WINTER FALL 2018 2019
COMPLIMENTARY SUMMER 2014
ICONIC
THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR THE AFFLUENT GENTLEMAN
SHANGHAI TRAVEL-SPECIAL
VANCOUVER THE JOURNEY TO THE
CENTER OF THE EARTH
THE MCLAREN
SENNA
SPIRITS & CHOCOLATES NEW WATCHES YACHTS
SEVAN
AGOPIAN
THE HOLY GRAIL
FERRARI 250 GTO
The Champagne and Beyond - A Trip to Europe 2019 Luxury SUVs
BEYOND BRILLIANT. ABOVE ORDINARY. Certified Fancy Yellow & Colourless Diamonds
publisher’s LETTER
it’s all about time!
and we don’t have enough of it. time, that is. once in a while we get an email, asking if we can please publish 6 editions a year. oh boy ... no, we really can’t. our goal was and is to present some of the coolest and newest in the magazine, and it takes time to find those. and four editions a year, one per season, gives us enough time to do it right. and hey, we just said it - time flies, so while you read this edition we already work on the next. and we have some very cool projects in the makes! you will see!
for this edition we traveled to asia. we had to decide between singapore and the ‘city on the sea,’ and what an awesome time we had in shanghai. it wasn’t easy to say good-bye. just check out our travel-story. singapore will have to wait a bit. we also had the chance to play with some of the most luxurious - and fastest - suvs in the world, and our very own mr dickson took posession of his newest toy, the limitededition mclaren senna. we can’t wait to take it to the area27 race track. we may even take robbie with us...
olaf robrecht publisher olaf@iconic-concierge.com
so here we are, at the beginning of 2019. let’s see what this year will bring. we already got the first exciting announcements, and our suitcases will get used again very soon. enjoy the magazine, wherever you are.
the art of photography! A well-written story only gets attention with some amazing pictures. Great images are extremely important for any magazine and we are lucky to work with some of the best in the field. Kevin Uy and is awesome automotive photography, Dave Hamilton and Todd Duncan, who transform a boring portrait into a work of art, or Tracey Kusiewicz, who is one of the best food photographers in the province and has worked for us for the first time - guys, you did and always do an amazing job! Thank you for making our stories look so good.
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DILAWRI. TOGETHER IS BETTER.
START YOUR JOURNEY AT BC.DILAWRI.CA
492 kilometers. 89 crossroads. 5 on-ramps. 3 detours. 1 drive.
ICONIC CONCIERGE
vol. 11 [2019]
www.iconic-concierge.com
WE JUST KEEP THEM THAT WAY
On the cover: Sevan Agopian | photo: Todd Duncan
PUBLISHER:
OLAF ROBRECHT olaf@iconic-concierge.com
AUTOMOTIVE EDITOR:
ROBBIE DICKSON
FASHION EDITOR:
JASON SARAI
LIFESTYLE EDITOR:
NATALIE LANGSTON
HEALTH & FITNESS EDITOR: CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:
PHOTOGRAPHY: COPY EDITOR: DESIGN/ LAYOUT: ADVERTISING SALES:
OLIVER FINLAY JASON BOUDREAU, KEITH TRUSLER, AMANDA WOOD, JESSE DEAN COOK, JASON SARAI, DR. CHRISTIAN BRIX, HUMAAN HAMADO, JIM GORDON KEVIN UY, DAVE HAMILTON, TODD DUNCAN, TRACEY KUSIEWICZ MIKE STRAUS YADA-YADA MEDIA please contact iconicconciergemagazine@gmail.com
iconic_concierge Iconic Concierge is published by
Printed in Canada.
barberandco
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barberandco.com
All rights reserved. No part of Iconic Concierge Magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the expressed written consent of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or advertising material. The views expressed in Iconic Concierge are those of the respective contributors and not necessarily those of the publisher or staff. Although all reasonable attempts are made to ensure accuracy, the publishers do not assume any liability for errors or omissions anywhere in the publication or on the website. Iconic Concierge reserves the rights to ads produced for advertisers.
dreamT E A M
OLAF ROBRECHT publisher
An entrepreneur who is always on the lookout for new projects he is passionate about, Olaf has run several businesses since he came to Canada 18 years ago. These days you will find lifestyle and car magazines as well as a design & marketing company connected to his name, although he might be better known for his little collection of spirited automobiles.
ROBBIE DICKSON chief gear head
Born in England, Robbie is a selfstyled entrepreneur with a passion for exotic cars, boats and watches. He owned pretty much every car you can imagine although he still calls a Lotus Elise he once owned his favourite. Tracked extensively, Robbie claims it was “the most affordable fun you can have with your clothes on ...”
JASON SARAI
bespoke stylist & fashion editor When Jason found the world of bespoke suiting and styling, he had little choice but to turn it from a passion project into his life’s work with Style by Sarai. He has gone from being fashion advisor for family and friends, to the trusted bespoke stylist for professionals and grooms-to-be, by enhancing their confidence and helping them become their own style icon.
CRAIG STOWE luxury events
Craig is recognized as Vancouver’s #1 creator and producer of luxury events bringing together affluent buyers and sellers of luxury brands in an engaging business social event setting. He is the President of Luxury Alliance Group, Luxury & Supercar Weekend, Porsche Rally, Hublot Diamond Rally and VP of Partnerships for Pacific Polo Cup.
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NATALIE LANGSTON
AMANDA WOOD
lifestyle editor
creative muse
Natalie is an accomplished Canadian TV Host and Lifestyle Expert for Global BC, Breakfast Television + JRfm. Fitness & Health Reporter for BC Living. Freelance journalist and Emcee with a passion for all things Fitness, Fashion and Fun. Volunteer and Spokesperson for Dress for Success Vancouver, member of Ladies Who Lunch Global Network for female entrepreneurs and Style Ambassador for the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards.
Amanda Wood is a professional jazz and pop singer, social influencer and real estate assistant to Jesse Dean Cook. She is soulful, sexy and sophisticated with a passion for travel and living life to the fullest. Amanda contributes to Iconic Concierge in many forms from writing, editing, modeling and general creative input.
JESSE DEAN COOK
JASON BOUDREAU CFP, CLU
luxury real estate specialist
wealth advisor
Having worked as a Global Executive for a multi-billion dollar corporation, Jesse has a decade of international business experience and is now one of the top luxury real estate agents based in West Vancouver. He truly cherishes the relationship he has with his clients, helping them navigate the process of selling and buying their spectacular residential properties.
As the founder of VELA Wealth, Jason is fuelled by watching clients fulfill their vision of life success for their family, community and legacy. Focusing on inter-generational wealth transfer, life insurance, legacy and estate planning, he advises successful entrepreneurial families on how to make meaningful choices at the intersection of their life and their wealth.
KEITH TRUSLER
BARRY McNABB
imbibing authority
wine expert
The Brand Ambassador for The Glenlivet and Aberlour for several years now, Keith is a veteran of the restaurant industry in Vancouver and has extensive experience as a bartender, mixologist and chef. As a Connoisseur of single malt whisky he tirelessly pursues the finest dining and imbibing experiences the city has to offer.
It was a bottle of 1989 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet that changed his life. That was in 1990. The addiction to wine was set. And the journey to know everything and anything about wine. Today, after many travels to all notable wine regions in the world, Barry has a broad knowledge of the nuanced interplay between food and wine.
sport, health & fitness
OLIVER FINLAY
JIM GORDON LEETA LIEPINS
Having traveled the globe, working with pro teams & athletes in sports environments as diverse as F1, EPL soccer, NHL & ATP tennis, to attain peak performance, Oliver arrived in Vancouver for his PhD, exploring how the World’s best sports teams manage change initiatives. Passionate about human performance & sport’s impact on community, he highlights the industry’s latest & greatest developments.
They are the Hosts & Producers of the weekly, national TV show, “Our City Tonight”, which can been seen Sundays at 12:30pm on City TV. Each week they showcase Vancouver’s entertainment, nightlife, music, fashion, business, automotive, food & wine. You can also see past episodes on the “Our City Tonight” YouTube channel.
city experts
ICONIC CONCIERGE
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CONTENTS COVER
FEATURES
AUTOMOTIVE
100
24
18
Business Women of Vancouver
The $90k Mascarenhas Pen
Welcome to Vancouver
38
34
36
Lamborghini Urus, BMW X5, Mercedes G-Class, Rolls-Royce Cullinan
New Watches for 2019
The NMOTO Nostalgia
31
38
Behind the scenes of an Omega photoshoot
2019 Lamborghini Urus
48
42
The City on the Sea
The BMW X5
62
47
From Lost World to Crystal Core
47
Sevan Agopian
2019 Luxury SUVs
COLUMNS
8
Publisher’s Letter
22
The Specter Journal You Want This!
68
Arts & Music
Vancouver’s Art Scene - Review
70
Fragrances for 2019 What’s the smell?
74
The Gentleman
They Should Have Taught You This In School
75
Financials
The Value of Advice
76
Real Estate
Vancouver Dream Estates
78
Real Estate
Luxury in Richmond
110
Interstellar
Tempus Fluid
Below the Surface
Shanghai
The Journey to the Center of the Earth
72
Our City Tonight Tableau Bar & Bistro
80
A Nautical Villa The Dominator 28M
82
Multi-Dimensional
From Bavaria with Love
2019 Rolls-Royce Cullinan
2019 Mercedes G-Class
EVENTS
21
McLaren Senna Launch Party
Luxury Redefined
26
92
34
Chocolates & Spirits
90
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Perfectly Paired
7 104
Local Luxury
BMW X5 Launch
Omega Holiday Event
Global Spirits Festival
The Story of Lugaro
106 Jewellery
Every Day is Valentine’s Day
PERSONALITIES
80
Marco Iannuzzi
DESTINATIONS
48
Shanghai
The City on the Sea
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Mythological
The lates Fashion Trends
Forget Chocolate and Roses!
112
The McLaren Senna
Pitti Immagine Uomo 95
What Women Want
16
/ winter 2019 /
Fields of Green
100
Sevan Agopian Business Women of Vancouver
48
92 50
36
18
80
CONTENTS
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M
OST OF US ARE FORTUNATE enough to drive a very nice car. However, very few of us can afford the $600k+ supercar without selling our condo, house, or a few kids, yet alone a million dollar hypercar such as a Pagani or Bugatti. But, at Iconic Concierge we have Robbie ... and Robbie just loves spending a fortune on his toys. He also loves supercars, and because he is really old, he’s a big fan of the late Ayrton Senna. For you kids out there Ayrton Senna was a renowned Brazilian racer, regarded as one of the greatest Formula One drivers of all time, who won three Formula One world championships for McLaren in 1988, 1990 and 1991. He died in an accident while leading the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix for Williams. In mid-December, at a VIP launch at the McLaren dealership in Vancouver, Robbie took over the keys for his newest toy – one of only 500 hand-built McLaren Sennas. The 800PS car is truly McLaren’s DNA at its most extreme, and the most track-focused road car they have ever built, surpassing even the McLaren P1 GTR, to create the purest connection with the driver. The McLaren Senna is a new track benchmark for McLaren. Robbie, why a McLaren Senna? Well it was my 700th birthday gift to myself, but to be honest with you, I didn’t actually know what the car was going to be called until I’d already committed a $200k deposit, which was required to secure a slot for a car. The hardest part was that I wasn’t even allowed to see the car either at that point either. So as you can imagine I was nervous. McLaren were basically asking 500 customers worldwide to take a massive leap of faith. For me this would be my 5th or 6th McLaren, all of which have been amazing cars, so I wasn’t too worried. McLaren simply told us “it would be awesome and fast, now give us your money”. And I’m not joking either. The price was not even known, they just said around $1m USD. But my thought process was pretty simple. McLaren’s Ultimate series cars always (always) go up in value, and significantly so. The McLaren F1 now sells for over $10m minimum. So this is why I bought one, because it’s an investment.......at least that’s what I told myself. It wasn’t until the car was revealed to the public at the McLaren winter ball at the McLaren factory in the UK that I saw it for the first time with with the rest of the world, and let me tell you I was nervous. But then when I saw how crazy the car was, I was relieved. And when I heard they named it the Senna, I was happier than a tornado in a trailer park. This is when the car changed from an investment
photography by Dylan Ackimenko
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“I am not designed to come second or third, I am designed to win.“ -- Ayrton Senna
Welcome to Vancouver!
