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BENICIO DEL TORO
THE VIBE OF A BULL PETER ASH
ON HIS QUEST TO HALT ALBINO KILLINGS IN TANZANIA
KEVIN O’LEARY SHARES HIS FISCAL ATTRACTION
PLUS
FASHION, GOURMET EATS, DESIGNER HOTELS, REAL ESTATE
WINTER 10/11 U.S. / CAN $5.95 Display in Fashion / Lifestyle until March 7
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HO T EL MET R OP OL E MONTE-CARLO
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I M AG I N E
T H E P L AC E S T H E Y W I L L G O .
Old Oakville Market Place 321 Cornwall Road, Oakville 905.815.8777 • www.knarjewellery.com
30 Departments
54 34
ON THE COVER
30 In the Bullring with Benicio Del Toro
CHARACTERS OF PASSION
48 A Life of Monetary Confinement: The fundamentals of finance guru Kevin O’Leary 51 Optimizing the Opposite SeXX: Golden Girl Finance gets down to business 52 Something Old, Something New: Hair baron Ray Civello’s mane adventures 58 The Pride of Le Marche: Toast to the good life with Dr. Francesco Bellini
PHILANTHROPY
34 Nourishing the Seed of Hope in Sudan: George Clooney & John Pendergrast 36 A Good Rebel: Ky-Mani Marley 38 We’re all Under the Same Sun: Peter Ash 40 The Compassionate Mind of Shemar Moore 44 A Mission of Love: Ashley Walker
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FASHION AND BEAUTY
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33 Vacation Wear: Suit up in glamour 61 Ring in the New Year: ‘Tis the season to bejewelled 62 Everlasting Youth & Beauty: Winter Wind Down 76 The Magnificence of Skin Vitality: Revitalize your skin with Eleanor Welsh 77 Mysterious Metallics: Sultry beauty secrets 78 Flourishing Fashion: Cibeles Madrid Fashion Week 81 Bag Lady: Complete your look with arm candy
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LIVING LA DOLCE VITA
20 The Socialite’s Champagne: Russian royalty’s favourite drink 22 Welcome to an EPIC Miami: A luxurious getaway awaits you 24 A Ferrari World: Get the real Ferrari experience at the world’s largest indoor amusement park 26 Dean Jackson: The custom craftsman and his love of furniture 28 Gotham Dream Cars: Exotic cars at your fingertips
LUXURY
43 Objects of Desire: Spice up your life 64 Dolce Notebook: Jot down great gift ideas 66 Designer Hotels: Rest your head on the laps of luxury
HOME DECOR/ARCHITECTURE
74 Defining a Masterpiece: Investments worth insuring
AUTOMOTIVE
46 Mercedes-Benz C350: The perfect package
REAL ESTATE/HOME
68 Luxury Living: Deck your home with beautiful décor 70 Real Estate: Hot properties on the market 72 Château Maplewood: On the hilltops of Montreal rests a magnificent condominium
FOOD & DRINK
18 Cooking up Cures: The inaugural Chef’s Challenge with Gordon Ramsay 54 Pistachio-Crusted Opal Valley Rack of Lamb: Sink your teeth into flavour 56 Gourmet Eats: Gastronomy at its finest
IN EVERY ISSUE
6 Editor’s Note 10 In the City: With Michelle Levy 14 Dolce was There: Rally for Kids, Human Race and Heart of Fashion 60 Readers’ Survey: WIN gifts! 82 Horoscope: Look to the Stars
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editor’s note
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Captivating yellow, gold and smoked quartz ring from Carerra y Carrera. www.carreraycarrera.com
OW PEOPLE TREAT YOU IS
THEIR KARMA;
Michelle Zerillo-Sosa Editor-in-Chief
Essence by Courvoisier, one of the finest cognac’s money can buy. www.courvoisier.com
As
we prepare for this holy time of year, it is normal to want to reflect upon how we have behaved. Just as your financial advisor can look upon your reports and make certain recommendations, so can you. All you need is some peaceful space to ponder upon your actions or lack thereof. In order to make the exercise of implementing recommendation on what you need to change in your life – you will need to be truthful to yourself.
Join the Wine Club and receive three quality wines quarterly. www.deandeluca.com
Donate to this cause and know that this is the best gift you can buy. www.underthesamesun.com
Robert Herjavec illustrates success in his new book Driven. www.robertherjavec.com
Master artisan Andreas Von Zadora-Gerlof redefines the timepiece. www.zadoratimepieces.com
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HOW YOU REACT IS YOURS.
DOLCE VITA MAGAZINE
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The good thing is that it is never too late for a fresh start. If you find that you have not been nice, this is the time to practice a bit of karma, just as Shemar Moore does (read story on page 40). A great believer of karma, Moore plays special agent Derek Morgan on Criminal Minds. This is one of my current favourite shows on TV, mainly because I find twisted and toxic minds mind-boggling. Although it has all the elements of a Criminal Minds script, Peter Ash’s story to stop albino killers in Tanzania is real. This is the horror of every Albino living in Central Eastern Africa (read story on page 38). His beautiful quest is both inspiring and symbolic. Ash is protecting children from a fate of being hunted for potions of black magic by placing them in private schools that offer dignity, safety and education. We are especially proud of this issue as it comes at a special time of year. www.dolcemag.com
– Wayne Dyer
Since ‘tis the season to be a better person, make positive changes and wishes for the new year. You will find this issue filled with ideas on how you too can take part in a great cause that will be a blessing in someone’s life. By making a difference, you should feel better at the knowledge that perhaps, although you do not practice the art of balance when it comes to work and play, you will probably apply yourself 110 per cent to the cause of your choice, just as you do in your business or work. After all, you shouldn’t be ashamed of this – even Kevin O’ Leary shared this practice of imbalance during his interview (read story page 48). We hope you enjoyed this issue of Dolce. Until next time, be kind, be good, and be yourself!
Michelle Zerillo-Sosa Editor-in-Chief Enjoy the ride in style on the Sportster Forty-Eight from Harley-Davidson. www.harley-davidson.com
'HGLFDWHG WR WKRVH ZKR PDNH WDVWH WKHLU OLIH VW\OH Introducing Acetaia Dodi, a line of traditional balsamic vinegars from Reggio Emilia and Modena. Made with ancient processing methods, using selected grapes and a “soft” pressing action to guarantee the quality of its sole ingredient: grape must. Allowed to slowly age for several years in vats made of ash, mulberry, cherry, chestnut and durmast oak wood.
Nowadays, the greatest chefs and culinary experts of the world appreciate it for its inimitable characteristics and ablility to enhance the flavours of numberless dishes, from appetizer to desserts. Imported from Italy by Molisana Imports, bringing tradition and quality to your table. You can find more of our fine brands in your local store, for a complete list visit us at www.molisana.com S INCE 1 9 7 7
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WINTER 2010/2011 • Volume 14 • Issue 4 www.dolce.ca EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Michelle Zerillo-Sosa • michelle@dolce.ca DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & MARKETING
Angela Palmieri-Zerillo • angela@dolce.ca ART DEPARTMENT CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Fernando Zerillo • fernando@dolce.ca ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Susan Bhatia SENIOR DESIGNERS
Christina Ban, Omar Cushnie WEB DEVELOPER
Steve Bruno EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT MANAGING EDITOR
Simona Panetta BEAUTY/HEALTH & TRAVEL EDITOR
CONNECTING BUSINESSES WORLDWIDE THROUGH VoIP
Angela Palmieri-Zerillo FASHION & HOME DECOR EDITOR
Michelle Zerillo-Sosa
With the rapid changes in technology, Williams Telecommunications stays on the leading edge, ensuring that its clients are equipped with the newest proven VoIP technology.
SENIOR WRITER AND COPY EDITOR
Simona Panetta PROOFREADERS
Anna Lee Boschetto, James Morrison, Katie McDonald, Simona Panetta WRITERS
Michael Hill, Vito La Giorgia, Madeline Stephenson CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Melissa Sundardas, D.T. CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Michael Buckner, Relais & Chateau, Rick Guidotti, Brian Hodes, Jeff Kauck, J. Offenbach, Izabela Rachwal, Don Sawatzky, Pete Souza, Sofia Van Der Dys, Dean West PUBLISHER Connecting you to your employees worldwide and in real time, VoIP has been proven to increase productivity and efficiency. Williams Telecommunications distributes products from all major manufacturers and can help you enhance your communications solution. Williams also offers remanufactured-as-new products, and has a complete on-site repair facility. We will purchase your used, surplus, and discontinued equipment. Proudly Canadian, we offer worldwide product delivery, service and support.
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Laura-Lee Filosa FRONT COVER Benicio Del Toro Photo By: Michel Comte
Welcome Home
Visit us online to view our handcrafted homes • Cathedral or vaulted ceilings in each model • 10’ ceilings on main level • 9’ ceilings on secondary level • Downsview Kitchens with made-to-measure estate-grade cabinetry • Granite kitchen countertop • 3” x ¾” hardwood flooring throughout • 7 ¼” baseboards throughout • 1 ¾” Pallazzo series doors • Marble or limestone flooring in master ensuite
• Oak staircase with wrought-iron pickets • Complete central air conditioning and electronic humidifier • Optional elevators • 3-car garage, including underground option • Optional wine rooms or wine bars as per plans • Optional loggias, lofts or 5th bedrooms on some models as per plans • Open riser staircase from main floor to upper level • Choice of wrought-iron railings or wood pickets
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in the city
WITH MICHELLE LEVY
THE 2010 BELL GALA The 2010 Bell Gala attracted more than 2,000 guests, including over 100 Canadian and international celebrities from the worlds of sports, entertainment and media. Along with performances by Jully Black and Kreesha Turner, the evening also featured an after-party hosted by Kardinal Offishall. Altogether, an astounding $1.16 million was raised for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). www.camh.net
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Corner Gas stars actors Gabrielle Miller and Tara Spencer-Nairn; singer/songwriter Andy Kim; actress Kristin Booth; actor Kim Coates SECOND ROW: Catherine Zahn (president and CEO of CAMH), Clara Hughes, Olympic medalist and national spokesperson for Bell’s Let’s Talk initiative for mental health; Mary Deacon (chair, Bell Mental Health) and George Cope (president and CEO of BCE and Bell); TV personality Liz West; singer/songwriter Steven Page; actor Carlo Rota, actress Kathleen Robertson. Photos by Brian Willer, Sonia Recchia, George Pimentel/Michelle Levy Productions.
DAVID SUZUKI’S STAR STUDDED LIVE YOUR LEGACY GALA Celebrating 20 years of the David Suzuki Foundation, The Live Your Legacy Gala drew a multitude of stars to the Four Seasons Hotel to toast Dr. Suzuki’s achievements. Guests included Olivia Newton-John, Gordon Lightfoot, Deborah Kara Unger, Ed Begley Jr. and Chantal Kreviazuk. The evening also included a specially prepared locavore menu, served up by celebrity chef Susur Lee. www.legacygala.ca
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Singer/songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk and David Suzuki; Gala co-chairs John Ruffolo (Deloitte) and Stephen Bronfman (Claridge) SECOND ROW: Singer/ songwriters Marc Jordan and Murray McLauchlan; comedian Russell Peters and actress Deborah Kara Unger; actors/comedians Debra McGrath and Colin Mochrie; singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot; legendary singer and actress Olivia Newton-John and Michelle Levy. THIRD ROW: singer/songwriter Amy Sky. Photos by Sandler/Michelle Levy Productions.
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SMILE MAKEOVER “It’s great to have
my smile back!”
Hair courrtesy tessy of Salon Amado, makeup by Annto ton onell e a Palm mier i i, Sal alon onn Ama Am do.
Gina began to notice that the bonding on her front teeth was gradually showing discolouration. Whitening her teeth only made the other teeth whiter, while the bonding looked worse by comparison. Dr. Paul Sclodnick restored six of Gina’s front teeth with porcelain crowns. Porcelain is very stable and will not yellow in the way bonding can overtime. The colour, shape, proportion and strength of her teeth have greatly improved! Gina loves her new smile.
BEFORE
For a complimentary smile assessment, call us at 905.832.8303 There is a reason why Dr. Paul Sclodnick has patients that travel across the globe to see him. He is passionate about his craft. With a celebrity clientele and a renowned reputation, he has a special interest in cosmetic dentistry. Throughout his extensive career, he has improved the smiles and self-esteem of thousands of his patients – you can be next.
Dr. Paul Sclodnick • 9983 Keele Street, Suite 302, Maple, Ont. • 905.832.8303
www.mapledentalhealth.com
AFTER
in the city
WITH MICHELLE LEVY
A CELEBRATION OF ART AND ARCHITECTURE AT THE AVENUE David and Angela Feldman hosted an intimate, exclusive celebration of art and architecture at the newly opened The Avenue Condominium and Residences. Guests enjoyed an evening of luxury with Clark & Faria and Endras BMW, topped with champagne and delicious canapés from North 44. www.theavenue.ca
WINTER 2010/2011 • Volume 14 • Issue 4 www.dolce.ca
DOLCE VITA MAGAZINE • WINTER 2010/11 VOLUME 14 • ISSUE 4
Dolce Vita Magazine is published quarterly by Dolce Publishing Inc. 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.dolce.ca Publication Mail Agreement No. 40026675
RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO:
Dolce Publishing Inc. 111 Zenway Blvd., Suite 30 Vaughan, ON L4H 3H9 All rights reserved. Any reproduction is strictly prohibited without written consent from the publisher. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: David Feldman (president, CEO of Camrost-Felcorp) and Daniel Faria SECOND ROW: Canadian singer Robert Pilon, Angela Bertucci, Angela Feldman and Patti Pilon; Patrick Brigham and Deborah Fisher; Julie Anne Smedley and Bernie Abrams THIRD ROW: Gary Scholl and David Beaton (founder, Studio B). Photos by Sonia Recchia, George Pimentel / Michelle Levy Productions.
THE 17TH ANNUAL ENDMS GALA The 17th Annual endMS Gala, dubbed “Bay Street’s Party of the Year,” attracted over 400 prominent members of the Toronto financial and business community to the Four Seasons Hotel. This fabulous night of dinner and dancing, hosted by Pauline Chan of CTV, raised over $400,000 for multiple sclerosis research. www.mssociety.ca
DISTRIBUTION & CIRCULATION
Dolce Vita Magazine reaches over 900,000 affluent readers annually through household distribution and newsstand sales across Canada and at all Barnes & Noble stores in the United States. Inquiries about where else Dolce Vita Magazine is available for sale should be directed to Transmedia Group Customer Service: 905.428.7541 The yearly subscription fee is $16.80. Send cheque or money order to Dolce Publishing Inc. 111 Zenway Blvd., Suite 30, Vaughan, Ont. Canada L4H 3H9 ISSN 1206-1778 NEXT ISSUE: SPRING 2011
The opinions expressed in Dolce Vita Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or advertisers. Dolce Publishing Inc. does not assume liability for content. The material in this magazine is intended for information purposes only and is no way intended to supersede professional advice. We are proud to be a Canadian company that has successfully published magazines for the past 14 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.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Garrett Herman (chairman and CEO, Loewen, Ondaatje, McCutcheon Limited), Dr. Steven Kerfoot (award recipient) and Rick Waugh (president and CEO, Scotiabank) SECOND ROW: Linda Lumsden (chair of National Board of Directors, MS Society of Canada), Yves Savoie (president and CEO, MS Society of Canada); Les Sherman (Dundee Securities) and Harris Fricker (CEO, GMP Capital Inc.); Harriet Goodman and performer Anita Rossi THIRD ROW: Ferrari Maserati of Ontario’s Remo Ferri (president,) and Robert Vacca (director of marketing); Presenting sponsors Anita and Ned Goodman (president and CEO, Dundee Corp.) Photos by Nic Rowe/Michelle Levy Productions.
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This magazine is printed on Recycled Paper.
Up to
©2010/11 Dolce Publishing Inc. Printed in Canada
KIDS WITH CANCER Rally for SCAVENGER CUP
Dolce was there
3RD ANNUAL
PRODUCED BY ANGELA PALMIERI-ZERILLO WRITTEN BY MELISSA SUNDARDAS
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he hum of revving engines and sight of dazzling celebrities gave power to the fight against ending kids’ cancers in Toronto.
The third annual Rally for Kids with Cancer Scavenger Cup, presented by Rosseau Asset Management Ltd., raised over $2.5 million for the SickKids Foundation.The exciting event, founded by award-winning event management firm Solutions with Impact, was co-chaired by Desperate Housewives’ Eva Longoria-Parker and Star Wars’ Hayden Christensen. Sponsors that raised a minimum of $25,000 qualified
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as a rally ll ddriver i iin th the crucial race for the Scavenger Cup and had a celebrity navigate them around the tricky driving course,which included stops at some of the city’s most elite venues and locations. www.rallyforkids.com 8
1. Rally for Kids with Cancer celebrities and drivers. 2. Eva Longoria Parker ( Desperate Housewives) is touched by a child from SickKids. 3. Star Wars actress Bai Ling. 4. Eva Longoria Parker and Hayden Christensen (Takers, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith) kick off the race. 5. Actress Tichina Arnold. 6. Warren Irwin, founder of Rosseau Asset Management Ltd. and Elle Pattitle, Playboy cover and supermodel. 7. Hayden Christensen with a child from SickKids. 8. Dolce Magazine’s co-founder Fernando Zerillo; Jim Williams, president and CEO of Williams Telecommunications; Michael (Pinball) Clemons, Toronto Argonauts chairman. 9. Grammy winning recording artist Mya and Pussycat Dolls founder Robin Antin. 10. TV host Leo Stakos, Eva Longoria Parker, Oliver Bock, CEO of Solutions 2 GO Inc. 11. Actorr Carlo Rota (24) with actress and wife Nazneen Contractor (24). 12. 13 Our Lady Peace front man Raine Maida.13. Joel Hock, president off Solutions with Impact and founderr of Rally for Kids with Cancer; actorr e Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight, The Expendabless).
