folio.yvr embr acing west coast luxur y lifest yle
may 2019 issue 2
TABL E OF C PERSONALITIES PHILANTROPY
Andy Di
The Lambano Sa
CULINARY & COCKTAILS
Drew Cooks! C
FASHION
Angelo Caroli
TRAVEL ARTS & CULTURE
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All right s reserv ed. No part of t he m at erial prot ect ed by t his copyright not ice m ay be reproduced or ut ilized in any form or by any m eans, w it hout w rit t en perm ission from EcoLux Luv Com m unicat ions. FOLIO.YV R does not accept any responsibilit ies for incorrect inform at ion as all inform at ion is deem ed t o be accurat e as of dat e of publishing. FOLIO.YV R does not accept unsolicit ed m at erials. Mailing address is c/ o Helen Siw ak, Suit e A, 489 West 6t h Av enue, Vancouv er, BC, V5Y 1L3
West
Anti
CONTENTS
ixon 6 / Chr istopher Bates 14
anctuar y & Dr Pavlou Foundation 20
Cater ing 28 / Dea For tuna 30 / Ar mani/Casa 36
i 44 / Loewe 'Baskets' 54
t Lake, China 60
ifico Setificio Fiorentino 68
FOLIO.YV R is published m ont hly by EcoLux Luv Com m unicat ions, is a sponsored supplem ent creat ed by EcoLux Luv .com Com m unicat ions, and as part of client serv ices. All phot ography is ow ned by EcoLuxLuv 2 Com m unicat ions unless indicat ed below . Queries regarding collaborat ion, sponsorship, m arket ing, consult ing, 2 inclusion in FOLIO.YVR, should be direct ed t o t he publisher v ia hyperlink or t ext t o 778.847.30 11 Phot os: Pg 7 Versace, Pgs 20 -25 Lam bano Sanct uary, Pgs 32-35 Dea Fort una, Pgs 68-69, 73-74 St efano Ricci
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Weddings at Fairmont Pacific Rim Long Table Tasting Experience Tala Florist Weddings April 2, 2019
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Personalities 4 4
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Andy Dixon xVersaceHome xSashaBikoff
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A Special Exhibit ion in Via GesĂš 6
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ndy Dixon is a Canadian fine-artist based in sunny Los Angeles, whose works question the inherent value in coveted luxury. He is particularly fond of Flemish still-life, Versace silk shirts, and vintage Playboy magazine spreads, resulting in a perfect storm of culture, chaos, and appropriation. In his youth, Dixon was an experimental electronic musician who turned to painting?taking his inspiration from the eclectic and the desirable?to a beautiful level of luscious irony.
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asha Bikof f is an American interior designer whose aesthetic inspirations range from New York City and Miami where she grew up; to 18th century French Rococo mixed with 1960s Space Age Modern, 1970s French Modernism, and 1980s Italian Memphis Milano. Bikoff has ?always felt a deep connection to Versace as it embodies everything I believe in, a sense of fun and freedom to be daring.?
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IThe legendary Gianni Versace began the Versace Home Collection in 1992 with textiles, which was expanded to include tableware through porcelain manufacturer Rosenthal. In 2019, Versace Home is creating furniture, textiles, porcelain tableware, wallpapers, wall coverings, ceramic tiles, bath accessories, and more. Dixon?s inaugural solo exhibition, held in New York called Look at This Stuf f Isn't It Neat, is the source of the artwork displayed at the Versace palazzo on Via GesĂš. In addition to three of Dixon?s opulent over-scaled shirts (108?x84?) many of his paintings were also translated into a patterned wallpaper. The palazzo is a compilation of neoclassical buildings which were constructed in 1782. In 1982, Gianni Versace began to purchase structures on the site?ultimately creating a complex that is not generally open to the public but during Milan Design Week, a limited number of tickets were available each day for entry. The night before the event launch, an exclusive dinner and sneak peek was hosted by the dynamic trio and ELLE DĂŠcor Editor- in- Chief Whitney Robinson. Guests included design guests Matteo Cibic, Laura Sartori Rimini, Roberto Peregalli, J ulian Bedel, and Alan Richard. The following day, the Versace team gifted Dixon a one-of-a-kind robe created exclusively for him, the luxe fabric based on a collaborative design comprised of nine Christie?s Auction House items.
