. The idea of corporate coming alongside philanthropy to achieve defined goals and measurable outcomes is a concept that has sparked other bright minds. Business guru Don Tapscott once said that businesses cannot succeed in a world that is failing. Former U.S. president Bill Clinton is noted for his comment that capitalism would solve the world’s greatest problems — not charity alone. “It’s not just up to governments anymore to build bridges and highways and airports,” points out Glen Hodgson,

ROCK your walls … WELLS

a prominent economist whose team recently delivered a powerful report titled, Investing in the Future of Canadian Children in Care. His research poignantly called for governments, businesses and the general public to come together to combat high social costs and an economic burden of $7.5 billion over 10 years stemming from the lack of support for those who “age out” of care. When compared to the average Canadian, the Conference Board of Canada’s research indicates these youths are more likely to descend into a vicious cycle of crime, homelessness and poverty, and are less likely to graduate from high school, earning about $326,000 less income over their lifespan. It’s hard to imagine a world where kids don’t have a home. It’s hard to imagine that that world includes Canada, a developed nation with an abundance of natural resources and a stable economy. “Sometimes society will move as a whole,” says Hodgson, “but sometimes you need a champion, you need somebody that is actually prepared to stick their neck out, to show some leadership and build a bit of consensus around it, and I think Faith is doing that.” www.untilthelastchild.com

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Wells art can be found at some of the most prestigious galleries in the country and on art collectors’ walls worldwide, including Steven Tyler’s. Buy an original off the gallery wall or order a custom artwork for your space.

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www.dolcemedia.ca | 905.264.6789

Summer 2015

Pusateri’s reinvents the shopping experience through partnerships with luxury brands

SUMMERING AT PUSATERI’S

P PHOT PHOTO O COURTESY OF PUSATERI’S FINE FO FOODS ODS S

he bright colours and bustle of summer life are in full swing at the Pusateri’s in Toronto’s Bayview Village. Flanked by designer brand shops in an easily accessible fashion hub, Pusateri’s regulars and new customers alike make it a point to stop by the quality food destination to relax and refuel before their shopping adventure begins. With three full-of-life locations across Toronto — Avenue Road, Yorkville and Bayview Village, as well as an imminent location at Oakville Place — there’s no doubt location has played a key role in the success of Pusateri’s. But it’s an uncompromised commitment to quality and devotion to accommodating the lifestyle of modern families and fashionforward individuals on the go that has turned Pusateri’s into a mecca of community and a hot spot for gatherings. A recent partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue, one of the world’s pre-eminent specialty retailers, continues Pusateri’s long-standing dedication to aligning its distinguished reputation of excellence and a passion for fine foods with quality brands. Pusateri’s will be the operating partner to execute Saks’ food hall installations, beginning with the Toronto Eaton Centre and Sherway Gardens locations, both opening in spring 2016. The concept brings a satisfied smile to shoppers who won’t have to leave the department store for lunch — an inconvenience for those who enjoy browsing endless racks of the latest must-haves in a relaxed and calm environment. “Pusateri’s is delighted to be working with Saks Fifth Avenue to operate the food hall installations for the world-renowned luxury retailer’s Canadian expansion,” says Frank Luchetta, president of Pusateri’s Fine Foods. Saks Fifth Avenue’s superior dedication to exceptional quality and firstclass customer service reflects the commitment to client care Pusateri’s holds at its core. Through partnerships with luxury fashion brands such as Saks and the shops at Bayview Village, Pusateri’s seamlessly reinvents the food experience that takes weekend shopping days to a whole new level. Whether it’s for a quick bite for breakfast, a sit-down lunch with colleagues or a place to pick up the finest ingredients to make dinner in the comfort of your own home, Pusateri’s brings ease and convenience to the modern-day lifestyle. www.pusateris.com Summer 2015