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W Watch HD coverage of this event at www.citylifetv.ca e 10 14. Oliver Bock with wife Shirin Bock donate an additional $100,000 on behalf of Eva Longoria Parker.
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PRODUCED BY ANGELA PALMIERI-ZERILLO 1
WRITTEN BY VITO LA GIORGIA
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E 1 1 - Dr. Neil Isaac, Dr. Tim Rutledge, celebrity John Salley, Dr. Roger Buckley and Dr. Liz LaMere 2 - Models Elle Patille and Anissa Holmes 3 - Terry Pursell, foundation president and CEO; celebrity Ivan Sergei, Anne O’Connor and Ana Nituda 4 - Joel Hock, president of Solutions with Impact, and actress Sofia Milos 5 - Billy Baldwin with Human Race fans.
very step we take in making the world a better place helps everyone enjoy a better life. This philosophy was personified by the participants involved in the inaugural Celebrity Human Race for North York General Hospital (NYGH). The money raised helps to purchase life-saving equipment for the Charlotte & Lewis Steinberg Emergency room at NYGH, as well as aid in the expansion of the Child & Teen Program Centre. “Funds will enable our hospital to deliver the best health care to our community,” said Dr. Tim Rutledge, race participant and vice president of medical and academic affairs at NYGH. Teams received a Human Race passport, celebrity friend, T-shirts and knapsacks containing tips and a 2 map. They navigated throughout the streets of Toronto to secret locations, with scores determined by the combination of completed tasks and the accumulation of points. Regardless of who crossed the finish line first, everyone was a winner. www.nyghhumanrace.com 5
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Heart of F ashion
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PRODUCED BY ANGELA PALMIERI-ZERILLO
WRITTEN BY VITO LA GIORGIA
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uests came together in a celebration of fashion and philanthropy at the 10th anniversary of North York General Hospital’s Heart of Fashion charity event. “There is no better way to give back than 2 to support a hospital that helps so many women in the community,” said Somali-Canadian model Yasmine Warsame, who was appointed honourary chair of the event, which was presented by Bayview Village. Proceeds from Heart of Fashion will help the BMO Financial www.dolcemag.com
1 – Somali-Canadian model/activist Yasmin Warsame strikes a pose 2 – Dan Hyde (senior manager, Retail Division at Orlando Corporation) Murray Millar, Doris Baughan and Rita Hyde smile for the camera 3 – The creator of Heart of Fashion and chairman of Orlando Corporation Carlo Fidani with Terry Pursell and Chris Tambakis 4 – Fashionistas wear the Heart of Fashion event on their sleeves
Group Breast Diagnostic Centre (BDC) at NYGH, which has provided comprehensive services for potential breast cancer-inflicted women. www.nyghheartoffashion.com DOLCE VITA MAGAZINE
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Human Race
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BAHAMAS F
ELEUTHERA
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COOKING UP CURES
In an effort to raise money for cancer research, these phenomenal chefs put on a delectable display while battling for culinary supremacy. PRODUCED BY ANGELA PALMIERI-ZERILLO WRITTEN BY MICHAEL HILL
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1. Gordon Ramsay gets some timely advice from an up-and-coming chef. 2. From left to right: Lynn Crawford, Mark McEwan, David Rocco, Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Kennedy and Massimo Capra. 3. Ramsay meticulously samples the various entrées prepared by each team. 4. Winning Team Crawford, was captained by Jamie O’Born, who raised $28,500 to compete with chef Lynn Crawford.
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By raising their collective spatulas against the often-deadly disease, these crusading chefs fired up a storm raising over $1.1 million. “We’re all touched by cancer in one form or another,” explains Kennedy. “As well-known cooks in our communities, I think we’re in this unique position to turn our attention and actions towards something positive.” The proceeds from this entrée-inspired event support breast and ovarian cancer research and education at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute and the Marvelle Koffler Breast Centre at Mount Sinai Hospital. With hopes high and stomachs full, organizers are positive this successful event will help to defeat this lethal illness. “I’m sure there will be a cure,” explains Barbara Kerbel, president of Mount Sinai’s Hospital Auxiliary. “There has to be a cure, we have to find a cure for cancer.” For more information about this spectacular fundraiser check out Chef’s Challenge on CitylifeTV.ca
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In late November, Canadian culinary greats joined boisterous Chef Gordon Ramsay to cook up excitement in a fundraising effort for critical cancer research. Celebrity chefs David Rocco, Jamie Kennedy, Lynn Crawford, Mark McEwan and Massimo Capra gathered at The Carlu in downtown Toronto to dukeit-out in the kitchen at the inaugural Chef’s Challenge: The Ultimate Battle for a Cure.
www.chefschallengeforacure.com
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THE SOCIALITE’S
CHAMPAGNE Made for Russian royalty, glamorized by hip-hop, but still a true connoisseur’s champagne. PRODUCED BY SUSAN BHATIA / WRITTEN BY MICHAEL HILL Frederic Rouzaud, CEO of Louis Roederer, stands with father, former CEO and current Chairman of the Board, Jean Claude Rouzaud
If
you ask your kids about Cristal they may point to the TV where some hip-hop artist wearing too much jewelry sits in a Gallardo, bottle in hand, pouring the sparkling champagne over a scantily clad woman, all the while carelessly throwing hundred dollar bills in the air. But this historic product is so much more than a “playa’s” plaything. Although it’s been glamorized and sensationalized in pop culture, this refined and regal champagne has a prestigious history linked with Russian royalty, and is one of the finest products you can sip on today. In 1876, the Russian czar Alexander II was under constant threat of assassination. There were many hands between him and his entrees, and the possibility of deathby-food was ever present. One fear in particular involved explosives being hidden in his bottles of wine – the deep green and brown of the glass could easily conceal a small explosive. To remedy this precarious prospect, Alexander turned to one of his favourite and most esteemed French wine producers, Louis Roederer. Originally founded in 1776 in Reims, France, Roederer’s winery was already firmly established for its decadent drinks. Roederer agreed to exclusively bottle his spectacular champagne in clear, crystal bottles, so nothing could be hidden inside. This iconic brand has since become known as “Cristal” and is still a staple of wealth and luxury today. “Cristal is not just a big flashy product,” says Frank Rey, Ontario specialty brands manager with Authentic Wine & Spirits Merchants (AWSM), the Canadian distributor of Cristal. “It’s a very, very high-quality product. As a matter of fact, the 2002 [vintage] was rated 100 out of 100 by Wine & Spirits Magazine.” Over two centuries old, the family-owned Louis Roederer company continues to flourish with its renowned and celebrated champagnes. Although no longer exclusively produced for Russian czars, Cristal is still associated with elite lifestyles. Retailing for just under $300, you’ll pay up to $1,000 for older bottles. 20
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The Cristal Rose 2002 edition was auctioned off for $1,200. Part of Cristal’s prestige is that it is “true” champagne, meaning it comes from the Champagne province in France. Known for its deep chalky soil, the conditions in this area are so specific they cause the grapes to develop a highly distinct and intensely rich flavour, which elevates the province’s wines to prestigious levels. Made from 55 per cent Pinot Noir and 45 per cent Chardonnay, a vintage of Cristal is only declared when the environmental conditions are perfect, creating a precise balance between the two wines and further adding to the exclusivity of the product. “The climate has to be perfect, that’s really the key,” explains Rey. “Mother Nature definitely rules when it comes to a great vintage … if the harvest is the quality that they expect it to be then that’s when they declare a vintage.” The years when a vintage is declared is deemed a “great” year. Over the
last two decades only seven years have seen the precise conditions for a vintage of Cristal to be produced: 1990, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2004. “Cristal is highly allocated – they only produce it in exceptional years. That’s one thing that sets Louis Roederer apart from the rest of its competition,” acknowledges Nikki Zolis, AWSM’s national marketing manager for Louis Roederer. “Because it’s family owned, the company is able to have more control over the quality of the wine; they always want to maintain a super-premium quality every time they produce their champagne.” In the latter part of the 1990s, Cristal became associated with the conspicuous consumption glamorized by rap and hip-hop. Artists including Jay-Z, P. Diddy and auto-tune aficionado T-Pain all rhyme about the breathtaking beverage, highlighting their wealth and power by consuming copious amounts of the pricey prestige cuvée.
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However, a rift formed between the two entities when Jay-Z accused Louis Roederer’s managing director, Fredric Rouzaud, of allegedly making “racist” comments towards hip-hop artists. Jay-Z boycotted Cristal, removing it from his clubs and refusing to further endorse the product. Such a blow may seem like a hard loss for Louis Roederer, but sales of the upper-class juggernaut have remained strong. “We have seen continued growth of Cristal over the years,” comments Zolis. “Really the only time when we saw a blip was when the economic downturn began.” In fact, Cristal’s sales have grown by 18.5 per cent throughout 2010, and continue upward. But don’t let this fool you: only 2,128 750 ml bottles of Cristal have been sold in Canada this year – this is still a product reserved for the privileged. “It’s not just a goout-to-a-club type of product. This is a connoisseur’s wine as well,” explains Rey. “I don’t want to say price is irrelevant, but you can only charge this price if the quality of the product is there.” www.champagne-roederer.com
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| MIAMI
EPIC’s positioning at the tip of a peninsula makes it one of the best locations Miami has to offer. Palm trees and skyscrapers equal happiness in the Sunshine State.
Welcome to an
EPIC Miami
The view from the room is epic. The man-made island lined with skyscrapers and surrounded by turquoise waters is strikingly gorgeous.
A boutique-style hotel in Miami offers luxurious settings in the heart of a newly developed city. PRODUCED BY MICHELLE ZERILLO-SOSA WRITTEN BY VITO LA GIORGIA
world-class nightclubs. Miami’s EPIC Hotel is a great representation of the development process that is taking place in this southern Floridian city.
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he luxury boutique hotel EPIC towers above the plethora of palm trees found throughout the sun-drenched city of Miami. When we say boutique hotel, we usually mean small hotel, but as we know, space is the ultimate luxury. EPIC seems to have taken all this into consideration when they were designing this colossal, stunning structure. Its design refines the catchphrase “bigger is always better” into something along the lines of “big can still be beautiful 22
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and delicate.” Unconvinced? Once you enter the doors of the EPIC, pessimistic assumptions become ephemeral. The interior is even more stunning than the exterior and the top-class service solidifies it as a true boutique hotel experience. Miami was once a sleepy resort city with a half-decent nightlife. Those days are over. These days everywhere you look, beautiful establishments, including the EPIC Hotel, are cropping up beside luxury condominiums and www.dolcemag.com
The reason for all the hype and hoopla comes from the fact that Miami benefitted from the economic crisis. While people across the United States were boarding up their houses, Miami was building massive, luxury downtown condos at affordable prices. People started moving from areas around the city into the downtown core, developing the city from the inside out. “At one point this city looked like Dubai: there were cranes all over the place,” yells a passerby during my tour of Miami. In
2008, Forbes magazine dubbed Miami “America’s Cleanest City.” The atmosphere around EPIC Hotel strikes a perfect balance between city and resort. Walking outside the hotel lobby, you have the boardwalk and South Beach on your right, while on your left the downtown core awaits your exploration. As an added bonus, EPIC is minutes away from the best beaches, restaurants, shops and theatres that Miami has to offer. By keeping guests happy with a reasonable amount of complimentary incentives, EPIC capitalizes on the influx of clients. A client-pleasing feature such as the free wine offered daily from 5 p.m. until 6 p.m. is one example of a high-level of customer satisfaction is maintained. It’s not only the wine, but also the incredible staff, who are selected more for their personality than skills, that make EPIC a phenomenal experience. As Jeff Peterson, a spokesperson for the EPIC shares, “a great personality is hard to teach but how to fold a towel is a lot easier.” When I first arrived, the gentleman who took my bags and showed me to my room might be one of the most gracious fellows I’ve ever met.
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The yoga room, spa centre, pools and yacht dock make for a posh spot. Both of EPIC’s restaurants, Area 31 Restaurant and the award-winning London eatery Zuma, offer haute cuisine in a high-style setting. From the design district’s super-trendy art galleries-turned-nightclubs to hot spots including Club Space for international DJs, parties around the city contribute to Miami’s amazing nightlife. Get your feet wet at SkyBar at the Shore Club in South Beach. According to a 2009 study by global financial service UBS, Miami is also the richest city in the United States and fifth richest city in the world in terms of purchasing power. Look out for more to come. By taking part in the Miami movement, you’ll be part of a moment in time to be remembered in the history of the great city of Miami. www.epichotel.com www.dolcemag.com
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| ABU DHABI
A FERRARI
WORLD PRODUCED BY OMAR CUSHNIE WRITTEN BY MICHAEL HILL
Speed, passion and power collide under the roof of the world’s largest indoor amusement park: Ferrari World.
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ind whips through your hair as you rip around the corner of Germany’s famed Nürburgring racetrack in your Ferrari Formula 1 race car. You accelerate hard out of the turn, pushing the car to its limits, overtaking yet another driver. Pistons fire, tires squeal and the engine screams as you charge past the competition. The checkered flag waves in the distance. You can see the ending in sight – the sweet taste of victory teases the tip of your tongue. You barrel towards the finish line when suddenly … you wake up. You realize you’re not an F1 driver, and you may never know the rush of pushing these sophisticated machines to the very limits of their abilities. That is, until now. Opening this past November, Ferrari World is the first amusement park dedicated to the iconic racing brand. With the world’s biggest Ferrari logo detailed on a 200,000 square metre roof, this colossal shrine to the Ferrari name is the largest indoor amusement park on the planet. Located in the cosmopolitan metropolis of Abu Dhabi, the gigantic Ferrari red roof houses over 20 rides and attractions, giving a glimpse into the past, present and future of the racing and automotive empire. Immerse yourself in the world of racing and get a first-hand look at a range of classic and historic Ferraris in the Galleria Ferrari. Enjoy the exclusive privilege previously reserved for 24
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See where it all began at the Galleria Ferrari: a historic look into the automotive giant’s roots.
Ferrari owners by touring through the Maranello factory on the Made in Maranello attraction. Jump into the driver’s seat of an adrenaline-pumping race simulator on the Scuderia Challenge – just like the ones used by Ferrari’s F1 drivers. Or let your child enjoy the thrill of victory in a scaled-down F430 GT Spider at the Junior GT attraction. For those looking for a real taste of speed, one of the major selling points and greatest achievements of Ferrari World is the blisteringly fast Formula Rossa roller coaster. Manufactured to simulate the experience of riding in an F1 race car, the Formula Rossa reaches a top speed of 240 kilometres per hour, making it the fastest roller coaster on the planet. Using hydraulic technology, similar to those that launch fighter jets off aircraft carriers, riders will experience the equivalent of 10,000 horsepower as they are rifled 52 metres into the air and feel the pressure of rocketing at 4.8 Gs – the same G-force an F1 driver experiences. Although Ferrari focuses on speed and power for its cars, there is still plenty for the entire family to enjoy. Indulge in traditional Italian cuisine at the Mamma Rossella restaurant, named for the family restaurant in Maranello that Ferrari drivers and management frequently visit, or dress your family in racing attire and memorabilia at the Ferrari Past and Present store, modelled after Enzo Ferrari’s first garage. With attractions, shopping and dining fit for every member of the family, Ferrari World opens the doors into the exciting and fast-paced world of one of the greatest auto manufacturers in history. For any true auto aficionado, Ferrari World is a must-see. Strap yourself in, rev those engines, shift into fourth and get the real experience at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. www.ferrariworldabudhabi.com PLEASE NOTE: The Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada website states that as of Jan. 2, 2011, a visa will be required to enter the United Arab Emirates for tourism and business purposes. Canadians planning to travel to the UAE after this date should contact an Embassy of the UAE for details on how to obtain a visa. www.dolcemag.com
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| TORONTO
THE WOODEN HEART OF DEAN JACKSON
D Dean Jackson’s J k ’ second Aeropod, the RetroRocket 02, was purchased by the Rolls Royce dealership in Toronto.
Furniture as art: the combination of beauty and functionality. PRODUCED BY MICHELLE ZERILLO-SOSA WRITTEN BY MICHAEL HILL
T
here isn’t anything like a handcrafted, custom-made piece of furniture: the rich smell, the bold colour of a dark finish, the smooth yet sturdy feeling of real wood (not that cheap pulpwood you get from Ikea). In a world of mass-produced, cookie-cutter furniture, real furnishing built as a labour of love is an oasis in an otherwise uninteresting consumerist desert. Even though we wade through waters of dreary big-box store products, there are those who see furniture as something more: an opportunity to turn a functional object into a unique and masterful piece of art. “It’s a combination of art and design. It’s got to solve the problem first; everything has to do what it’s supposed to do, that’s what furniture is really. The beautiful part is, well, it’s what I like to do. I like to make beautiful things,” says Dean Jackson, owner of Custom Wood Designs. For almost 30 years, Jackson has been combining his impressive woodworking ability with an unwavering love for art, producing some of the most beautiful pieces of custom-made furniture in the GTA. He views each project as a challenge: not only solving client’s problems, but fulfilling their specific way of life. “I approach each job as a unique project, and that’s one of the reasons I like it: it’s a problem-solving process … I’m making [furniture] for one person. When I’m designing a piece it’s for that specific person – it’s to suite their lifestyle,” comments Jackson.
crystal bottle of your favourite brandy or a chest for your most precious jewelry, these pieces exemplify Jackson’s goal to produce beauty that makes people smile. “When you look at a beautiful object, it inspires you. I think a lot of people might forget that, but every time you look at something you love, it makes you feel good. If it’s designed to work for you, and it works well, then that makes you even happier,” Jackson explains.
“When people see an AeroPod for the first time, ‘what exactly is it?’ is their first question. And I’m glad they ask it because it means I have succeeded in creating something that is completely original. The true value of an AeroPod lies not in its ability to store an “x” number of bottles or cigars, but rather in the delightful experience one gets when interacting with it,” Jackson remarks.
