VOL 8 JANUARY 2021
Beauty is
wondrous curious kind H A I R T R A N S P L A N T S U R G E RY C O S M E T I C D E R M ATO LO GY M E D I C A L D E R M ATO LO GY L A S E R R E J U V E N AT I O N
nakatsuiderm.com
780 4 28 6 565
|
WWW. M O US TA R A H . C O M
January 2021
Highlights Note A message from the Modern Luxuria team 6 Profile A path of purpose with Jennifer Martin 10 Lifestyle A book club with a waiting list – Daisy Chain Book Co. 26 Fashion Divine creations by Wedad Amiri – Afflatus Hijab 28 Health Life changing pharmaceutical innovations with Andrew MacIsaac 38 Cuisine A masterful pivot by Corso 32 – Corso at Home & Corso Wine Club 40 Arts & Culture Sculptural legacy of half a century – conversation with Isla Burns 50 Wellness Money talks with Jason Cooper 58
-5-
www.modernluxuria.com
‘‘ Luxury to me is not about having
expensive things, it’s about living in a way where you appreciate things.
’’
— Oscar de la Renta As we are writing this, we are still really immersed in holiday spirit, which seems to be stronger this year than any other year before. Over the holidays, we heard so many heartwarming stories of kindness, generosity and appreciation for one another. If there is one thing we will remember about 2020, we choose exactly that – how good deeds, no matter how big or small, create a ripple effect and add a sense of purpose, self-worth, and most of all, belonging. January always brings so many things along; new beginnings and new resolutions amongst everything else. But this time around, it’s different from previous years, as we’re still fighting collectively against the virus, so our focus for the New Year has to change as well. We want to shift gears this year, and make January all about Wellness. Wellness of the body, mind and soul – we are focusing on our whole being. We are so fortunate to speak to some of our fellow Edmontonians who are beyond inspiring and creative. One of them is Jennifer Martin, President and CEO of Junior Achievement Northern Alberta & NWT who shared some wonderful things about her personality, but also some things that are not easy to share. Her courage and vulnerability, her openness to share her experiences with others is so inspiring, and her volunteer work on erasing stigma around mental health is admirable.
Left to Right: Marlenie Arana, Tracy
Photographed on location at The W
The wellness of the mind theme continues with Brandi Morpurgo, a book pharmacist who recommends various literary medicinal solutions to customers coming into her store, Daisy Chain Book Co. For wellness of the body, we’re talking about a delicious kind of wellness. Who knew we can have Corso’s virtuosos making Italian delicacies that we can finish off in our home kitchens, and enjoy at our own dining tables? Or that we’ll be able to enjoy The Butchery’s dry-aged hams, capicolas and other delicious deli cuts? It’s the innovations our amazing restaurants and chefs are executing, to allow us to keep enjoying luxuries at home, until we can gather again. -6-
PHOTOGRAPHY BY TATYANA SEMENOVA
January 2021
y Sestito, Terri Belley, Elsa Amorim, Serap Ozturk, Tatyana Semenova, Erin Slobodian, and Lindsay Brommeland. Missing: Karen Meurer
Westin Edmonton
That and much more is waiting for you in this first issue of 2021. We hope this year brings us much needed time together, health and wellness, and the ability to gather again in the city’s great spots that we’ve missed so much over the last several months. Thank you for your support, and we wish you a wonderful and Happy New Year. — Modern Luxuria Team
-7-
www.modernluxuria.com
PUBLISHED BY MODERN LUXURIA LTD.
FOUNDER Elsa Amorim
CONTRIBUTORS Steven Babish Jelena Bojic Ed Ellis Joe Gurba Heidi Johannson Tatyana Semenova Andrew Shaw Zokah Photography & Film
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Terri Belley ASSOCIATE EDITOR Erin Slobodian ASSOCIATE EDITOR Lindsay Brommeland MANAGING EDITOR Karen Meurer COPY EDITOR Lucie Oosterveld BRAND AMBASSADORS Marlenie Arana Serap Ozturk Tracy Sestito
VOL 8 January 2021
COVER Isla Burns Loss & Remembrance, 2016-2017 Photography by Ed Ellis
-8-
EDMONTON’S PREMIER DIGITAL GUIDE TO LUXURY AND LIFESTYLE
ADVERTISE WITH US TODAY HELLO@ MODERNLUXURIA.COM | PHONE 780-906-7235
www.modernluxuria.com
- 10 -
January 2021
A Path of Purpose Getting to know Jennifer Martin WORDS BY JELENA BOJIC PHOTOGRAPHY BY TATYANA SEMENOVA
When Jennifer Martin moved to Edmonton, one of the first fundraising events she attended had a guest speaker, then-mayor Stephen Mandel, who said the words that have stayed with her ‘til this day. “Our community gives each of us so much. Every one of us should be able to articulate how we’re giving back at any given time.” That statement aligned so well with Jennifer’s vision of life; spending years as a broadcast journalist, she was always giving back by supporting many charitable organizations, and leading the way for communities to speak about mental health issues openly and without stigma. Martin takes center stage naturally; camera ready, with a lovely personality and a big smile, she looks like she’s ready to host a TV talk show. But she moved on from a media career to running the not-for-profit organization Junior Achievement, that empowers and inspires young people — where she serves as the President and CEO for Northern Alberta & NWT. What did that path look like, from a
In my twenty years in Edmonton I have
broadcast journalist to CEO of a charitable
always volunteered on one charitable
organization?
board or another.