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to something of significance. Senna was my hero as a child, he was the underdog. Senna had no racing pedigree, he pissed off a lot of people, and he was relentless. He also had this magic about him that to this day amazes people. It’s crazy, what he could do. What I’m referring to is when it started to rain during a race. All the other F1 drivers hated the rain. But when the rain came, Senna would throw his hands in the air and cheer. Cheer because he was unbelievably fast on the wet track. He somehow managed to find grip where there was no grip, and he was able to drive faster than the other racers – not just a little faster, but 10s of seconds faster. And when people asked him how he could be so fast in the wet he would simply say, “ I don’t know, I just feel ground and seem to find traction when I need it ”. As an F1 fan I was mesmerized by this guy. He was something very special, and I believe this car will also be something special. Looking at your car, the amazing Senna Livery truly stands out. Is it your own design? The Senna Livery was so iconic for me as a child, so it was a nobrainer I had to do the Livery on an official Senna car, and then the car wasn’t an investment anymore – it was my baby. How does it drive? It’s a race car. Your fillings will fall out when you drive over a slight bump. If you’re not careful, a slight twitch of the foot and the back end spins out. Plus it’s a bit on the noisy side. I’ve not had it up to Area-27 yet. (The F1 race track a bunch of us built a
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few years ago.) So the real answer to this question will have to wait until the spring, if I don’t ditch it by then. What’s next? I’ve applied to buy the new Ford GT. This $500k USD hypercar is also by invite only, and the application process required me to fill in forms to basically beg them to deem me worthy of owning one. I haven’t filled in a form since I applied for that job at the strip club. So let’s hope I’m more successful this time around.
LAUNCH PARTY MCLAREN VANCOUVER
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THOM BROWNE HECTOR BAG
BERLUTI MOTORCYCLE HELMET
Gentlemen, we are not kidding, this one is for you! Fashiondesigner Thom Browne is a big fan of his dog. Hector, his adorable wire-haired Dachshund, even has his own Instagram account and has appeared in Thom Browne’s collections several times, most recognizable through Browne’s houndshaped (and life-size) Hector handbags. For men.
A collaboration between Veldt and French luxury brand Berluti, this helmet boasts a Japanesemade carbon fiber shell with a glossy black finish and a Scritto graphic pattern. It has Venezialeather accents throughout, black galvanized metal hardware, Coolmax padding, and a modular design with a removable chin guard that helps it evolve into a full face helmet. US$ $4,150.
Crafted of the finest leather (and even beaver), the Hector bag is designed to look like a dog, complete with a boneshaped dog ID tag, collar, floppy ears, and pointed tail. Available in several different leathers and colours, starting at around C$3,500 all the way up to C$40,000 for a crocodile leather bag.
www.berluti.com
www.thombrowne.com
FABER-CASTELL SAMURAI
STAX EARSPEAKERS The SR009S is Stax’ latest effort to produce the world’s best headphone. Dubbed ‘earspeakers’, the Japanese company says they updated drivers, pads, and other housing pieces, retaining much of the look and character of the original open-ended electrostatic headphones SR009, getting a perfectly balanced reproduction even in the deepest frequencies. US$4,350.
The Graf von Faber-Castell Pen of the Year 2019 is inspired by the Japanese samurai and their matchless martial arts skills, their swords made from the most precious materials and their silently gliding movements, the aesthetics of which are so similar to the writing process. Each of the unique, numbered pens comes in a high- gloss black wooden case with a certificate signed by Count Charles von Faber-Castell. The fountain pen is limited to 330 pieces, the rollerball pen is limited to 100 pieces. Appr. US$3,000 to US$4,500. www.graf-von-faber-castell.com
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www.staxaudio.com
KEES VAN DER WESTEN SPEEDSTER Now this is a truly the most stylish way to brew your perfect expresso. The Kees Van Der Westen Speedster is the ultimate single group espresso machine, providing extreme precision & maximum control in a speedy package. The bodywork of the pictured standard Speedster is made in engine-turned stainless steel with aluminum panels powder coated in red and yellow. Other colour options are available. The price for this truly functional work of art is appr. US$10,850. www.keesvanderwesten.com
LOUIS XIII JEROBOAM TRUNK “Great journeys are wonderful in that their magic begins before the departure itself.” Joseph Kessel The legendary Courchevel luxury hotel Les Airelles, trunk-makers T.T.TRUNKS and LOUIS XIII cognac have united their vision of the art of living and their attachment to beautiful things in crafting a bespoke article. This celebration of the tasting experience follows the finest traditions of high standards and luxury shared by the three Houses. The result is a contemporary design which brings a radically new twist to trunk accessories. The aluminium structure holds three small cases in okume, a wood selected for its stability and durability,encased in natural milled calfskin with Alcantara trimmings. Each case has a separate use, to create a distinctive mood and highlight an aspect of the experience. In the first, two facetted candle holders bring special light to a special moment. A fine metalwork ashtray, a cigar cutter and a lighter are also included. The second case contains eight crystal glasses, while the last holds a humidor in Spanish cedar wood. €96,000 (appr. C$150,000). www.ttrunks.com
SINGER FLYTRACK CONCEPT WATCH For its second creation, Singer Reimagined follows the same formula of creating a highly-practical timing function that prioritises readability.Presented during the 2019 Geneva watch week as a concept watch, the Flytrack Collection will make it to market later this year. Powered by an innovative movement and designed for continuous action, its unique flyback seconds allows for the consecutive measurement of short time intervals - lap times, average speed or acceleration time on a race track. With only a single push of a button, the sweep second hand can be returned to zero and restarted. The hand-wound Flytrack caliber comprises more than 300 components. It operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour and can store up to 52 hours of power reserve. 43 mm in diameter, it comes in lightweight grade 5 titanium. Price: tba www.singerreimagined.com ICONIC CONCIERGE
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INTERSTELLAR photography: Amarok Media Co.
The $90,000 Mascarenhas Space Pen
I
f you came to the first Global Spirits Festival last November you will have seen this pen in person. The Mascarenhas Space Pen. Made in British Columbia. “It really is my masterpiece,” says the Kelowna craftsman who created the pen, Mervin Mascarenhas. “I have dreamed about making a pen that was out-ofthis-world for the past two years. The price is a reflection of the rare materials from space and how long it took me to make it. We have sourced actual meteorite fragments from the Gibeon Meteorite that collided with Earth in prehistoric times in Namibia, the lunar dust is from asteroids that orbited the moon and the extraterrestrial peridot (olivine) crystal gemstones are from a rare pallasite meteorite. And yes, I have documents to prove it.” On top of it, the pen is blinged out with 18-carat-gold metal components and diamond accents. It comes in a handcrafted and illuminated holder, resembling a spaceship.
Mervin Mascarenhas presented his Space Pen for the first time at the Global Spirits Festival
Mascarenhas has a wide range of handcrafted pens in carbon fibre, wood recovered from a 200-year-old shipwreck, and even made out of Swiss watch parts, starting as low as $125, so what was the motivation to create this ultra-luxurious pen? “I’m a dreamer, a visionary,” says Mascarenhas, who was born in India and spent a decade in Bermuda before immigrating to Canada in 2004. “Each and every morning I grab my coffee and take 20 minutes and simply imagine what might be possible. That’s how my customized pens come to life, and that is what was leading to the Space pen. I work with mother nature’s materials and ancient history, and making pens brings them back to life. So in a way you are writing with an instrument that has a history of its own. Rewriting history. Which is now my slogan.” Even in the luxury world, $90,000 is quite a price tag for a pen. Which is why Mascarenhas decided to only create one of it, making it not only one of the most expensive but also one of the rarest pens in the world. For more information about Mascarenhas pens, please visit www.MascarenhasLuxuryCreations.com
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out & about BMW X5 LAUNCH PARTY BRIAN JESSEL BMW
On October 8th, Brian Jessel BMW presented the all-new redesigned 2019 X5 at an exclusive launch party at their Boundary Road dealership. An evening with canapés, wine and live music, the star of the event, the fourth generation of the German automaker’s sport utility vehicle is BMW’s “most powerful message yet in terms of presence and modernity. It defines a new X design language — robust, clear and precise.” Guests had the chance to have a closer look at the new X5 with its enlarged kidney grille with single-piece surrounds, the optional BMW “Laserlights” that feature blue x-shaped elements and make a distinctive visual statement, and the bigger and more luxurious technology-laden cabin. If you want to find out more about the 2019 BMW X5, read our in-depth review in this edition and book an appointment for a personal introduction and test-drive at Brian Jessel BMW.
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YOUR BMW ADVENTURE STARTS HERE.
Begin a new chapter with Brian Jessel BMW.
The all-new BMW 8 Series.
N
HWY
Boundary
E 1st Ave.
1
www.brianjesselbmw.com @BrianJesselBMW
Lougheed Hwy.
NEW CAR 2311 Boundary Road, Vancouver, BC V5M 4W5 (604) 222-7788 PRE-OWNED 1515 Boundary Road Vancouver, BC V5K 5C4 (604) 222-8820
TEMPUS FLUID THE HYT H20 HYT, a boutique watchmaking company, was launched in 2012 by Swiss entrepreneur Patrick Berdoz, nuclear engineer Lucien Vouillamoz and watch veteran Vincent Perriard, in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. The brand immediately got worldwide attention when they introduced its first hybrid timepiece, the H1, during that year’s BaselWorld. It was a masterpiece of fine watchmaking that would turn the world of horologie upside down, measuring time mixing mechanics and liquid. There have, of course, been water clocks for thousands of years, but no one had figured out how to do it within a wristwatch. In a HYT watch, two immiscible liquids flow from bellows, through a capillary powered by a mechanical movement, indicating the time on the watch dial. Presented in 2018, the new H0 and H20 models express the flow of time with smooth curves, presenting a 360° view of the movement’s architecture under an impressive cloche-like
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sapphire crystal. And just a few weeks ahead of SIHH 2019 the brand unveiled the newest member of the H20 family, the “Time Is Fluid.” The limited edition watch literally puts the name into play, replacing the hour indications on the side of the case with letters machined from a single metal ring and filled with luminescent material to glow in the dark. The display of the minutes is off-centred on a subsidiary dial and complemented with a small seconds indication. The HYT H20 “Time Is Fluid” comes in two limited editions of 20 watches – either in 18 carats yellow gold ( CHF 125,000) or in stainless steel (CHF 115,000 ).
TAG HEUER CARRERA HEUER 02 BY FRAGMENT HIROSHI FUJIWARA
JAPANESE SPIRIT Intense black dial, steel counters, large alligator strap: the latest creation by the famous Japanese designer Hiroshi Fujiwara is an avant-garde reinterpretation of the iconic TAG Heuer Carrera, limited to 500 watches. Designer, musician, prominent influencer: Hiroshi Fujiwara never stops. With his fashion label and studio Fragment Design, the Japanese designer has made a name for himself in the fashion world with a line of disruptive streetwear clothing. Daring to disturb is his credo. A pioneering spirit shared by TAG Heuer, which has entrusted him with the most iconic of its models: the TAG Heuer Carrera. To reinterpret this watch, Hiroshi Fujiwara first immersed himself in the history of these iconic models. Linked to motor racing since 1963, the TAG Heuer Carrera collection has established itself as a reference thanks to the revolutionary design of its dial.
A minimalist design chosen by Hiroshi Fujiwara, who then transformed it to make the TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 02 by Hiroshi Fujiwara an original piece. A masterpiece of creativity powered by the Heuer Calibre 02, the manfucture movement developed and produced by TAG Heuer, which guarantees Swiss avant-garde savoir-faire. Completed by a large black or grey NATO alligator strap, this unique timepiece celebrates the Japanese design while perpetrating the motor racing DNA of the TAG Heuer Carrera.
“If I see something really good why should I make a copy? I’ll just ask them to make whichever item I like. I’ll change the accents.” Hiroshi Fujiwara
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OttantaSei Ten-Day Tourbillon by Bovet Pininfarina THE ONGOING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN Bovet and the famous Italian car design studio Pininfarina started in 2008 celebrating the 80th anniversary of the famous Turin-based design agency. It was the birth of the Ottanta Tourbillon, one of the most fascinating timepieces on the market. Since then and with six special editions, the Ottanta evolved into a collection in its own right. The newest member is the OttantaSei (Italian for 86), celebrating the 86th anniversary of Pininfarina. To create maximum light and transparency,two long side crystals enclose the case and embrace the profile of the middle perfectly. The accurate machining and delicate metallization of the sapphire crystals provide superb views of the movement, while the touch of elegance synonymous with both Houses is present through the laser-engraved words ‘Pininfarina’ and ‘limited edition’ on the inner concave surfaces of these sapphire crystal walls. Of course, the distinctive screws designed by Pininfarina used on all the watches in the collection are also a prominent feature that makes this watch instantly recognizable.. Only 10 limited-edition watches will be made in platinum, subtracted from the total of 86 patented manual-winding double-sided flying tourbillon movements the brand has committed to produce for the entire collection. The price is on request but expect just north of EUR 200,000 (appr. US$229,000). www.bovet.com
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images: Omega
BELOW THE SURFACE Behind the Scenes of the OMEGA Diver 300M shoot THOUGH THE MAKING OF Omega’s Diver 300M Campaign involved getting thoroughly wet on set, Daniel Craig and his stylist approached the task with professionalism and good humour. For stylist Gareth Scourfield the clothes were the biggest challenge. The Seamaster may be water resistant, but Daniel Craig’s elegant dinner suit was hardly typical swimwear. What’s more, a stylist rarely has to consider diving into a pool to fix a loose button on a waistband. As Daniel Craig was very adamant that the watch be visible at all times, it was also important to make sure the cuffs were always at the right length, which is not the easiest task when the suit is soaked-through for 12 hours. Despite the challenges, the shoot yielded impressive results.
The final images, all black-tie sophisticated but with a sense of fun, captured the essence of OMEGA’s new Seamaster Diver 300M, which blends serious divers’ tech with a dressy elegant style.