A humble and dedicated craftsman, Jackson’s creativity and skill shine through his work. His biggest reward? The delight of a fulfilled customer. “It’s satisfying when given a challenging project and going through the whole process, and seeing the customer enjoy it. The light on their face – that’s rewarding to me knowing that they’re happy. That’s my best client: a happy one.”
Indeed, the AeroPod is a true conversation piece. Half sculpture, half cabinet, each one is a unique venture that exemplifies style and luxury. Whether it’s holding a
416.240.1091 www.deanjacksondesigns.com www.aeropod.ca
Although custom furniture is his business, art is his passion. And like any great artist, Jackson has his signature piece. As if transported directly from the 1950s, the AeroPod is the culmination of years of training and dedication to the honing of his skill.
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| FLORIDA / NEW YORK
GOTHAM DREAM CARS: Driving Famous
PRODUCED BY MICHELLE ZERILLO-SOSA WRITTEN BY VITO LA GIORGIA Feeling good is a guarantee when you’re behind the wheel of this supercharged Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.
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xotic automobile rental companies were virtually non-existent before Noah Lehmann-Haupt, the founder and CEO of Gotham Dream Cars, decided to build what is now the largest dedicated fleet of exotics in the United States. The entrepreneur explains the philosophy of Gotham Dream Cars in two words, “Drive Famous.” Gotham Dream Cars is freedom on four wheels; the freedom to choose from the fastest, most beautiful and most luxurious cars in the world. Hop into a super car and feel like a superstar as you make an impressive entrance or a stylish getaway. GDC offers clients the most varied choice of exotic cars from around the world. Rental periods range from a day or a weekend to a week or more. GDC also offers membership plans and a unique driving event called The Dream Car Tour™. This dynamic driving experience places its participants behind the wheel of six different exotic automobiles for four-hours on over 150 miles of open road. Bring a friend – non-driving partners are free to join for an additional $595. If you’re unsure which car to choose, the CEO has you covered. For recommendations in the “scary-fast” category, Lehmann-Haupt suggests 28
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The power to choose: Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche, Bentley, and more, are all yours at Gotham Dream Cars.
the Lamborghini Murciélago LP 640 Roadster. This Italian stallion boasts 640 horsepower in a monstrous V-12 engine and gets you from A to B in rapid style. For supreme luxury and space for five people, Lehmann-Haupt recommends his Bentley Continental GTC, while for unmatched agility you can’t go past the Ferrari 599 GTB. The car-crazy CEO explains his personal favourite – the allnew Ferrari 458 Italia. “This is hands-down the best car I’ve ever driven.” This rare model balances premium power, tight cornering and luscious luxury to near perfection, and it’s available at GDC. It’s all about the experience the cars provide, Lehmann-Haupt explains. “Our business is built on providing an experience that many of our customers have dreamt about since they were young and had sports car posters on their walls – posters of the Lamborghini Countach or the Porsche 911 Turbo. There’s no other sensation like the one of finally driving a super sports car. The adrenaline, speed, power – it’s unmatched by any other experience. We are privileged to be able to make such a unique and exclusive experience more attainable to the average person.” The staff at Gotham is passionate about providing quality service because they are passionate about the top-quality supercars they work with on a daily basis. Driving instructors are on-site to help ease any fear or anxiety. Whether you’re a novice driver or a seasoned pro, the staff at Gotham Dream Cars will make you feel confident and the cars will do the rest. GDC currently has two locations, in New York and South Florida, while plans to expand to other cities are on the horizon. For prices and more information, visit www.gothamdreamcars.com, or call 1-877 2-GOTHAM. www.dolcemag.com
Benicio Del Toro stars in Campari's famed 2011 calendar entitled: The Red Affair. He is the first male face in 12 editions.
IN THE
BULLRING WITH
B
BENICIO DEL TORO
WRITTEN BY MADELINE STEPHENSON / PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHEL COMTE
enicio Del Toro’s impenetrable eyes and sui generis artistry make him more of an unusual superstar than the usual suspect he portrayed in his breakout performance 15 years ago. The hauntingly talented Latin American actor lit a match to cinematic mediocrity with his Oscarwinning role in Steven Soderbergh’s crime drama Traffic, and hasn’t gazed in his rearview since. “[Del Toro] has that ineffable quality that some performers have. And for whatever reason, he has a very compelling screen presence. I
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think you’re born with part of that,” Soderbergh once told The New York Times. Del Toro spent his adolescence in the densely populated peninsula of San Juan, Puerto Rico, where culture is rich and the land is married to six breathtaking bodies of water. The acclaimed actor credits his kindergarten teacher as one of the first people who helped pave his way. “She used to walk me home after school … just because I was a kid and it was around where I lived and when class would finish, she would just walk me home,” he recalls. With both parents and much of his immediate family working in law, acting wasn’t exactly a prudent pursuit. “They were like, ‘Really, come on, that’s not a profession, that’s a hobby, a phase.’ You know, it was like, ‘The kid is doing
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something to get out of something,’” remembers Del Toro. His earliest performances were creative attempts to entertain his mother, Fausta Del Toro, who died from hepatitis complications when he was just nine. At 13, he moved to Pennsylvania with his father, where he attended boarding school and inadvertently uncovered his gift. Enrolling in the University of California at San Diego years later was simply a tactic to kill time, quips the forthright film star. “I went to college, I had no idea what for, but [my] major was business when I started and then, I switched it to theatre,” says Del Toro, who made the move after being offered a role in the college play which was restricted to non-drama majors. Short of completing his degree, he was awakened by the city that never sleeps and fled to New York to receive classical training at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. With its prestigious alumni peppered with highprofile performers like Marlon Brando, Salma Hayek and Robert De Niro, this conservatory has become the source of some of this century’s most inspiring success stories.
Q: When you reach a certain level in Hollywood, do you think it gets harder to distance yourself from your race? I’m wondering if you find that hard?
QA
BY AMANDA SWEENEY
BENICIO DEL TORO
+
A: Well, no. I play the character, and, you know, it's interesting because, it's interesting that ... because I do think about it. If there's one scene I have to do in Spanish, then, everything is going to be in Spanish - I did a whole Hollywood movie all in Spanish – the Soderbergh film Traffic – and it was the director’s decision and my decision, and he was quite aware that if it wasn't in Spanish, I wasn't going to do it. Like, when I see someone of a Latin persuasion here in the States, I speak to them in English, you know? But it’s not like abandoning my roots ... I think that we're in a good time right now, we have really good, interesting actors that we know like Antonio Banderas, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz … and there are others that we don't know so well. The talent is there and when it comes to Latin stuff, I think that what we need is like the Francis Ford Coppola's and the Martin Scorsese’s, and if we don't get them from Latin America, then, it's interesting to try and suck in some of this talent the same way that I'm working for them. Q:
Do awards mean much to you? I mean, you’ve been nominated twice for the Oscars, won once, lost once. How do you prepare for an award like that?
A: Actually, I practised in front of a mirror twice. The first time I won and I was really happy all day long. Q: What did you say when you lost? A: Well, I was upset all day long and then I realized, they were
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At 43, Del Toro’s cinematic benchmarks include an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in Traffic and a landslide of other critical acknowledgements for his engrossing performances in 21 Grams, The Usual Suspects and Sin City. “I’ve been lucky … and I’ve worked with great people,” says the character-actor, who’s famous for mumbling. With his milestones, Del Toro also faced some heat for his roles in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas – which he gained 45 pounds for – and the critically contentious biopic Che. “Things got tough before The Usual Suspects at some point there, and I think that after Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas more personally in some ways because there was a lot of work involved in that film that was just thrown out and it disappeared, it got really bad reviews, unfairly so, I think. So it was kind of tough,” he admits. But negative critiques only come in handfuls for the 6-2 star. DOLCE VITA MAGAZINE
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Del Toro has been hailed by just about everyone who steps on set with him, perhaps most notably by Sean Penn, who helped stimulate his Indie career by casting him in The Indian Runner in 1991. “He’s like an acting animal, this guy who comes out of the forest to make movies better. He’s fearless, and he has a very distinctive imagination for character. He’s one of the few who can make flamboyant choices that never just say, ‘Look at me.’ He’s not showy. If he stands out, it's only because the rest of the people haven't risen as high to the bar,” Penn told The New York Times in 2001. Del Toro’s industry credentials and carnal magnetism have most recently catapulted him onto the pages of Campari’s iconic calendar for 2011. Throughout a 12-month spread, his amorous character produces a fullbodied concoction to be served on the rocks. As the Italian alcohol brand’s first male face, Del Toro’s evasive stare is joining the ranks of fellow Latin American sex symbols Salma Hayek and Eva Mendes. Though his cultural roots are firmly planted, the actor has several branches when it comes to his identity. “I’ve never looked at it like ‘Are you on this team, or that team,’ and I’m not playing on any team, really. I’m playing on the team of, you know, good filmmaking right now,” says Del Toro, who dedicated his 2001 Traffic Oscar to the movie’s bordering film sites: Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Mexico. Despite the star’s sweeping onscreen success, some family members still encourage him to consider other career paths. “I’m very close to my godmother and to this day, she still goes, ‘You can get a degree or something,’” he shares. Thoroughly authentic in so many ways, Del Toro’s fearless approach makes him one of few in his field to take risks and rebound from losses. At the core of his craft is a powerful attraction. “I think that it’s the ability to express yourself or the ability to make an interpretation on a written piece. And also, there is a little bit of tension.”
QA +
all both like, you know, unreal. So you know, the work is done and if it happens, something like that is a compliment and I just take it for what it is. I won’t take it for granted, but I don’t think about. I really refuse to have those ups-and-downs. It’s just like wishing for rain, you know, it’s beyond my control, I have no control. I would like to have control over things in some ways, it’s not that I’m a control freak, but this is beyond my control. The work is done and it’s a compliment that people are talking about it like that and thinking in those terms, and I’ve been working now for some time.
Q: Are you happy with the state of your career right now, you must be excited? A: Yeah, yeah. Q: Can you talk about that a little bit, has it been a long struggle?
A: Well, I’ve been lucky, you know, and I’ve worked with great people.
Q::What is your favourite junk food? A: Pizza, that’s junk food, right? Yeah I’m definitely a pizza man. [Laughs.]
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Å Madrid Fashion Week proved that a flower hair accessory, when done right, can add extra femininity to any bikini ensemble. Gold bracelet from Bavna Jewelers.
WEAR
PRODUCED BY MICHELLE ZERILLO-SOSA WRITTEN BY VITO LA GIORGIA
PHOTO BY MICHAEL BUCKNER
Vacation
Sexy and seductive fashion that is perfect for your tropical getaway.
Ï Take advantage of the versatile bandeau bikini top that matches with any bottom.
PHOTO BY MICHAEL BUCKNER
Á Kourtney, Khloe and Kim Kardashian, along with Selena Gomez, admired bikini fashions at the Beach Bunny Swimwear 2011 Fashion Show for the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim at the Raleigh in Miami Beach, Florida.
The vibe was festive as DJs spun tracks inside South Beach’s landmark Raleigh Hotel.
Å Fashion was in full bloom as this red rose ensemble lit up the runway at the Madrid Fashion Week.
Á Crowds gathered as models circled the magnificent Raleigh Hotel Pool.
Á The Raleigh is to South Beach what the Plaza is to New York – an iconic hotel with luxury everywhere you look.
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GEORGE CLOONEY & JOHN PENDERGRAST:
NOURISHING
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hile trying to prevent war and potential genocide in Sudan, George Clooney endured uncharacteristic living conditions for a movie star of his stature. He braved an electrical storm while aboard a small aircraft, he tolerated mice-infested African huts, he used a toilet that had frogs jumping in and out, and it was all for the greater good. Most of this admirable work done by the actor/activist has taken place alongside the dutiful humanitarian John Pendergrast, co-founder of Enough Project, a Washington-based anti-genocide organization that carries out a large amount of its work in Darfur and Congo. Together, Pendergrast and Clooney visited many rural villages, none more significant than the oil-rich region of Abyei, which has the highest probability of an outbreak of violence (once again, our crude dependence on what is underground puts life above ground at risk).
From there, with Pendergrast by his side, Clooney spoke candidly about the situation in Sudan on CNN’s Larry King Live. “These people have been captured, sold, tortured, raped and murdered. They believe that they have a right for independence now, and that the international community agreed to it. They believe that they are going to have that independence starting on the 9th of January, 2011 … they are willing to fight and die for that freedom.” In an interview with NBC’s Ann Curry, 34
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PHOTO BY PETE SOUZA
THE SEED OF HOPE IN SUDAN
Clooney asked, “If I said to you that there’s going to be an earthquake and 200,000 people are going to be killed, what would you do?” For decades, the people of South Sudan have tried to free themselves from the suffocating hold of the North. The 22-year Second Sudanese Civil War ended in 2005 with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). Throughout that time, war and famine consumed the lives of nearly two million people (the highest death toll since World War II) and displaced another four million throughout Africa and abroad. Remnants of the war remain; it is estimated that 200,000 women and children from South Sudan were allegedly abducted during the civil war by northern clans and placed into slavery rings all across the world. The “lost generation” is a term that
humanitarians use to describe the consequences of the conflict that took place in Sudan. The key component of the CPA was the independence vote set five years in the future that would allow the south to secede from the north. That vote is less than 30 days from now. Sudan’s current president and indicted war criminal Omar al-Bashir, is the man accused of allowing the crimes against humanity to occur. Abuse of human rights, injustice and sedition are nothing new for President Bashir, who has ruled Sudan with an iron fist ever since he assumed office through a bloodless military coup in 1989. Since 2005, the promised peace process has not stopped the last bullet from being fired or the last house from being burned down. The violent loss of human rights has rolled through southern Sudanese villages, leaving a bloodstained trail that leads back to Khartoum. In spite of all that has taken place, Clooney and Pendergrast believe that change is possible. With the possibility of a third civil war or genocide, the UN rallied, the international community joined the fight and unknown heroes like Pendergrast and well-known faces like Clooney rose up for a country that was on the brink of falling apart for a third time. The largely Christian south demanded autonomy in the past but their dreams were crushed by the Arab-Muslim dominance of the north. Pendergrast and Clooney are part of a movement geared towards giving the southern Sudanese the well-deserved opportunity to achieve independence.
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CBS’s The Early Show, Pendergrast added, “We didn’t prevent Somalia, we didn’t prevent Rwanda, we have an opportunity to prevent Sudan.” If Bashir should start conflict in the remaining 30 days, his arrogance will have to answer to the Western world. With more to lose than to gain, the Sudan Military Academy graduate has stayed quiet as of late. Voters are beginning to register for the upcoming referendum throughout Sudan. It looks like Pendergrast’s push and Clooney’s voice are paying off. The registration in Juba this past November was a jubilant affair. Southern Sudan’s incumbent president, Salva Kiir, was part of the festive atmosphere that included drummers and joyful Sudanese singers. Radio Netherlands Worldwide was present when Kiir proudly announced the victory his south is due to see. “We will vote on January 9,” said Kiir. “People must come out en masse; otherwise, people would have been fighting and dying for no cause. The referendum is done only once.”
IF [NORTH AND SOUTH SUDAN] CAN FIGURE OUT A WAY TO AVERT A WAR AND SHARE RESOURCES, THEY COULD BOTH SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE OTHER.
As the referendum vote gets closer, the horizon is still vague for south Sudan. As Oxfam reports, “Southern Sudan is one of the least developed regions on Earth … with few roads and little infrastructure, the referendum is a logistical nightmare … the longer uncertainty drags on the more likely violence could flare up.” The United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) reports, “Voter registration in Southern Sudan was encouraging, but low turnouts in the North must be addressed.”
With Clooney’s support, the tireless humanitarian efforts of Pendergrast are finally paying off. He is gaining While the future is uncertain, the mainstream popularity, which has nobility expressed by Clooney, – John Pendergrast, co-founder caused his posse of do-gooders Pendergrast and the other unnamed of Enough Project. to expand, cover more land and champions of peace continues to hopefully resolve more problems. nourish the seed of hope for the One of their main missions, as stated by Pendergrast is “to southern Sudanese. As Pendergrast made clear, public pressure hopefully build the political will to do more for peace.” When can insight political action and force governments to recognize asked whether massive public support is the only way for great those who are too often ignored. humanitarian endeavours to succeed, Pendergrast said, “for the most part, yes; political will is generated by public interest.” Sudan needs to come together and give one final push in order to coagulate the rampant corruption and anguish in Central Africa is one of the most saddening areas in the world. If Central Africa. A new foundation in Sudan has the possibility all goes well, Sudan could offer hope to neighbouring countries to create opportunities for the current and future generations at the end of what has been a persistent and sinister tunnel of Central Africa. of despair for the entire region. As Pendergrast said, “If they [North and South Sudan] can figure out a way to avert a war and share resources, they could both support the development of For more information, go to the enoughproject.org website or the other. In a best-case scenario, a good relationship between sudanactionnow.org to sign a petition that will end up on the North and South Sudan could be an engine of development desks of Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough for the entire region.” In an interview with Charlie Gibson on and President Barack Obama.
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PHOTO BY MIKE PRIOR AND ROBERTO CHAMORRO COURTESY OF FARRAH GRAY PUBLISHING
KY MANI MARLEY A GOOD REBEL Son of the world’s most famous and iconic reggae artist, Ky Mani Marley takes up his father’s flag in the name of peace and love. WRITTEN BY SIMONA PANETTA
Dedicated to carrying on his father’s legacy of one love, Ky-Mani started the Love Over All Foundation in 2008, which helps to alleviate illiteracy and poverty, promoting positive change in low socio-economic communities across the Caribbean, Africa and the United States. Sickle cell and diabetes research is also part of the foundation’s aims.
Named Philanthropist of the Year by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Ky-Mani’s Love Over All Foundation brings smiles and much-needed hope to children all over the world.
