What does luxury mean to you? – Editor’s Note 8
Two years of conversations with prominent Edmontonians 10
There’s more than one way to ‘Barbiecore’ with Bamboo Ballroom 44
The short boot affair 50
Reinterpreting the Grand Wagoneer legacy 52
Conviviality and hospitality: the essence of Dalla Tavola Zenari 58
The home that has it all 68
Elsa Amorim
Jelena Bojic
Beryl Bacchus
Brandy Belitsky
Lucie Oosterveld
Gordana Bosiocic
Mona Butler
Twyla Campbell Cooper & O'Hara Photography Marcia J. Hamm
Steven Hope Nev Ostoin PMG Image
Tom Sedens Tatyana Semenova Trevor Tsoi Jay Walker Emily Welz
Modern Luxuria is a digital magazine and is published monthly.
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No part of this magazine, including text, photographs, illustrations, advertising layouts or other graphics may be reproduced in any way without the prior written consent of the publisher. Modern Luxuria Magazine is not responsible for loss, damage or any other injury to unsolicited manuscripts, unsolicited artwork (including but not limited to drawings, photographs, or transparencies) or any unsolicited material. By accepting and publishing advertisements, Modern Luxuria Magazine is in no way endorsing or guaranteeing the quality of service or product with those advertisements.
COVER Photo Steven Hope
Beryl Bacchus has had an extensive career with over 20 years in the fashion, events and entertainment worlds. Spending time in Montreal, Toronto and New York, she moved to Edmonton just over a decade ago and is excited to bring her passion for community to Modern Luxuria Magazine and help showcase the talent and vibrancy of Edmonton from a fresh perspective.
Twyla Campbell is a freelance writer and food columnist for CBC Radio (Edmonton). She is a seasoned traveler who seeks unique destinations both local and abroad. A proud supporter of Canadian wine and sustainable food producers, Twyla is a regularly sought food panelist and judge for culinary competitions in Canada.
Steven Hope is an award-winning photographer and director. He has worked in commercial and film around the world and brings an extensive portfolio of photography to Edmonton.
Mona Rose Butler, originally from Vancouver, brings with her to Edmonton a background in lifestyle writing within the luxury realm. When not working or training for her next strongman competition, she can be found exploring the restaurants and coffee shops of Edmonton or taking her dog, Pixel, on adventures.
Marcia J. Hamm is a lover of all things wine, but is especially passionate about Italy's native grape varieties. She is a WSET diploma holder, an Italian Wine Scholar and one of only 15 Italian Wine Experts In the world through the Vinitaly international Academy (VIA). Marcia also loves to sing, ride her bicycle, have dinner parties and relax on the patio.
Nev Ostoin is a lover of the outdoors, and winter being her favourite season makes her a perfect fit in Edmonton. Her passion is capturing every-day moments around the city, obsessing over perfectly framing each shot. Nev's favourite transportation method is her bike, and she can be found enjoying coffee at Kaffa or a good glass of wine at Rosso. Her photography focus is always on and the camera is always within arm's reach.
Tom Sedens is a husband, father of 3, lover of pie and a world traveler that has explored over 50 countries. He is an accredited member of AJAC (Automobile Journalists Association of Canada) who loves driving anything, anytime, anywhere.
In this edition, we reflect on many conversations with prominent Edmontonians and some of their messages that were inspiring and thought provoking. We could certainly add that luxury is having the ability to network with all of these and similar individuals in Edmonton, which is what we just did in September at our annual event. We look forward to having more of these events in the future.
WHAT does luxury mean to you? It’s a question we ask everyone we profile, in part because we are a luxury publication, but also because it means different things to different people, and we are always curious about what people consider luxurious.
We’ve heard so many answers over the past two years - from a good red lipstick, to an exotic vacation, and everything in between. Another round of answers focused on non material things such as health and wellness, spiritual growth and prosperity. There are no right or wrong answers here, and that’s what we love about this topic we so passionately cover. Luxury is really determined by you and your experiences.
In addition, we are always happy to bring you some of our other luxurious finds; from visiting Elisa Zenari in the new-ish Dalla Tavola Zenari, inspired by parents Adriano and Glenda’s ‘old’ Zenari’s in Manulife Place, to the ‘Barbiecore’ trend taking the fashion world by storm brought to us by Bamboo Ballroom. We aim to find something for everyone, and hope you’ll find something you love in the October edition of Modern Luxuria.
Enjoy! — Jelena
It is the ultimate luxury to combine passion and contribution. It’s also a clear path to happiness.
"Nothing compares to a beautiful conversation with a beautiful mind.
We’ve had many beautiful conversations over the years, and want to take a moment to remember them, to visit some of these inspiring moments and to thank all the individuals we had the pleasure of speaking with. We often go back to the articles of the people we profile, looking for a sentence that inspired us, challenged us to think in a different way, or gave us a new perspective. This month, we are bringing back some of these conversations and hope you will enjoy revisiting them.