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It was a heady experience for guests as they stepped into the rooms of the palazzo. An abundance of Versace motifs in candy swirl-like carpets caressed neon clouds, plexiglass islands were topped with delicious furnishings, and rotating Pop Medusa chairs completed the fantastical setting. The effect was was luminescent, gorgeous, and so incredibly unique. Initially contacted regarding the collaboration via his Instagram account, Dixon thought he was being set-up to be catfished. Ready to leave for a day at his studio, he paused to optimistically to perform a few Google searches and found the sender was legitimately part of the Versace team. The staff at the J oshua Liner Gallery coordinated the safe transport of the show pieces to Milan, and now that the annual exhibition has concluded, the pieces are being returned to New York and their new owners. The ?Look at This Stuff Isn?t It Neat?exhibit sold-out opening day, so there are many patiently waiting for their Andy Dixon originals to return and join their collections. While there were many people to meet with during his stay in Milan?designers, architects, artists, media?Dixon shares that the ?absolute pinnacle was meeting Donatella... collaborating with Versace Home was overwhelming, exhausting, and invigorating...I had a great time!? In September, catch Andy Dixon's newest creations at the Over The Inf luence gallery in Hong Kong. Subscribe to FOLIO.YVR and follow the Versace Home Collection story from Via GesĂš to Vancouver. In the meantime, we invite you 12 to satisfy your craving for all things Versace at Major Interiors located at 300 West Pender Street. 12
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CHRISTOPHER BATES CONFIDENT
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CANADIAN
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t all started with a kiss and a cheeky dress shirt that tattooed the name ?Christopher Bates?into our consciousness. This singular quintessential design catapulted Bates from novice to expert and launched a business that consistently delivers sophisticated yet edgy men?s wear in the highest quality Italian fabrics.
He continues, ?we have sold to some great stores in Italy? and we are working on expanding throughout North America, and possibly into China.? He references an arts and fashion entrepreneur trade mission, which saw Bates travel to Hangzhou, China, last fall. ?It was organized by RozeMerie Cuevas of J acqueline Conoir. It was a fantastic experience, and I am very keen to expand my brand to China, as she has done so successfully.?
Bates visited Vancouver in April for back-to-back meetings and to oversee the inclusion of his Spring/ Summer 2019 collection in CF Pacif ic Centre?s Nordstrom. Located in the centre of the upscale men?s wear section of the third floor, the 40-piece collection is striking in its tailoring, the complementary colour choices, and the fabric selection which ranges from lightweight suiting to knits to cutting-edge technical fabrics.
Toronto is once again his home base. Returning to Canada was always part of his business strategy so when the time came, Bates was ready. ?I will miss the food, wine, and climate the most. It was so easy to travel around Italy and Europe being based there? but I never mastered the Italian language which made living there and doing business quite difficult at times.?
As we flip through the racks at Nordstrom, I mention that many pieces in the new collection would be easily marketed as unisex and prompt him about creating a line for the stylish woman who loves to wear men?s wear. Bates says ?I?m very keen to start designing my women?s wear line, but realistically it is more a mid-term goal, as we still have much work to do on expanding and streamlining our men?s wear and footwear businesses.?
What is on the agenda in 2019 for Christopher Bates? There is no hesitation in his voice as he answers. ?We will continue to strive for excellence with respect to our materials, production, and being a ?Made in Italy?product. Next phase plans are to continue to grow with our existing Canadian accounts - Nordstrom, Harry Rosen, Gotstyle, Espy - and to pursue expansion into the US market with Nordstrom.?