T
he world embraces Bob Marley as the most iconic reggae artist to date, but to Ky-Mani Marley, he is Dad. Now a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and philanthropist, Ky-Mani chronicles his scanty childhood and the monumental impact his legendary father imparted on him in his telltale biography, Dear Dad. “I got a lot of slack early on in my career saying, you know, how can I sing of struggle? How can I sing of ghettos when, you know, your father is Robert Nesta Marley? For me, it’s important that people know that the things that I sing about, I sing about them because I have experienced them first-hand, because even though I am from a great legacy with a great last name, I am from very humble beginnings,” says Ky-Mani. In his book, he revisits the strife he endured as a child, living in Falmouth, Jamaica with his mother, Anita Belnavis. He was only five when Marley passed, cheated from a father and a lifetime of memories. And just as the world mourned a king, he too had to watch his own father’s funeral on TV. A son of music royalty, Ky-Mani was exiled from the Marley estate. His mother, who at the time was a leading table tennis player in the Caribbean, was one of several women that gave birth out of wedlock to an already married Marley. “It’s hard when you know that you are from a great legacy and you know what your background is but yet you’re still living in a two-bedroom wooden house with nine people living in it,” says Ky-Mani. In hopes of a better future, Belnavis and Ky-Mani left the vibrancy and energy of Jamaica for the Promised Land. Yet in Liberty City, Miami, a concrete jungle teeming with gangland warfare reared its ugly head. Ky-Mani was living the life of the people his father spoke of in his songs. “I was raised up in a neighborhood that was guaranteed a shoot-out if not once a week then we definitely got one every other week,” says Ky-Mani, who was hustling the streets of Liberty City at nine-years-old. 36
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Ky-Mani’s genes kicked in when he visited the school of his early days. “Just seeing the condition of some of the children … their uniforms are not clean and their shoes have big holes in them … and to find that there was still another 30 per cent of children who were not in attendance because they can’t afford the uniform or they can’t afford the shoes or, you know, they can’t buy lunch, that touched me,” says Ky-Mani, who was named Philanthropist of the Year by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Better World Awards. Two of his children have been diagnosed with sickle-cell disease. “I wanted to be a part of change.” Finding redemption through the art of song and word, Ky-Mani’s musicality is arrestingly similar to Marley’s. Set to release his fourth album – Evolution of a Revolution – in February, Ky-Mani’s philanthropic and musical genius runs through his veins. www.kymani-marley.com www.loveoverall.org
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We’re All Under The Same Sun:
Ash Peter
Canadian businessman Peter Ash travels to Africa to come down on an ancient practice of witchcraft that has led to albino murders in Tanzania.
Ash founded Under the Same Sun (UTSS) in 2008, the only international charity working in Tanzania on this atrocity. UTSS is a non-profit organization that promotes the well-being of marginalized and misunderstood people. All too familiar with the taste of bigotry, Ash’s self-worth never felled with taunts of “Casper the Ghost” and “freak” pillaging his childhood. His mother told him, “‘God made you the way you are and God doesn’t make mistakes,’” says Ash, owner and director of Sagewood Holdings, a commercial real estate acquisition company. “I began to visit families who had lost children. Mothers who had their children murdered before their eyes; dismembered in the most horrific ways. I would sit with these mothers and listen to their stories,” says Ash, who has recently returned from his sixth trip to Africa. Everywhere he went he was accompanied by security guards, not because he is an albino but because of his campaign to end the bloodshed. “Many people in Africa don’t believe I have albinism, they think I’m a fair-haired European. They don’t believe albinism exists outside of Africa – they don’t understand that it’s a global genetic disorder. If I had any threat in Tanzania it will more be [about] the work I’m doing,” says Ash, who is legally blind as a result of his condition. The plight of albinos living in Central Eastern Africa was initially revealed to him in a chilling British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) World Service Report, compiled by freelance Tanzanian reporter Vicky Ntetema. In 2007, she risked her life, embarking on a covert operation to uncover entrenched archaic beliefs that have spurred albino killings across Tanzania and beyond in the last few years. “When I heard of her report I tracked her down and got on the phone and said, ‘I want to get involved. I have albinism myself. These are my brothers and sisters getting slaughtered, what can I do to help? I can’t sit idly by here in Canada and do nothing,’” says Ash, a 38
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PHOTO BY DON SAWATZKY
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hey say a visionary doesn’t find his cause – the cause finds him. Growing up with albinism in Canada, successful businessman Peter Ash was quick to act when he first heard of an incomprehensible crime unveiling itself across Tanzania. The practice of killing people with albinism for their body parts has become a lucrative trade in one of the world’s poorest countries, with the horror spilling across its borders.
PHOTO BY RICK GUIDOTTI
PRODUCED BY MICHELLE ZERILLO-SOSA WRITTEN BY SIMONA PANETTA
Peter Ash, owner of Sagewood Holdings, jets to Tanzania for a cause – to save African albinos from slaughter.
former Baptist minister with degrees in psychology and theology. The battlefield of this unfathomable crime is lined with thousands of East African albinos who are confined to a world buried in time, where a blaringly ignorant belief in magic and witchcraft is common, and discrimination against albinos has endured for centuries. Ash, who receives updates from Tanzanian police, pegs the official murders of albinos in Tanzania at 59 since 2007, with speculation that this figure could be much higher. Nine others have been attacked for their limbs.
The B.C.-based UTSS foundation (with a branch in the commercial capital of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) is trying to change this by raising global awareness and funds that provide improvements to the lives of albino children in Tanzania. UTSS offers sunscreen and covers the cost of high-quality boarding education for over 300 albino children through its scholarship program. Ninety-eight per cent of the funding for UTSS has derived from Ash and his family up until now. A successful charity event in Surrey, British Columbia this past November raised $170,000 for UTSS. “Education and advocacy in Tanzania is going to be a good part of the solution,” says Ash. UTSS recently premiered a one-hour feature-length documentary called White and Black: The Slaughter of African Albinos in Africa. Understanding that discrimination won’t change overnight, Ash won’t give up until his brothers and sisters are salvaged. He spoke at the United Nations in Geneva last year. “I wanted to give Tanzania the sense that the world is watching.” UTSS is also pressuring the Tanzanian government, where the wheels of justice grind slower in a country lacking resources. “It took two years for the first murder conviction and up to five years for [the accused] to go to trial. Our goal has really been to pressure the government of Tanzania to prosecute the offenders of these crimes to bring justice to these families. Ten men have been convicted in two different cases. Of the 59 murders, only two have gone to complete conviction. Fifty-six have not been prosecuted yet. Only two murders have been dealt with,” says Ash, who fears a trans-border trade in body parts. In neighbouring Burundi, there have been 15 killings. “This is what really worries us – that these body parts are being shipped across country lines and witchcraft is common in many African countries.” There have also been cases documented in Guinea and Kenya, he adds. Tanzanian Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda shared a similar sentiment in an interview with ABC’s 20/20. “We simply cannot sit like this, and we called upon the masses to come out. ‘Please let us get an idea as to whom you think in your village is a possible suspect.’ Now you’d be surprised, people came up in hundreds,” said Pinda, citing situations in Africa are very different. “Sometimes when a killing happens, getting police to the [scene] is an issue.” From the archaic conviction that albinos carry a curse from the gods, the increased prevalence of albinism in Africa is quite the concern. Geneticists believe that albinism may have its roots in sub-Saharian Africa, which may explain why the prevalence of the genetic condition is much higher there. To date, 1 in 2,000 people have albinism in this part of the world, whereas in North America, 1 in every 20,000 have the condition. During her investigation, Ntetema “consulted” with 10 witch doctors and was able to record them saying that they would be able to get albino body parts for $2,000. Witch doctors promise luck and love, success and riches with potions containing the blood and body parts of albinos. Because of their powerful echelon in traditional African societies, witch doctors hire killers and are protected by local police. Ntetema now lives in hiding, fleeing Tanzania twice after airing her findings on this powerful network. Three years after exposing the issue, the International Women’s Media Foundation awarded Ntetema with a Courage in Journalism Award for her investigation. Apart from being hunted and shunned from the workforce, persons with albinism in East Africa face other obstacles. A rare genetically inherited condition, albinism results in a lack of melanin in hair, skin and eyes, which makes skin cancer a deadly threat. While persons with albinism have the same life expectancy as the general population, the average life span for an African albino is only 30 years, with only two per cent living beyond 40, says the UTSS website. www.dolcemag.com
With this dilemma comes a twisted twist: the supposed spiritual power cultivated from albino parts is enhanced if the offering is young. “Seventy per cent of the killings have been people under the age of 18,”says Ash. “The child is viewed as more pure – virgin if you will. I have a photograph of a seven-month-old baby who was murdered,” reveals Ash. When he visited a family in Mwanza, a region in northern Tanzania where many of the killings happen, he listened to the death of eight-year-old Miriam. She was snatched from her room, isolated from her siblings and pinned down to a bed. A machete was drawn, slicing across the full length of her throat. In minutes, Miriam’s lifeless torso was all that was left for her family to mourn. Her killers slipped out with a bag containing her severed limbs and a pot brimming with her fallen blood – all to supply an abominable industry. Her brother Menyashi, also an albino, was forced to listen to her murder. Since then, UTSS has placed Menyashi in a safe, highquality boarding school. Ash first locked eyes with Menyashi at The Mitindo Primary School for the Blind in Tanzania, which is encased with barbed wire and a security sentry standing guard. His gaze reflecting an unfathomable horror no child should ever endure, Ash pulled his rigid body into his arms. “When I realized that people like me – with the same genetic code that I have – were being slaughtered alive, hunted down and discriminated against simply because of a genetic condition they had no control over, it seemed to be that I had to get involved. I couldn’t not get involved.” To end the horror, write about this issue to your local Member of Parliament. A small donation of $25 a month will buy basic supplies including sunscreen for a child with albinism, $100 pays the cost of tuition of boarding school for one child; and a one-time gift of $1,000 will educate a child for a year. To donate and learn more, go to www.underthesamesun.com DOLCE VITA MAGAZINE
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THE COMPASSIONATE MIND OF
SHEMAR
MOORE WRITTEN BY SIMONA PANETTA
The Criminal Minds’ star speaks candidly about work, play and his pursuit to find a cure for multiple sclerosis.
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Sitting in his home office of olive Venetian plaster, Shemar Moore steps away from his hectic 15-hour-day work schedule to trade case for cause. Unlike the role of Morgan, Moore uses his alpha male magnetism to instead crack the code of a different kind of life-robbing transgressor: multiple sclerosis. “I’m a very athletic person – I have been all my life. I found out through some referrals that I could not only enjoy a hobby of mine – which was riding bicycles to stay in shape – I could do it for a good cause, which was raising money and using my celebrity to get the issue of MS out.”
I’m an only child raised by a single mom and so I didn’t have dad around to be superman, I had mom around to be super-mom, superwoman. – Shemar Moore
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Every year, the activist for change participates in the southern California ride of National MS Society’s Bike MS program, an organized cycling series that helps to support research and
service programs that will enhance the lives of those living with MS. In 2009, the Society raised $209 million, of which Bike MS contributed $75 million. In 1998, Moore’s mother, Marilyn Wilson, was diagnosed with MS. Refusing to succumb to his mother’s kryptonite, his liquid-chocolate eyes turned a blind eye. “It was hard to accept and for a couple of years we were both in denial. I wanted to play it down; I didn’t want to believe it was true. I thought, ‘OK, get over it, toughen up and you’ll beat it – you don’t have MS.’” As her physical abilities weakened, Moore acted on the
PHOTO BY BRIAN HODES
S
pecial agent Derek Morgan solves bloody crimes with intense corporal bravado, all the while oozing charm with every raised eyebrow and flex of his bicep. “The character I play on Criminal Minds is the physical one of the bunch – I’m the guy that kicks down doors and faces the bad guys and all that.”
Á Shemar Moore is an avid cyclist, training three-to-four months a year for the annual National MS Society’s Bike MS program. Ï A loving son, Moore shows affection for the most important lady in his life: his mother.
life lesson of strength his mother taught him by taking the lead and plunging into research. “I’m an only child raised by a single mom and so I didn’t have dad around to be superman, I had mom around to be super-mom, superwoman,” says Moore, who is now brother to three half-siblings that live in Japan with his father. “Like any child, you’re used to them taking care of everything; you’re used to them kind of being the rock. I wanted to stop [MS]. I was trying to figure out what to do to get her mindset strong so she could fight it. Because she’s such a fighter it’s just taught me to be a fighter.”
times more likely to develop MS than men. “My mother feels profoundly proud that I’m willing to get up and sit on a hard seat and ride the bike ride,” says Moore, who is joined by fellow Criminal Minds cast members on the ride. Over the past four years, the Criminal Minds bike team has raised more than $60,000. “It’s been a 13-year challenge. On good days, she’s dancing around the kitchen and she’s swimming in the pool, and on bad days, she’s house-ridden and bed-ridden. The bad days are less and less as we continue to fight it and do our homework.”
According to the National MS Society, MS is a disease of the central nervous system that affects the ability of nerves to conduct electrical pulses to and from the brain. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S. and 2.1 million worldwide. Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada says that Canadians have one of the highest rates of MS in the world, with women more than three
He prepares for the 100-mile ride by training three-to-four months of the year, riding his bike to the set of Criminal Minds or leisurely along the coast of the Pacific Coast Highway in Los Angeles out to Agua Dolce and the mountain range nearby.
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last year. “An old guy in an old-school Cadillac veered into the bike lane over by my house and hit me at 40 miles from behind. I broke my leg and cracked my collarbone and a couple of ribs. I was lucky … it could have been a lot worse. It wasn’t my time that day I’d like to think,” says Moore, who endured physical therapy for months. “Here I am a year later and I have my strength back, I have my mobility back. My mom taught me that you can stumble and fall but always get up, dust yourself off and keep fighting, keep pushing forward. She is the strongest woman I know,” says Moore, who was born in California and raised in Denmark. With an Irish and French-Canadian mother and African-American father, Moore faced criticism as a child. “When I came to the States I wasn’t black enough because my skin wasn’t dark enough. I wasn’t white enough because my skin was too dark.” The emotional trauma of racism trickled into his adolescence and adulthood, plummeting his confidence. His lack of self-belief resulted in severe bouts of nervousness while acting. “I was being the Shemar Moore everybody else wanted me to be or I was afraid of not being accepted … My mother always told me at a young age: ‘Don’t worry about being the Shemar Moore that everyone wants you to be – you be the Shemar Moore you want to be. You’re not a colour, you’re a man – you’re Shemar Franklin Moore.’”
Before I do a talk show or before I do an interview with you; before I do a scene at work, I whisper to myself: Find your truth. That helps overcome my nerves, helps me overcome my insecurities and helps me walk a straight line. Don’t try to be someone you aren’t.
In the way that he talks, in the way that he walks, Moore’s actions display a man that has come a long way from those vulnerabilities. Staying true to oneself is a poignant quality that defines him. “… Before I do a talk show or before I do an interview with you; before I do a scene at work, I whisper to myself: Find your truth. That helps overcome my nerves, helps me overcome my insecurities and helps me walk a straight line. Don’t try to be someone you aren’t.” Leaving arrogance off the – Shemar Moore table, Moore espouses a karmic outlook on life. “I believe in basic goodness. I’d be too naïve and too arrogant to think I’m living this life by myself .... I know I’ve been given a gift. I know that we are all one-of-a-kind; we just have to dig within ourselves and bring out our true potential … we’ve all been dealt a certain deck of cards and raised in different situations and circumstances and faced different challenges … but I do believe in the energy that you put out that that energy comes back.”
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Achieving superior physical strength is also a way Moore stays strong and free – all the while satisfying his sweet tooth. He gets his blood going and breaks into a sweat with 10 to 20 laps in the pool in the morning, followed by an hour’s worth of exercise in the “gym on wheels” – a gym in a truck – that is available to him and other crewmembers at work. He then gets to enjoy Ben and Jerry’s Half Baked ice cream and peanut M & Ms guilt-free. Best known for dropping jaws on the soap opera The Young and the Restless, Moore is quick to acknowledge that while his looks ushered him into Hollywood, his acting ability is what has kept him there. “If my six-pack and physique were going 42
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to get me through doors so to speak, I took advantage of it,” says Moore, who received, among other accolades, a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2000. “Hopefully at this point, when people look at me, they pay attention to my acting ability. I really love the craft of acting and work hard,” says Moore.
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At 40, the feisty Aries is single and looking. “I had Playboy tendencies and it was my way of keeping my distance because I have been very focused on my career,” says Moore, who bought himself a sleek black Audi R8 on his birthday. “My grandmother always told me: ‘Don’t go looking for it, when it’s time and she’s right she’ll show up out of the blue and bite you on the tush.’ I’m waiting to be bitten on the tush,” laughs Moore. While he waits, the selfdeclared “undercover” interior decorator (he renovated his entire L.A. home) expands his artistic talent with his upcoming clothing line, Royalty Soul, and continues the fight to find a cure for MS.