It has been an adventure full of twists and turns! I had been laid off several times
It sounds like storytelling is a thread
because the news industry is shrinking as
that is present throughout your whole
people spend more time on social media
career. Would you say this is one of
and Netflix. So, when the phone rang with
your favourite things to do?
management opportunities at Shaw and
For sure! If you can make people feel
then their subsidiary, Corus Entertainment,
something, whether it’s anger, empathy
I accepted. Continuing disruption in the
or even pride in accomplishing
media business led me to explore
something, you can make things
non-profit roles. It was always something
happen. It can be in a social media
that interested me because I ampassionate
post, a speech, an email or a video…the
about our community and helping others.
format doesn’t really matter. ▶
- 11 -
www.modernluxuria.com
How would you describe yourself as
Thank you for being so open and
a leader?
sharing this difficult story. How did this
Decisive. Innovative. Strategic. And I like
hardship make you look for ways you can
to get s#*t done!
support others who are going through a similar journey?
When you reflect on your career change,
I just didn’t want anyone else to experience
what are some of the skills and talents
what my family and I endured, including
you gained in the media world that serve
my husband. Because I have a profile
you well today as the CEO?
in Alberta, I was approached to speak
Being a good communicator – capturing
at various first responder symposiums
people’s imaginations. Also, taking charge,
and mental health fundraisers. From
assessing what is going on and figuring
there, I was asked to join the board of the
out how to get creative and tackle things
Lt. Governor’s Circle on Mental Health
from there.
and Chair the Critical Incident Stress Management Foundation – Canada, which
As a role model to young women who
helps public safety personnel cope with
are interested in leadership roles, you
trauma on the job and build resilience
look like a perfect example of a confident
beforehand too.
and strong person. Would you say you’ve always had that confidence and strength,
There are some warning signs that, due
or is this something that you’ve had to
to the economy, charitable giving may be
work on?
in decline this year. Where do you see the
I’ve always been an extrovert and had tons
future of philanthropy in Alberta?
of self-confidence, but for a time many
I believe in the generosity of Albertans,
years ago my self-worth was a challenge
but as the President & CEO of Junior
I worked on. My husband, a former police
Achievement Northern Alberta & NWT,
officer, tragically took his life in 2011 and
I know charities MUST adapt and in really
the years in our home before and after
major ways. JA has found bold, successful
that were extremely difficult. With really
new ways to continue our passion for
good support around me, I pulled myself
empowering youth to succeed, even
and my sons through that. It made me
during Covid.
realize how strong I am. We all need to be mindful, and strong enough to stand up for how we want to be treated by the people in our lives.
- 12 -
January 2021
I love the story of your first year at JA
to understand what is going on from
where you decided to host 5 events
all angles, and then the ideas just start
during the pandemic, keeping in mind
flowing. We’re all hard wired with our
all Covid-19 restrictions but being
own unique strengths. I’m also unafraid
incredibly innovative. Can you talk a little
to try unconventional things! But I
bit about that?
rely on my team and my mentors to
JA held the first live auction on Zoom
keep me in check, ha-ha. I’m also a big
in North America, if not the world. We
believer in calling on people who are in
had Zoom staff in California tuned into
a strong position to help me. No one can
our Virtual Night Out in case the crew at
be successful all alone. All my jobs have
Production World here in Edmonton hit
always involved problem solving.
any snags (they didn’t). When Covid hit, it was ‘lay down and die’, or ‘get after it’!
What are your favourite ways to
So we started creating truly fun,
unwind and relax?
engaging, worthwhile virtual events and
I love to cook great food and fill my
virtual / in-person hybrids when rules
home with special people! My boys
allowed for that. They can go south very
are so special and always a riot. I love
easily so we look at them like a show and a
to travel, golf, hit the mountains and
party combined and get wildly innovative
ski or hike. My parents have a cottage
and really put our heads into, ‘How will
in Ontario so I love being on the water
that idea roll out, how will it feel for our
anywhere, skiing and tubing. Love
guests? How long should it be? How can
watching the Oilers, and Sundays are all
we make it interactive?’ Our third event
about football!
was postponed during the most recent lockdown but we’ll reschedule. Our 4th
When you think of luxury, what are the
and 5th pandemic era events are coming
first three things that come to mind?
up. The JA Northern Alberta Business Hall
Not having to work for a pay cheque!
of Fame is February 17th and Leading
But for now, same as anyone else I
Ladies, our International Women’s Day
suppose, amazing food, wine, clothes,
event will take place online in March.
cars, vacations…but I’ll take a loyal, fun friend who truly cares about me before
You are a true creative problem solver.
material stuff. Well, both would be nice,
What is your strategy for tackling issues
right? But seriously, I’ve learned the
that seem difficult to resolve?
secret to being rich is being happy with
I can’t lie, I look at a problem and just try
what you have. I’m definitely happy.
- 13 -
www.modernluxuria.com
Couture Is About All About Special Textiles, the Fit and the Service You Deserve Todoruk Design’s Spring pieces; all about easy care, sophisticated, and smart textiles WORDS BY JELENA BOJIC PHOTOGRAPHY BY TATYANA SEMENOVA MODELS: BYEONG KWON CHOI FROM NUMA MODELS RAYMOND HARDERS FROM PLATINUM MANAGEMENT INC. SHEROL LESLIE
Kathleen Todoruk’s clients have worn
Geometric prints and accents are a
her designs across the board; from
pattern to watch for in 2021 men’s fashion,
attending kids’ musicals to walking the
bringing excitement and optimism to this
red carpet. Her designs are all about
year. To cope with cold temperatures in
intricate construction, from start to finish,
Edmonton, these jackets (with beautiful
and exclusive textiles treated with high
detail, oversized pockets and cuff sleeves)
attention to detail. Her spring collection
are your best ally. Functional couture
brings us linen blend pieces with great
by Todoruk Design is the look of these
new eco-textiles. Sustainable natural
women’s line pieces. Combining colour
fibers bring so much more to the table;
and texture, with a little bit of 70’s
design options and comfort are top of
influence, the retro look of these dresses
mind with these cosmopolitan pieces.