In 2014, Bates opened a design studio in Milan primarily for sourcing and production with the objective to create a high-quality authentic ?Made in Italy?line. ?It has taken a few years, but we now have an established network of excellent suppliers.?
Mic drop.
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Mask by Matteo Cibic Salone del Mobile.Milano Porta Est, Milan Fairgrounds, Rho, Milan, Italy April 9, 2019 18
Philanthropy 18 18
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The Lamba 20
ano Sanct uar y 36 Senator Road Malvern East, Germiston Gauteng, South Africa 20 20
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n Gauteng, South Af rica a team of twenty dedicated medically trained staff provide full-time care for children who live with life-limiting HIV and other threatening illnesses. Theirs is a calling of dedication and sacrifice to ensure the quality of treatment provided is the best that it can be to children so limited in options. Aged 9 to 19 years, the residents at the Lambano Sanctuary receive the best medical treatment available, their mothers take part in skills development initiatives, and fundraising is a constant concern. Market Researcher Melanie Prinsloo founded the Lambano Sanctuary in 2001 in response to the HIV crisis and the absence of facilities for orphans and children afflicted. In 2009, the first dedicated Paediatric Medical Step- down Facility/ Hospice in Gauteng was opened and focused on children who suffer from critical health problems including HIV/ TB; renal, cardiac, and brain damage; burns and respiratory problems, genetic and neonatal defects; and cancer. In the past ten years, the non-profit sanctuary has achieved success in caring for acutely ill HIV positive children and has achieved a high reunification rate with family after discharge, which is astounding given that many of the children admitted were received for palliative care. Under the guidance of CEO Lyn Croote, the Lambano Sanctuary now operates four Forever Homes, caring for a total of 28 children, surviving on the generosity of donors. Over 16,450 km?s away, one such donor lives and owns a thriving aesthetics medical practice in the heart of the beautiful west coast city of Vancouver. Dr. Christopher Pavlou is a medical doctor who is board certified in medical aesthetics. South African-Greek by birth, this vibrant and engaging entrepreneur has quickly cultivated a select clinic clientele by being true to his refreshing ?Honour Your Beauty?philosophy. 22 22
Skin Technique was launched in December 2017 in Yaletown. Surrounded by award-winning patios, boutiques, and digital creative agencies, Dr. Pavlou and his team offer a luxury clinic experience in a beautifully designed space, just steps from the city?s trendiest spots. A dedicated medical professional, Dr. Pavlou is recognized by multiple professional organizations including both the Canadian and American Associations of Aesthetic Medicine.
Born, raised, and educated in South Africa, Dr. Pavlou worked in the busiest paediatric ward in Soweto. At the Baragwanath Hospital, he would spend weeks and sometimes months treating infants and young children with life-threatening illnesses. Reflecting on these experiences, he shares ?It always saddened me to see how long after being nursed back to health these children would have to stay in the hospital while social workers would frantically try to place them in caring homes. Their parents were often too poor or too sick themselves to take care of their children.?
Recently chosen by Vancouverites as Best Local Inf luencer in the annual ?Best of?awards in The Georgia Straight, Dr. Pavlou found himself on the receiving end of a steady stream of platitudes and congratulations. ?My initial surprise was followed, quite frankly, by a tinge of embarrassment. I was sharing this accolade with David Suzuki, yes, THE David Suzuki ? brilliant environmental activist and one of The Greatest Canadians of all time, and Erin Ireland ? influential
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food reporter cooking pione would ever c same influen them, it did g what it really ?influencer.?