In total, there are 14 new Diver 300M models, including 6 in stainless steel and 8 in a mix of stainless steel and gold. Each model is presented on an integrated black or blue rubber strap, or a traditional metal bracelet (with a new ergonomic design and a patented extendable foldover rack-and-pusher with diver extension).
www.omegawatches.com ICONIC CONCIERGE
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LA MONTOYA by Artisans de Genève
“
I’ve always been passionate about the Rolex Daytona, I won the Rolex 24 three times, and it’s a watch that really relates to all of my racing. So I was amazed when the idea came along to do a skeleton Daytona. Artisans de Genève embodies what I wanted in somebody who would build a watch for me. They are that somebody that was happy to go with no limits to how a watch should be built. The more you look at it, the more you like it. JUAN PABLO MONTOYA
t is a fairly new trend in the world of luxury watches – customization. There are a few companies who have the desire to re-discover the lost art of personalisation in an age of mass production, where a company such as Rolex produce around 800,000 luxury watches a year. Bamford was one of the first companies who made a name personalizing a wide range watches, including models by Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and TAG Heuer. The quality of their work seems to have impressed even the manufacturers, who generally are not too happy about having their masterpieces modified, as the London (UK) based company even did an official collaboration with both Zenith and TAG Heuer. In a way it is a trend that reminds us of the automotive world, where smaller tuning companies such as AMG, Brabus or Alpina specialized in making great cars even better. And some of those companies even became an official customizer, or became part of the actual manufacturer. Others, such as Singer Vehicle Design, brought the idea of customization to a whole new level, ultimately creating their very own car. We will see if history repeats itself.
Artisans de Genève, who have been busy making a name for themselves as a watch customizer, recently launched a watch that receive a lot of attention in the world of horlogerie: A fully skeletonized Rolex Daytona that was designed in a partnership with ex-Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya. More than two years of research and development and the collaboration of hundreds of craftsmen from all over Switzerland went into the creation of this exceptional masterpiece. The 4130 Rolex Caliber was dismounted piece by piece, cut, angled, and finished by hand. As a final touch, Artisans de Genève then replaced the original back of the Rolex 116520 with a transparent sapphire case back, which reveals all the beauty of the movement magnified by the angling of all its elements. It also received an engraving with “Les Artisans de Genève” and
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“Juan Pablo Montoya” and the individual number of the watch, which was limited to 50. Other modifications include the bezel with tachymeter that has been machined from a forged carbon block, the handpainted counters on the dial representing the colours of the Colombian flag (a tribute toMontoya’s origins) and the redesigned rotor, manufactured entirely in 22 carat grey gold. There is no doubt that this is a very impressive watch, and it takes customization to a whole different level. Looking at the movement it actually makes you wonder why Rolex would not offer a skeletonized model. In the end it is up to the buyer. Beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder. Just be aware that the warranty isn’t valid once a watch has been modified.
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out & about OMEGA HOLIDAY EVENT OMEGA BOUTIQUE | HOTEL VANCOUVER
It is one of the Christmas events that we are always looking forward to - the annual Omega Holiday Event at the Omaga Boutique in the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. And so, on December 6th, we followed an invitation to join a group of local watch aficionados, entrepreneurs and socialites, to celebrate the holidays ‘in good style.’ Some great tunes by DJ Chloé, the typical long line-up to get a memorable black and white portrait taken by Dennis Gocer of ‘The Collective You‘, champagne and wine, some very creative canapés, delicious ice-cream curls, pastries and a chocolate fountain - we have to admit that with all this fabulous distraction the presentation of the current line of the Swiss luxury watchmaker almost blended into the background. Make sure to read our article in this edition about ‘Mr Bond’, Daniel Craig, and the creative and very wet photo shoot for the new Omega Diver 300M campaign.
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A Recreation Of The Sexiest BMW Motorcycle Of All Time - The Iconic R7
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www.nmoto.com
nspired by the legendary “unicorn” BMW R7 – the 1934 one-off prototype considered by many to be the Mona Lisa of motorcycles – the new Nmoto is a wholly modern limited production motorcycle based on the current BMW R Nine T.
“It offers all the style of the original vintage model with all the peace-of-mind of the new model,” says Nmoto founder Alex Niznik. “It’s the perfect combination that makes a statement unlike anything else on the road.”
Consisting of more than 74 handcrafted parts, the sleek, streamlined profile exudes character and distinction, while performance of BMW’s award-winning R Nine T 1170 has actually been enhanced. Lighter in weight and faster than a stock R Nine T, the Nmoto motorcycle is style and substance unlike anything else on the market today. Appearing as if it came from pre-WWII Bavaria, the exciting Nmoto possesses BMW’s state-of-the-art 110hp boxer engine, six-speed gearbox, traction control, anti-lock braking system, front and rear suspension, and keyless ignition, among many other features, while the ignition lock and speedometer have ingeniously been incorporated into the headlamp housing. Available in a limited production series, the Miami-based Nmoto is available in 11 color combinations, with customization options that include adjustable steering, seat trim finish, luggage box, passenger seat, even a manual gearshift mount on the gas tank in the style of the original R7. Orders are now being taken with a finished base price of $49,500 and an expected wait time of 3-6 months.
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In just 9 months from concept to final product, the Nostalgia project is an aerodynamic, hand-crafted masterpiece.
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photo: Kevin Uy
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MUL TIDIMENSIONAL
The SUV assault has been coming for a long time, but in 2018, SUVs took over every remaining niche in the automotive world. No matter what kind of car you might have been considering, from big to small, from powerful to super-efficient, there is now an SUV for anything you are looking for. At Iconic Concierge, we have picked some of the more extreme newcomers. ICONIC CONCIERGE
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DUAL-PERSONALITY THE LAMBORGHINI URUS SOME HISTORY If you know what an LM002 is, either you’re older than Miami Vice, or you’re a true blue car buff. Dubbed “Rambo-Lambo” or “Ramboghini”, the Lamborghini LM002 was also known as the “Lamborghini truck” and was one of the only off-road sport utility vehicles that the Italian sportscar manufacturer built. Well, actually, it was the third. Let’s go back to 1977 when the Italian company unveiled the Cheetah. A prototype for an all-terrain vehicle that was produced according to U.S. Military requirements, Lamborghini was hoping to secure a contract for the Willys MB replacement model. They fitted a rear-mounted 5.9-litre Chrysler V8 engine to a three-speed automatic transmission. But even though the body was fibreglass, the Cheetah still weighed more than 2 tonnes, and so the 180-hp engine was way too under-powered to carry five soldiers over rough terrain. The U.S. Military wasn’t impressed and chose AM General’s Humvee instead. However, the Cheetah found another purpose in life. In 1980, Lamborghini engineer Giulio Alfieri unearthed the project as a starting point for a production SUV. The LM001 Concept was unveiled at that year’s Geneva Motor Show, still featuring an AMC V8. Only one car was built, but in 1981 Lamborghini returned to Geneva with the LMA002 prototype. “A”? Yes, the “A” finally stood for “anteriore” meaning “front,” and the engine was a V12 sourced from the Countach. It took Lamborghini four years to unveil the final production version of the LM002 at the 1986 Brussels Auto Show. It stayed in production until 1992, and 328 units were produced.
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functionality in mind. It’s easy to recognize some of the classic Lamborghini stylings and iconic shapes, such as the “Y” and the hexagon elements, the front hood with centre peak, and the cross lines on rear door. Look closely and you’ll see hints of the LM002 in the power dome showing the position of the engine and the diagonal lines, while the frameless doors recall the iconic Marcello Gandini line. No doubt - the extreme proportions make the Urus a real Lamborghini. THE INTERIOR Luxurious Italian craftsmanship meets state-of-the-art technology in this aeronautically designed luxurious five-seater. The dashboard architecture uses a driver-oriented instrument concept with three TFT screens – one for instruments, one for infotainment, and one for comfort functions. Boasting a virtual keyboard with handwriting recognition, this dash makes high-tech feel elegant. The Urus features the largest range of options ever presented in a Lamborghini. The interior can be customized to be more elegant or more sporty, with a selection of colours and materials featuring options like natural leather, Alcantara, wood finish, aluminum, or carbon. Not enough customization for you? Layer in further sophistication on select materials through luxurious stitch patterns like contrast stitching or Q-citura.
Now, 26 years after the LM002 ceased production, a new super sports SUV steps into the limelight: The Lamborghini Urus, dubbed the world’s first Super Sport Utility Vehicle, combines the unmistakable Lamborghini design & performance with groundbreaking new technology.
THE HEART The Urus does not use Lamborghini’s hallmark naturally aspirated V10 or V12 engines. Instead, it is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V-8 producing 478 kW / 650 HP and 627 lb-ft of torque, giving it unrivalled performance. The 8-gear automatic transmission, together with the permanent 4-wheel drive system with active torque vectoring, enable the driver to push the Urus from standstill to 100km/h in just 3.6 seconds, reaching a top speed of 305 km/h.
THE EXTERIOR A cutting-edge, distinct, and streamlined design with multiple souls: sporty, elegant and off-road. Its muscular surfaces make the Urus appear strong and secure. All of the surfaces are designed with
THE EMOTION All these numbers and details may sound exciting – but is driving the Urus as exhilarating? We’re proud to report that it is! It was an odd feeling in the beginning – you’re clearly in a Lamborghini,
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sitting in fantastic sport seats, looking at the dash and gauges, starting it the same way as your Aventador or Huracán, and the sound, well, ok, it is not the typical Lambo sound of the V10 and V12, but this thing woofles and rumbles like crazy. Love it. But what’s weird is that you are not looking UP at other cars – rather, you’re at the same level. The height is deceiving, because it doesn’t feel like a car that large should be able to reach sportscar speeds. It takes your head a while to let your stomach know that it will get punched – hard - in the next seconds. Dear Lord ... I honestly don’t think it would be too far behind a regular Huracan if you put them on a track. The 4-wheel-steering turns the rears by plus- or minus-3 degrees makes a difference not only when parking in a tight space, but also when making hairpin turns – and it’s great for creating extra stability at higher speeds. The active roll stability control firms up the outside suspension in those fast corners we all love so much, but can also decouple each wheel in off-road or extreme winter conditions. Which brings us to the most amazing fact - yes, you can drive this Lamborghini in the winter! In fact, you can drive it in all weather conditions, in all seasons, on- and off-road! And you can enjoy all of this not just with your best buddy, but with 4 of them! And if a situation requires you to bring the 2.2 tonnes to a fast stop, don’t worry: The standard carbon ceramic brakes are the largest fitted to any production car! Robbie, who has owned many Lambos and currently has an Aventador in his garage, and Olaf, who frequently drives a Huracan, spent some time with the Super Sport Utility Vehicle – and here’s what they think: Robbie: It’s the car I’ve never wanted to like from the very beginning. I’ve been a Lambo fan since I was 11 and not only do I think Lambos should be super crazy 2 door super cars, but also as an owner of one, I want to keep the brand exclusive, because I like to feel special and awesome. I know I don’t need a Lambo to be awesome, but sometimes I like a nice reminder. But let me take you back to the days before the Porsche SUVs. You would see a 911 go by and say, “sweeeet”. Now Porsches are everywhere, and thanks to their SUV, the brand has devalued itself. So I don’t want Lambo going the same way Porsche did, because after spending $500k plus for an Aventador you want to feel a little exclusive, not in a “boyfriend/girlfriend don’t bang my friends” sort of way, but just special! Anyway - I didn’t want to like it and don’t want it in the Lambo family. 2 weeks ago, Natalie at Lamborghini Vancouver handed me the keys. I reluctantly accepted, but she definitely owes me a beer for giving the Urus a go. I think she knew I wasn’t a fan, because she had this cheeky smile on her face, as if to say she knew something I didn’t. At the time I paid no attention until I got in the car and switched the driving mode to extreme (I think they call it “Rambo” mode in Italian, or maybe Corsa.) Whatever it’s called, the effects are insane. I was totally overwhelmed by the performance and handling, it was not at all what I expected. Sure, you sit up higher, but it sounds and drives like a real Lambo – no, really, it’s a real 100% Lambo machine. The exhaust crackles (my favourite part) seemed even more aggressive than the Huracan (how is that even possible), and the acceleration and steering were also proper Lambo extremeness I simply wasn’t prepared for. Within 5 mins I found myself saying “this is an entirely new sensation I’ve never felt before. I’m in an SUV but it’s a proper Lambo”. Words I never though I was capable of saying.... at least sober. So yes, I’m glad this car has true Lambo pedigree, and that a true Lambo fan would still be able to get their dose of crack when they drive this car. But I’m still not happy to have the exclusivity of the brand diluted with a family car added to the line-up. However, as luck would have it, our local government (NDP) heard my concern, too, and decided to address this directly by imposing a lovely 25% luxury car tax specifically to keep Lambos and other high end brands like them exclusive. So thank you NDP.... No, really, thank you. Olaf: After reading Robbie’s review ... I deleted mine. Nothing to add. Well, maybe that I learned some Italian: Terra, Sabbia and Neve. It’s gravel, sand, and snow in English.