is making a comeback in an excellent,
Men’s fashion shows influence of world
effortless way. Luxurious textiles in clean
trends and street fashion, with fine wool
lines and a cozy feel is all we see in these
and linen blend joggers, interesting and
great pieces that bring bold energy to
colourful tops that stand out as design
those who wear them. The vibrant purple
features and pair well with gorgeous
trend is all about infusing the whole look
coats that don’t necessarily serve just as
with a stunning colour and silhouette,
toppers; they are a statement in a diverse
adding a real statement piece with the
and complete look. Warm tones like the
blouse. The monochrome look continues
burnt orange or earthy tones are always
with the pink long tunic and flared pants,
a great choice, as they fit the cold season
a classic colour blocking trend that is here
perfectly well, with their warm accents.
to stay. www.todoruk.com ▶
- 14 -
January 2021
Blonde sheep-friendly shearling coat CirĂŠ denim trousers Italian wool t-shirt
- 15 -
www.modernluxuria.com
Silk floral chiffon blouse Grape purple wool crepe trousers
- 16 -
January 2021
Apricot mohair sweater Linen & wool jogger pant
- 17 -
www.modernluxuria.com
Grey Italian wool ribbed turtle neck sweater Black tech-stretch pant
- 18 -
January 2021
Hot pink silk jersey lounge pant and tunic
- 19 -
www.modernluxuria.com
Raspberry super fine wool jersey dress Wool and mohair plaid coat
- 20 -
January 2021
Black mohair sweater Italian super fine wool bird`s eye weave trousers
- 21 -
www.modernluxuria.com
Camel wool and cashmere bubble coat Wool jersey graphic dress
- 22 -
January 2021
Chocolate sheep-friendly shearling car coat Distressed cotton pants Italian wool t-shirt
- 23 -
www.modernluxuria.com
Red & green plaid coat
- 24 -
January 2021
You can’t fake great style. Custom style solutions for your life consulting / concierge
yourlifestyled.ca
- 25 -
PHOTO SUPPLIED
www.modernluxuria.com
Bringing the Human Element Back Into Book Shopping A book pharmacist’s prescription for literary souls WORDS BY LINDSAY BROMMELAND
- 26 -
November January 2021 2020
Brandi Morpurgo is a reader whose store is an antidote to the impersonal online book shopping process. Instead of picking books off a website’s New Releases or Bestseller’s list, at Daisy Chain Book Co., you are greeted by a fellow book lover who is just as interested in what you’re reading as making recommendations to add to your list. Morpurgo’s vision was to create a community of readers, and readers have responded with enthusiasm. Daisy Chain Book Co.’s three book clubs filled up almost immediately (there is a waiting list for when they can resume post-Covid). Daisy Chain Book Co. started as a mobile book store — you may have seen the food truck turned library around town or at the 124 St market. Though now a brick and mortar location on High Street, Morpurgo still offers free delivery within Edmonton and tries to get your books to you as soon as possible. It’s a used book store combined with an online delivery service (about 70% of Daisy Chain’s inventory is used). Morpurgo calls herself a “Book Pharmacist” — she enjoys recommending literary medicine for her customers. Just as you never stand in the same river twice, books have something new to offer every time you read them. Whether you prefer an old favorite or a new recommendation, the folks at Daisy Chain Book Co. are happy to chat. www.daisychainbook.co
- 27 -
www.modernluxuria.com
Divine Creations Shining a Light on Personal Stories Af*fla*tus / noun / a divine creative impulse or inspiration WORDS BY JELENA BOJIC PHOTOGRAPHY BY TATYANA SEMENOVA MODEL WEDAD AMIRI
This socially conscious brand prides itself as
her journey in becoming a Muslim. The
a business that empowers women, spreads
gorgeous satin silk dress with dropped sleeves
awareness around mental health and names
is named after a kindergarten teacher, Rand
each piece after an inspirational woman.
Jurf, who loves making an impact in kids’ lives.
Every line that comes out of Afflatus Hijab
Another teacher-inspired piece is this cool, long
has a specific campaign, a specific cause or
jean jacket, versatile and trendy, named after
purpose attached to it. Initially, it was focused
Deena Abougoush. The plaid blazer also has an
on Muslim women, in hopes of changing the
inspirational story of Dalal Eljaji — who raised
narrative presented in media that often creates
three children on her own and had to overcome
stereotypes. However, Wedad Amiri, the owner
a lot to provide for her family.
and designer, decided to shift her focus to women in general, and also focus on those who
Hijabs have neutral and soft colours that pair
are often underrepresented – strong Indigenous
well with many looks, so Wedad chose them to
women, refugee women, women dealing with
show the versatility in the way they can be worn.
mental illnesses, converts, and teachers.
Made of jersey and chiffon, these are popular materials and colours in hijab fashion.