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BY TATYANA SEMENOVA
Krista Ference
Patrick Bartoshyk
Arvind Sawhney
Chantell Ghosh
Jas Ogar
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- 14www.modernluxuria.com BY TATYANA SEMENOVA
Cara McLeod
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BY TATYANA SEMENOVA
Robert McLeod
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY TATYANA SEMENOVA
Carrie Doll
Anil Sharma
Terrell Edwards
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Jennifer Martin
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Twyla Campbell
Mike Klein
Ryan Jespersen
Chevi Rabbit
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Mark Fistric
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TATYANA SEMENOVA
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BY PMG IMAGE
Reilley & Kelley McKinlay
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TREVOR TSOI
Dwayne Olatonade
Amber Scott
Shawn Kanungo
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Era Rowles
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BY TREVOR TSOI
Steven Knight
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TATYANA SEMENOVA
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Lorraine James
Cory Edel
Maureen MacKay
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Gord Steinke
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Kendra Kincade
PHOTOGRAPHY BY COOPER & O'HARA PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVEN HOPE
Ashton Raeyr John Cameron
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Bob Nicholson
PHOTOGRAPHY BY NEV OSTOIN
Nella Mirante
Calling all sophisticated tones of blue with a touch of nostalgia. LuxMrkt on 124th street offers us a sample of gently used men's luxury fashion.
WWW.LUXMRKT.CA
Lardini Navy Suit
Lardini Navy Suit Di Bianco Shoes
John Varvatos Blue Suede Jacket Paige Jeans Santoni Shearling Lined Boots
Brunello Cucinelli Sweater Brunello Cucinelli Suede Vest Naked & Famous Jeans Danner Boots
Free People Ardella Bralette Electropop Lack of Colour Hat - Green Rancher FRNCH
Paris Madleen Jumpsuit - Vibrant Nuit Ernst and Kelly Jewellery
PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVEN HOPE MODEL STEPHANIE STOPAINIG AGENCY CHAN INTERNATIONAL MODEL & TALENT
In anticipation of the Barbie film hitting theatres in 2023, ‘Barbiecore’ has taken the fashion world by storm. Everything pink does not have to overtake your life to have this energetic style incorporated into your closet. The freshly renovated Bamboo Ballroom on Whyte Avenue shows us how to bring this fun, sophisticated trend to your wardrobe through printed tones and color blocking.
Steve Madden Annie Top - Sulphur Spring Dèluc Luoni
Joggers - Emerald Green RD Style Autumn Woven Coat - Flash Pink Brave Leather The Aviva Suede Belt - Amarillo Free People Black Shoe
While extra tall boots dominated the fall runways this season, the elegance of the midi boot was still on display. Modern Luxuria curated some of these same styles from the runway straight to you from our local Edmonton boutiques.
Gravity Pope Halmanera Ace
The Bay Sergio Rossi
Poppy Barley The Victoriana Boot
Gravity Pope Canada West Boots Moorby
Poppy Barley The Vancouver Chukka
Gravity Pope Red Wing Iron Ranger
Crockett & Jones Camberley Double Buckle Boot
Harry Rosen Moncler Mon Corp Lace Up
Henry Singer Crockett & Jones Molton Chukka
Gravity Pope Trippen Sport Work
The Bay Paris Texas
Poppy Barley The Toujours Boot
THE iconic Grand Wagoneer nameplate is back – but it has nothing in common with the Grand Wagoneer of old. The all-new Grand Wagoneer is a highly sophisticated, luxurious full-size SUV, chock-full of the latest technology, utility and capability.
There is little that makes the Wagoneer recognizable as a Jeep product save for perhaps the 7-bar grille. The Grand Wagoneer’s handsome squared-off profile is quietly elegant, muscular and confident all at once, sporting striking details from front to back.
Stepping up into the spacious cabin reveals a thoughtful and modern take on the SUV cockpit, full of world-class materials, nicely integrated technology and all the amenities one could dream of. You’ll find heated, ventilated and massaging seats upholstered in sumptuous stitched leather and stunning genuine wood trim edged with chiselled metal bevels.
A configurable digital instrument cluster allows the driver a wealth of information. The dash is home to two touchscreens – a huge 12-inch central screen and an additional touchscreen for the passenger. Both are notable for their exceptional responsiveness, ease of use and sharp, bright graphics. The available
McIntosh Reference Entertainment System’s 23 speakers offer a harmonic richness and depth that will please even the most ardent audiophile.
When it comes to driver assistance technology, the Grand Wagoneer does not miss a beat. From the 360-degree cameras with parking sensors to all manner of collision avoidance systems, the vehicle uses the most advanced technologies to keep its occupants and those on the outside safe.