The creation Foundation contemplated meant after r in such a com medical aesth
r and plant-based eer. While I in no way consider myself in the ntial league as either of get me thinking about y meant for me to be an
n of the Dr. Pavlou soon followed as he d the honour and what it running a new business mpetitive industry as hetics. Dr. Pavlou realized
that ?nothing feels as good as making another person happy. And that is how I choose to use this influence ? to do as much as I can, using the opportunities I have been blessed with - to enrich the lives of people in need and inspire those around me to do the same.? The Lambano Sanctuary is near and dear to Dr. Pavlou?s heart, and in December 2018, his new foundation made a second donation of $10,000 to the South African non-profit which no longer receives government funding. This generous donation will go towards the renovation of another property close to the existing Forever Homes to provide additional treatment beds and services to this most in need segment of the population. "To go back to the country of my birth and make a donation to a cause so close to my heart was not only emotional and overwhelming, but also heartwarming and hopeful," Dr. Pavlou shares. "It filled me with gratitude for the opportunities I have been graciously afforded in my life." Please join the Dr. Pavlou Foundation in supporting 24 The Lambano Sanctuary. Click here to make a donation. 24
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Culinary / Cocktails 26
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Munich International Airport Departures Level, Terminal 2 Nordallee 25, 85356 Munchen-Flughafen 26 April 13, 2019 26
DREW
M UNRO
COOKS
#W HAT
Congratulations on winning 'Catere 2019 British Columbia Wedding Aw
With a focus on sustainability and d menus, Drew Munro and the highly Drew?s Catering & Events, are mind and in providing incredible inclusiv
Whether it is serving coconut chia breakfast, delivering an avocado to al fresco at a long table event on a and the food always delicious.
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TVEGANSEAT
er of the Year' at the wards!
developing broader plant- based y- skilled kitchen team at dful of their environmental impact ve service and delicious food always.
pudding at an early morning corporate oast bar for twenty, or serving 5- courses a mountainside, the team is prof essional
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Cherry Blossoms West 6th & Yukon Street Vancouver, BC April 24, 2019
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DEA FORTUNA & STEFANO RICCI YVR
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GOLDEN GOOSE Behold the delicious The Golden Goose. Conceived and crafted by Andrew Fletcher, Operations & Creative Beverage Director of private members club Dea Fortuna. A gorgeous cocktail topped with edible flowers and flakes of gold, and served in a slender coupette to our VIP guests at the Stefano Ricci boutique in Vancouver's 'Luxury Zone.' With a base of fresh pressed lime, followed by Yin Zhen syrup created with Pai Mu Tan tea from the Fujian Province. Highly prized for its health benefits and richness in vitamins, Fletcher procured the perfect loose tea obtained from the TWG Tea Salon on West Georgia Street under the guidance from Lukas Cervenka, Salon Manager & 32 Tea Sommellier. The smooth crisp flavour of The Golden Goose originates with especially batched for this Dea Fortuna event - an unreleased Octavia 'Apple Pie' Flavoured Vodka. Six-times distilled to create a perfect balance; it is completely free of additives, including sugar and glycerin.
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Stir for controlled dilution with ice, double strain into coupe glass, and garnish with fresh edible flowers and gold flake.
INGREDIENTS 1 oz Vanilla Essence 1 oz. Edible Flowers .25 oz Fresh Pressed Lime 1.0 oz Yin Zhen Syrup 1.5 oz Oct avia Apple Vodka
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SOUTHERN SUNRISE This light and sparkling version of the Tequila Sunrise is pure west coast. Our second drink of the evening was also conceived and crafted by Andrew Fletcher. This cocktail is already a must-mix for any get-together's on the terrace this summer. Add the raspberry puree to a Collins glass, followed by the fresh pressed apple juice. Add the magnificent Clase Azul Plata. This ultra-premium spirit is made from organic agave and aged to perfection. Stir until blended. Top with soda and garnish with a slice of dehydrated apple. The final drink is 10 ounces of pure sunshine and packed with Vitamin C! 34
INGREDIENTS
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2 oz 4 oz 3 oz 1 1 oz
Raspberry Puree Freshly Pressed Apple Juic Soda Slice Dehydrat ed Apple Clase Azul Plat a
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Armani/Casa Launch Event Salone del Mobile.Milano 2019 Armani/Teatro,Via Bergognone, 59 Milan, Italy April 8, 2019 37
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n a brisk April evening, less than 24-hours before the official launch of Salone del Mobile, legendary design icon Giorgio Armani presented his 2019 Armani/ Casa collection in the spectacular Armani/ Teatro. The Brutalist space, created by Japanese designer Tadao Ando in 2000, was beautifully transformed to an intense otherworldly environment. As the event unfolded, Mr Armani, dressed in signature all black, moved through the invited guests, warmly greeting friends and associates, pausing for photographs, and welcoming introductions. Around the room finely crafted objects of wood, leather, marble, and metal, were displayed in separate sections, without clutter or overlap, reinforcing the strength of the design. Overhead, light filtered through a series of remarkable aerial creations. In bright and vivid tones of red, forest green and petrol blue, the resulting luminescence was breathtaking. Accompanied by perfectly chilled Champagne, the event was a soothing prelude for Salon del Mobile.Milano, which would begin the following morning by welcoming 370,000+ delegates from 188 countries.