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DOLCE MAGAZINE 79

BMW i8

A rolling testament to engineering and design Like the chariot of a crime ﬁghter from the year 2199, BMW’s futuristic new halo car is a stunning, ultramodern example of where automotive design and manufacturing is headed WRITTEN BY JUSTIN MASTINE MASTINE-FROST FROST

hen the first images of the BMW EfficientDynamics concept started making the rounds it was hard to believe such a car would ever make it through to production. Its sexy yet outlandish curves, futuristic lighting configuration and articulating doors made for a glorious design exercise, but little did we know the i8 would be gracing the streets a mere five years later. From every angle the new i8 is absolutely stunning, and shy of the loss of the glass doors, and a few other design tweaks, it looks just as futuristic as the concept from which it was born. It’s a pleasant surprise to see another performance-focused hybrid or EV penned with a Tron-esque version of futuristic design rather than some of the recent mass-market hybrids that are still drawing with The Jetsons in mind.

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The all-new BMW i8, the new halo car of the luxury German automotive brand Summer 2015

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In clockwise order: LED headlights give the i8 a striking glare. Two digital screens mount the dashboard to relay vehicle performance and access the infotainment system. Switch the i8 to sport mode to activate its full 362 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. With a Tron-esque version of futuristic design, the BMW i8 looks like nothing else on the road. With its centre-stack canted slightly towards the driver and stylish ambient lighting, the i8’s interior is one of BMW’s best design efforts in years.

GENERAL SPECS Engine: Turbocharged 1.5-Litre 3-cylinder plus two electric motors / Horsepower: 362 / Torque: 420 0-100 km/h: 4.4 seconds / Top speed: 250 km/h / Price: Starting from $150,000

Hopping inside the passenger cabin, the i8 is a slick and updated twist on BMW’s current interior design language. Its dashboard centre-stack is canted slightly towards the driver, as they have been in most modern BMWs for ages, and its infotainment screen sits proud atop the dashboard, much in the same way it appears in the latest 3-series, 4-series and in the new X5 and X6. Thin and well-bolstered sports seats keep its occupants firmly in place as the i8 rockets along winding roads. As a whole this is likely one of BMW’s best interior design efforts in a handful of years. At the very least it’s a solid improvement over the over-stylized X5. The interesting thing about the i8 stretches far beyond its charming good looks. The i8 came to fruition as the brand’s halo car when it comes to new technology and manufacturing methods. The i8’s main body is entirely moulded in carbon fibre, which rides on a lightweight 82 DOLCE MAGAZINE | www.dolcemag.com

aluminum backbone. This backbone acts as a supporting link between the car’s front and rear aluminum subframes that carry its pair of electric motors at the front and its TwinPower 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine over the rear wheels. This combination of materials means that not only is the i8’s chassis incredibly rigid, but it is also respectably lightweight. The i8 tips the scales at roughly 1,530 kilograms, which is lighter than the current model, the M3. In standard electric mode, the bulk of the i8’s power comes via its two electric motors. Stomp on the throttle hard enough and its internal combustion comes alive and provides the added kick in the pants required. Don’t be fooled by the “hybrid supercar” nomenclature that’s typically used when describing the i8. The car is definitely sports-car quick, climbing from 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds, but in terms of sheer velocity

its only reasoning for being dubbed a supercar is its shape and two-seat midengine configuration. Where things get properly entertaining is when the i8 is switched over into sport mode. At this point the car’s 3-cylinder turbocharged engine remains fired up and ready with its 228 horsepower and 237 lb-ft of torque, eager to boost the car to its full 362 horsepower and max 420 lb-ft of torque. Throttle response is crisp, and its dynamic suspension system remains almost abusively firm. Much like the BMWs of a past era, whose driving dynamics were heavily focused on performance, the i8 handles like a true champ. At its limit, BMW’s choice of relatively narrow tires means the front end has a tendency to push a tiny bit, but it certainly leads one to believe that there may be a slightly higher-performance version of the i8 coming down the pipe in the years to come. www.bmw.ca Summer 2015