“My life is a journey and I’m having fun letting it unfold and evolve. I’m hoping that what I do opens people’s minds and inspires people to be the best in what they do. I love my mamma, and I’ll continue riding my bike to give her a voice.” Anticipating a future in independent and feature films, Moore’s path is paved with an uphill climb. “I haven’t caught that bus yet but I’m going to get there soon. Just know that I’m not done knocking down doors,” he says. www.shemarmoore.org www.bikems.org
Ë MICHAEL Ë MICHAEL KAESHAMMER Embarking on a cross-country tour with the talented Jill Barber this past November, Michael Kaeshammer is considered a piano-playing prodigy, dazzling audiences with his soulful sound and catchy tunes. www.kaeshammer.com
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Ë CECCONI MIAMMI Critically acclaimed for its superb dining experience, Cecconi’s is a modern take of the classic Italian restaurant, offering an elegant al fresco experience under the warm Miami sun. www.cecconismiamibeach.com
Á AUTORE These golden oceanic themed brooches and bracelet are littered with an array of pearls, blue sapphires, moonstones and black and yellow diamonds. The perfect accessories for elegant evening wear. www.pearlautore.com
Å KRUPS XP 5240 ESPRESSO MACHINE Krups’ stylish expresso maker comes equipped with a patented system so you can create the perfect cup of rich and foamy espresso every time. www.krups.ca
Ï SHRIMPTON COUTURE Refined, elegant and seductive, this vintage dress is a bold and sexy statement that’s guaranteed to draw attention the moment you step into a room. www.shrimptoncouture.com www.dolcemag.com
Ï HEAVEN’S ALCHEMY - ST. PETERSBURG Mixing the sweet fragrances of lemon and orange with the alluring sent of jasmine and vanilla, this elegantly shaped perfume looks as if it came from the nightstand of a Russian princess. www.heavensalchemyperfumes.com DOLCE VITA MAGAZINE
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Ashley Walker’s Mission of
L ove
WRITTEN BY MICHAEL HILL
PHOTO BY SOFIA VAN DER DYS
With the well-being of children on her mind, Ashley Walker embarked on a journey to Kenya bringing food, shoes and much-needed hope.
R
eality TV fans are more or less familiar with VH1’s hit show Basketball Wives. Filled with drama and scandal, the show offers a glimpse into the lives of professional basketball players wives, ex-wives, girlfriends and fiancées. These women may often come off as spoiled, but with the addition of Ashley Walker to the cast of season 2, viewers will see a humanitarian side to these famous females.
This past September, Walker, a philanthropist and mother of two, journeyed to Nairobi, Kenya to fulfill a lifelong dream of helping children in need with her Mission of Love. Teaming up with Feed The Children and raising nearly $10,000, Walker adopted a school in Nairobi’s slums to provide its students with a regular meal for an entire year, as well as shoes and socks so 500 needy children could have proper footwear. “I just knew I needed to do more,” says Walker, fiancée of former Orlando Magic point guard Rafer Alston. “I’m in the position where I’m blessed enough to be able to go to Africa and help these children that really do need help. So while I’m in this position I want to take advantage of it, and working with children is just my passion.” Helping children overseas is no small task – it requires organization, dedication and funding. Not one to be discouraged by financial obstacles, Walker recognizes the even greater and daily challenges these children face to obtain the basic necessities of life. Nairobi’s slums are deprived and dangerous environments where rape and kidnapping is common. Living in unfathomable conditions with dirt floors and tin Left: Ashley Walker and other volunteers help tie new shoes on the feet of formerly barefoot children. Right: Motherly instincts help nurture those in need.
Left: Ashley Walker and fiancé Rafer Alston stand in loving embrace. Below: Ashley Walker’s work brings smiles to hundreds of children.
roofs, these families’ meagre shelters are more shack than home. “They really have next-to-none living conditions,” explains Walker. “You would never even image in your wildest dreams that someone could function or live in that situation, and yet there are thousands of people living there.” Although her determination pushes her forward, Walker’s noble undertaking is reinforced by a strong support system from family and friends. “I am really proud of Ashley and all that she has accomplished with her foundation,” says Alston. “It amazes me that she is so selfless and along with being a great philanthropist, she is an even greater mother and mate.” Children are the future, but many get left in the dark. Walker understands that donating money is the least we can do. If we desire to make a lasting impact on the lives of others we need to offer more than just cold hard cash. The smallest spark can offer hope even in the blackest of nights – enough sparks and you illuminate the darkness. We can all take a page from Walker’s book, and be that little spark in a child’s life. www.iamashleywalker.com
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FURNITURE | INTERIOR DESIGN | DRAPERY $ ) 3 * 4 - & " 3 0 " % 6 / * 5 t 7" 6 ( ) " / 0 / t 5 WWW.DEARTE.CA
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Mercedes-Benz C350
WRITTEN BY D.T.
Built like a tank, the sporty C350 provides sophisticated style and driving fun.
M
ercedes-Benz is on a sales roll lately, with a variety of fresh new products that are receiving a lot of attention from consumers. One that stands out is the C-Class four-door sedan. Launched about two years ago, the C-Class took centre stage with new aggressive styling that included a sports package designed by AMG, the performance division of MercedesBenz. In Canada, the C-Class comes in one body style with four engine choices, two transmissions (six-speed manual for the C250 and C300) and two drivetrains (RWD or full-time AWD). The engine choices start with the 201-horsepower 2.5L V-6 in the C250. Next up the ladder is C300 with the 3.0L 228-hp V-6 and then the C350, equipped with the 268-hp V-6. The
Interior standards include Nappa leather covered steering wheel, power lumbar support is available on memory seats, and a rearview camera is added to the available navigation system.
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top dog C-Class is the AMG-powered C63 with a huge 6.3-L V-8 putting out an insane 441 horsepower! It also includes racy bodywork with four large exhaust pipe outlets to match the exotic car-like performance. Being the top grade in the C-Class family, outside of the outrageous AMG-powered C63, the C350 looks decidedly racy as it gets the standard sport package with large 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels. Look closely and you’ll notice that the rear tires (255/35R18) are much wider than the fronts (225/40R18), promising excellent cornering grip. The wide rear tires also add to the solid stance when viewed from the rear. Breaking from past Mercedes-Benz passenger car styling convention, the C350’s standard sport package also includes the front grille design traditionally found on Mercedes coupes. The rest of the styling package includes a deeper front air dam, lower side sills and rear apron. Completing the aggressive styling are two large exhaust outlets on either side of the lower rear bumper. Those who still want the traditional styling that includes the upright
The C350 is surprisingly fun and agile in the corners with little body roll when pushed hard and offers very good steering feedback and feel to the driver.
General Specifications MERCEDES-BENZ C350
Engine: Horsepower: Torque: Fuel economy L/100km: Transmission:
3.5-L V-6 DOHC 24-valve 268 258 lb. ft. City – 12.2 / Hwy – 7.9 7-Speed Automatic Transmission with Sequential Shift Drive train: Rear-Wheel-Drive or available 4MATIC Full-Time-All-Wheel-Drive Base MSRP: C350 - $48,600 / C350 4MATIC - $50,600
The rear-wheel drive C350 has a Dynamic Handling Package and wheel-mounted shift paddles.
involvement, the transmission offers a sequential shift system that also throttle blips the engine during downshifts for smoother operation and also a sportier engine note.
chrome front grille with stand-up hood ornament are limited to the C250, as it is the only model in the C-Class family that offers the “old-school” design. Inside, the C350 is easily recognizable as a Mercedes-Benz; the cabin shows off elegance and good taste and has the familiar three-gauge instrument panel that harks back to past designs. The gauges themselves have a finely crafted look and look really great at night. As expected, Burl Walnut wood trim is standard, adding to the luxury feel expected in the C350. Fine detailing can be seen in the use of metal trim surrounding various areas of the dash and door panels. Specially cut metal dials are also used in the climate controls and also in the COMAND control system for added style. Looks can be deceiving as the C350’s cabin is unexpectedly spacious, especially in the rear cabin with a useable amount of leg and headroom. Both front and rear seating offers good support and long distance comfort. A panoramic moonroof is available, which is becoming more popular these days and totally transforms the look and feel of the interior. Under the hood, the C350 with its 3.5-L 268-hp V-6 gives out a nice deep sounding exhaust note, especially under hard acceleration. Matched to the engine is a smooth shifting seven-speed automatic transmission. For drivers who want added www.dolcemag.com
When it comes to handling, the C350 is surprisingly fun and agile in the corners, with little body roll when pushed hard, and offers very good steering feedback and feel to the driver. The brakes with crossed drilled front discs bite hard with excellent modulation giving a lot of driver confidence. The C350 is offered in rear-wheel-drive and 4MATIC full-time-all-wheel-drive that is great for all-weather driving. There is no denying the strong appeal of the C350, with its sporty sophisticated styling, solid as a bank vault feel, high safety content and excellent driving dynamics that puts it on the very desirable list of cars to have. www.mercedes-benz.ca DOLCE VITA MAGAZINE
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P PH PHO TO TOG O RAP A HY H BY B D DEA AN WEST E
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O’LEARY PRODUCED BY FERNANDO ZERILLO
K
A LIFE OF MONETARY CONFINEMENT
WRITTEN BY MADELINE STEPHENSON
evin O’Leary is holding a modestly sized styrofoam cup of coffee captive with both hands. Black, no branding. He’s sitting at a small round table on the far right of CBC’s sunlit atrium – a position that also befits his political views. “Welcome to my office,” he kids with a conservative grin. The sheen in his eyes expose a weary, workhorse O’Leary.
It’s true. In the swinging ’60s when Lester Pearson was PM and the CBC was saying farewell to black and white broadcasting, O’Leary was a young middle-class Montrealer aspiring to land a lucratively lukewarm placement. “I remember telling my dad that I was hoping I could get a job where I could make $20,000 a year,” reflects O’Leary. “He said to me, ‘You’d be very, very lucky to get that. You’re going to have to work very, very hard.’”
It’s mid-afternoon and the 56-year-old business mogul, who began his day at 4:30 a.m., has already coalesced with countless global investors on behalf of his company, O’Leary Funds. In a few hours he’ll be bantering with Amanda Lang about stocks, bonds, Bay Street and beyond on The Lang O’Leary Exchange. “I don’t really believe in this concept of a balanced existence. If you’re an entrepreneur there is no balance, it’s work on the business 110 per cent of the time until you’re either successful or you fail.”
His first fiscal attraction occurred in his mid-teens when he was fired from an ice cream shop for refusing to scrape gum off the floor – a moment that spurred white-collar confidence and entrepreneurial incentive. “It really hit me and I thought, ‘this is a bad outcome. I would be better off to figure out how to be the owner of that store so I can fire people instead,’” he says while adjusting his lilac tie. “You never know when you get these lessons, they become so important later on in life.”
O’Leary and his self-made fortune epitomize the pot o’gold genre. Selling his very first venture Learning Co. Inc. to toymaker Mattel in 1999 for a monstrous $3.6 billion was just the opening act to a slightly less sensationalized Horatio Alger tale. His most recent company, O’Leary Funds, has already raised $1 billion in its infantile state of two years. “I would have never guessed 20 years ago that I’d be doing this today,” says the capitalist with a pseudo-nostalgic gaze.
As a commanding television force on fiery business reality shows Dragons’ Den and its American derivitive Shark Tank, there’s no doubting that the multi-millionaire, known for his critical nature, has built his own beautiful brand. “I love working with Kevin – I always know that he is focused on the success of the business which is only measured on the bottom line,” says Dragons’ Den and Shark Tank co-star Robert Herjavec of The Herjavec Group. “He has www.dolcemag.com
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an amazing ability to cut through the fluff and get to the core issues of any business.” On both shows, budding entrepreneurs pitch their products and business plans to a diverse panel of investors. The ubiquitous O’Leary is best known for his colourful catchphrases that slice through the thin-skinned like shears through a hedge. Though his image as a bold, money-centric marketing magnate is bang-on, it doesn’t come from a place of narcissism. O’Leary is actually the first to throw stones at his own glass house if it eventually gives rise to a sturdier structure. “It’s better to understand what you’re no good at than it is to understand what you’re good at,” he says, unabashedly owning up to a bevy of business flaws that span from manufacturing to inventory management. His strategy instead, has something to do with harmonizing his portfolio. “What I like to do is form partnerships with people that have complementary skills … When somebody says to me, ‘I’m good at everything,’ I don’t believe that, nobody can be, it just doesn’t work.”
uscan T
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A dollar-driven life is not desired by all, but in O’Leary’s world, money represents a ticket to freedom. It’s the freedom to buy out the ice-cream shop he was fired from if he wants to. It’s the freedom to spend the weekend at his immaculate Muskokan cottage on the lake with his wife and two kids. It’s the freedom to drink as many glasses of Château Latour 1982. And it’s the quirk of fate to play the blues on his Les Paul guitar with a satisfied grin. “I’m just thankful to be alive. I’m thankful for family and friends, which to me matter more and more every year I age. And I’m thankful for all the opportunities I get.” Almost an hour has passed since the venture capitalist first sat down, and the caffeine has clearly revealed a more lively O’Leary. “I love this stuff. This is more fun than you can shake a stick at.”
www.olearyfunds.com
GOLDEN GIRL
FINANCE OPTIMIZING THE
Golden Girl Finance founders. Left, Laura J. McDonald & below Susan L. Misner.
OPPOSITE SEXX Two trendsetters raise and praise interest in the financial sector.
W
hile the financial crisis was rocking employment rates around the world and forcing small and large companies to close their doors, two women were opening a window for equal opportunity. Investment veteran Susan Misner and entrepreneur Laura McDonald recently launched a revolutionary online community to inspire and encourage women of all demographics to build and discuss wealth. “Looking at my daughters, I thought, ‘what’s out there for my girls to learn about money? What’s out there to encourage them to create wealth in their lives?’ And there was really nothing to address that issue for them,” says Misner, who hopes their website, Golden Girl Finance, will provide present and future female generations with the tools to secure financial independence. As an educated professional who often left the financial planning in the hands of her husband, McDonald wanted to create a compelling and interesting forum that would encourage women to take the reins and enhance their financial literacy. “We think it’s time for this,” she says of the novel social finance network. The all-ages website aims to
present topics such as the stock market, salary expectations and occupational goals, in a fun, exciting, relatable and convenient format. By creating profiles and fuelling discussions, women can develop economically advantageous relationships. “We have to build that professional network, because that’s where men have the advantage, and while this isn’t men versus women, we’re focusing on women arming themselves for the future,” McDonald adds. As the recessional dust settles, research is showing a significant rise in female labour force presence, but high divorce rates, aging parents and motherhood are still holding women back. In fact, the “motherhood gap” was found to be a major cause of gender wage disparity in a recently released TD Economics report. Earning penalties upon work return and increased home responsibilities are some contributing factors that were highlighted. “We wanted to create a space where women can congregate, and talk and become a community that has the ability to create massive amounts of wealth,” says Misner, who has almost two decades of wealth management experience. According to the World Economic Forum’s annual report, Canada’s gender gap is shrinking in fundamental areas www.dolcemag.com
PHOTO BY IZABELA RACHWAL
PRODUCED BY ANGELA PALMIERI-ZERILLO WRITTEN BY MADELINE STEPHENSON
As two strong, independent entrepreneurs, Laura J. McDonald and Susan L. Misner continue to shatter barriers on their commerce campaign.
such as economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival and political empowerment – ranking 20th on a global scale. “We’re making more money, we’re inheriting more money, so we need to make sure we’re investing that money properly and that we know what to do with it,” says McDonald. In a world of glass ceiling smashers, Misner and McDonald are two blondes investing in total architectural overhaul. www.goldengirlfinance.ca DOLCE VITA MAGAZINE
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Thriving founder, new father and eco-philanthropist, Ray Civello.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEAN WEST
W
RAY CIVELLO
Something Old, Something New: The Riviting Cycle of 52
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Ray Civello
www.dolcemag.com
WRITTEN BY MADE MADELINE STEPHENSON
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O
earing black horn-rimmed glasses, a bespoke Prada suit and a grin that’s almost as broad as his Bridle Path bungalow, Ray Civello sinks into a tub chair in his most revered room of the house. The avant-garde studio’s wall-to-wall windows and reclaimed flooring made from diseased trees say a lot about the organically inclined hair baron, who restored the ravine-backing property three years ago. “I was drawn to the fact that it was weeping and crying and that it hadn’t been looked after for so many years and I thought, ‘I can do something with that,’” says the founder of the distinguished Civello Salon and Spa chain and president of Aveda Canada. Though it’s more of a profitable pastime, the self-proclaimed restless soul salivates over house hunting as if he has a brazen fetish for curvaceous staircases and sliding doors. “I refer to it affectionately when I do Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and I search properties as my version of porn,” he says lasciviously. His previous project was on Old George Place in Rosedale, which – assuming his finger counting is accurate – was the hairstylist’s ninth home renovation. “When I bought that house and did that project, I really didn’t think I would ever leave. I thought they would take me out feet-first.” But as a master of the art of detachment, and an excellent negotiator, an unexpected phone call from his real estate agent had him repositioning. A businessman was courting Civello’s beloved abode. Since his house wasn’t on the market and Civello had no phantasms of
for-sale signs, he appraised it based on personal worth and demanded nothing but the full asking price. The client didn’t appreciate his air of confidence and challenged the offer, asking him to justify it. “I said I don’t have to. It’s not for sale. He couldn’t believe it, he called me crazy.’” The one-sided tug-of-war continued until the keen client hit a brick wall and Civello’s real estate agent Elise Kalles handed him a paper with the full figure inscribed. Kalles told him that she hadn’t seen anything like it in her 35 years of work. “It’s interesting in life when you have something you want that somebody else wants and you don’t want to give it away,” he says. Fatedly, the 10,000 sq. ft. lowrise on The Bridle Path that Civello had been lusting after for years swung its doors open just as he was kissing good Old George Place goodbye.
Recently lauded as Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year in the business-to-consumer products category, Civello’s accolades are the upshot of entering every open door in sight, despite the uncertainty. “You really have to entertain any opportunity that comes your way … You have to have enthusiasm for new and a willingness to go sometimes when you don’t even know where it’s going,” says Civello, who didn’t attend the award ceremony because he didn’t think he www.dolcemag.com
It was crazy. It was in the heyday of punk rock, so we had the extreme of clients from Margaret Trudeau to Carole Pope. It was just this hub of energy, of fashion, of partying, of craziness all rolled into one. I realized I was home. – RAY CIVELLO
’’
would win. He also owes a lot to his parents, who emigrated from Italy with nothing but debt and a nice suit, yet radiated cosmic levels of optimism and entrepreneurial spirit. His mom’s the philosophical artist type, “Everything she touches becomes more beautiful,” while his dad’s the social butterfly – everyone wants to brush wings with him. Together, his parents staged enough room for young Civello to take off on his own – though hairdressing was never a flight his father fancied. DOLCE VITA MAGAZINE
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P
ISTACHIO-CRUSTED OPAL VALLEY RACK OF LAMB PRODUCED BY MICHELLE ZERILLO-SOSA WRITTEN BY MICHAEL HILL
Tender and succulent; this marinated, seared and basted lamb bursts with the spicy flavour of harissa paste and the earthy and sophisticated taste of pistachios.