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Items displayed at the 2019 Salon del Mobile.Milano will be available this Fall/ Winter at the new Armani/ Casa located at 1656 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver, BC.
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Fashion Stazione Milano Centrale Piazza Duca d'Aosta Milan, Italy April 10, 2019
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Angelo C
ITALY'S KIN 44
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Caroli
NG OF VINTAGE
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veryone in business has to start somewhere. For a teenage Angelo Caroli in the mid-1970s, it was offering styling advice on a local radio station which led selling secondhand American denim and military jackets at a hawkers market in the centre of his hometown.
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The awareness of the ?Made in Italy?lab infancy, and with a youth population ent music movement and 46 its rising stars Mad Duran Duran, Caroli identified a niche to money. This astute observation led to a in resale, and soon he began making trip the US east coast to acquire more highly
From hustling to owning and operating A (a.k.a. Vintage Palace) in Lugo di Ravenn table has grown to a glorious 4-story, 1, palazzo bursting at the seams with vinta
bel was still in its thralled with the pop donna, Wham, and o exploit for pocket a burgeoning business ps to visit family on y coveted goods.
A.N.G.E.L.O. Vintage na, Italy, his market ,400-square-metre, age clothing.
The multi-purpose location has the first floor devoted to retail and divided into men?s and women?s, and stocks hand-picked treasures in various on-trend genres, bridal, accessories, and footwear. The stairs to the second floor bring label aficionados to the most desirable luxury designer handbags currently displayed by the colour palette in beautiful vignettes. It is further up those stairs, on the top two floors at Corso Garibaldi, 59, where the true devotee?s of style will have their breath taken away. I was speechless from the moment the threshold was crossed. It was akin to tumbling into a treasure chest stuffed with of one-of-a-kind pieces46 by the most revered and respected designers of the twentieth century, and all touchable?unlike museum exhibitions. 47 46
The A.N.G.E.L.O. Archive houses a curation of garments from the 1800s to the 1990s. Organized using two systems ? the first by genre like Victorian, Hawaiian, knitwear, military, etc., and the second is alphabetically designer name. The 120,000+ items are not for sale but are available to be rented for reference purposes (not for personal wearing) and examined by fashion professionals, researchers, and publications. Many of the archive garments have been photographed by Helmut Newton, Paolo Roversi, and Walter Chin. American heritage designers Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren have both made a pilgrimage to the Archive.