The Grand Wagoneer is available with 7- or 8-passenger seating and has the most overall passenger volume in its class. Both second and third rows offer comfortable seating with plenty of storage and device charging options, separate climate controls and ample space for all back passengers. A second rear sunroof makes the rear seating feel even airier. Second row passengers get delightful 10-inch entertainment touchscreens that even allow for streaming content.
The cargo space, accessible by the hands-free liftgate, is enormous. You’ll find thoughtful details here as well, such as storage for the roof rails. And if you need more space, a long wheelbase Grand Wagoneer is available, adding 12 inches of overall length and significantly more storage volume.
The Grand Wagoneer’s motivation comes from a 6.4L V8 that churns out 471HP and 455 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a buttery smooth 8-speed automatic transmission and the Quadra-Trac II 4WD system with a terrain management control, the powertrain makes easy work of both city and highway driving and boasts best-in-class towing capability.
The suspension is a master class, balancing extraordinary comfort and outstanding handling and road dynamics, thanks to the advanced Quadra-Lift air suspension and the adaptive dampers. Road and wind noise is virtually non-existent, making the Grand Wagoneer the ultimate road trip partner.
The Grand Wagoneer offers everything a full-size luxury SUV shopper would be looking for - luxurious materials, comfort and convenience, the latest technology and safety features, colossal towing and utility capability and stylish good looks. The icon has returned!
WWW.WAGONEER.CA
Elisa Zenari travels a familiar path into the future
ELISA Zenari’s first job was neither asked for nor enjoyable, but when your parents own a restaurant, washing dishes and bussing tables comes with the territory, like it or not.
Eventually, what also came with the territory were the skills needed to run Zenari’s in Manulife Place - the housewares store with a coffee bar that her mother, Glenda, started in 1984, and what her father, Adriano, would help turn into one of the most beloved café and wine bars in the city. A year after the business closed in 2019, Elisa, and her husband, Ran Huget, opened Dalla Tavola Zenari,
which means “from the Zenari table”, inspired by what Adriano and Glenda instilled in their children over the years.
“They said there was always room at the table for someone, no matter what,” Elisa says, her eyes landing on the long bar at Dalla where customers are enjoying wine and antipasti. The room is bright, airy, and inviting, but on this warm September day, most customers are sitting outside on the southfacing patio. The restaurant is a two-minute walk from where Elisa first bussed tables as a child, and then ran the business with her husband for the last two years of its storied life.
Adriano Zenari was the root of most of those stories. Generous, gregarious, exacting, and outspoken; if you had any interaction with the man, you would remember the encounter. In 2011, he suffered a stroke that would see him step back from the business that both consumed him and gave him life.
“He was forced to let me help him,” Elisa recalls of the time where she was given more responsibility as her father’s health declined. “I saw a future for Zenari’s but I also wanted to take it to the next level.” Both she and Ran envisioned a space where people could feel at ease while enjoying contemporary Italian home cooking.
“I wanted it to be like a warm hug and a place where everyone felt welcome.”
Judging by the laughter and chatter bubbling out of booths and from tables filled with people who seem in no rush to leave, I’d say, ‘mission accomplished’.
Enticing offerings like the walnut paté, and the pollo Milanese, a pan-fried chicken breast topped with lemon caper butter, have birthed a new generation of Zenari fans, but it was important to the couple to keep some of the longstanding favourites from the original restaurant on the menu, too. If you enjoyed the spinach ricotta, the breakfast bagel, or the Italian loaf at Zenari’s in Manulife Place, you will be pleased to know they have also secured a place here.
Dalla is as much a date night hotspot as it is a room to celebrate a special occasion, or, to enjoy a meal,
- 60www.modernluxuria.com Your table is waiting.
solo. The 20-foot ceilings, tall cement pillars, trailing plants, and expansive windows make it modern yet comfortable. The focal point of the room is the gallery wall featuring over 70 works of art including black and white photos of family, drawings made by her children, paintings from her father’s collection, and a framed swatch of fabric that inspired the wallpaper design above the bar.
Dalla feels like home. A place to sit down and stay awhile.
Adriano Zenari passed away in August of 2020, but his spirit lives on in the conviviality and what comes with the territory now, at Dalla. This room will have memories of its own.
WORDS BY MARCIA J. HAMM PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED
The celebration starts in September where German beer takes centre stage, not just in Munich but all over the world. The party may be over but get your hands on some of these beers before they are gone for another year.