Each piece is named after one of these women, and has a story attached to it. Wedad’s hope
When you pair fashion with personal stories
is that her campaigns empower women and
and causes that impact and touch all of us,
shine a light on mental health, so that they
you create wearable works of art, and fashion
know they’re not alone.
that creates more than just beautiful clothing! Wearing these pieces brings attention to
Her collection, modest in mind and
important people and challenges in our lives,
interchangeable, features a number of stories
and we love the trend that Wedad started.
and names attached to each piece. The first
Read full stories for each of Wedad’s pieces here:
blazer is named after Ashley Atwi who shares
www.afflatushijab.com ▶
- 28 -
January 2021
Satin dress: Rand Jurf
- 29 -
www.modernluxuria.com
Jean Jacket: Deena Abougoush
- 30 -
January 2021
Tweed blazer: Ashley Atwi
- 31 -
www.modernluxuria.com
Plaid blazer: Dalal Eljaji
- 32 -
January 2021
Hoodie: Kani Khorshed
- 33 -
www.modernluxuria.com
Volvo Goes Vibrant! The Volvo XC40 R-design compact SUV is made for the next generation Get in the 2021 Volvo XC40 R-Design! We’re not kidding - get in one and drive it. You’re going to love it. It combines everything we love about the Volvo SUVs into a smaller, funkier luxury package. With its distinctive and fun appearance, the XC40 R-Design gives off a younger vibe - this is not your banker grandfather’s ugly car anymore. It stands out from the SUV pack - beautifully designed to be new and exciting while incorporating Volvo’s classic boxy front grill look. The 248-hp T5 all-wheel drive zips you around with ease, yet still has all the safety features Volvo is known for. ▶
- 34 -
January 2021
PHOTOS SUPPLIED
WORDS BY KAREN MEURER
- 35 -
www.modernluxuria.com
The XC40 R-Design comes with navigation, a panoramic roof, gets good gas mileage, and has a roomy and comfortable interior cabin. The touch screen middle console that controls pretty much everything in the vehicle is user friendly with an intuitive feeling. Swipe left or right to find what you need, with icons that are large enough to see out of the corner of your eye for less distracted driving. The heated front seats with leather/nubuck upholstery are power adjustable for both driver and passenger comfort. There is a mechanical pull out cushion extension on each front seat that gives more support and snugness for your legs. Add to that the R-Design‘s heated, perforated leather steering wheel, and you’ve got (this) driver’s cockpit bliss!
- 36 -
January 2021
Driving at night, the adaptive LED headlamps of the XC40 R-Design lead you safely around the corners. Once you get where you’re going and park, the power exterior mirrors fold in when you lock the vehicle. There are fun colour options for the interior — you can choose from racing red to purple for the dashboard. And lava orange on the floor carpet, tunnel console, and door panels give the R-Design that youthful and vibrant feel. This compact SUV is stylish, the perfect mid-dollar range for younger professionals, and so much fun to drive! In 2021 the Volvo XC40 lineup will come with these models: Momentum, R-Design, Inscription, and the all-new all-electric Recharge. www.volvoedmonton.com
- 37 -
www.modernluxuria.com
- 38 -
January 2021
PHARM TO TABLE “There’s probably a cure for cancer out there somewhere within an academic lab because they don’t have access to the tools to move forward. It’s trapped there and may never see the light of day.”— Andrew MacIsaac, CEO Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation WORDS BY HEIDI JOHANNSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY TATYANA SEMENOVA
Never in Andrew MacIsaac’s academic
is diversification of product. API recognizes
endeavours did he ever see himself bringing
that drug development needs all kinds of
life saving research to the world. With a
disciplines to be viable. From Cannabis
background in economics, he understood
to Artificial Intelligence (AI), API strives to
the broad strokes of science and was able
establish the right model to keep these
to translate it to the business side of things.
innovators in Canada, benefitting Canadians.
Recognizing a noticeable void in opportunity, Andrew worked to bridge the gap in drug
With strong ties to The University of Alberta,
development. He utilized that expertise to
Andrew sits as the Assistant Dean of
develop Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation
Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
(API), a non profit institution, founded to
A proud association of collaborators and
provide translational to commercialized
academic partners, it’s a pedigree of
life sciences.
excellence with API at the helm, bridging academia and industry. Andrew is quick to
API pulls teams together to help innovators
point out that Edmonton has an impressive
bring their product further down the road.
international reputation in life sciences.
A plug and play pharmaceutical company for scientists looking to build their companies
Although modest, his goals for API are
with a viable path from discovery to patient.