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A 1970s Pierre Cardin mod dress with geometric appliquĂŠs, filed under ?C,? catches my eye but I am quickly distracted as the Archive Curator presents a jacket from Alexander McQueen?s ?J ack the Ripper Stalks His Victims?Collection (1992) with a sewn-inside ?relic?of the designers hair in a plastic pouch, only to have my attention sideswiped by a Chanel jacket in lavender. This classic piece was worn in the 1990s by Canadian 48 supermodel Yasmin Guari and then gifted to iconic fashion journalist Anna Piaggi by Lagerf eld personally. A trailblazer in ethical fashion and circular economy before it was ?fashionable,?Caroli is busy working on a very exciting two-part expansion project and collaborating with the
Politecnico di Milano and the University of Bologna to digitize the current 120,000+ piece archive creating an online portal for worldwide access, and the overseeing of the relocation of the archive. Down the road, renovations have begun at an abandoned 18th century building, the 'Orphanage delle fanciulle' which consists of two regal stone buildings (separate dormitories for boys and girls) which are connected by a large courtyard. When completed the Archive will be easier for all interested to visiting. Caroli?s desk is overflowing with fashion magazines with tagged editorials featuring items from the Archive. Celebrating creativity, each flat surface and shelf is packed with reference books, biographies, catalogue clippings, and an impressive array of vintage Hermès clothing and the iconic orange boxes.
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A prized acquisition sits atop a shelf, across from three vintage Hermès riding capes. A 1938 travel tote, used initially for transporting horse bridles and reins, which was acquired from a 93-year old Contessa in Montecatini. During a closet buy, the Contessa regaled Caroli with stories of how she used the bag to travel from Argentina to Italy after the Second World War. Caroli explains that this ?bag is the one that initially inspired the Kelly bag and then the Birkin. Although the bag is a little broken down, it is still valuable, worth about 10,000? but I do not know if or when I will sell it.? He smiles rather enamoured with this rather non-descript Hermès. Those who visit to A.N.G.E.L.O. Vintage will find stunning and rare vintage pieces from the legendary design houses and obscure designers. This incredible shrine to vintage by famous European designers with prices ranging from the affordable to the atmospheric depending on whether your new ?friends? are named Moschino, Miyake, Pucci, or Chanel.
Visit the A.N.G.E.L.O. Vintage website and take a deep dive into their amazing online selection of luxury vintage!
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LOEWE Quadrilatero d?Oro Via Monteneapoleone 21 Milan, Italy April 9, 2019
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he stone-lined streets of the Quadrilatero d?Oro jostled with rushes of people - all trying to get by those stopping to smoke a cigarette or chat, others in the street dodging scooters and pedicabs. Each in search of the next ?must-visit?location as dictated in the Fuorisalone 2019 Guide - which happened to contain 1,350 events. Amidst this chaos, is the courtyard of Via Montenapoleone 21. A quiet oasis of bamboo, leather, stone, and silk, and home to the most memorable exhibition at Milan Design Week luxury handbag designer Loewe?s ?Baskets.? Visitors enter under a bent bamboo archway laden with the brands in-demand straw totes, they emerge to two rows of interpretative woven art pieces and gently fluttering ecru quilts. The stillness of the display soothes even the most anxious, as the details of the items weaving, calligraphy, and hand quilting, quickly mesmerized. The exhibition is divided into Inspiration and Collection, where displayed pieces celebrate the different styles and techniques of a diverse selection of artists and craftspeople. J ennif er Zurick hails from rural Kentucky, the AmaXhosa weavers are from Cape Town, with others participating from J apan, South Korea, and Ireland, each with an in-depth knowledge of their disciplines and adding their distinct styles to the project.
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Two years in the making, the project is comprised of eleven international artists. The installation is the brainchild of J onathan Anderson, Creative Director of the Spanish luxury house, which invited and encouraged the eleven master weavers to create limited edition objets d?art using Loewe leather.
Anderson sought to artistic level after be Loewe Foundation C competition, at which created large-scale w 56 Loewe Spring/ Summ
Existing Loewe bags, Gate, Cushion, and V adapted and distorte creating new silhouet each.
Each piece a beautifu techniques revered, a
elevate craft to an eing inspired by the Craft Prize 2018 h nominee J oe Hogan woven pods for the mer 2019 show.
s, including Puzzle, Vertical Totes, were ed by the artisans ettes and functions for
ul new look, born of and materials so old.