2 1 tbsp 5 tbsp 3 2 1 1 ½ cup 1 tsp 2 tbsp
lamb racks, trimmed, 2-21/2 lb each harissa paste olive oil cloves garlic, smashed sprigs of thyme sprig of rosemary bay leaf finely ground Sicilian pistachios maltodextrin butter salt & ground white pepper
METHOD: In a shallow container, coat the lamb racks with the harissa, oil, garlic, thyme, rosemary and bay leaf. Marinate, covered, overnight in the refrigerator. Purée the pistachios and maltodextrin in a food processor until powdery. When ready to serve, preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove the lamb from the marinade, and wipe off excess oil; season all over. Heat the butter in a skillet over a medium-high heat. Add the lamb, garlic and herbs from the marinade. Sear on one side for approximately four minutes, while basting. Turn the chops over and sear on the second side, continuing to baste for another four minutes, or until medium rare. Rest for four minutes, then coat with the powdered pistachio. 54
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RECIPE & PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF © RELAIS & CHÂTEAUX WWW.RELAISCHATEAUX.COM
INGREDIENTS:
CHEF DALE MACKAY Lumière
In
2007, Dale MacKay joined culinary great Chef Daniel Boulud at Lumière – one of Vancouver’s most elegant dining establishments. Since being appointed executive chef that same year, MacKay’s passion and creativity have flourished through his familiarity with a broad range of techniques and methods, making his phenomenal recipes an unforgettable experience. The amazingly talented Saskatoon native has journeyed and adventured around the world to convey the fruits of his labour home to Canada. Dazzling the European culinary scene as a private chef in both Rome and Italy; bringing his talents to the Queen Charlotte Islands as executive chef at The West Coast Fishing Club; and working alongside the devilishly renowned Gordon Ramsay in several of his intensely managed kitchens, MacKay has established himself as true culinary connoisseur. www.lumiere.ca
Cont’d from page 53
His initial brush of fate occurred when he met an apprentice hairdresser while working part-time at his dad’s pizzeria in high school. “He seemed to be rather different than the rest of us and kind of cool-looking. He had great big platform shoes on and big bell bottoms and lots of gold chains with bleached-out hair,” he says. The two became cronies and Civello was soon a fixture at the small Scarborough salon where he swept floors for free and met Nick the bigwig, who drove an orange Corvette and always had a beautiful woman in the passenger seat. “It was the beginning of a turning point. Every time I had a break, I’d go to the salon,” says Civello, who still swears by the shampooing techniques Nick taught him more than 30 years ago. It apparently involves a lot of tossing, scooping and an ambidextrous relationship with the hose. Civello was sold. He opted out of Grade 13 and headed straight to hair school – which he hated – but managed to outlast by dating his teacher. Though his indecisive nature caused him to question his calling and flirt with other arts like fashion photography, Civello’s path always curled right back. After a brief split, he ended up at a salon called The Rainbow Room, which revived all of his early passions. “It was crazy. It was in the heyday of punk rock, so we had the extreme of clients from Margaret Trudeau to Carole Pope. It was just this hub of energy, of fashion, of partying, of craziness all rolled into one. I realized I was home,” he says with charismatic enthusiasm. It wasn’t until a severe bout of mononucleosis that Civello’s interest in the beauty industry evolved into a hypersensitive awareness of overall wellness. After losing 50 pounds from the illness, he began taking tai chi classes and studying different healing philosophies. “Usually in times of crisis, people either selfdestruct or go to work on themselves. Going to work on yourself is part of a very organic process because it’s just regenerative, so I reinvent myself.” In 1989, Civello Rosedale was born and in its first two years of business, it was a $1.5 million brand. Today, the beauty and wellness monarch has four highly lucrative locations, he’s founder of Collega International, Canada’s National Distributor of Aveda products, and he’s deeply devoted to Environmental Defence, which he recently hosted a campaign launch for. His biggest feat, however, has 10 toes. At 51-years-old, Civello is now a first-time father of a blond baby boy, Corrado. “It’s amazing to be young and pure. That’s what I see in my son: it’s this beautiful essence of purity – he doesn’t care about anything. He doesn’t care if he’s fat, he doesn’t care if he has clothes on, he doesn’t care about anything, he’s just happy.”
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Moving with the current of change, Civello’s 1960s Bridle Path abode is back on the market. It’s time for something new. “This is only one plane of reality, so if I become too attached to this plane, I’m going to become a ghost. So I have to let go. I’m only liberated when I let go,” he says. “I think there’s an important next step, but I don’t know what that is yet.” www.civello.com www.dolcemag.com
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PHOTO BY JEFF KAUCK
GOURMET EATS 4
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1
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5
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7 8 8
8
PRODUCED BY MICHELLE ZERILLO-SOSA WRITTEN BY MICHAEL HILL
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From traditional dining experiences to modern culinary adventures, these world renowned restaurants satisfy even the most refined gastronomist.
www.dolcemag.com
1.
BOKA
Since Giuseppe Tentori took over as executive chef at Boka, the Chicago dining scene simply hasn’t been the same. With an ever-changing menu to reflect the best of the season, Boka – under the guidance of Tentori – flourishes with phenomenal contemporary dining: the perfect complement for a night at the theatre. www.bokachicago.com 312.337.6070
4.
2.
N9NE STEAKHOUSE
Ushering in a new age for the American steakhouse, N9NE Steakhouse redefines what the classic dining experience is all about. With an atmosphere that embodies the avant-garde spirit, sink your teeth into delicious rib-eye, porterhouse or New York sirloin cooked in N9NE’s intense 1,200-degree Fahrenheit ovens. www.n9negroup.com 702.933.9900
3.
Panache dazzled the Quebec dining scene, winning the city’s Best New Restaurant award with its sensational French Canadian cuisine.
THE VILLA BY BARTON G.
Located in Miami’s South Beach area, what was once the Versace Mansion is now The Villa By Barton G. This luxurious hotel has undergone an elegant $1 million facelift, and houses an intimate dining experience that features signature continental cuisines with that indistinguishable Barton G. flair. www.thevillabybartong.com 305.576.8003
6.
LANDMARC
Husband-and-wife duo Marc Murphy and Pamela Schein Murphy ignite the New York restaurant scene with their exceptional bistro Landmarc. In 2007, the couple brought the Landmarc brand to the fabulous Time Warner Center, along with their simple yet delicious bistro cuisines that blend French and Italian favourites. www.landmarc-restaurant.com 212.823.6123
7.
GARDUNOS
5.
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NOVE ITALIANO
Situated high in the Fantasy Tower of the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nove Italiano re-imagines the Italian dining experience with an unparalleled atmosphere that blends classic styling with a modern edge. Enjoy a wide variety of seafood crudos, fresh fish and shellfish, or the spectacular Spaghetti Nove: a house specialty. www.n9negroup.com 702.942.6800
8.
With a deep-rooted tradition in family-run restaurants, Garduno’s retains its love for nature through an unwavering dedication to using only fresh, native ingredients that radiate flavour. Selected eight times as “Best of Las Vegas,” Garduno’s award-winning recipes exuberate that authentic Mexican taste and are guaranteed to satisfy. www.gardunosrestaurants.com 702.942.7777
NOBU NEW YORK
In 1987, Nobuyuki (Nobu) Matsuhisa opened his first restaurant in Beverly Hills. Robert De Niro enjoyed the eatery so much that he encouraged Nobu to open a new restaurant in New York. Today, Nobu is considered a pioneer of Japanese cuisine. With an authentic atmosphere that induces the feeling of a Japanese countryside, Nobu restaurant is the ultimate experience for those who appreciate Japanese dining. www.noburestaurants.com 212.219.0500
PANACHE
In 2004, the fabulous Auberge Saint-Antoine hotel unveiled its spectacular new restaurant, Panache. That same year, Panache dazzled the Quebec dining scene, winning the city’s Best New Restaurant award with its sensational French-Canadian cuisine. With a menu adjusting to the stock of the season, delve into many mouth-watering delicacies including venison, duck, lamb, lobster and snow crab. www.saint-antoine.com 418.692.1022
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DR. FRANCESCO BELLINI:
THE PRIDE OF L E MARCHE PRODUCED BY MICHELLE ZERILLO-SOSA WRITTEN BY VITO LA GIORGIA
B
ecoming a powerful businessman or a famous scientist are not the typical dreams of a child raised in rural Italy. As a young boy growing up in the central Italian town of Ascoli Piceno, Francesco Bellini was not aware that such professions even existed. At that time, Bellini’s only wish was to be just like the heroes in the 10-cent adventure books he read and daydreamed about. At the heart of the eventual modest mogul is a courageous and committed hero willing to save the day, regardless of what dangers lie ahead – just like the heroes in the stories he read as a boy. In 1967, the cosmopolitan bi-lingual city of Montreal, Canada welcomed another immigrant in search of the “American” Dream.
J.T. Adams (1878 - 1949) is responsible for coining the term “American Dream.” In Epic of America, he describes the infamous American ethos: as “… a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain the fullest stature of which they are capable.” With a handful of english words, a non-existent French vocabulary and 58
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‘‘ My mind is always working,
I always like to challenge things, until I have solved the challenge in my mind I cannot sleep anybody can produce wine, good marketing will do it, but to make wine which is good for you is very difficult.
’’
— Dr. Francesco Bellini
empty pockets, it wouldn’t seem like he would be capable of much more than mediocracy. Many Italians who emigrated to Canada and the U.S. appreciated any honest hard-working job right through to retirement. That was their “American Dream.” Whichever career path he chose, Bellini would face www.dolcemag.com
discrimination and communication barriers along the way. Bellini’s focus, hard work and vision helped him become a two-time tycoon. He plowed through every obstacle in front of him and reached the summits in the world of business and science. His positive attitude, matched with his Italian work ethic, helped the “little man from Le Marche [pronounced lay markay]” persevere through adversity. It took five years of work-by-day/ school-by-night for him to earn a bachelor of science degree from Loyola University. In 1977, 10 years after his feet touched Canadian soil, he threw his black-tasselled cap into the Maritime skies having earned a doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of New Brunswick. For many immigrants, if the story stopped here, it would already be considered a success. But Bellini’s legacy rolled on and crushed the naysayers who ever underestimated his potential.
The architecture within the winery is just another part of the beauty that can be found at Domodimonti. French oak barrels line the walls of this state-of-the-art facility. Informative tours and wine tasting are available. Hotel Magnolia is a true lover’s paradise. Perched on a hill in an ancient Roman village, this stone landmark has seven suites, uniquely designed and inspired by the seven wines that Domodimonti produces.
At the turn of the millennium, the visionario entrepreneur decided to venture into the world of wine making. The fragrant fields of grapes and rolling hills of flowers, brushed by the breeze of the Adriatic Sea on which his ancestors worked, became the location for Bellini’s latest endeavour. He named it Domodimonti Natural Wines. Bellini’s biotechnical skills were put to use in the wine-making experience. He refers to the process of making wine as the oldest biotechnology in the world. His mission is to make it the healthiest and most delicious, internationally successful wine on the market. “Look, I never do things just to do it; I do things with passion, and to me things that I do have to succeed, and I do everything possible to make them succeed.” If it weren’t for his vision, none of this would be possible. In 1986, Dr. Bellini co-founded BioChem Pharma with the late McGill graduate and chemistry professor Bernard Belleau.
Dr. Bellini eventually helped develop and commercialize BioChem Pharma’s first therapeutic drug, 3TC Epivir – the first anti-HIV compound drug ever commercialized. His company went on to become one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in Canada. As reported by ALLBusiness.com, the Shire Pharmaceutical Group (PLC) acquired BioChem Pharma for $6 billion – almost 21 times its worth. Bellini’s shareholdings made him a very rich man. A quarter century after its development, 3TC Epivir is still known as the cornerstone in combination HIV/AIDS infection therapies. “During that time, everybody thought the AIDS virus was … they did not know what it was, they did not know it was a virus, they thought it was a disease only for homosexuals … very few people in the field were involved because there were a small group of people looking for a cure, I had a much better chance of finding a cure.” Vision – it’s what separates the millionaires from the billionaires. Eventually, Bellini became the chairman of BELLUS Health, ViroChem Pharma, Picchio International, Picchio Pharma, Prognomix and Molson Coors. He was honoured as a member of the Order of Canada and received the Cavaliere di Lavoro in Italy, the same title that was given to Italy’s prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi. Throughout all the accolades, millions of people have added weeks, months and years to their lives because of Bellini’s vaccines. He is currently working on finding a www.dolcemag.com
cure for Alzheimer’s. Although he became a hero, he shrugs it off modestly. “I do not have a role model and I don’t think I am a role model. I act like a simple guy still; I do things because I believe in what I’m doing.” Having made his riches in Canada and the United States, Bellini returned to his native region of Le Marche with a gift. He took something from his past and brought it to the present, something that could stand for futures to come. In 2004, Bellini began building what is now a state-of-the-art winery called Domodimonti Natural Wine. With it is a gorgeous hotel built of sandcoloured stone that radiates in the sun, named Magnolia Hotel. Together they are surrounded by untouched earth, a paradise far from the chaos of the world. The seven suites are uniquely designed and inspired by his seven wines: Piccolo Principe Rosato, Deja’V, Li Coste, Monte Fiore, Picens, Il Messia and Solo Per Te. Bellini found a hill that was so beautiful he had to have it. He built his future wine empire on it and adopted the name the locals had given the area – domo di monti. The name couldn’t be better, Bellini explains. “It was not me who chose that name, it was the local people; they told me that the area is called domo di monti. It means, the ‘king of the mountain.’” It is a fitting title for a man who has climbed the highest mountains and is now the king of one. Not only does he produce some of the healthiest and most delicious wines at Domodimonti Natural Wine’s facility; his property is also responsible for stimulating tourism in the area. Essentially, he has placed Le Marche on the map, DOLCE VITA MAGAZINE
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It all!
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PRODUCED BY ANGELA PALMIERI–ZERILLO WRITTEN BY VITO LA GIORGIA
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Forty-three years after he left Le Marche with empty pockets, Francesco Bellini, a.k.a. “the pride of Le Marche”, tells us why he returned to build a winery in the area near his hometown. “I chose a place with no industry. It’s wild. I said I had to do something here …What attracted me was the beauty of the place, and nobody knew about the beauty of this area. Everyone always talks about Tuscany, Piedmonte, Florence and Venice, but nobody talks about Marche, and it’s beautiful, so I said this is a golden opportunity to do something here.” Success may not be all about money, but perhaps money can provide a better view of what we want to see and be surrounded by. Dr. Bellini passionately describes the view he invites everyone to experience at Domodimonti Natural Wine. For those in need of romance in their lives, Dr. Bellini has the cure – wine, a vineyard, a beautiful resort – and it’s all in Italy’s beautiful natural landscape. “The view,” he says, “is exceptional. To see the moon going over a hilltop, and on that hill there you see a medieval village. You look on your left you see the sea, you look on your right you see the mountains, in late spring you look to one side you see the water. You look on the other side and you see the snow on the mountains tops. In the summer, yellow flowers blossom everywhere; the hills are all yellow, you smell the Earth … it is a beautiful place because it is a forgotten place. You have to be there to experience it.” Bellini has turned work into leisure on more than one occasion, and with his winery he has found a way to combine all three passions – biotechnology, business and wine – and turn a profit. “My mind is always working, I always like to challenge things, until I have solved the challenge in my mind I cannot sleep … Anybody can produce wine, good marketing will do it, but to make wine which is good for you is very difficult.” This is where his medical side comes into play. He is motivated to create not just wine but a revolutionary wine with less toxins and more taste.
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much to the pleasure of the mayor of Montefiore dell’Aso (the village where the vineyard is located), who said, “Domodimonti is for our territory one of our most exceptional and innovative establishments, both in terms of quality wine production and with respect to tourism. It is a new jewel set in our lovely hilltops.”