nothing short of impressive. To have an
A key factor to successfully establishing over
impact, to create life changing successes
75 million dollars in partnerships between
right here in Edmonton, and to drive
industry, academia, government, and donors
Alberta forward. www.appliedpharma.ca
- 39 -
www.modernluxuria.com
Corso 32 Masterfully Pivots Corso At Home & Corso Wine Club take the new normal by the horns WORDS BY JOE GURBA PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVEN BABISH
- 40 -
January 2021
This past month would have marked Corso 32’s ten year anniversary. If not for a gruelling pandemic, this small and mighty mainstay that’s dominated national restaurant rankings for the past decade would have been hosting elaborate feasts, revisiting old menus, and popping beautiful bottles. Instead, Corso At Home and Corso Wine Club were born, ensuring this paragon of Italian cuisine would survive 2020. Corso 32 has carved its own path to bring Daniel Costa’s cooking and Allen Anderl’s wine selections to your door. The issue from day one has been that Italian food of this pedigree simply doesn’t lend itself to delivery. A chef can spend years researching starches and long days hand-forming pasta while his sauciers slave over simmering pots of sugo for hours of ceaseless stirring, but this caliber of cuisine must be tailored for a set number of diners. When the time comes to finish that fresh pasta in that precious sauce, the dish must hit the table immediately, ready to eat. Costa can not run the risk of his dishes turning to mush while they await their delivery driver. To solve this problem, Corso took a path less travelled. Every week, their newly minted Corso At Home takes advance orders for pastas, sauces, pestos, and antipasti made in-house from the best local and Italian ingredients. The kitchen then goes to work throughout the week preparing dishes like fusilli with Ligurian pesto, ricotta gnocchi with sage butter and parmigiano, and paccheri alla salsiccia with slowly simmered pork & fennel sausage ragu. The difference between making your own scratch pasta and making excellent scratch pasta is that of many years’ experience. It’s the culinary equivalent of playing an instrument — anyone can produce a sound, but it takes dedication and talent to produce beauty. And Costa’s team are virtuosos. ▶
- 41 -
www.modernluxuria.com
Corso At Home’s menu is further rounded out with a host of house-made and imported cheeses, marinated olives, and other antipasti. Their polpette—pork & pecorino meatballs simmered in a classic tomato basil sugo—seem to sell out faster than covid vaccines. But if you miss the meatball express, worry not! You can stock up on gems like Sicilian pesto alla trapanese, Corso’s classic slow and low San Marzano tomato sauce, or their traditional ragu, delicately layered with sofrito, pork, beef, pancetta, white wine, tomatoes, and fresh herbs. Everyone knows that Italian fare suffers an injustice without the fruit of the vine. Plenty of wine pairings are available, but full-tilt italophiles should make the leap to the Corso Wine Club. Corso’s head sommelier Allen Anderl curates a monthly selection of exceptional wines from small producers farming organically or biodynamically with indigenous grape varieties. Each of these uncommon and terroir driven wines are accompanied by extensive notes and bespoke home-chef-friendly recipes from Daniel Costa designed to make that juice sing. You can even schedule your pickup to coincide with Corso At Home if you’d rather they do the cooking! The key to offering this caliber of food and drink for home enjoyment is all in the logistics. The Corso At Home website reveals each week’s offerings on Saturday morning with the cut-off at noon on Monday. You place your order ahead and over the week Corso’s talented kitchen prepares your dishes, available for pick up the following Friday or Saturday between 11am and 3pm. Following their simple instruction cards, you head home to finish your pasta in its sauce at your own leisure. Can it compeer with a full course meal at Corso 32? Of course not, but it’s mighty close, and that’s a true luxury in these strange and strained times. www.corso-at-home.corso32group.com www.corso32group.com/corso-wine-club
- 42 -
January 2021
- 43 -
www.modernluxuria.com
RGE RD Launches The Butchery The perfect antidote for homebound carnivores Since Blair Lebsack and Caitlin Fulton opened RGE RD in 2013, they’ve held onto a top slot among Edmonton’s most lauded restaurants. In these last seven years, RGE RD has ceaselessly championed an Albertan centered farm-to-table cuisine that never cuts corners. With this newest lockdown on restaurants, the opening of their long awaited deli & butcher’s counter could not have come at a better time. RGE RD is well known and admired for their intensive dry-ageing program, buying whole animals and butchering them in-house. The Butchery by RGE RD, the all-new shop adjacent to the restaurant, has made the fruits of their expertise available to the home chef concerned for quality. Edmontonians can now bring home RGE RD’s best cuts from local ranchers who subscribe to the same degree of integrity — consciously raising unique breeds of cattle, bison, game, pork, and poultry. When a side of cattle, for example, arrives from any of several nearby small family ranchers they work with, their team first dry-ages the entire side of beef for three to six weeks. Then whole muscles are trimmed and the appropriate cuts (like their gorgeous briskets!) are sold, raw sausages are spun, and a host of tougher muscles are smoked or cured into their delectable deli meats. ▶
- 44 -
January 2021
WORDS BY JOE GURBA PHOTOGRAPHY BY ZOKAH PHOTOGRAPHY & FILMS
- 45 -
www.modernluxuria.com
- 46 -
January 2021
The precious ribs and loins will continue to dry-age anywhere from 50 days to their current record of 128 days. I’m told anything past 80 days can spark a vampiric bloodlust in those lucky enough to try it. Trimmed and portioned to order when you come to the counter, these are the kind of steaks you’d be insane to marinate or brine — you just give them heat, a touch of salt and pepper, and they’ll tell their own tale with their own voice. Meanwhile, the delicious trimmings find their way into three different dry-aged ground beef options: the ‘Butchery Blend’ at 25% fat, perfect for burgers or bolognese, a leaner 100% grass fed ground, and finally the premium ground beef composed entirely from the trim of those 50-128 day premium steaks. Just imagine the meatloaf you could make! For in-the-know carnivores already pouring into The Butchery, the premium cuts of beef are far from the only draw. We also find Albertan elk, bison, deer, duck, chicken, lamb, goat, and several breeds of pork on offer. But Blair and Caitlin have been most surprised by the organ meats flying out the door. It makes sense given how difficult they are to find elsewhere, especially from ethically raised animals. Demand has been highest for livers, hearts, kidneys (especially lamb’s), and pork hocks and trotters. Aside from proteins, The Butchery also purveys house made ready-to-eat dishes like pot pies, fresh baked breads, soups, meatloaves, terrines, pâtés, and salads (I’m told that proper butcher shop sandwiches are on the way too!). Their ‘Mountain Bread Baguette’ baked in their wood burning oven has a unique touch of smoke that’s already made it one of the most sought after comestibles. This is all topped off by a wide selection of house made pickles, preserves, mustards, and vinegars composed from local ingredients. Perhaps the most unique service The Butchery offers, however, is bespoke wine pairings. A sort of ‘deli sommelier’, if I may be so bold. You see Caitlin consulting with shoppers to pair the dish they’re planning with the perfect wine from RGE RD’s extensive cellar, available on the spot at retail pricing. It’s a brilliant solution for the gourmet that’s relegated to their own kitchen, for better or worse, and a blessing to Edmonton’s food landscape. ▶
- 47 -
www.modernluxuria.com
Five must-taste deli cuts from The Butchery at RGE RD:
4. Hunter’s Sausage As the name implies, this is a cold-cut sausage that incorporates cuts from several
1. Pastrami
animals depending on what’s available be
Using the brisket from Jeff Nonay of Lakeside
it bison, duck, elk, beef—you name it—but
Farmstead’s well-marbled crossbreed
always rounded out with fatty cuts of pork to
between his Holstein dairy cows and the
bind and marry the elements. Brilliant pops
Speckled Park breed, Blair and his team do
of mustard, coriander, ginger, nutmeg, and
a traditional pastrami brine followed by a
herbs give structure to the host of umami
birch smoke that creates a more elegant style
flavours, all supported by a gentle baseline of
of pastrami than the comparatively
smoke. This is a unique cut that really takes
over-brined and over-smoked styles you
me home to the family farm up north where
typically encounter, putting the complex
my Dad goes after every tag he can as the
varietal flavours of the meat on full display.