LAMBORGHINI VANCOUVER 1720 W 2nd Ave, Vancouver 604 738-3931 www.lamborghinivancouver.com
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photo: Kevin Uy
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The new BMW X5 embodies the DNA of the BMW X family. In its fourth generation, this model is making its most powerful statement to date in terms of presence and modernity. It defines a new X design language in a robust, clear and precise manner. Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design
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LEADER OF THE PACK - THE 2019 BMW X5 “But the X5 is assembled in Spartanburg, South Carolina?” Yes, we know – but it is still a BMW, made by the Bavarian automaker. Plus we really wanted to see Robbie and Olaf in Lederhosen and those funny hats. Except that didn’t quite work out... Back to the 2019 BMW X5, which we will introduce in this edition, while you will have to wait for the Spring edition to find out more about the 850 (you can also swing by the Brian Jessel BMW dealership and sign-up for a test-drive). The 2019 BMW X5 is the fourth generation of what the Bavarians had introduced in 1999 as a Sport Activity Vehicle (SAV) rather than an SUV, to emphasize its on-road ability despite its size. The second generation followed in 2006 with many new technological advancements including BMW’s now famous iDrive system, before it was replaced in late 2013 by the third generation. Since its introduction almost 20 years ago, the BMW X5 has been built exclusively in Spartanburg, SC. To date, more than 2.2
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million X5’s have been sold worldwide. The fourth generation, the 2019 BMW X5, has been completely redesigned with a new, revitalized exterior look with a mighty one-piece double kidney grille, an all-new interior, a festival of new technologies, and more power than ever. THE EXTERIOR We have to admit – this is one of the best fronts we have seen so far. The large one-piece kidney grille boasts a mildly hexagonal shape, with a sculpted hood featuring a short front overhang. Better yet: When the X5 detects water coming up into the hood, it will shut the kidney grill slats. The distinctive headlights and large air inlets look stunning, and the lightly hexagonal wheel arches and dynamic sweep of the roofline give the X5 a sporty yet rugged look. Add a wheelbase that is now 42 mm longer than its predecessor’s, an overall length increased by 36 mm, and an extra 66 mm of width and a 19 mm increase in height, and you’re flexing muscles like Schwarzenegger in his best days. And if you want to stand out even more, here’s what you can do: check out the xLine and M Sport model variants from BMW Individual, order the optional BMW Laserlights with their blue x-shaped elements, and get either 21-inch or the spectacular 22-inch wheels! Now we’re starting to Hulk out!
THE INTERIOR The new wheelbase, width, and length also mean more space for passengers and their luggage. Once you open the doors of the 2019 X5, a spectacularly modern yet elegant garnished cabin awaits you. It looks very familiar and clean, but upscale. The surfacing radiates a feeling of space where the front and rear occupants all enjoy generous accommodation amid an exclusive ambience. The instrument panel is broken up by sweeping horizontal lines, which combine with electroplated trim elements to emphasize the width of the interior. And with its large trim finisher and surrounds likewise made up of electroplated elements, the center console – rising up to the instrument panel – contributes to the handsome overall impression. The raised seating position, driver-focused cockpit and new design and arrangement of the controls offer the driver the best possible view and complete command over everything. The fully-digital instrument cluster and the center display, both 31.2 cm (12.3”), are connected visually by a consistent design based on the same graphics. The center console hosts the iDrive Controller, the newly designed transmission selector lever, and all other driving-related controls – i.e. the Driving Experience Control switch, the start/stop button, and the buttons to activate the air suspension settings and off-road modes (if equipped). The heating, air conditioning, and lighting functions feature a similar new look. Carefully selected materials give the interior a very luxurious and elegant touch, which again you can customize up to a bespoke M outfit. The sky is the limit. Which brings us to the optional ‘Sky Lounge’ Panoramic glass roof, which it borrows from the . This roof uses 15,000 points of LED lights to create some glamorous nighttime ambiance! Tech freaks (that’s us!) will also enjoy the standard ambient lighting, which includes the Welcome Light Carpet – illuminating the entry area to the car when the doors
are unlocked or opened – and Dynamic Interior Light, which emits pulsating light signals in pre-defined situations. Open a door while the engine is running? The lights flash. Phone call incoming? The instrument console lights up. Even better: You can order heated and cooled cup holders in the center console! The optional Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System’s 20 speakers and 1,500-watt output provide an experience that audiophiles will remember for a lifetime. The optional Rear-seat entertainment Professional system comprises a pair of 25.9 cm (10.2-inch) full-HD touchscreen displays, a Blu-ray-compatible DVD player, two USB ports, an HDMI socket, and two headphone jacks. The system is part of the new display and control concept, allowing those in the rear of the vehicle to select and operate entertainment functions. A navigation map and BMW ConnectedDrive services can also be accessed from the rear seats. Oh, we almost forgot: Yes, there are optional third row seats with electric foreand-aft adjustment. A control panel in the cargo area can be used to slide the second-row seats forwards or backwards and fold down the backrests of the second and third rows. The second-row seats can be tilted forward electrically to ease entry/ exit into and out of the two third-row seats. Overall, the cargo area now houses 650 L and can expand up to 1,870 L. YOUR ENGINE CHOICES The X5 launches with a choice of two new gasoline engines. Heading the range is the xDrive50i with a V8 unit with 456 hp, resulting in a 0 – 100 km/h time of 4.7 seconds. A six-cylinder inline engine can be found under the hood of the xDrive40i. The 3.0-litre unit employs a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct petrol injection technology generating 335 hp, which completes the 0 – 100 km/h sprint in just 5.5 seconds. Both engines channel their power through
an eight-speed Steptronic transmission, while BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive is on hand to ensure that power is translated into secure progress – on or off road. ON AND OFF THE ROAD The 2019 X5 is the first X model to receive Integral Active Steering, a twoaxle steering system that will change the amount of rotation required depending on the speed. At low speeds, it means more agility and manoeuvrability with a smaller turning circle, which really comes in handy in the city. Overall, the new X5 drives better and more comfortable than the outgoing model, and the new two-axle air suspension ensures the X5 is optimally damped for any road condition, creating unmatched ride quality. And if you plan to use the X5 for more than the once-in-a-while drive up to Whistler, maybe check out the new offroad package, which equips the X5 with a lot of goodies and four extra driving modes (Snow, Sand, Gravel, and Rocks). There is so much more that comes with the fourth generation X5 and we can only encourage you to visit the dealership on Boundary Road ... to do what we did: Take it out for a drive! The 2019 BMW X5 starts at MSRP $73,745 for the xDrive40i
Coming next ... the 2019 BMW 850. (You’ll have to wait for the next edition to find out what we think about it...) BRIAN JESSEL BMW 2311 Boundary Road Vancouver 604 222-7788 www.brianjesselbmw.com
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2019 Rolls-Royce Cullinan
THE CULLINAN is the first SUV to be launched by the RollsRoyce marque, and is also the brand’s first all-wheel drive vehicle. It is named after the Cullinan Diamond, the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever discovered.
6.75-litre twin-turbo V12 used by the Phantom limousine, producing 563bhp and 627lb ft of torque. A wheelbase of 3,302 millimeters and an overall length of 5,341 millimeter makes the cabin extremely spacious and adds a whopping 21 cubic-feet (600 liters) of luggage room. C$ $370,500+
The ultra-luxury SUV is powered by a reworked version of the
2019 Mercedes G-Wagen
THE G-WAGEN is one of Mercedes-Benz most iconic models and started life as a utilitarian off-roader. Over the years the “four-wheeled brick” (Robbie Dickson) has been luxed up and became extremely popular among the rich and the famous. But it was time for more than a facelift.
time ever. It is 53 mm longer and 122mm wider than its predecessor. Yet, it lost 170 kg. The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 makes the same 416 hp and 450 lb-ft as the outgoing G550 but thanks to less weight and a newer nine-speed automatic transmission, the performance is much better. An AMGversion with a 577-hp V8 is also available. C$134,000+
The 2019 G-class received a complete redesign for the first
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SHANGHAI THE CITY ON THE SEA
The Famous Shanghai Skyline (Pudong)
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words: Olaf Robrecht
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THERE ARE FEW CITIES IN THE WORLD that evoke quite so much history, glamour, mystique, and exotic promise as Shanghai. The city is home to the world’s second tallest building, proudly showcases some of the greatest architectural masterpieces, offers stunning art deco buildings, a vibrant music and art scene, an array of the best fine dining and nightlife experiences, and world class shopping, from high-end luxury to antiques. More than enough reasons for us to pay the “City on the Sea” a visit! SHANGHAI - THE HISTORY We will try to keep it brief but some knowledge about the history of a place never hurts! Shanghai, which literally means the “City on the Sea,” lies on the Yangzi River delta at the point where China’s main waterway completes its 5,500-km journey to the Pacific. Until 1842 Shanghai’s location made it merely a small fishing village, but after the first Opium War, when the British named it a treaty port, Shanghai opened to foreign involvement and big changes started to take shape. It didn’t take long for colonial presences to develop, namely the British, French, and Americans, all independent of Chinese law, and all bringing with them their particular culture, architecture, and society. The mixing of cultures began, transforming Shanghai under a Western influence, making it an important industrial center and trading port attracting foreigners and Chinese alike, with a population of around 3 million by 1930, ranking it fifth among the world’s great cities in population. It was Shanghai’s most prosperous era, a mecca for the rich and famous, giving it the nickname “Paris of the East.” Shanghai had it all - from dance halls to glitzy restaurants, from brothels to international clubs, and even a foreign-run racetrack.
The city was divided into three distinct political spheres: the International Settlement - dominated by the British, the French Concession, a colony ruled by a Governor General appointed by Paris and Greater Shanghai, administered by the Chinese central government. With the prosperity came a building boom of unprecedented proportions. There were more skyscrapers in Shanghai than in any other place outside of North America. The boom times ended in August, 1937, when the SinoJapanese War broke out, and Shanghai’s golden age formally ended on December 8, 1941, when Japanese forces occupied the Settlement shortly after Pearl Harbor. British, American and Dutch civilians were rounded up and interred. By 1943, at the height of World War II, most foreigners had fled and when the war ended in 1945, China plunged into a civil war. The Communists declared victory in 1949 and established the People’s Republic of China, after which the few remaining foreigners left the country. Shanghai fell into a deep sleep. Shanghai’s comeback only started in the early 1990s. It was the time when the Pearl Tower (1994) and Jin Mao Tower (1999) started the now so famous Pudong skyline. For the next 20 years, the GDP (Gross domestic product) grew by double-digits every year. Today Shanghai is a thriving city, and with a population of 24 million one of the largest and fastest growing cities in the world. WELCOME TO SHANGHAI Although we had picked late November for our visit to Shanghai we were greeted with blue skies and temperatures in the low 20s. Robbie flew in straight from Vancouver whereas I made a little detour to spend some time in Hong Kong. It also allowed me to fly with Hong Kong Airlines, who have become one my favourite airlines. We would have 6 days to explore the city on the HuangPu River. Well, the city core that is. You can see and experience a lot in 4 days but 6 days give you a bit more time to relax and enjoy.
It was a bucket list trip for Robbie: Visiting the Champagne and the chalk caves was on it ... and so was meeting Sally Carrera!
The Bund, also called Waitan, is the famous waterfront on the west bank of the Huangpu River, in the Puxi area, and regarded as the symbol of Shanghai. Here, the charm of Shanghai as a bustling metropolis combining the century-old history and flourishing future is fully presented, making the Bund Shanghai a must-see attraction. The photo on the left shows the Bund in 1930, the one on the right is what you will see today. The Bund stretches over 1.5km from the Waibaidu Bridge to East Jinling Road. Our tip: Best night view in Shanghai! Have dinner first, then walk the Bund and end the evening with a cocktail in one of the many bars in the area.
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FLAIR BAR resides atop the 58th floor Ritz-Carlton and is amongst the tallest and most luxurious rooftop bars in the world. It exposes a breathtaking and absolutely fantastic view of the city and offers some of the best cocktails in Shanghai. photo: Lola Pidluskaya
Oriental Pearl TV Tower, and the rest of the trip in Puxi, on the Bund, the famous waterfront promenade lined with colonial-era buildings. By the way - xi means west and dong means east in Mandarin. Pu-xi and Pu-dong. Get it? Correct - you have west of the Pu river and east of the Pu river.
FLAIR BAR + RESTAURANT
For the best experience we decided to stay half of the time in the Pudong district with its futuristic skyline, including the second tallest building in the world, the 632m Shanghai Tower, and the
We had also made sure to ask people with either roots in Shanghai, or a deeper knowledge of the city thanks to business endeavours, about their favourite places, restaurants and bars, and did as much research as possible to get the most out of the trip. And instead of giving you a day-to-day diary, we thought that this time a ‘city-guide’ is a better idea and might come in handy when you visit the city. Here we go – Ladies and Gentlemen, our personal City Guide, followed by a “Must See – Must Do” section to get the best experience out of this bustling city.
Make sure to visit Shanghai’s Fifth Avenue, the 5.5 km long Nanjing Road with its more than 360 malls, department stores, specialized shops, restaurants and cultural and recreational facilities. Another ‘must’ is Xintiandi, a car-free shopping, eating and entertainment area, and the leafy boulevards of the elegant French Concession with its cozy live-music venues and boutique wine bars.