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Domodimonti Natural Wines is a family run business and the passion that goes into perfecting every drop in every bottle is a family objective. Even though Bellini had nothing when he first came to Canada, he had something – family. “What are you if you do not continue your dreams?” he asks. “You build something and then what do you do if your children love what you do and respect you? They should be the continuation.” His children, Roberto and Carlo, are very much involved in Francesco’s personal and professional life. Roberto has taken his father’s place at the biotech company BELLUS Health, and Carlo is helping at the winery and other businesses, including real estate. So how does “Dr. Wine” enjoy la dolce vita? He says it is all about life’s simple pleasures, and a couple of decadent indulgences. “La dolce vita” he says, “is what I do. I travel, I fly everywhere, I enjoy myself, I go hunting, I go fishing. Making fantastic wine, enjoying nice company on a nice day with good food and good wine, that’s la dolce vita.” He spends part of his time in Calgary, winter in Florida, part of the summer in Quebec and part in Italy. Travelling is not a problem – Bellini owns his own plane. “Now that’s la dolce vita.” Dr. Bellini confidently concludes that he will never stop working, “I don’t think I’ll ever stop, because I don’t consider this working. This is living, this is my life.” www.domodimonti.com www.dolcemag.com
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RING IN THE
NEW YEAR PRODUCED BY MICHELLE ZERILLO-SOSA WRITTEN BY MADELINE STEPHENSON
The countdown begins for classic and contemporary conversation pieces that radiate sophistication. Eva Mendes keeps warm at the Russian premiere of The Other Guys with Le Vian stackable bangles and ring. www.levian.com Founder Mattia Cielo
Designer Massimiliano Bonoli
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1. Wrap yourself in luxury with an intricate
chain that demands attention. www.tresorcollection.com 2. Don’t stress about the dress. Cocktail nights are as simple as slipping a ring on your finger. www.ivankatrumpcollection.com 3. Befitting of its name, Trésor’s gem bracelet acelett is a precious approach to gift-giving. www.tresorcollection.com 4. You can’t go wrong with Carrera rrera y Carrera’ Carrera’s ’s sparkling Sevilla ring, frosted ted with diamondss and yellow gold. www.carreraycarrera.com arreraycarrera.com 5. Seen on Kim Kardashian dashian and Canadian starlet Emmanuelle lle Chriqui, these gold, silver and diamond mond Bavna earrings make a perfect pair. bavnajewelry@gmail.com 6. Dreaming ming of a white gold necklace? Fall in love with Valente Jewellers’ 18-karat stunner. www.valentejewellers.com 7. Let your finger shine like a star with Montblanc’s emblem-shaped, diamond-studded rings. www.montblan nc.com www.montblanc.com 8. Italian jewelry founder Mattia Cielo lo impresses with his contemporary, extendable rings. www.mattiacielo.com m
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EVERLASTING YOUTH
&
BEAUTY: WINTER
WIND DOWN
PRODUCED BY MICHELLE ZERILLO-SOSA WRITTEN BY MADELINE STEPHENSON
As
snowflakes descend at record speed and winter winds rush right by, it becomes more essential than ever to unwind. Feeling youthful, alive and revitalized isn’t just a spring or summer thing. Dropping temperatures should never translate to higher stress levels and lower self-esteem. There are endless opportunities to reveal a revitalized you, both close to home and miles away. From destination spa getaways to relaxing resorts nearby, or professional clinics that offer fast formulas for renewal, the world is rich in regenerative resources.
Auberge du Soleil
2. ENCHANTMENT RESORT
1. DAWSON DENTAL
Dr. Edward Gelfand
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Dr. Atul Kesarwani
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4. LANGDON HALL SPA
5. SPA MANDALAY
6. MISSISSAUGA COSMETIC SURGERY AND LASER CLINIC
7. AUBERGE DU SOLEIL
Eleanor Welsh, Founder / CEO
Dr. Michael Weinberg 1. DAWSON DENTAL Dr. Edward Gelfand Dr. Edward Gelfand offers all his patients the highest calibre of procedures that leave them ecstatic about their smiles. As the founder of Dawson Dental Centres, Dr. Gelfand is a top dentist in esthetic dentistry and full-mouth implant reconstruction. Offering his expert, professional dentistry services since 1996, Dr. Gelfand’s passion for cosmetic dentistry has landed him on ABC’s Extreme Makeover. www.newmarketdental.ca
4. LANGDON HALL SPA Award-winning gastronomy, world-class quarters, walking trails and a full-service spa can all be found in the comfort of Ontario’s quiet countryside. Langdon Hall Country House Hotel and Spa exude the northern nuances that make Canada a premier escape for both adventure and relaxation. Just an hour away from the liveliness of Toronto rests a picturesque property of unparalleled contentment. Langdon Hall Spa also offers great holiday gift ideas with a near limitless list of unique packages such as the Country Retreat, Golfer’s Dream and Gourmet Getaway. www.langdonhall.ca 6. MISSISSAUGA COSMETIC SURGERY AND LASER CLINIC Dr. Michael Weinberg Mississauga Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Clinic offers everything under the umbrella of surgical and non-surgical cosmetic enhancements to help clients exude a youthful appearance. Renowned board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Weinberg founded the clinic in 1997 to provide patients with a broad scope of procedures like Botox, breast augmentations and “mommy makeovers,” which has become an extremely sought-after service. www.antiwrinkleclinic.com
8. SKIN VITALITY
2. ENCHANTMENT RESORT The awe-inspiring views of Arizona’s captivating Boynton Canyon capture the reddish warmth of fire and brownish hues of Earth. Enchantment Resort resides in one of the world’s most ravishing sites, rescuing guests from the monotonous blues. This destination spa is a destiny for the discerning traveller whose expectations are to be utterly enchanted. To awaken oneself in more extraordinary ways, guests are just footsteps away from ancient ruins and majestic walking trails. www.enchantmentresort.com
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3. COSMEDICAL REJUVENATION CLINIC Dr. Atul Kesarwani Considered a leading authority in the area of plastic surgery and medical spa treatments, Dr. Atul Kesarwani has been featured by several Canadian media outlets. As founder of Toronto’s technologically progressive Cosmedical Rejuvenation Clinic, Kesarwani and his experienced staff address any client concerns regarding the face, breasts, skin care and body. Patient safety, comfort and privacy are paramount at Cosmedical, which is why its clinic combines high-standards with technologically advanced operating facilities. www.cosmedical.ca
Winter might be the most wonderful time of the year, but it can weather our skin.
5. SPA MANDALAY For those who’d rather not take a gamble when it comes to wellness and relaxation, Mandalay Bay Spa in Las Vegas is your best bet. The award-winning 30,000 sq. ft. spa provides more than enough space to enjoy tranquil body treatments; massages and facials by pamper professionals in utter peace. Once you’ve reached your rest quota, take advantage of Spa Mandalay’s massive fitness centre that caters to every training level. www.mandalaybay.com
7. AUBERGE DU SOLEIL Perched on a 33-acre hillside, Auberge du Soleil’s esthetically seductive suites offer sublime views of vineyards and olive trees that cascade across northern California’s Napa Valley. Enwrapped in a complete spa experience, guests will engage in absolute repose with three temperate springs and an array of exceptional epicurean delights. With 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Auberge du Soleil recently underwent stunning renovations to ensure that every single sense is appeased. www.aubergedusoleil.com
8. SKIN VITALITY Winter might be the most wonderful time of the year, but it can weather our skin. Enter Skin Vitality Medical Clinic, a place where youthful confidence is restored. Eleanor Welsh founded Skin Vitality to fulfill a gap in the beauty market by providing non-invasive solutions without the downtime. Her industry success has led to the fruition of five locations across the GTA that offer advanced cosmetic services and launch innovative products such as LATISSE®, an exclusive prescription eyelash growth treatment that intensifies natural beauty. www.skinvitality.ca
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Jot down these intriguing finds to bring a smile to that special someone in your life. 6 1.Vivre This Daisy Yellow Ostrich Sandal by Phyllis Morgan iss accented with moonstone and white opal flowers, perfect footwear fit for or a stroll. www.vivre.com 2.Bob Blumer The star host of Glutton for Punishment unishment is exploring the other side of the food spectrum with his new book, oon Chair Glutton for Pleasure. www.bobblumer.com 3.HStudio The Moon can dominate a room or add modern appeal. It comes in a variety of upholstery fabrics and your choice of steel, wood or acrylic rylic legs. www.hstudio.com 4.Chanel Femininity, purity, and optimism combine to make Chance Eau Tendre the perfume to rejuvenate your ur senses. www.chanel.com 5.Molisana Imports Every bottle of Acetaia aia Dodi balsamic vinegar is rich in taste and tradition. Each generation eneration took the recipe with care and made it better until it was perfected. www.molisana.com 6.iPad Wallet The cool “flame case” andd quality craftsmanship of the Waterfield Designs iPad Wallet Case is available in six colours. www.sfbags.com 7.Brioni Anyone who puts on n a Brioni suit immediately becomes a man of power and status. The he Brioni insignia represents supreme class. www.brioni.com 8.Dewitt Hundreds te brown of little pieces working together with a lovely chocolate ce of art. backdrop make this Tourbillon model a complicated piece www.dewitt.ch 9. Room Service The Room Service Storee makes trendsetters feel at home. Versatility is key: add this powder blue ue winged chair to a Victorian décor scheme or into a modern loft forr contrast. www.roomservicestore.com 10. Ria Restaurant Chicago Reservations ervations are nearly impossible to attain at the Ria Restaurant in Chicago’s Elysian Hotel. Try booking at least two weeks in advance. It’ss worth it. www.riarestaurantchicago.com
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With a wide selection of clothing and accessories from top design houses, Designer Kids Wear is the only stop youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have to make for all the children on your holiday checklist.
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PHOT P PHO HO OTO BY O Y J. J OFFENBAC OFFE FFE ENBAC N NB H
BULGARI HOTELS AND RESORTS
Designer HOTELS PRODUCED BY SUSAN BHATIA / WRITTEN BY MICHAEL HILL
From the ultra-modern to the classically glamorous, these world-class hotels are designed by renowned designers and will leave you breathless. Armani Hotel Dubai
Bulgari Hotels and Resorts
Hotel Missoni
The world’s tallest building Burj Khalfia awaits the hyper-luxurious Armani Hotel Dubai. Each intricate and stylish feature is selected by Giorgio Armani to encapsulate his elegant vision down to the smallest detail. The minimalist style and unorthodox lighting give this pillar of luxury a futuristic flair that complements the handmade Florentine leather, Japanese tatami floors and Brazilian bamboo marble in an outstanding and rarely seen way. dubai.armanihotels.com
With a focus on forming a harmonious balance between the cityscape and nature, Bulgari Hotels and Resorts combines the luxury of high-class accommodations with the soothing relief of an oasis. Designed by the architectural studio of Citterio & Partners, contemporary rooms are decorated with modern Italian furniture, while special rooms come equipped with meditation corners lined with tatami floors for the absolute in relaxation. Designed by the prestigious architect Antonio Citterio and using exceptional and rare materials, Bulgari Hotels promise to meet even the highest expectations of today’s modern and fashionable traveller. www.bulgarihotels.com
World-renowned fashion house Missoni teams up with the Rezidor Hotel Group – one of the fastest growing hotel groups in the world – to unveil the modern and stylish Hotel Missoni. Located on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, this contemporary re-imagining of the hotel experience combines a black and white foundation with bold and vibrant colours for a spectacular look. With every detail designed by Rosita Missoni herself, Hotel Missoni redefines traditional hotel design creating an unparalleled feel. www.hotelmissoni.com
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Claridge’s In the heart of Mayfair, London’s renowned commercial and shopping district, resides the phenomenal five-star hotel Claridge’s. For over 100 years, stars, celebrities, socialites, and even European royalty have enjoyed the unmatched service and luxury of this breathtaking edifice. Touched by a variety of esteemed designers including Basil Ionides, Thierry Despont and David Collins, Claridge’s combines comfort and glamour in a way rarely seen in today’s ultra-modern world. With the biggest suites in London, a prestigious history and the ultimate butler service, Claridge’s will cater to your every whim. www.claridges.co.uk
CLARIDGE’S
Hotel Notre Dame
HOTEL NOTRE DAME
HOTEL MISSONI
Feel the true magic of Paris through the lens of Hotel Le Notre Dame. Housed in a building over 400 years old in the centre of the Latin District, this classic hotel is set off by unique décor, courtesy of French fashion designer Christian Lacroix. Although each of the 26 unique rooms embody the je ne sais quoi spirit, the real draw of this stylish hotel is its view. Be captivated under the Parisian moon as the spectacular and romantic lights of Notre Dame leave you and your lover in awe. www.hotelnotredameparis.com
Maison Moschino Fairy tales come to life in the bustling streets of Milan at Maison Moschino – perhaps one of the most intriguing and imaginative hotels in the world. Designed by the Italian fashion design house Moschino, see into the looking glass, journey through an enchanted forest, or lay on a bed of roses in this wonderland of artistically designed spaces. Go on a culinary adventure at Clandestino Milano, Maison Moschino’s house restaurant, or pamper yourself like a fabled princess at the hotel’s enchanting Culti Spa. www.maisonmoschino.com MAISON MOSCHINO
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LUXURY
LIVING
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PRODUCED BY MICHELLE ZERILLO-SOSA WRITTEN BY VITO LA GIORGIA
5 Give your home that posh designer look with this range of modern and stylish luxuries.
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SOURCE GUIDE
R chellle Ro Roc l Hoo H d in Fren r ch re c Limestone.
1. Prima Lighting’s 18,000 sq. ft., open-concept style showroom facilitates a point-and-compare shopping experience. Offering the most extravagant and trusted names in lighting from around the world, a customized experience awaits you at Prima Lighting. www.primalighting.ca 905.851.1188 2. Known for creating high-end, customized kitchens, Irpinia Kitchens also designs well-organized walk-in closets, entertaining bar centres and functional home offices. From traditional to contemporary, Irpinia Kitchens knows how to create happiness in your home. www.irpinia.com 416.782.4922 3. From stunning to serene and casual to elegant, Canaroma will turn your bathroom into your favourite room in your home. With the right balance of creativity, beauty and style, your bathroom will be transformed into a calming oasis. www.canaroma.com 905.856.7979 4. Utilizing proven design elements, Fotiou skillfully integrates fine-crafted frames and mouldings into your home. Through passion, inspiration and integrity, Fotiou will help you “discover the benchmark of beauty.” www.fotiou.com 905.851.0510 5. Mastery level architecture mixed with sustainable development strategies makes Platform for Architecture + Research (PAR), part of an elite group of cutting-edge property engineers. www.p-ar.com 646.807.4575 6. Jean-Paul Gaultier, dubbed the enfant terrible of French fashion, offers his fashion sense while Roche Bobois lends interior design expertise. Together, this duo is creating some of the wildest furniture and interior décor the world has ever seen. www.roche-bobois.com 416.366.3273 7. With water flowing, a pure stone basin from Villeroy-Boch will have your fantasies flirting with the serenity of a picturesque lake every time you turn on your faucet. www.villeroy-boch.com 609.578.4300 8. Palazzetti boasts “museum-quality” furniture at affordable prices. Designers from all around the world trust Palazzetti to sell their masterpieces. www.palazzetti.com 631.722.3733 9. From fashion and accessories to collectibles and travel destinations, the Vivre website is a shopaholic’s playground. While you may no be looking for it, you will be happy you found it. www.vivre.com 800.411.6515 10. Fascinated by candles, Monica Von Neumann, wife of Austrian-born Baron John Von Neumann, has travelled around the world. Baroness candles are slow-burning, organic candles that offer you the royal treatment. www.baronessmonicavonneumann.com 310.888.4200 11. Through an artistic partnership with designer Ivy Chuang, Savio Firmino releases their “East meets West” armchair. Melding various iconic figures and locations from Asia, America and Europe, this trendy armchair adds a contemporary feel to a classic setting. www.saviofirmino.com +39.055.720466
historical european-inspired kitchen hoods and mantelpieces
Look fo for the embedded Tartaruga coin. Tar
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tel: (877) 762-0418 • fax: (877) 762-0230
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Real Estate
Living large: from Mexico to the island of Mallorca. PRODUCED BY MICHELLE ZERILLO-SOSA / WRITTEN BY VITO LA GIORGIA
CAYMAN ISLANDS
If you have a high net worth, chances are that you’re aware of the tax-neutral environment in the Cayman Islands. This is where elites get to enjoy a carefree Caribbean experience. Doing business from Castillo Caribe is a pleasure. Relax in
the year-round sunshine while you gaze out onto an oceanfront view. Everyday is a holiday for the fortunate few who get to enjoy this property, which is equipped with a wine cellar, grotto, tennis court, and much more.
Listing agent: Heather Carrigan +1 345 623 1234 Priced from US$59,500,000 www.sothebysrealty.com
SPAIN This newly built Spanish villa is one of the
most appealing properties on the market. It is located between the bays of Alcudia and Pollensa, which offer amazing views of one of Mother Nature’s beautiful creations: the exclusive island of Mallorca. Some of the many amenities include a helipad, a private elevator, tennis court, steam and spa hot tub. Priced from US$66,181,337 www.sothebysrealty.com
CANADA The word perfect is described with this red brick Georgianstyle property, brought to you by Lytton Park Townhomes. A home for a family looking to be surrounded by warmth and serenity, this property is located minutes away from downtown Toronto, keeping its residents in touch with city living. Listing agent: David Dunkelman 416.726 .6574 / 1.877.960.9995, Priced from US$2,833,235 www.sothebysrealty.com GREECE This stunning villa is located on the remote island of Spetses, Greece.
Perched on a mountain above the Mediterranean, this property offers magical seaside partnership. A natural paradise, this home is surrounded by the aromas of peach, blackberry, fig, lemon and orange trees, flowers and fresh Earth. A grape yard for wine production is also on the property. Other impressive amenities include a helipad, staff quarters, and two private beaches just minutes from the front door. Listing agent: Panagiotis Farmakis, +30 21.09.68.10.70 Price Upon Request, www.sothebysrealty.com
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MEXICO
Casa Hamsayeg’s design is mainly inspired by Moroccan, Spanish and Indian influences. It’s an amazing monument of design – a true work of art. Unique amenities include staff quarters, home theatre, doorman, gated community, gardens and a spa/hot tub. Listing agent: Graciela Zamudio Conde +52 (33) 31.10.65.07 +52 (33) 36.27.64.38 Price Upon Request www.sothebysrealty.com
ITALY
This property is known by many as “Rome’s most exclusive address.” In a country as beautiful as Italy, and a city as famous as Rome, that says a lot. It was once owned by one of Italy’s most politically and financially influential families. One of the great parts about this property is the secluded garden, which presents an epicurean setting perfect for parties or romantic soirées. Listing agent: Diletta Spinola +39 06.69.38.00.76 / +39 06.69.92.39.96 Price Upon Request, www.sothebysrealty.com
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Welcome to Dubai, situated on the Persian Gulf coast. This beautiful villa is fully equipped with the highest quality design names in furniture and appliances. Amenities include a landscaped garden, tennis court, squash court, basketball court and steam room with sauna. Sales manager: David Terry +971 50.875.0307 Priced from US$4, 899, 999 www.luxhabitat.ae
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CHATEAU MAPLEWOOD:
The Best of Both Worlds
André Fortin President and CEO of Catania.