seasons rotate, always elevating the toughest cuts into the most savoury sausages.
2. Capicola Cured with salt and thyme for three weeks,
5. RGE RD Heritage Ham
this Berkshire pork shoulder from Redtail
This is true Albertan charcuterie at its best,
Farms is packed full of melt-in-your-mouth
shaved in curling slivers from a whole leg
marbling that is just as welcome raw as it
of one of Redtail Farm’s coveted Berkshire
would be melted into a mirepoix or sofrito,
hogs, judiciously cured with salt and sugar.
or any braise or sauce base.
Much lighter and fruitier than the Prosciutto di Parma or Jamon Iberico you
3. Hot Smoked Roast Beef
normally associate with a whole leg pork
Using an Irish breed of curly-haired Dexter
cure, the texture here is softer and more
cattle from Tandria farms near Fort
forgiving. Using less salt and curing for a
Saskatchewan, this 100% grass fed roast is
shorter time brings out the sweeter, more
birch-smoked ever so gently. The texture
succulent elements of the rich marbling
is airy and light. You can’t help but note
Berkshire hogs (called Kurobuta in Japan)
how much less seasoned this roast beef is
are famous for, leading many to call this
compared to your standard fare, letting the
breed the wagyu of pork. You have to taste
savoury nuances of this beautifully raised
it to believe it!
animal shine through.
www.thebutcheryyeg.ca
- 48 -
January 2021
- 49 -
www.modernluxuria.com
Isla Burns Gives Shape to Memory On the patience and determination to bend steel WORDS BY JOE GURBA PHOTOGRAPHY BY ED ELLIS
From the tension and heft of steel, Isla Burns has forged a sculptural legacy in Alberta over the last half century. Being born in India, raised in Scotland, and ultimately enrolling in fine arts in Calgary in the early 70’s, Burns’ life was already the stuff of biopics the day she saw the newly built welding school neighboring her arts campus. From that first scent of steel yielding to the leaping lightning of a MIG welder, Burns became one of the first women to enroll in the welding program. In these early heydays of the Albertan oil industry, she entered welding confident she could work in the trade while transferring her new skills to her first love: sculpture. ▶
- 50 -
January 2021
Loss & Remembrance, 2016-2017
- 51 -
www.modernluxuria.com
Remembering Leonard, 2017
- 52 -
January 2021
From her first oxy acetylene welder in her
Burns then juxtaposes these flowers
Mother’s garage, Burns gradually developed
against twisting organic planes formed
into a renowned sculptor and welder on
from steel scraps — scraps discarded by
both counts. In the beginning, Burns’
the same industries implicated in our
Mother would drive her to scrap yards where
environment’s newfound preciousness.
she would salvage the shrapnel of Alberta’s
The way these abstracted features crook
oil revolution. Working in that same industry
and warp seems to echo the ever-growing
by day and sculpting by night, Burns soon
anxiety around the preservation and
gained enough expertise and notoriety to be
meaning of Nature. Their unfurling
hired into Sir Anthony Alfred Caro’s studio in
contortions attest to the fragility of organic
Britain, “the guru, the genius of sculpture at
matter, the inexhaustible possibilities of
that time,” himself a former student of icons
benevolent or malignant mutation.
Henry Moore and David Smith. Burns sees rust as anathema to her vision. Burns recounts how lucky she was to see his
She desires smooth polished planes that
eye at work, “how he arranged steel, how he
accentuate the movement and form of the
had the guts to excise the parts that need
sculpture. She found huge gains in achieving
to be removed if you really want it to sing.”
this finished sheen, a charred pencil-like
On return to Canada, Burns’ own profile
patina, after a visit to the shooting range
began to rise. Soon she was teaching at the
when she saw someone polishing their
University of Alberta alongside her husband,
rifle’s barrel with gun glue. Adapting this
abstract painter Phil Darrah.
gun glue to incorporate shoe polish and graphite as well, Burns found a way to tune
Over these decades of sculpting, Burns
her sculptures’ surfaces to evoke a hadal
has never ceased to sharpen her own eye.
depth. One can’t help but see a ripe syntax
Her newest works facsimilate the most
of possible meanings in her use of gun glue
ephemeral organic forms in one of the
over steel-preserved themes taken from
most durable and unyielding mediums.
nature. Am I wrong to recall the proverbial
In new works like Remembering Leonard
“beat your swords into ploughshares” as she
and Loss & Remembrance, Burns has
refashions the accoutrements of industry
turned her virtuosity as a metalworker
and armaments into floral works of art? Or
to painstakingly replicating peonies. She
perhaps it’s a weaponizing of art that draws
deconstructs each blossom petal by petal,
attention to art’s power to transform worlds?
traces them on steel, cuts out each petal,
Or does it tie back to a theme of violence
then hammers them into shape one by one
initially inherent in industrialization, before
before tacking them back together into an
industry gives way to its promised luxuries
indestructible blossom.