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A big ‘Thank You’ to McLaren of Shanghai for our loaner. The 720S drew a crowd wherever we went and was the perfect ride for our Shanghai experience. We do things in style, don’t we? photo: Lola Pidluskaya
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IN GENERAL Time difference: +16 hours Travel time (direct flight): +/- 12 hours Airport Transfer Shanghai has two international airports. The Pudong and Hongqiao airports are both appr. 45 minutes outside the city core. You can either simply take a taxi (make sure to have the hotel name and address printed in both English and Mandarin), a shuttle bus or take the Metro. For about twice the cost of a taxi (more if you want a Mercedes), you can hire a personal driver who will wait for you in the airport building. You can pre-book this service online or have the hotel arrange it for you. How to get around in Shanghai (other than in a McLaren 720S that is...) Walk: Take the Metro or taxi to the area you want to explore – and walk! You will love it. The city is very clean and people are friendly. At 30,000 square feet, this Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Shanghai’s swanky Taikoo Hui development is the largest Starbucks in the world. Dubbed the “first fully immersive coffee wonderland in China,” this caffeine-fueled Disneyland on two floors offers a lot more than just coffee. In fact, you can even get beer and wine! At 632m, the Shanghai Tower is the tallest building in China.
Not a bad ride when you are only 27 years old.
Uber: Uber is no longer active in China. Didi is the replacement, and the service has its own app, but it’s nothing we’d recommend to a visitor. Taxi: Taxis are affordable in Shanghai but traffic is crazy at times. Better use the subway system. Metro: The Shanghai Metro system is the world’s largest rapid transit system and your best bet to get around. It is fast, cheap, air conditioned and user-friendly, no matter your native language. Station stops and line information are announced in both Mandarin and English. Ferry and River Cruises: Seeing both Puxi and Pudong from the water will give you giving you a distinctive contrast between modern life and the past. You can either book a Huangpu River cruise or simply take the ferry which will bring you to the other side for just 2RMB (that’s 40 cents). Just make sure to immediately get a good spot at a window – you are not the only one who wants ‘that’ picture! Must see / Must do: Regardless of whether your hotel is in Pudong or Puxi, you simply have to ... Walk the Bund | See the city ‘from above’ | Take a ferry | Visit the French Concession | Explore Shanghai’s Fifth Avenue: Nanjing Road | Visit a (night) market ...
PUDONG The traditional area of Pudong on the east bank of the Huangpu River is home to the financial district and many of Shanghai’s best-known modern skyscrapers, such as the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Jin Mao Tower, the Shanghai World Financial Center, and the Shanghai Tower. It faces Puxi’s historic Bund across the river.
Robbie just loves his helicopters - and so we decided to fly out to the brand-new InterContinental ‘Wonderland’, a luxury hotel masterfully built into the side wall of a formerly abandoned quarry in Southwestern Shanghai.
Almost everything in Pudong has been built within the past 25 years. There are some very cool bars, plenty of restaurants and lots of places to go shopping. And don’t forget – thanks to the metro it is very easy to go from one side of the river to the other.
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Just because you have chosen a hotel in Pudong does not mean you can’t be on the Bund within a half an hour. Actually, there is a way to get there in less than 10 mins – check our pictures! Taxis are also an option, and fairly cheap, but traffic can be a nightmare. Our hotel of choice, the 5 star Grand Kempinski, is situated in the heart of the financial district of Lujiazui, and a short stroll from all of the famous landmark buildings and attractions. It is also right across from the promenade on the Huangpu, which you can walk for miles, offering stunning views of Puxi and the Pudong skyscrapers. You will walk along and through several smaller parks with bistros and restaurants, all of them offering the perfect view-patio on a sunny day. The promenade will also lead to the ferry terminals for river cruises or the little ferries which will bring you to the other side of the river for 2RMB (that’s 40 cents). PRO-PUDONG • Luxury skyscraper hotels. Lots of them • Better for families:
Pudong offers plenty of space outside for the kids to play • Quieter: The financial district gets pretty quiet after business hours • Some bigger shopping malls • Some of the highest bars and restaurants with stunning views. CON-PUDONG Fewer options for nightlife, restaurants, and cafes within walking distance • If you want to admire the “light show” on the skyscrapers in Pudong you better book a hotel in Puxi. HOTEL OF CHOICE: The Grand Kempinski Shanghai Maison Veuve Clicquot THE BEST RESTAURANTS: Shanghai has some of the best fine dining restaurants ... but let us be honest...for a real culinary treat you have to cross the river to Puxi. However, with all the luxury hotels in Pudong you will find many excellent dining choices.
THE MUST-DO EXPERIENCES Pearl Tower | Super Brand Mall | World Financial Center continue on page 56 (The world’s highest observatory) |
PUDONG - THE BEST BARS FLAIR BAR (RITZ-CARLTON, IFC TOWER)
CLOUD 9 (GRAND HYATT, JIN MAO TOWER)
Flair is the city’s highest rooftop tower bar, located in The Ritz-Carlton on the 58th floor of the IFC tower.
One of the highest bars in the world, Cloud 9 is perched on the 87th floor of the world’s tallest hotel, the Shanghai Grand Hyatt in the Jin Mao Tower. It offers the most spectacular jawdropping 360° views across the entire panorama of the sprawling Shanghai megalopolis. CLOUD 9 occupies two floors designed as a dramatic post-modern space that wraps around the inner core of the building. A ‘must-see’ and ‘must-experience’
A stunning decor designed by esteemed Japanese firm Super Potato, the inside of Flair is covered in striking wall features and ravishing red details under a glittering light fixture, but it is the outside terrace with its views of Shanghai that will really blow you away. The Pearl Tower sits so close, you think you can reach out and grab it. Time your visit right - when the sun goes down and the Pearl lights up along with the rest of the city, you won’t find a better spot to watch it!
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The cocktails at Flair are excellent, and you will find delectable tapasstyle staples from Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Thailand and China.
The bar offers creative cocktails, champagnes and wines, and a comprehensive bar list of premium spirits, beers, and non-alcoholic drinks. A menu of tapas-style small bites and desserts compliment the drinks and we have to point out their amazing playlist. Thank you for an amazing time!
Open daily from 5.30pm-2am
Open daily from 5pm on weekdays and from 2 pm on the weekends
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Grand Kempinski 1288 Lujiazui Ring Road Phone: +86 21 3867 8888
GRAND KEMPINSKI SHANGHAI for frequent business travellers. To take a break from the rush of Created in 1897, Kempinski Hotels is the oldest European luxury hotel group in the world. They opened the Grand Kempinski Hotel the city, guests can make use of a full scale fitness centre and spa Shanghai in 2013 making it the group’s 18th property in China. The facilities. luxurious 5 star Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai is situated in the On a Personal Note: heart of Shanghai’s financial district Lujiazui, perfectly located for Ruinart is the oldest established Champagne house, exclusively producing champagne since 1729 We truly enjoyed our stay at the Grand Kempinski, especially its both leisure and business visitors, and offers sweeping views of the Huangpu River and the Shanghai skyline. Important landmarks and location right on the seawall and its close proximity to the Pearl Tower and some of the best bars in Pudong. sights, such as the Pearl Tower, the Jin Mao Tower and The Bund, are easily accessible on foot or by car. Room tip: The Grand Executive Bund View Room on an upper floor gives you The hotel features 686 rooms and suites, the majority of which overlook the dramatic Bund skyline. The rooms are contemporary an amazing value for the money. The light shows on the skyscrapers in design and range from 43 to 245 square metres in size. The and river boats at night are very impressive. It also includes access hotel has four restaurants and three bars offering international to the Executive Lounge on the 28th Floor. It comes with several benefits such as a Buffet Breakfast, Afternoon Tea, Hors D’oeuvres fare, Chinese cuisine, Italian flavours and Spanish/South American cuisine. An Executive Lounge offers special privileges and amenities & Cocktails and a Personalized Check-in and Check-out.
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PUXI - THE BUND Pronounced “poo shee”, Puxi is the historical heart of the city. The area along the river faces the modern skyscrapers of Lujiazui in the Pudong District. The Bund refers to the historical buildings and wharves, as well as some adjacent areas. It is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Shanghai. Building heights are restricted in the area. Some view Puxi as Shanghai’s past and Pudong as the future. It makes sense. There are several fantastic hotels on and around the Bund, some in historical buildings, some newly build. While doing our research, one name came up all the time – Bvlgari. This ultra-luxurious hotel just recently opened and is known to be ‘THE’ ultimate place to stay at. Decision made. Set on a scenic riverbank behind the Rockbund, “an urban renaissance” area tucked a block off the Bund with charming cafes, high-end dining, the Rock Bund Art Museum and more, Bvlgari is within walking distance of the Bund and the Shanghai City Centre. The perfect location to explore the famous district. It is also right across a Metro station to connect you to all parts of the city. Often referred to as “the museum of buildings”, the 1.5km-long Bund is home to 52 buildings of varying architectural styles including Gothic, baroque, and neoclassical. The promenade will also give you the best views across the river to Shanghai’s famous skyline with the Pearl Tower and the adjacent skyscrapers, which
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will light up at night. And if you are an early-bird, you can go to the Bund and watch or join the locals practicing tai chi or start the day with jogging. Typically,people prefer Puxi because of the nightlife and availability of cafes and restaurants within walking distance, as well as for the view across the river. PRO-PUXI The historic heart of the city with the 1.5 km long Bund Great nightlife The best restaurants in the city CON-PUXI If you are looking for a more affordable hotel it will be a bit outside the Bund HOTEL OF CHOICE: BVLGARI Shanghai THE MUST-DO EXPERIENCES • Stroll the Bund at sunset • Visit Xintiandi • Explore the former French Concession • Go shopping on Nanjing Road • Visit Yu Garden
BUND SIGHTSEEING TUNNEL
THE BUND AT NIGHT
The 646.7m tunnel links Puxi and Pudong under the Huangpu River. It is a fun and interesting way of crossing the river with changing visual effects and background music. The ride takes about 5 minutes.
You really have to walk the Bund at night tp appreciate the historic buildings. The architecture along the Bund is a living museum of the colonial history of the 1800s. You’ve never been to Shanghai if you haven’t seen the Bund.
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PUXI - THE BEST BARS VUE BAR (RITZ-CARLTON, IFC TOWER)
THE JAZZ CLUB (FAIRMONT PEACE HOTEL)
Amazing views over the whole Bund and across the river to Pudong. This bar sits atop the Hyatt on the Bund and is a great place to sip on a cocktails, or lounge in style on their jacuzzi outdoor terrace.
If you want to experience jazz like in the old days, visit the Jazz Bar at the Fairmont Peace Hotel. It’s legendary: The current Old Jazz Band is made up of six veteran musicians whose average age is 82.
BAR ROUGE (GRAND HYATT, JIN MAO TOWER)
SALON DE NING (THE PENINSULA HOTEL)
One of the most famous clubs in Shanghai, right on the Bund. Great club at night with its terrace view, and classy, sleek interiors. Super busy on weekends! A tip: Try “Miss Rouge” if they ask for a password for fast entrance.
A very cool basement bar at The Peninsula, Salon De Ning offers an over-the-top decor of four semiprivate rooms facing a stage. Each room has its own completely unique decor -- the submarine, the upside-down room, the cinema room, and blue room. Live band, DJ, etc...
PUXI - THE BEST RESTAURANTS 8 1/2 OTTO E MEZZO BOMBANA
T’ANG COURT
One of the best fine dining venues. 2 Michelin Stars. See separate review on page 61.
Showcasing exquisite Cantonese cuisine at its best.. 2 Michelin Stars.
TAIAN TABLE
ULTRAVIOLET BY PAUL PAIRET
Fantastic Michelin Star restaurant. See separate review on page 61.
2 Michelin Star avantgarde restaurant uniting a 22 course dinner with multi-sensory technology to create an immersive dining experience.
NIGHT MARKETS
JING’AN TEMPLE
The night market is a must in any city in China. Most night markets starts at about 8:00 pm and close at almost 1:00 am. Chang Li Lu Food Market is highly recommended ... just make sure you know what is on your plate!
Jing’an Temple is one of the most famous temples in Shanghai which is located at West Nanjing Road in the downtown area of Shanghai. In 1983, it was put on the list of key national protection. The temple has a history of more than 780 years. ICONIC CONCIERGE
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Bao Li Xuan restaurant, serving exquisite Cantonese classics, is housed in the properties historical Chamber of Commerce Shanghai building adjacent to the Hotel tower. It also offers the 500-square-metre, triple-height-ceilinged BVLGARI Ballroom, and The Whisky Bar.
BVLGARI HOTELS & RESORTS invoke the distinctive, bold and contemporary style of the magnificent Italian jeweller reflected in a unique hotel design concept. There are currently six Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts worldwide: Milan, London, Bali, Beijing, Dubai – and Shanghai. Paris, Moscow and Tokyo will follow in the next three years.
Each hotel and resort is located in the most prestigious area of the city and strongly references the local culture through a blend of traditional design and dramatic Italian contemporary architecture.