The interior space of luxury condominium Château Maplewood gleams with prestige. A gilded foyer transports you into a warm environment where shapes, materials and symmetry work together for a striking effect. A tranquil pool and soothing hot tub surrounded by Grecian-inspired architecture are just a few of the desired amenities available at Château Maplewood . PRODUCED BY MICHELLE ZERILLO-SOSA / WRITTEN BY VITO LA GIORGIA
T High-end design meets the warmth of the natural beauty of the building and its surrounding.
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here are castles built on mountains in Europe, so why not build condominiums on mountains in North America that look like castles? For that, we head to Montreal, where the Catania Group, with special help from Sotheby’s international Realty partner Liza Kaufman and international award-winning designer Andres Escobar, are looking to create one of the most bizarre and beautiful condo projects in the world.
set in the lovely hilltops of Montreal, into a condominium, the next step was to find the right designer, with the sensitivity to capture their vision and the expectations of perspective buyers. They called on the imagination and international inspiration of Escobar. The highly respected Colombian designer spends his weeks working in New York and his weekends working in Italy, unless of course, he has a project in Dubai. The jet-setting designer now brings his worldly talents to Montreal.
Château Maplewood rests on the mountain from which the city of Montreal proudly gets its name, Mount Royal. After the Catania Group decided to turn this historical jewel,
The luxurious condos will range from $750,000 to approximately $7 million, not including the penthouse, which will have a 12 million-dollar price tag. Escobar
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Château Maplewood offers timeless luxuries such as space, elegance and privacy.
says this is a bargain compared to New York, adding, “The penthouse at Château Maplewood would easily go for $20 millionplus in New York. Also, it is a completely unique design: out of the actual 142 units, only five or six are identical. All the rest differ in design and layout.” The interior of what is soon to be the most prestigious property in Quebec is in the trusty hands of its star designer, while the mission for the exterior is to give the castle-like structure an even more green and enchanted look. “What we want to do,” explains Catania’s president, André Fortin, “is re-integrate the building into the mountain.” The Catania Group plans to remove 70 per cent of the asphalt, pavement and hard ground and replace it with gardens, flowers, water basins and other types of pristine landscaping. The second goal is to be certified by LEED Canada – a designation awarded by the Canada Green Building Council, (CABGC). As Sarah Miller from CABGC explains, “It’s not people or cars, but buildings that consume the most energy.” By making the necessary adjustments and by adding a green roof, Château Maplewood is going green and looking good at the same time. The first section will be finished in the
spring of 2012, when 49 units will be complete. All the facility’s services will be made available, including the pool, sea salt spa, fitness centre, wine cellar, cigar lounge, and more to be announced. A year later, the second will be available and in 2014, Fortin says, the entire project should be complete. Fortin describes the future of Château Maplewood as follows: “We want to give the best to our customers and we believe we have the greatest spot on the island of Montreal. We have the capacity to provide the best; we believe in providing the best. We know how to cater to the people that will be interested in that type of project.” It truly is the best of both worlds. Residents are secluded from the noise pollution of the city but they are only 10 minutes from the lively downtown core. Its competition, the Ritz-Carton Residences, are smack-dab in the middle of the bustling, siren-blazing downtown area.
interview, heading towards a project. The unwanted background for the conversation was sirens and horns, the kind of sounds that the residents of Château Maplewood will never have to worry about. Escobar noted that nowhere in the world do you get the beauty of the park and the mountain, a view of a gorgeous courtyard and the city, within walking distance to a major cosmopolitan city. “The property,” he says, “reminds me of the pedestrian area in Geneva. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It’s as if they built a condo in the middle of Central Park.”
Escobar was on the Upper East Side of Manhattan when we contacted him for an
www.chateaumaplewood.com 514.279.0440
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a
Defining
MASTERPIECE PRODUCED BY MICHELLE ZERILLO-SOSA WRITTEN BY MICHAEL HILL
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he artistic realm is a mysterious and ambiguous space where subjectivity is king, laws are meant to be broken and lines are present specifically to be drawn outside of. Art is whatever we make it, and depending on our individual taste, the value of a piece can vary. Insuring artistic work becomes important not just from a monetary standpoint, but from a sentimental and culturally significant position as well. A true masterpiece is one-of-a-kind, and to protect one’s investment, a strong insurance policy is needed. Running from this past October to early November, the 2010 Toronto International Art Fair showcased phenomenal pieces of art from all over the globe. Artists, collectors and enthusiasts gathered to celebrate up-and-coming contemporary artists, as well as modern-day masterpieces. In the classic sense of the word, a “masterpiece” was a piece of work aspiring artists produced to deem them masters of their craft. These are works such as Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Picasso’s Guernica or Shakespeare’s Hamlet. “A masterpiece is something that transcends time. It has that certain je ne sais quoi – something that is really hard to pin down,” comments Jamie Angell, director of Angell Gallery in Toronto. “A truly great work of art is something that at the time of its inception was so radical and perhaps even controversial, yet eventually the body of work goes on to inform generations of artists.” The beauty of art stems from its inability to be limited by a structured set of definitions. With subjectivity 74
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1. This nude by Italian painter Amedeo Modigliani was sold for nearly $69 million at Sotheby’s auction in New York. 2. Russell West’s Fire Dragon II housed in the U.K.’s Woolff Gallery. 3. Untitled work by Geoffrey Pugen, available at Toronto’s Angell Gallery. 4. Tom Chamber’s Spring’s Landfall displayed at the Modernbook Gallery in San Francisco. 5. This pristine tricycle is on display at the Olga Korper Gallery in Toronto. 6. ny09#05 by Jennifer Sanchez, displayed at Toronto’s Parts Gallery. 7. An iconic raised fist by Jennifer Marman and Daniel Borins from Georgia Scherman Projects, Toronto.
surrounding it, how is an individual supposed to know what exactly constitutes art? Even more pressing: how do you safeguard your collection? AXA Art is the only insurance provider to focus exclusively on fine art and collectables, and feels that insuring culturally and historically significant artistic works is imperative. “I like to say its threefolds. The most prominent and probably most obvious one is there’s a monetary investment that needs to be protected,” explains Seago. “[Secondly] there are a lot of collections that are handed down in the family, and I think that sentimental value staggers into your passion and love of art. The last thing I would say is the importance of cultural heritage … Art is meant to educate, evoke passion and to travel. If you’re not insuring that and something happens to it and it becomes irreparable, you’re actually putting those sorts of things in jeopardy.” Think of all the possible artistic works scattered throughout your home: crystal china, antique rugs, sports memorabilia, manuscripts, rare books, vintage wine, the list goes on. Art is arguably the single greatest thing we do as humans just for its own sake – protect your investment with a strong and competent policy for future generations to enjoy. www.axa-art.ca www.dolcemag.com
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THE MAGNIFICENCE OF
SKIN
VITALITY WRITTEN BY VITO LA GIORGIA
PHOTO BY DEAN WEST
PHOTO BY DEAN WEST
When passion meets energy and quality is uncompromised, we begin to understand Eleanor Welsh’s splendid Skin Vitality.
E
leanor Welsh is the bright queen and owner of the Skin Vitality cosmetic medicine and spa empire. Assembling the highest level of cosmetic medicine technology, the most respected noninvasive cosmetic procedures and arguably the best staff of doctors, nurses and beauticians on scene, Welsh and her team are motivated to provide the finest customer care and best skin rejuvenation procedures possible. “I am passionate about helping women be the best they can be because I understand, first-hand, how aging can become upsetting if you are not taking the proper steps to be your best,” says Welsh. There are numerous single-store cosmetic medicine and spa companies out there, but hardly any five-store organizations that put forward the ultra-luxury experiences that have successfully been established at Skin Vitality. Welsh plans on opening two new Skin Vitality locations soon, 76
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putting the store count at a whopping seven. “Approximately 50 per cent of Skin Vitality’s business comes from referrals. Our patients love to share their success stories of how we have improved their appearance and attitude. We feel blessed to have them recommend us to their friends and family,” says Welsh.
their dreams and there is no time like the present.”
Successfully running a business that continues to grow financially even in these trying times is a respectable achievement for this energetic entrepreneur. Welsh understands her client’s desires specifically because she is part of that same demographic. She empathizes with the disheartening reflection customers see in the mirror. She is aware of its confidence-stealing ability, and has made it her life’s work to provide the elixir that cures the pain.
The majority of procedures offered at Skin Vitality are non-invasive and beautifying, such as the FDA-approved VelaShape – a machine made to recontour the body and reduce the look of cellulite and related imperfections. For skin that has lost its youthful fullness and glow, Skin Vitality offers the FotoFacial RF that restores vitality back into your visage.
“I am a woman in my 40s that faces all the aging challenges daily. I am motivated to help them change, to build the courage to make changes that will make them feel better and live happier lives,” explains Welsh. “Life is far too short to simply go through the motions. Skin Vitality wants to help our patients begin the process of realizing www.dolcemag.com
When she’s away from her booming business, Welsh energizes with exercise and replenishes her happiness with family. “I love running and boxing and do so three times weekly. I also enjoy spending as much time with my little girl Holly who is 9 and full of energy and enthusiasm.”
With a list of procedures and possibilities that should come with a trumpeted royal presentation, Skin Vitality has the techniques and abilities to help you “re-shape your life.” They say time heals all, but they also say life is short, so enjoy it and look as good as you feel while you’re here. www.skinvitality.ca 1.877.356.7776
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MYSTERIOUS METALLICS
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Complete your look with an intriguing hint of marvelous metal this season. PRODUCED BY ANGELA PALMIERI
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1. Rouge Wonder For luscious long-lasting colour, Rouge d’Armani offers sexy and seductive hues, guaranteed to give hours of vibrant and seductive shine. With intense colour and soft textures, look and feel your best with this eye-catching lipstick.
4. Scintillantes Glossimer This limited edition, shimmering gloss will have your lips popping with a perfect pout. Sweep on one of its array of hues or pair it with a lipstick for an added punch of colour and twinkle.
www.giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com
5. Portrait-Perfect Banish that tired look and get ready for the holidays. This year you’ll look fresh and flawless with a new foundation that boosts the skin’s natural light for a fresh, more radiant complexion for all your Kodak moments. www.lancome.ca
2. Burnt Sugar Deck the halls with an attentiongrabbing, metallic hue swept over your lids. This gorgeous, gold shade, sugar from Bobbi Brown will have your eyes sparkling like the ornaments on your tree. www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com
3. Need for Tweed The celebrated tweed fabric from Chanel has now inspired a blush duo that will keep you looking cheery and polished. Two contrasting colours help to collectively create a radiant glow on your cheeks. www.chanel.com
www.chanel.com
7. From Dusk ‘Till Dawn If you’re planning to party all night this time of the year, you don’t have to worry about your magnificent makeup wasting away after a few hours. With this spray, you can set your look and keep it perfect all night. www.urbandecay.com
8. Bottled Beauty This stunning gold bottle is attentiongrabbing on its own and the delicious scent inside bursting with notes of mandarin, pink pepper, peach, lilac, geranium and patchouli will surely win over anyone who comes close enough. www.gucci.com/fragrances
6. Illuminati Housed in an elegant and fabulously designed compact, this stylish powder contains an assortment of luminous shades to emphasize the colour of your skin while concealing unsightly blemishes. Brighten your glow under those bright Christmas lights with this advanced cover-up. www.sephora.com
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9. Sequin Seduction Accentuate your exquisite eyes and magnify your magical stare to captivate that special someone. Locking eyes won’t be a problem with this eye-popping colour from Laura Mercier. www.lauramercier.com
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FLOURISHING HING
FASHION ON
THE SEEDS HAVE BEEN SEWN FOR SPRING/SUMMER 2011. FROM WHIMSICAL FLOWERETS TO ROMANTIC REINCARNATIONS, CIBELES MADRID’S FASHION WEEK PREVIEWED A PRISTINE GARDEN OF BLOSSOMING COUTURE.
PRODUCED BY MICHELLE ZERILLO-SOSA WRITTEN BY MADELINE STEPHENSON TEPHENSON
Ï Models make the right move on the runway in Elisa Palomino’s cocktail wear.
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Stylists prep models behind the scenes during Madrid’s Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion Week.
Å Blushing ng rosebuds adorn rn this sheer embroidered oidered black dress ss from Elisa Palomino’s mino’s Eternal collection.
MODELS RAVISH ON THE RUNWAY DURING CIBELES MADRID FASHION WEEK, SHOWCASING SOME OF THE SOFTEST SPRING SILHOUETTES WE’VE SEEN IN YEARS. Ï Not surprisingly, Madrid-born designer Javier Larrainzar walked out a collection worthy of applause. This patterned, flowy gown is one of many pieces that seep subtle sensuality. www.jlarrainzar.com Å This textured floral mini-dress is one of the edgier numbers from Elisa Palomino’s Eternal Spring ‘11 collection. The budding Spanish designer, who’s worked under Roberto Cavalli and Diane Von Furstenberg, is touted to be a top industry contender. www.elisapalomino.com
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Å Elisa Palomino’s
GET INTO THE SPRING OF THINGS WITH HAUTE COUTURE FOR THE HOTTER DAYS AHEAD. OH, AND DON’T BE AFRAID TO SPELL IT OUT IN BLACK AND WHITE.
flirtatious frills evoke the forgotten beauty of far-reaching femininity.
Å Cinched with a bow, this black and white deep-V Roberto Verino dress will impress at any affair.
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Ï Stylish Shimmer A little pop of colour by your side will catch some extra compliments this holiday season. www.tiffany.com
Ï Eva Mendes Whether its walking the red carpet or spending a day out on the town, celebrities like Eva Mendes know the importance of completing their hot look with that perfect purse.
Furry and Fierce Have all the attention on you with this soft, stylish satchel by Laura Buccellati. Its fine leather handle feature adds a touch of character.www.laurabuccellati.com
BAG LADY PRODUCED BY MICHELLE ZERILLO-SOSA WRITTEN BY MELISSA SUNDARDAS
Å Lovely Links Quilted leather fabric meets a sweet silk scarf and charming chain handles for a standout look. www.laurabuccellati.com
Ï Lady in Red This luxurious, lacquered leather rosebud in a cheery holiday shade makes for a girly companion to your little black cocktail dress. www.laurabuccellati.com
Å Classic Cognac With a turn-lock closure, lots of room and chic feminine details, this irresistible arm candy will sweeten up any outfit. www.laurabuccellati.com
Bedazzled Beauties These onyx and turquoise satin clutches – equipped with gorgeous crystal detailing – keep its carriers ready to make memories with enough room for a camera, smart phone, and other necessities. www.tiffany.com
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WRITTEN BY RICHARD RAVENHAWKE
horoscope
LOOKto the
Stars
SAGITTARIUS
Nov 22 - Dec 21
People are watching you, Sagittarius, and your next move could be one of your most important. The easiest, and sometimes most exciting part of life, is that all you have to do is continue to put one foot in front of the other foot. If you do this you will always get somewhere. It is only ourselves that make it complicated.
CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 19 alan an Any family issues should start to find their bbalancing ard st par point in the near future. Sometimes, the hardest part of any relationship is learning to agree to disagree. There are some people in the world who will insist that snow is purple, even if it is right in front of them. The wisest thing to say can very well be nothing at all.
AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 New projects may be off to a slow start, but longterm objectives look very promising indeed! Hang in there, Aquarius, and don’t take the things that don’t matter to heart. The future looks very bright in light of current patterns and opportunities. Never forget that tomorrow is only a reflection of today.
PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 Health consciousness is very important for the longterm enjoyment of all that we sew. If you find that your energy levels have been fluctuating a lot lately, it may be time for some rejuvenating. Try changing up your normal routine. Sometimes a change can be as good as a vacation! Different energy can be a fresh feeling.
ARIES Mar 21 - Apr 19 Old friends may be popping to mind, if not even making cameo appearances when you least expect it. Make sure the coffee is brewed and be prepared to
sit down for a spell. Someone still thinks of you from your past in a very naughty way (wink). It may also be time for a spa tune-up!
TAURUS
Apr 20 - May 20 With all of the comings and goings on lately, do you even have time to sleep? Take some time out and reflect on the happenings over the last little while. In the very near future you may have opportunity to alter your present course, and find a different sense of security. All is good in the end and is as it should be.
GEMINI
May 21 - Jun 20 Love is in the air, Gemini, be it the rekindling of an old relationship or rediscovering and redefining a current one. Opportunities abound and all you need to do is open your heart to those who care and decide on a path that is best suited to your needs for the long-term. An Aquarius figure proves very helpful.
CANCER Jun 21 - Jul 21 It is a time of interpersonal change, reflecting the gives and takes of life and those around you. If you find stress starting to pile up, it may be time to speak with an old friend, or find a true confidant. Watch for a Scorpio person that may have some very interesting information. These next few months will be interesting.
LEO Jul 22 - Aug 21 It will be time to make a choice soon, Leo, and you
Richard Ravenhawke 416.898.HAWK (4295) | richardravenhawke@yahoo.com | www.ravenhawkpsychic.com
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Brad Pitt turns 47 on December18.
have to decide between what your heart desires and what your head knows to be practical. Tough choice, but are the best choices really ever easy? Look inwardly and ask yourself what it is that truly makes you happy. Reflecting on this will give you the answer loud and clear!
VIRGO
Aug 22 - Sept 21 Travel plans could be imminent in the near future. Be it for business, pleasure, or both, Virgo may be packing their bags for the wild blue yonder! It is about time that things started to move and shake a bit with the normal bump and grind of life. There is a Taurus figure that is really impressed by your style.
LIBRA
Sept 22 - Oct 20 Getting organized can be hard at the best of times for those who have been as busy as our Libra friends lately. There are people around you who are ready to help, and you may be surprised at who is actually stepping up to the plate! Stop and breathe once in a while, and while you are at it, watch for an Aries person that brings a surprise.
SCORPIO
Oct 21 - Nov 21 The winds of change are blowing in your direction, Scorpio. Your life has been filled with choices lately, some good and some bad. The next few weeks could bring some very interesting outcomes. These winds are blowing in your favour, so choose carefully and beware of what you ask for.
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