(epitomized by the leisure to create art)? ▶
- 53 -
www.modernluxuria.com
Burns has given no indication that any of these meanings are implicit in her work, they simply leap out to me as a viewer arriving before her sculptures with my own predispositions. Her titles would sooner indicate that these newest sculptures are intimate reflections on memory. Loss & Remembrance is a metallurgic apology born from regret at being in her studio rather than at her Mother’s bedside when she passed. Remembering Leonard commemorates Leonard Cohen, a multi-faceted artist who both enamoured Burns to Canada on her arrival and continues to inspire her throughout her life. Encrypting these remembrances in steel shaped as peonies, these most beautiful, delicate, and fast expiring explosions of life, testifies to the power of memory to suspend the worst ravages of death. But those twisting, abstractly organic features can speak just as readily to the contortions of memory, for better or worse. David M. Eaglemen wrote that there are three deaths. “The first is when the body ceases to function. The second is when the body is consigned to the grave. The third is that moment, sometime in the future, when your name is spoken for the last time.” Perhaps the permanence of art, especially steel sculpture, offers an extra lease on life. ▶
- 54 -
January 2021
September Arrangement,2015)
- 55 -
www.modernluxuria.com
Black Wood Nymph, 2016
- 56 -
January 2021
September Arrangement and Black Wood Nymph exemplify formal challenges. September Arrangement shows an attempt to sculpt an enigmatic form, one that would appear “as plant-like as it is not plant-like.” Meanwhile, Black Wood Nymph is a direct marriage of an actual artifact of nature with Burns’ power to preserve. Speaking on Black Wood Nymph, Burns reflects on her efforts to carve and sculpt with wood in the past but not finding herself at home with the material. Burns lives surrounded by the woods, out beside Pigeon Lake in a former hardware shop that she and her husband converted into a home and studio. Here nature provides a constant inspiration for Burns. As her husband brought in the firewood one night, this anthropomorphic joint of a tree’s limbs came in with him, wild yet graceful. Fascinated with this finished sculpture that had waltzed in the door, Burns wished only to preserve it, coating it in layer after layer of gun glue, shoe polish, and graphite, then building her a plinth to strike her mystifying pose for the ages. At times, an artist’s greatest talent is not their ability to render but simply to see, to recognize, and to set apart. Burns’ newest works reveal an artist that has never ceased to explore and redefine her own creative horizons. She continues to hammer and bend and melt the concentrated core of this earth into human expressions, vessels for memory, and sights to behold. www.probertsongallery.com
- 57 -
www.modernluxuria.com
Jason Cooper, Artwork by Caroline Monnet, June 02, June 03 , June 04, laser etching on wood, 2018
- 58 -
January 2021
Sage Advice During a Pandemic: Avoid Money Decisions When Emotions are High The notes from our Zoom call with Jason Cooper of RBC Dominion Securities Inc. WORDS BY ERIN SLOBODIAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY TATYANA SEMENOVA
From rollercoasters and Oilers’ games to trips abroad with his wife and children, Jason Cooper opens up over a Zoom call with Modern Luxuria. He’s a Wealth Advisor and Portfolio Manager with RBC Dominion Securities Inc. Cooper was born in Lamont, Alberta and grew up in Sherwood Park. As a child, he dreamed of working in the financial industry and as a man he’s been doing just that for more than 15 years. Jason Cooper gives us his top piece of advice for anyone looking to grow financially during the current pandemic and all the uncertainty it brings. ▶
- 59 -
www.modernluxuria.com
How would you describe yourself?
What would you say to someone who is
I identify as a father first. Now that we have
feeling the pressure of the pandemic and its
three beautiful kids, I can’t imagine my life
economic impact?
without them. Family life is so important to
It’s normal to feel scared and anxious right now
me. In terms of work, I really love helping
but I have an analogy that really affirms what
people when it comes to their money.
many of my clients already instinctively know.
I remember when I was a little boy living in
What I tell them is that we’re on a rollercoaster
Sherwood Park, we would drive into downtown
right now. The ride has started but we’re in
Edmonton and I would see these big financial
this together and I’m there to hold their hand.
names on the sides of these big buildings and
I tell them that we’re going to get to the
I remember always thinking that I’m going to
end of the ride and it might be scary but I’m
work there someday. The fact that I’ve not only
sitting beside them every step of the way and
been able to become employed by my firm
we’re going to finish this ride. I like to remind
but have a successful practice, it’s been like
them that we’ve been through many times of
a dream come true for me.
market uncertainty before and we’ve always come out the other side. It might take some
How do you spend your leisure time?
time but eventually we’re going to be fine.
One of our biggest hobbies is travelling. I didn’t travel much as a kid. We’d go camping
For those who are facing a difficult present
and we took a couple of family trips and so
and uncertain future, what is your number
now I have a burning desire to travel the world.
one piece of advice and why?