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Adventure Charity Thrift Market Piazza del Duomo Florence, Italy April 11, 2019
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CHINA
HANGZHOU
W EST LAKE
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est of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, retreat from the distractions of the city and enjoy a refreshing day at this iconic and inspirational destination where myth and romance reside amidst forested hills.
First-time visitors to West Lake will experience the sense that they have been there before because its lush pagoda-dotted skyline has been captured since the 9th century, first by artists and then by photographers, who strove to share with the world the classic and legendary beauty of China. 62
Along the shoreline, visitors enjoy hot tea, fragrant roast 62 nuts, and skewers of glazed strawberries as they meander along willow trees on groomed walkways. On the forest floor, tiny birds and squirrels scamper about, and out on the lake hand-oared boats smoothly glide along invisible paths known only to the operators.
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Hired guides tell an ancient r immortal White Snake of th woman who fell for a mortal God of the lake became jeal her under a pagoda. Howeve the her, ultimately the lovers had a son.
64 The Lingyin Temple is in a between Fei Lai Feng and N northwest of West Lake. In 3 monk named Hui Li found th surroundings and built a tem Monastery of the Soul's Re
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In the 10th century, the tem buildings, 18 pavilions, over rooms occupied by 3,000 mo
romantic tale of the he lake who became a l man. The Turtle lous and imprisoned er, the man still loved s were reunited and
In 1961, West Lake became a key provincial historical and cultural site, and today it is a major travel destination, known not only for the incredible amount and size of its Buddha statues but for its literary collections and the Pharmaceutical Master Hall.
West Lake is adjacent to the main city centre of Hangzhou and easily accessible from anywhere in the city. Whether you chose a private car, taxi, or the clean and efficient subway, your travel time is less than 45 minutes.
a long, narrow valley North Peak on the 326 AD, an Indian his valley in quiet mple and named it etreat.
When you visit, ensure that you stay until evening, as the West Lake sunset is breathtaking. Our oarsman slowed to a stop as the sun began its rapid descent. We were awe-struck as the sun slipped into a nest of yellow and orange which became flaming red before disappearing and all was blanketed in darkness. It was a glorious albeit fleeting moment, and all but 64 impossible to capture.
FOLIO.YVR recommends finishing your day with a cup of Longjing green tea and sumptuous dinner at the Hangzhou at West Lake Four Seasons. The J in Sha restaurant has eleven private dining rooms and offers an award-winning menu where traditional Shanghainese, Cantonese, and local favourites flourish.
mple consisted of 9 72 halls, and 1,300 monks.
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Arts 66
Official Seal of The Kremlin Palace Antifico Setificio Fiorentino Via L. Bartolini 4 Florence, Italy April 11, 2019 66
s/ Culture
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Antifico Setificio Fi 68
Via L. Bartolini 4 Florence, Italy By Appointment Only April 11, 2019
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orentino
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eyond the iron gate at Via Bartolini n° 4, under the shadow of abundant wisteria, the Antico Setif icio Fiorentino produces the finest silk fabric in Italy, perhaps in the world. As our town car departs, the Director of Communications for Stefano Ricci, begins to graciously weave the incredible and fascinating history of this business.
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We enter the coolness of the showroom, heels echoing on the hardwood floor, and are greeted with an incredible silence. The weavers are on their mid-day break, so we dally in the archival showroom. The wooden shelves are laden with the most amazing fabrics and ribbons, and the antique couches are decorated with divine pillows and throws; samples of the home dĂŠcor that can be ordered during private appointment.
A o T h se
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As the weavers return, the repetitive sound of the looms begins to punctuate the air. The adjoining workshop is home to six handlooms dating from the 1700s and six semi-mechanical looms from the 1800s.
Especially incredible is a unique orditoio warping machine) which stands upright, designed by Leonardo da Vinci and an 1878 Benninger orditoio which is still in perfect working order today.