WITH the changing of the leaves and Edmonton giving us some amazingly jaw dropping Autumn palettes of colour in the River Valley, celebrations of Thanksgiving and Halloween come to the forefront of our planning. But for German beer purists, Oktoberfest is THE Autumnal celebration held annually in Munich, Germany, and it will return to an in-person party this year after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The first Oktoberfest began in 1810 as a celebration of the wedding of the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig whose father provided drinks for some 40,000 guests. There was even a horse race! The party lasted for five days in mid-October and was so well received, it became an annual tradition. Slowly the dates were pushed back as the weather in Munich at the end of September often provides a pleasant, mild Indian summer – true Oktoberfest weather, in fact! This year, the festivities will conclude on October 2 as this issue is being released.
There are rigid constraints upon which breweries can be considered for Oktoberfest: they must be located within the city of Munich which makes them “pillars” of the yearly celebration. These six pillars are: Augustiner-Bräu, Hacker-Pschorr-Bräu, Löwenbräu, Paulaner-Bräu, Spatenbräu, Staatliches and Hofbräu-München. The traditional beer served at the event are lagers. North American versions of Oktoberfest tend to be red hued, slightly sweet beers known as Märzen, but in Munich, the beers are closer to what most of us think of when we think of a German lager: pale, corn-coloured and around 6% abv.
If one were to attend Oktoberfest, the Paulaner beer tent would not be missed with its famous beer mug rising 26m into the sky. Their lager has been brewed since 1818 (but only for Oktoberfest) and is considered an “institution” in Munich. This year’s version is gold in colour with cereal and citrus notes. Make sure you pour into a stein for optimum flavour!
Hofbräu Original Hofbräu may not have the largest beer mug on top of their tent, but they are known for their lively atmosphere inside the tent. Their Oktoberfest beer is a full-bodied, bottom-fermented (yes, that’s a lager!) beer, with its fine hop aroma, that tastes just right with any traditional Bavarian cuisine. Golden in colour, it is smooth, with the perfect balance of bready malt, earth, and citrus hops with a sweet grain finish.
This brewery is outside the confines of Munich and Oktoberfest “purists” don’t like to include it, but they are considered part of Bavaria and they DO make an Oktoberfest that, unlike the two above, is made with both wheat AND barley. Because it is made with wheat, the main aromas are that of bread and grain, but vanilla creamy notes are also present. It is smooth and creamy and of medium body.
Erdinger Oktoberfest
Crunchy leaves, cozy sweaters and gorgeous colours mean that summer is in the rear view mirror and fall is in full swing. Whether you're hosting family gatherings over the holidays, or simply just want to update your home to match the season, we found some fall inspired pieces that will look great in any home.
PHOTOGRAPHY SUPPLIED
Meant to be the shining example of what a developer has to offer, showhomes get only the best. With all the luxuries you could desire, this home has been finished to perfection.
dreams of living in a house of showhome quality, with all the luxurious finishes and upgrades one can think of. Wake up from your reverie and find yourself living that reality in your very own showhome. Located next to Jagare Ridge Golf Course, this expansive home on a massive landscaped lot has all the space you need to live, work, and host from home, all year round.
Jagare Ridge is south-west Edmonton’s most desirable family community. As you turn off of the main road and into the neighbourhood, you are greeted with ponds, manicured parks, and just out of sight, tree-shaded ravine trails for you to discover.
When you arrive home and park in the oversized, triple attached garage, you step into a home that is bright and airy, with soaring ceiling heights.
“Wow, that is normally the first comment!” Kerri-Lyn Holland of RE/ MAX River City said.
Off of the main entrance is the home office, with dark walls and an exposed stone feature which contrasts the rest of the house beautifully. Thanks to the massive office window, you don’t risk feeling hemmed in by the charcoal grey paint. You’ll also find the unique addition of leather flooring in the office.
The main living space, which encompasses an open concept kitchen, dining, and living room, has floor to ceiling windows on one side, and above you - exposed wood beams. As it is a showhome, you can, of course, expect top of the line appliances throughout the home, including a built-in coffee maker and automated blinds. It is the perfect space for a family get-together or a dinner party, with plenty of room for guests to interact without feeling cramped.
The entertaining space doesn’t stop at the living room. Step downstairs where you’ll find a gorgeous exposed brick wall, your very own bar, and a second living space. Tucked away down here is also your own private gym with enough room for all your favourite work-outs.
The master suite is the true definition of the name. The bedroom is bright and spacious, with a feeling of warmth added, thanks to the complementary wooden floors and ceiling. The marble floored ensuite features a large makeup vanity, flanked by his-and-hers sinks. The most eye-catching thing about the room: the luxuriously large standalone tub. The marble carries on through to the large walk-in closet, which includes a washer and dryer so you can wash, dry, and put away all in one spot.
Whether for kids, dogs, garden parties, or all of the above, the massive yard will be able to accommodate, with plenty of room for outdoor furniture, a barbecue, or even the future installation of an outdoor kitchen. Whatever you imagine as your dream yard, this property has the space for you to make it a reality.