My wife and I were lucky enough to be able to
Don’t make any rash decisions. With all the
do some of that. We traveled to Europe and
uncertainty around us, people should focus
went to Asia together. We love seeing new
on the things they can control instead of the
places and experiencing new cultures and
things they can’t. Keep long-term objectives
food. We’re trying to do that with our children
in mind. Every time the stock market drops
but, of course, this year makes it really tough.
dramatically it is normal to be afraid and want
As a family, we run and stay active. Our girls are
to sell investments. Stay on course and don’t
in a variety of dance classes. They have started
let the immediate situation cause you to make
taking skiing lessons and I’m an avid hockey
a decision you might regret later.
fan so I’m an Oilers’ season ticket holder. I feel so great about being able to be there
How has COVID-19 impacted your life?
to support the team and take my kids to see
We’ve had to bring the kids home for portions
hockey games too!
of 2020. My wife and I have really had to
- 60 -
January 2021
become more of a team to make sure we both
The one thing I’ve realized is that the gravity
have time to work and time to look after the
of the situation we’re in has allowed people
kids. The downside is that it’s made for long
to really open up over the phone and through
days and we usually have to work on weekends
mediums like Zoom. We can have as good
and late into the night. The benefit of that is
or better conversations online as we did
we’ve been able to spend some quality time
face-to-face. I think that now that we’ve
together and with our girls and we’ve been
experienced that, and we understand that, our
able to see our young son go through all of his
industry will really embrace over-the-phone
developments. Everyone has had to sacrifice
and internet communication, even after the
something because of the pandemic and for
pandemic is over.
us that has been getting on a plane and going What are the benefits of working with a
on an adventure somewhere.
Portfolio Manager and Wealth Advisor? How have you coped during the year of
Our clients appreciate leaning on myself
lockdowns and restrictions?
and my team’s experience to manage their
When we’re having crazy days, my wife just
wealth so they can focus their time and
encourages us to pause and appreciate the
energy on their work, their family and the
moment and just enjoy it because at some
activities they are passionate about. Working
point down the road we’ll be back at work and
with a Wealth professional such as myself
we’ll definitely miss some of these moments of
delegates the details to us. We help a client
togetherness.
establish goals and objectives, consider stumbling blocks that may hamper those
How has your industry changed during the
goals and focus on ways to optimize their
pandemic and what do you see coming in
situation. People can be emotional about
its future?
their money so my team and I provide
Our business is about people and their
objectivity and a disciplined approach.
money and I’m a face-to-face person. Up until
What areas of the market to invest in, how
February, it was really important to me to
to plan for income in retirement and the tax
sit in person with my clients and the people
implications of various investment strategies
we do business with. It’s how I built rapport
are just some of the things we provide
and strengthened my relationships and the
guidance on. Our clients have worked hard
minute we couldn’t do that anymore, I felt
over their lifetimes and my job is to make
very stranded and insecure about how I might
sure their money is working hard for them.
communicate with people.
www.rbcds.com
- 61 -
www.modernluxuria.com
Rooms With a View Remodeling a condo interior with the feel of the beauty of the outdoors When it’s time to downsize our homes, sometimes we go a little too small thinking we don’t need as much room as we actually do. And that’s what one couple found when they went from a home to a high rise condo. They had room for themselves but when the grandkids came over, things were a little tight. So up to the 15th floor in the same building they went — giving them a two bedroom executive condo suite with a private entry elevator and a panoramic balcony overlooking the Edmonton skyline and river valley. The view outside was amazing — the ambiance inside, not so much. ▶
- 62 -
January 2021
WORDS BY KAREN MEURER PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREW SHAW
- 63 -
www.modernluxuria.com
In came Karla Billey of Karla Billey Design Inc., who had worked with the couple on several previous home decor projects and renovations. The new condo needed some renovating to bring it up to the couple’s style preferences. They really love Hawaii, along with red and apple green colors for a warm and fresh feeling. And so with that in mind, Billey went to work.
- 64 -
January 2021
- 65 -
www.modernluxuria.com
Even though the condo had one full wall of windows, the floor plan was cut up so the full view couldn’t be enjoyed as much. Billey decided to tear down a wall to open up the space between the kitchen, dining room and great room. Next up was to redo the hardwood to match the existing flooring, change the two tone black and orange kitchen cabinets into solid black and replace the island to match.
- 66 -
January 2021
An accent wall of grasscloth wallpaper warms one room, and twin Murphy beds in the next room look fantastic while being functional. Pops of red and apple green colours are used throughout the great room along with a beautiful wood wall and art pieces. The couple says their favourite part of the space is sitting in the twin swivel chairs in the nook facing the river valley — their dream view. www.karlabilleydesign.com
- 67 -
ESSENTIAL WORKERS, WE THANK YOU! COVID-19 brought the world economy to its knees and frontline workers to their feet. The team at Modern Luxuria Magazine is amazed at the risks our healthcare and essential workers continued to take as the pandemic progressed. For weeks, while most people stayed safely in their homes, essential workers went out into the city to do the jobs they were trained to do while everyday risking their health. For this we thank you! It’s truly inspiring to see the changes that businesses have undergone in response to the health crisis. While many have been forced to close their doors for good, others have had to reinvent their business models completely to make staff and customer safety a priority. As we all adjust to this “new normal” we at Modern Luxuria Magazine marvel at the incredible strength of those who are paving the way toward the return to a healthy and thriving community.
#STRONGERTOGETHER
Loewen crafts luxurious windows and doors that are the statement pieces of custom residential architecture. Looking for one window or a whole house we have a solution.
Loewen Window Centre
4552 - 99 Street Edmonton, AB 780.452.3753
www.rsvpdesign.ca