On a Personal Note: Our stay was nothing short of amazing. Knowing we would arrive from another hotel, the team at the Bvlgari made sure to send us a car. Arriving at the hotel we were personally welcomed by the General Manager, and as we were soon to find out Personalised service is a true hallmark of the Bvlgari lifestyle. From the privacy of an in-room check in to the around-the-clock service, up to the 24-hour personal butlers for guests of the Suites and the Maserati limousine service – Bvlgari offers a new level of contemporary luxury. We especially liked the Berluti shoeshine service, the carefullystocked bar, and the hotel’s MOMODESIGN carbon-fibre bicycles to explore the city. It is also possible to organise Bvlgari jewellery viewings and sales in the privacy of guests’ rooms.
Set on a scenic riverbank with sweeping views of the Bund and of Pudong’s dramatic skyline and just minutes from the iconic Bund and Shanghai City Centre, The Bvlgari Hotel Shanghai just recently opened in June of 2018 and immediately set a new standard for luxury accommodation in Shanghai. As for the other Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts, the renowned Italian architectural firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, signed the hotel’s
33 North Henan Road
Phone: +86 21 3606 7788
design and created a glamorous contemporary masterpiece by blending the distinctive Italian refinement of Bvlgari with rich layers of Shanghai history. 82 exceptionally spacious guest rooms, 19 of which are exquisite Suites, offer beautiful panoramic views of the iconic Bund waterfront, Pudong skyline and beyond. Occupying the top eight floors of a 48-story tower that is also home to The Bvlgari Residences, the Hotel is also home to a 2,000-square-metre BVLGARI Spa and fitness centre with a personal fitness trainer, state-of-the-art meeting facilities and the rooftop restaurant “Il Ristorante - Niko Romito” and the Il Bar
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Room tip: All the rooms and Suites are spectacular. Our favourite are the 120sqm Deluxe Bund View Suites - the epitome of contemporary Italian luxury. They offer spectacular views of the historic Bund and the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower. Features include a living room, 3 HD TVs, guest powder room, ‘his and hers’ wash basins, large walk-in closets, separate walk-in rain showers, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
“THERE IS A NEW STAR IN SHANGHAI”
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8 ½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana
6F, Mission Building, 169 Yuanmingyuan Lu
Umberto Bombana is a well-known restaurant in Hong Kong and one of only five restaurants with three Michelin stars in that city. And Michelin better add a third one to the Shanghai location as well! Executive Chef Riccardo La Perna has created a fantastic and authentic Italian cuisine experience in their beautiful restaurant in the Rockbund development. The dining room boasts panoramic views of the Pearl Tower and the northward stretch of The Bund and makes the dining experience even more special. We can highly recommend the Chef’s Table dining experience. Starting with some freshly-baked artisanal breads, served with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, it is pure fireworks for the senses from there on. Chef La Perna came to the table several times, explaining the dishes and ingredients, making it a wonderful interactive experience, and even shaved the white truffles himself!
LOVE AT FIRST BITE The Best Michelin Star Dining Experiences in Shanghai
Taian Table
465 Zhenning Road, Lane No 161 Bringing like-minded people together and breaking the boundaries of traditional dining is the vision and goal of Taian Table, another MUST when you come to Shanghai. Long-time Shanghai chef and restaurateur Stefan Stiller created a private 20-seat dining-room experience unlike any other. The Michelin-star restaurant is located in an (not-that-easy-to-find) old lanehouse a bit outside the city core. This is not just about the food – it is about the serious attention to every element, from presentation to execution. The chefs are cooking the 10 to 14 courses in the middle of the room and are interacting with the guests. And so is chef Stefan Stiller, who introduced and explained each of the amazing courses to us. A sensation for the senses, we truly enjoyed each course, perfectly paired with wine or a sensational rum. Many thanks to Stefan Stiller and his team for an unforgettable experience at Taian Table.
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THE JOURNEY TO THE CENTER
OF THE EARTH FROM A LOST WORLD TO A CRYSTAL CORE
Does this not look like something Jules Verne must have envisioned when he wrote “Journey to the Center of the Earth?” It almost feels as if dinosaurs await you just around the corner. In reality, however, the Hang Son Doong cave lies in the heart of the UNESCO-listed Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Vietnam’s Quang Binh province and is one of the most captivating destinations that can be experienced in Southeast Asia.
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THE JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH WE’VE SHOWN YOU the most secluded places in the world, the most dangerous places to travel to. We introduced you to the extreme sports that’ll get you killed the fastest, and in case your death wish didn’t come true by then, we showed you the deadliest snakes in the world and exactly where to find them. C’mon, it’s been fun so far, right? The last edition started a new series that brings us back to our childhood memories. Part one was how to get to space – and in this edition, we bring you back to the good old days of reading some great novels (or, for those of you who weren’t big in reading, watching some classic movies). How about Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth (French: Voyage au centre de la Terre)? Published in 1864 by the French novelist, poet, and playwright, the story follows German professor Otto Lidenbrock, who believes there are volcanic tubes going toward the center of the Earth. He, his nephew Axel, and their guide Hans descend into Snæfellsjökull, an Icelandic volcano, encountering prehistoric animals and natural hazards before eventually coming to the surface again in southern Italy, at the Stromboli volcano. Some research actually shows that the genre of subterranean
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fiction already existed long before Verne, but it was his novel that brought a lot of attention to the genre’s popularity and influenced many other stories.
The Hollow Earth Theory The genre is based on and has in turn influenced the Hollow Earth theory, a historical concept proposing that the planet is entirely hollow or contains a substantial interior space. There are cultures around the world who believe that their
“Science, my boy, is made up of mistakes, but they are mistakes which it is useful to make, because they lead little by little to the truth.” ― Jules Verne, Journey to the Center of the Earth
ancestors first emerged onto Earth from underground realms. Other mythologies say that nonhuman races are living inside the Earth, - and let’s not forget the idea that inside the globe is the place usually translated as “hell.” Another old theory proposed that the underground world was much more technologically advanced than the surface world. Some variations of this theory proposed the center of the earth held the last vestiges of a lost civilization; other variations proposed it was a base for aliens from outer space. In the seventeenth century, the idea of a hollow Earth was first explored by European scientists. One theory was that a series of smaller concentric earths were nested inside our outer crust, and in the nineteenth century, the north and south poles were thought to be the openings to the Earth’s interior. If this fascinates you – do some research, you will be amazed by what you will find! Let us introduce you to just two theories:
The Inside Out Theory In this theory, you have to think of our Earth, the ground we walk on, as the outside of the interior surface. In other words, the crust we live on is the ground for those inside the Earth. Which means that ‘their’ sky is the hollow void of the planet and, looking up, they would see the other side of their interior Earth. No, don’t ask us about how the light situation would work .. there are enough theories about that as well!
The Layered Earth Theory Ok, try to stay with us on this theory: This one says that our earth’s outer crust contains smaller concentric earths. Edmond Halley, born in 1656, was an English astronomer, geophysicist, mathematician, meteorologist, and physicist who put forth the idea of a hollow Earth, consisting of a shell about 800 km thick, two inner concentric shells, and an innermost core. He suggested that luminous atmospheres separated these shells, and that it was this luminous gas escaping at the poles that caused the Aurora Borealis. Are you still with us? Good. And be honest - when you first read The Journey to the Center of the Earth as a child, did you not create your own ‘underworld’ idea, wanting to find the next extinct volcano, pack your backpack and discover the Lost World? Well, we have grown up and thanks to modern technology have learned a few things here and there. And one of them, unfortunately, showed us that there is no such thing as a hollow center of our planet. No dinosaurs, no lost civilization. Sorry. But what’s actually ‘down there?’
What would you see on a journey to the centre of the Earth? First of all, if you want to ‘go down there’, you’d better dress appropriately. It gets very hot very quickly as you journey towards the center of the Earth. The Earth’s radius is about 6,400 kilometres, and the main layers of its interior are in descending order: crust, mantle and core. The crust reaches
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down around 40 km, and temperatures increase by around 25 degrees Celsius per kilometre of depth. The crust is light and brittle and can break, which is how most earthquakes originate. The mantle is the largest region of our planet, comprising about 82 per cent of its volume and 65 per cent of its mass. The mantle is more flexible, so it flows instead of fracturing. It extends down to about 2,900 kilometres below the surface, and as we are getting closer to the heart of our planet, the ‘scenery’ dramatically changes. Suddenly, at a depth of 2,890 km, you burst through the rocky part of the Earth into a sea of liquid metal five thousand (!) degrees hot. This is the outer core, occupying about 10 per cent of the Earth’s volume and 27 per cent of its mass. Are you doing the math? Correct, there’s still another 2,000 km to go, and for this last part you would need a very heatresistant submarine as you would swim in a sea of slow-motion currents, storms, and cyclones of liquid metal that generate a large electromagnetic field as they move. This electromagnetic field is our great protector. Without it life on the surface would not exist, as it shields us from harmful particles from the Sun and deep space.
The Crystal Core Nope, no Indiana Jones here - but yes, there’s indeed a giant crystal buried deep within the Earth, at the very center. The Crystal Core is the greatest mystery of our planet and was only discovered in 1995. It is a super-dense ball of solid iron and nickel, only about half a per cent of our planet’s volume, a little smaller than the Moon, but as hot as the surface of the Sun. It is one of the strangest objects ever encountered by science, and very little is known about it. All we know is that this crystal is floating within a metal sea and is not obviously tied to anything above. There are indications that it rotates at a slightly different rate from the rest of the Earth, and is also offset from the very centre of the Earth by many kilometres. But that’s pretty much it. So, what’s the conclusion? Don’t believe Jules Verne! The center of the Earth is not a nice place to visit. In fact, we will never reach it. The conditions are so harsh - six thousand degrees Centigrade and a pressure of three and a half million atmospheres - that no probe will ever get there.
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ARTS & MUSIC VANCOUVER’S ICONIC ART SCENE IN REVIEW by Oliver Finlay
IN THE WEEK BEFORE Christmas, the chamber orchestra from the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra ventured out from the Orpheum and made the short journey to the fabulous Chan Centre for Performing Arts at UBC, for a festive evening with guest lead violinist, Benjamin Beilman. Demonstrating a style and rich tone that belies his youthful appearance, Beilman gave a masterful performance that illustrated his technical ability and explosive energy, which at times impressed not only the absorbed audience, but his accompanying musicians. Setting the tone for an extremely enjoyable evening, Beilman chose to open with Biber’s ‘Battalia’, which is a highly expressive composition, affording a performance of unique colour, as it depicts a call to arms, tributes to the gods Mars and Bacchus, a battle and concludes with a lament for the wounded. The festive mood was then primed with the performance of Corelli’s Concerto Grosso in G Minor, Op.6, No. 8, Fatto de la notte di natale, which draws to a close with the pastorale that has specific Christmas associations. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major then followed, to complete the first half, before Beilman honoured an enduring VSO Holiday Season tradition, in leading a rousing second half performance of Vivaldi’s timeless classic, The Four Seasons. The VSO embark on an eclectic series of concerts through a busy January calendar, with full details and tickets available at www.vancouversymphony.ca AS THE YEAR drew to a close, the Commodore Ballroom, in association with Live Nation, treated Vancouver to another visit from Thievery Corporation, who most recently graced the Orpheum in 2017’s Jazz Festival. The Washington DC-founded musical masterclass never fails to stir up the energy levels of the audience, with their eclectic mix of dub, acid jazz, Indian classical, Middle Eastern, electronica and latin American sounds meeting a richly contrasting hip hop, reggae and rap counterpoint. The rich diversity of the collaborative talents that comprise the touring collective matches the soulful Argentinian Natalia Clavier, with the sultry Parisian vocals of LouLou Ghelichkahaani and pits them against the crackling energy of intellectual rap dynamo Mr Lif, the velvetveiled Kingston attitude of reggae sensation Racquel Jones and the passionate hip hop verbal bursts of Christopher “Puma” Ptah. The results are simply infectious, and the versatile musical foundations that Rob Garza, Rob Myers, Hash, Jeff Franca and Frank Oral provide seamlessly support the endless transitions within the set, somehow managing to retain a remarkable thread of consistency throughout. From classics such as ‘All That We Perceive’, ‘Until The Morning’, ‘Richest Man in Babylon’ and anthem ‘Lebanese Blonde’, to more recent favourites ‘Ghetto Matrix’, ‘History’ and ‘Letter to the Editor’, the band’s evolution was expressively portrayed from the opening bar plucked on Myers’ sitar, sweeping the crowd along on the waves of free-flowing creativity that ensued. It would be hard to recall a better “pure” musical experience in the city this year and the Commodore Ballroom
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arguably provided a more suitable platform for the band to break free, in comparison to the more refined and constrained environment that the Orpheum presents. Iconic Concierge is already looking forward to Thievery Corporation’s next visit. Live Nation also chose the Commodore Ballroom to host Houston Gulf Coast Soul outfit The Suffers, who last played at The Imperial earlier in the year. The tenpiece band have a unique sound that takes threads of classic American Soul and intertwines them with old school rock n’ roll to present an engaging visual, with a brass section that was quick to show off some neat footwork. Singer Kam Franklin was the definition of vivacious power and quick humour, as she invited the crowd to shake off their inhibitions and allow themselves to be caught up in the moment, to enjoy ‘Do Whatever’ and ‘Baila Esta Cumbia’. As well as a phenomenal stage presence, Franklin’s incredible voice has a range that is hard not to marvel at and such visual expression that you feel the lyrics as much as hear them, especially in songs such as ’Make Some Room’ and the Isley Brothers’ cover, ‘Shout’.