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Throughout the centuries, the clientele of this revered atelier has always been prestigious, beginning with noble Florentine families, aristocratic Italian families, growing in the 1800s to include European nobility. Today, under the guidance of Stefano Ricci S.p.A., the legacy of the looms continues as designers, architects, and famous interior designers can satisfy their client?s needs by creating their own custom woven fabrics, both in colour patterns and yarn. In Florence, from the Renaissance age onward, the art of silk weaving flourished bringing prestige to the city, wealth to its merchants, and reached its peak during the era of the Medici. Around the middle of the 1700s some of the noble families, including della Gherardesca, Pucci, Bartolozzi, Corsini, and Agresti, decided to establish a single location that would house all their looms, patterns, and fabrics.
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THE FABRICS Passed on through generation of families, the antique fabric designs are kept today in the Archive of the Antico Setif icio Fiorentino. Currently, the production includes a wide range of Renaissance silk damasks, brocades in silk, and linen from several centuries and 18th-century silk lampasses. The quality of the fabric produced is guaranteed by the various delicate phases of workmanship including the hand dying and the preparation of the antique looms. The absolute lack of chemical treatments creates a completely pure undamaged thread that results in an unequaled resistance, texture, and richness in colour.
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In recognition of the importance of this factory and to increase silk production, in 1780 the Grand Duke Leopold of Lorraine donated several looms, one of which we stood in front of observing firsthand a remarkable demonstration. Operated by foot-pedal with a manual shuttle, the operator expertly completes row after row. The deftness of the process is fascinating and concurrently exhausting. The patience and steadfastness of the weaver displays a depth of attention lost in our computerized world.
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Elisabetta Bardelli Ricci, General Manager and the weavers of the Antico Setif icio Fiorent
RESTORATION
ACQUISITION
The Antico Setificio Fiorentino has carried out many important restoration projects over the decades. The atelier supplied the fabrics for the restoration of the Tribune of the Uf f izi Gallery in Florence, the curtains of Palazzo Madama in Rome, the Royal Palace of Denmark in Copenhagen, Royal Castle of Sweden in Stockholm, and the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow.
In the middle of the 1950s, the atelier flourished thanks to the acquisition by Marquis Emilio Pucci and the other founding families of the shareholding majority. A decade ago, with the House of Pucci relocating their business to France, the atelier was to be converted to a museum.
Additionally, numerous aristocratic Manors used these fabrics to restore important antique pieces with the reproduction of the precious textiles, wholly made according to the old techniques.
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74 My guide was approaching the highlight of the dramatic history of the atelier with the introduction of its newest chapter ? how the Stefano Ricci family became involved in the Antico Setificio Fiorentino.
It began with a phone call to Mr. Ricci, during which an invitation was extended to attend the atelier for tea. Stefano jokingly refers to this ?as the most expensive tea he has ever had? because, upon the completion of the visit,
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he had arranged to purchase the Antico Setificio Fiorentino from the Pucci family. This single act of generosity secured the livelihoods of the families and the looms to continue to create the incredible silks used worldwide, not only for the Stefano Ricci collections but the damask casula for Pope Francis, suiting for Andrea Bocelli and Tom Cruise, the jacquard tunic that Nelson Mandela wore to meet Queen Elizabeth II, and all the textile interiors of The Kremlin Palace. In June, join FOLIO.YVR as we continue our Florentine adventure from our base at the elegant Hotel Santa Maria Novella, in a showcase of the silver workshop at the Stefano Ricci headquarters. A fascinating spotlight on the expert silversmith who has created every piece available in the Stefano Ricci boutique located in the 'Luxury Zone' at 1139 West 74Street, Vancouver. Georgia 75
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but when I f irst met with an i ?My name is Stefano Ricci, an Florence?was more than opportunity to better sell my successfully with over 68, 69 to my city som
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hen I started in 1972, no one knows me, international department store, I would say nd I come f rom Florence.?This ?coming f rom n a business card and gave me a better products. Now that the company is running 9 boutiques in the world, I must give back mething to show my thanks.
efano Ricci
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