Don’t make her wait
While they may not yet have a headline name, this band definitely have what it takes to command a big following and are one to keep an ear or two out for. To check out more Live Nation concerts coming to the Province over the coming months, including Justin Timberlake, James Bay, Pink! and Iron Maiden, go to www.LiveNation.com
xcitecanada.ca xcitecanada.ca
IEST SEX Fragrances for
2019
The
What’s that smell? Just the sexiest fragrances of 2019! And we will tell you which ones they are. You know we only want the best for you, right? So instead of sending you out there, all by yourself, trying to find THE fragrance that will get you all that you desire (well ...), we spent countless hours in department stores and Duty Free stores at the airport (yes, we travel a lot), evaluating all the fragrances we could find. And, as always - there is not ONE single fragrance that is doing it all. No, the same as we change up our wardrobe (read: seasonally), you will have to do the same with your cologne. There are many options based on your favorite scents, your personality, the time of year, and heck, even time of day you plan on wearing it! No, we are not kidding! So - don’t be afraid to take some risks, change up your favorite fragrance from time to time. And here they are ... our top picks for the colder months..
Hugo Boss - The Scent Private Accord 100 ml - CAD 106
Bvlgari Man Wood Essence
100ml - CAD 545
100ml - CAD 119
Smells like: Seduction.
Smells like: The Swiss Alps.
Smells like: The outdoors.
Best for: A night out. An event.
Best for: Great all day scent.
Best for: All day.
It will ... get you attention.
It will ... make someone yodel.
It will ... make you irresistible.
Byredo Bibliotheque
Old Spice
Valentino Uomo
100ml - CAD 370
188ml - CAD 12
100ml - CAD 120
Smells like: A woodsy and warm candle (you can get one!).
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Creed Silver Mountain Water
Smells like: Your Grandfather
Smells like: A Gentlemen’s Club
Best for: On a date.
Best for: Having your buddies make fun of you
Best to wear: In the evening; wearing a nice suit drinking a Negroni
It will ... help you!
It will .. repell mosquitoes.
It will ... get you closer to 007 than anything
ICONIC CONCIERGE
"The crystal clear sound on Fazioli pianos create
endless possibilities for all musical collaborations."
Lisa Tahara, pianist & Brenna Hardy-Kavanagh, violinist
W W W . S H O W C A S E P I A N O S . C O M
PITTI IMMAGINE UOMO 95 SARAI BESPOKE words by Humaam Hamado
PHOTOGRAPHERS LINED THE ENTRANCE of Fortezza da Basso (also known as the Fortress of Saint John the Baptist) with their cameras at the ready, waiting to capture the latest in trends donned by local and international visitors. Florence, Italy has been the picturesque backdrop of Pitti Immagine Uomo for over four decades. January 8th to 11th of 2019 signified the 95th iteration of the biannual menswear trade show and conference that hosts 1,230 brands/companies and 36,000 visitors overall. There was an 8% drop in Italian presence this time around however the show witnessed an increase in Swiss, Belgian, and Canadian presence with regards to buyers attending. There were 24,000 buyers at the show, with 9,000 of those being international. Whether you are a buyer, designer, tailor, business owner, brand manager, media specialist, influencer, fashion student, or visitor – there is something for everyone to enjoy at Pitti 95 in the City of Lilies. The theme of Pitti 95 revolved around a connection to nature and planning for the future as well as thinking outside of the box. These concepts materialized into showcases of sustainability measures within the industry, harnessing natural materials in an ethical manner, and creating beautiful pieces with soft construction and earth-tone influences. Solid fabrics were on the rise, after being overtaken by patterns and bold colours in 2017-2018, with only a few patterns in circulation – namely being the chalk stripe and the fuzzy glen plaid. Popular fabrics included chunky corduroy, rich velvet, muted moleskin, and the iconic cashmere. Colours that were used as accents and/or the base in many outfits were ruby red, pastel cream, military green, emerald green, and teal blue. Belted jackets, coats, cardigans, and kimonos were also back, providing a nod to vintage classics but with modern silhouettes and design elements.
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page 72, clockwise Humaam Hamado is wearing a grey flannel SARAI BESPOKE Three-piece suit; Jason Sarai is wearing a SARAI BESPOKE military inspired belted jacket. Hat by Bertacchi Hatcrafters. Watch by OMEGA. Photo: Fabrizio Di Paolo
menof style
Jason Sarai and Carey Melnichuk. Jason is wearing a SARAI BESPOKE windowpane single-breasted topcoat. Humaam Hamado is wearing a SARAI BESPOKE wool-cashmere double-breasted topcoat.
Jason Sarai is wearing a SARAI BESPOKE military inspired belted jacket. Hat by Bertacchi Hatcrafters. Watch by OMEGA. ICONIC CONCIERGE
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The Gentleman
They should have taught you this in school....
by Dr. Christian Brix
Hold Your Own when Dining With Royalty In recent years, I have discovered a love for food. With that new appreciation for exciting flavours, varying textures, and unique combinations of rare ingredients, has come exposure to some of the finer dining establishments around the world. To be clear, I am still “frugal” at best, but more and more lately I have found myself open to the idea of splurging on a particularly artistic meal. The challenge at many restaurants is that one finds one’s self in front of a table setting that looks like a dishwasher’s nightmare. A dozen utensils, multiple plates and 4 glasses?! Below is a list of “classic” dining tips to help one feel more comfortable in a more formal dining setting. This will prepare you to dine with Royalty (almost).
- Elbows on the table is acceptable at all times except when you are actually eating, so you can tell your mom that the queen would be fine with it. - When eating soup, spoon the soup away from you towards the centre of the bowl (this one I cannot get my head around, but it’s the rule). - At a less formal dinner, when serving dishes are being passed, always pass to the right. - When you have finished your meal, you can indicate this by placing your utensils on the plate with the base at 5:00 and the tips at 11:00. Do not leave a soup spoon in the bowl, but rather place it on a small plate or the saucer under the soup bowl. - Bread: if the bread needs to be cut, use the napkin to hold the loaf while you cut a piece. Place the bread and butter on your butter plate, break off a small bite-sized piece of the bread, and put a small amount of butter on it. - Always pass the salt and pepper together. - Packaging from sugar, cream, or cracker packets should be crumpled tightly and placed under the rim of your plate. Be prepared for a server to serve food from your left and drinks from your right. - When a toast is offered to you, do not drink to yourself. Smile politely instead.
- When dealing with all the utensils, the basic rule is to work from “outside to in” as the courses are delivered. The ones you need first will be on the outside. - The napkin goes on your lap (do it yourself unless the person who sat you wants to do it… creepy and fancy at the same time!). The napkin should go on your chair when you are temporarily excusing yourself from the table, and then be placed neatly to the left of your setting on the table when you are completely finished with the meal. - Don’t start eating until all guests have received their food (unless there are more than 8 people at a table in which case those on either side of you should have their food). If there is a host, it is traditional to wait for the host to begin before you do. - Food is to be removed from your mouth the same way it was introduced. So if you put an olive in your mouth with your fingers, then you can remove the pit with your fingers as well. If you used your fork to eat the olive… best of luck extracting the pit with it!
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- Tipping: 20% to a server (unless the service is bad), $1 per drink to a bartender, nothing to a maître D’ unless a special accommodation was made, 10% for take-out, and always tip on what the bill would have been before any gift cards or discounts. Poet and Playwright Oscar Wilde said “The world was my oyster but I used the wrong fork.” Certainly your life will likely go on as normal should you forget one of these rules, but there is something classy about doing it properly. Perhaps the best part is the joy you get judging the Neanderthals who don’t even know how to properly angle their utensils at the end of their meal. Embarrassing! (That was sarcasm for all you “I want to speak to the manager” types who might email me.). Bon Appétit.
Dr. Christian Brix Dr. Christian Brix is a writer, a gentleman, and a Chiropractor living in and loving Kelowna B.C. www.brixfamilychiropractic.com
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THE VALUE ADVICE by Jason Boudreau
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HE VALUE, ‘alpha’ or ‘gamma’, a solid financial strategist or planner provides to their clients is a challenging metric to measure and goes beyond pure investment returns.
At a high level, true financial advice is unique to each client, their ecosystem’s situation and objectives. More specifically, it means understanding their ecosystem and what it is capable of. Each ecosystem is complex, and a attaining a thorough understanding can transcend family dynamics, business operations, investment, succession, legal structures, risk management and estate planning and more.
Given that there are so many quantitative and qualitative aspects to the planner / client relationship, how do you quantify this value? Vanguard and Morningstar conducted studies on measuring the value advisors bring to clients.
a client may make improved financial decisions resulting in an increased retirement income. The client who worked with a professional experienced greater returns in the long run than the naïve investor.
VANGUARD’S ADVISOR ALPHA The US investment management firm Vanguard developed an Advisor Alpha concept in 2001 and estimate that Advisor Alpha is 3% per annum on a net basis (4% gross, less an assumed 1% fee). Vanguard’s objective is to shift the focus away from “traditional beat-the-market objectives” (i.e. traditional alpha) toward what they view as the “best practices of wealth management.” These best practices are separated into several categories that focus on tax efficiency, costs, risk management, and making good investment decisions / behavioural coaching.
2018 TAX GRIND Following the Federal government’s changes to tax rules in 2017 aimed at business owners and professionals, many individuals completing their tax returns for 2018 will be able to see their increased tax burden or ‘tax grind’. This tax grind reduces spending power, re-investment potential and longterm saving opportunities. Higher tax detrimentally affects long term wealth of individuals and nations. More work is needed to hit the same number than a year ago.
MORNINGSTAR’S GAMMA Morningstar created a similar study about the value of good decision making. Their research directly focused on how retirees can achieve higher income, which they call gamma. Morningstar left out issues like behavioral coaching and included other matters like dynamic retirement spending. Their paper focused on how a naïve investor might approach objectives and how an improved outcome could be achieved with the guidance of a professional. Working with an adviser,
LISTEN FOR VALUE Given the economic headwinds that could be on the horizon and the higher tax environment we are now operating in, it is now more important than ever to work with your team of advisors to maximum their Advisor Alpha for your benefit. New and shifting landscapes command elevated levels of sophistication, detail and robust financial planning to deal with. Talk to your advisors and listen to their advice. They want you to succeed. Jason Boudreau CFP, CLU Wealth Advisor Principal & Founder - VELA Wealth Management www.velawealth.com
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EXCLUSIVE VANCOUVER DREAM ESTATES
A RECENTELY COMPLETED LUXURY RESIDENCE IN WEST VANCOUVER’S MOST EXCLUSIVE BRITISH PROPERTIES
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- 1133 PALMERSTON AVENUE, WEST VANCOUVER -
Boasting spectacular south facing city and ocean views, this brilliantly designed modern masterpiece is a rare example of high performance construction with a sensational ambiance that will thrill your senses. The home offers 4,097 square feet of expansive living on three spacious levels and provides an exceptional indoor outdoor lifestyle like no other incorporating every modern amenity one could dream of with comfort, elegance and absolute sophistication. The home features a dazzling array of technical details and luxurious finishes including CONTROL 4 integrated lighting, security, music and air conditioning that sets the standard for an active and sophisticated lifestyle. Exceptional quality and construction and an impeccable choice of materials define this four-bedroom, five and one half bathroom luxury residence. Floor to ceiling windows and fold away glass doors bathe the home in natural light and create an ethereal, open feel with truly dramatic effect. Each principal living area boasts spectacular vistas of the city and ocean providing one of the most spectacular settings imaginable...
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The main entrance foyer features a glass elevator, floating staircase and illuminated onyx feature wall leading to entertainment size principal rooms all providing a dramatic and expansive open main level with 12 foot ceilings, beautiful porcelain floors and gorgeous feature fireplace. A custom designed ITALIAN kitchen is simple and clean with subtle refinements complete with all top grade professional appliances, entertainment size serving island and adjoining dining room. A fully applianced second daily service kitchen is conveniently positioned for daily use. A stunning Master Suite with private dressing room and luxurious bathroom creates the ultimate excess in your own oasis. There are three additional private bedroom suits ideally situated for family or guests. The lower level of the home has a sensational Las Vegas style entertainment room with a stunning illuminated Wet Bar, walk-in Wine Room and state of the art Home Theatre. A two car garage, adjoining studio and professionally landscaped grounds with stunning features complete this magnificent home.
MALCOLM HASMAN www.malcolmhasman.com
VANCOUVER’S TOP SELLING LUXURY AGENT Angell Hasman & Associates (Malcolm Hasman) Realty Ltd.
1555 Marine Drive, West Vancouver
604.290.1679
Built: Completed 2018 | Lot Size: 6,100 SQ FT (appr.) | Floor Size: 4,097 SQ FT | 4-5 Bedrooms | 5.5 Bathrooms
$5.498 MILLION
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LUXURY IN RICHMOND 8668 Foster Rd. Richmond Price: $3,888,000
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his stunning custom-made home has been built to the highest level of quality throughout. As you enter into the home through the impressive over sized walnut doors you are immediately struck by the grandness of the foyer and the soaring ceilings. This property also features a formal office and incredible living and dining rooms with a custom wine wall.
There are 3 additional large bedrooms upstairs all with walk in closets and every room has an ensuite. This masterpiece also features a spacious laundry room, lounge area and the amazing bonus of a sunny rooftop deck. A private backyard, a 3 car detached garage, AC, HRV, radiant heating and custom millwork throughout round out the amazing features of this home.
The gorgeous chef’s kitchen includes a full Miele appliance package which connects to the Wok Kitchen, family room, eating area and the heated outdoor patio. The main floor features the media room and 5th bedroom. The upstairs floor boasts an exquisite master bedroom, spa-like bath, private balcony and huge walk in closet.
This desirable property is located in a safe, quiet neighborhood on a cul-de-sac just minutes to Ferris Elementary and Richmond High School. Transit and shopping are all extremely close. No detail was over looked in the custom building of this incredible home.
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Having been born and raised in Richmond I am excited to share with you the natural beauty, inviting community and family friendly properties that make Richmond one of the world’s most desirable places to live. My personal attributes of hard work, integrity and honesty combined with my decade of experience as a global corporate executive have given me the right balance of core values and discerning business savvy. Having worked for a multi-billion dollar corporation, I am an expert in building products, engineering, testing and the construction industry. These skills enable me to accurately evaluate your property and shrewdly negotiate on your behalf. From Beijing to Dubai, I have traveled to all four corners of the world and carry with me a respect for all cultures and I appreciate the growing diversity within the Richmond community. Whether it is a family home, investment property, condominium, commercial project or a bare lot to build your dream home on, I would be honored to help guide you through this important process. Please feel free to call me at anytime.” Jesse@JesseDeanCook.com | +1-604-506-5174 | JesseDeanCook.com
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A NAUTICAL VILLA THE BESPOKE DOMINATOR ILUMEN 28M The Dominator Ilumen 28M is a revolutionary yacht in every sense of the word and a very different ship to anything currently offered on the market, thanks to the innovative technical features and state-of-the-art design methods used in its creation. Beauty, functionality and efficiency like no other yacht on 27.5 metres, with an interior as sophisticated and opulent as a luxurious villa; touch a switch in the sumptuous master suite and a retractable ceiling slides open to reveal panoramic 270-degree views on your private bow terrace. What sets Dominator apart from other marques is the ethos behind the creation of each and every one of its beautiful vessels – to produce a unique, bespoke masterpiece designed entirely to the taste and needs of her owner. Dominator achieves this thanks to its ability to bring industry-leading engineering and handcrafted elegance together in one 21st century yacht.
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“An Ilumen is not off the rack, but made-to-measure and the product of our on-going commitment to technological research and development,” says Angela Pernsteiner, CEO of Dominator Ilumen. “We collaborate with the best experts in their fields to ensure we are at the cutting edge of engineering and design, so that we can offer yachts that are powerful, thrilling, beautiful and safe beyond what has previously been seen in this segment of the market.” Apart from the necessary structural and regulatory considerations, the owner of a Dominator Ilumen has no limitations, as the cabin layout, interior design, décor details, propulsion system, performance parameters and personal cruising speed, fixtures and fittings can all be specified individually. You can even request to have some state-of-the-art toys in the tender garages, from e-bikes to wakeboards and Seadoos. www.dominatoryachts.com
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LUXURY REDEFINED The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
A CRUISE ON A LUXURY YACHT with the services of luxury travel - Welcome to The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection On October 9 Douglas Prothero — the Executive Director of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, and Timothy Grisius — Director of real estate Department of Marriott International, welcomed their guests at the Hijos De J. Barreras Shipyard in Vigo, Spain, to the launch of the hull of its inaugural yacht. In accordance with maritime tradition, at the launching ceremony the yacht slid stern-first down the slipway and touched the water for the first time. Which means that the yacht is now in the outfitting phase and one step closer to its anticipated inaugural sailing in 2020. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is the new yacht cruise brand from Ritz-Carlton Hotels. Luxury cruises aboard The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, which will be the first luxury hotel brand to venture into the world of cruising, will offer the finest bespoke travel at sea. “Our goal is to introduce the legendary Ritz-Carlton service to luxury yachting, while also redefining curated travel at sea,” says Lisa Holladay, Global Brand Leader for The Ritz-Carlton. “An increased demand in the luxury cruise space inspired us to capitalize on the niche market of small ship cruising, which we are excited to bring to our guests.” The group will oversee three yachts, each of which will be able to accommodate up to 298 passengers in 149 suites, each with its own private terrace. The yacht will also have two 1,700-square
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feet Owner’s Suites, with their own private whirlpools. The Yacht Collection is all-inclusive, with accommodations, onboard activities and entertainment, beverages, multiple dining venues, onboard gratuities, Wi-Fi and water sports from the yacht’s marina included in fares. Signature experiences available for an additional fee include a culinary experience at Aqua, the yacht’s signature restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Sven Elverfeld, spa treatments, and immersive excursions offered through The Shore Collection. Itineraries have been carefully designed with a yachting lifestyle in mind. Stopping at both intimate and signature destinations, most voyages range from 7-10 nights and no two itinerary routes will be alike. www.ritzcarltonyachtcollection.com
words by Oliver Finlay | photography by Dave Hamilton
F GREEN IELDS OF
AN INTERVIEW WITH MARCO IANNUZZI
IC: In ten words or less, who are you and what do you do? MI: Former pro-athlete, Harvard & MIT Alumnus, Chief of Sustainability & Community at Zenabis IC: Where are you from and what brought you to Vancouver? MI: I was born and raised in Calgary, living there until the end of high school. Then following a year in Edmonton and another in Hudson Ohio, I moved to college in Boston and lived there for 4 years. I was 1st round draft pick by the BC Lions on graduating and have been living here ever since. IC: What is it about Vancouver that has made such an impression that you were a one-team player and decided to stay here after you retired? MI: If I had to sum it up in one word, it would be “community�. We have felt such a sense of belonging, with our children at their school and all of the charities we support all across BC. This entire province has taken us in and supported my career as a pro but, more importantly, with all of the involvement in the community, it just feels like home. IC: What has been the proudest achievement of your playing career? MI: Longevity, specifically playing my entire 7 years and seeing out all 4 contracts with one organization. Even more specifically, that I am proud that I was able to retire on my own terms, with 1 year remaining on contract. I was able to take my helmet and lunch pail to work each day, do my job at the highest level, continually earning my spot each practice, each game, each season, until I was ready to stop. IC: You have had almost a year to settle into life after playing. What do you miss the most and what do you get up in the morning being most grateful for? MI: Sometimes I find myself waking up in the morning and getting to the top of the steps where I instinctively begin to lean heavily on the railing, only to realize that I have no need to lean on this railing as my body no longer feels like I was in a car accident every single day.
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I miss the feeling you get when you come out of the locker room, a couple hours before game time, and walk up and down the sidelines signing autographs for young fans, or bringing them onto the field to walk where the players get to play. Twenty-something years ago, I was them and I know what it feels like to be them. So to be the person to provide them with an experience that was so special to me growing up, was absolutely amazing. That said, the neat thing about retiring on your own terms, is that I don’t really have any regrets and I don’t really miss anything, for if I did, I would have played longer. The game of football gave me a lot in my life and I gave the game of football a lot of my life. When I retired, we were even but had I stayed longer, I believe the game would have come out on top. I sincerely enjoyed my time as a professional athlete as I truly got to live out my childhood dream. IC: Your university education reads as somewhat of a tour around Harvard’s various schools and departments (economics, engineering, architecture and environmental science). Was it your initial plan to get a rounded exposure to academic life to ground you in areas of interest for your working life (either in the case that you didn’t make a career out of football, or for once the playing days were to end), or did you just live in the moment and enrol for courses that seemed intriguing at the time? MI: The courses I took were actually carefully calculated and
planned. I started out an economics major with pre-med. The economics to gain business understanding and acumen, whilst the pre-med essentially allowed me to potentially fulfil my dream of becoming a researcher and one day to cure MS. About halfway through my degree I co-founded my first financial business and realized I didn’t need to continue my economics degree to make the business viable in the future. With all of the pre-med science background that I had amassed, I was able to quickly pivot from the economics department into the engineering, environmental science and architecture departments. The inspiration here was the smell of blueprints that I often associate with my childhood, as my father was a construction estimator and always brought work home. I remember asking him “this is awesome that you are estimating these drawings but who gets to make them?”. Thus, my passion for architecture began. Harvard actually did not have a major that was based in green architecture. I knew that I wanted my focus to be around sustainability and building practices combined but unfortunately, Harvard would only let me draw from the Faculty of Engineering and Environmental Sciences. I then petitioned the creation of my own special concentration which allowed me to cross-register at MIT to take architectural coursework and round out my Harvard degree in architecture and environmental science. IC: As someone that seems to have a focus on the “big picture”, what are your ambitions for
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product, so we can create events with no advertising but that promote free initiatives that support our purpose.
your post-playing career? Is there the interest to stay in football, either on the coaching staff or in an executive position? MI: My ambitions in my post-playing days is aligned with my purpose, which is to have an impact on society, through people and the environment. Right now I am working in a new industry that has a lot of unanswered questions and thus has a stigma around it, cannabis. My goal right now is to continue to spread word about how this, previously misunderstood and stereotyped, plant can and will bring future benefit and positive impact to tens of millions of people across the planet.
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industry. Here they were, 4 years ago, to build their first 25,000 square feet cannabis operation. Today, we have facilities that are 3.5 million square feet when fully operational; we are building research labs; we are building a facility in Malta; the government has invested $4.5 million and we are continuing to expand. We have successfully grown to over 400 staff to-date and still growing. At the beginning of 2019 we are executing an RTO (reverse take over), to go public…not because we need the capital but because we are the third biggest company in the industry and the only one still privately owned, so we feel we need to go public to demonstrate our transparency.
I had been working in finance but felt that the role wasn’t aligned with my purpose. When I spoke to the founders of Zenabis, I felt that the project would allow me to create an impact in the world and made the choice to change direction. Because of my mother’s battle with MS and my father-in-law also suffers from ankylosing spondylitis, there was also a personal interest in helping change the perception of cannabis, as I had seen how the plant could be used to treat these conditions. Since the law has permitted the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes, I have seen first hand, how it has dramatically changed each of their lives.
When I joined Zenabis, we were amidst our final months as a private company, but already growing at the rate of due to our successful private funding of $144m. I was then able to move into my current role as Chief of Sustainability and Community, which allows me to engage with the communities in which we operate, to create a positive impact. As a company, Zenabis is figuring out ways to create jobs, create new technologies, sharing facts about the industry, providing education and contribute to society. In Atholville, New Brunswick, we creating hundreds of jobs in the community, stimulating the economy, and working with first nations to build a strong future in the area.
Furthermore, I related to the entrepreneurial aspect of the business. Zenabis was founded by three partners, one with 30 years in the herb growing business, one with 30 years experience in propagation and one with 15 years experience in the pharmaceutical
It’s my job to share these experiences and successes through stories and show that not all activities are related to profits and losses but also inspiring communities. We are operating in one of the top five industries worldwide and there is no need to promote our
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Aside from the people in the communities, we also have a responsibility to care for the environment within which we work because the industry is resource thirsty, particularly when it comes to electricity and water consumption. So in my role, I get to drive technology that supports sustainable practices and often get around 5 to 10 requests each week to work with new tech ideas. For example, we will be using solar panels to generate power and have just developed a realtime electricity generation monitor. We are also looking into harvesting electricity through river tidal technology, that doesn’t harm the local ecology in the same way that traditional hydroelectric plants do. In Langley, we harvest 6080 million litres of water each year and as we use flood irrigation methods, any run off water is filtered, reprocessed and reused. Given the current legislation that prohibits recycling of plant waste off-site, we will be using micro guts that digest plant waste in urea solution, that allows us to fertilize our crops with our plant waste. IC: What was your first business venture? And how old were you at the time you started it? MI: I love the concept of starting something, figuring it out, optimizing it and succeeding in it - and of course failing along the way. I have been fortunate to start over a half dozen companies dating all the way back to when I was 12 years old, in sectors as diverse as technology, e-commerce, finance, green architecture, nutrition and green-consulting. I was in 5th grade when I started my first venture, and my life was football, football, football, until I broke my leg. It was at that moment that one of my very first childhood memories, the day that I learned of my mother’s MS, came to mind. That day she told me that “sometimes your body doesn’t allow you to do the things that you want it to do, so you have to make sure that you train your mind just as well”. Stuck in a cast for the next 10 weeks, I gathered some books on how to fix computers and then printed off 500 flyers, which my younger brother
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delivered around our community. Before I knew it, people were dropping off their computer towers to our door and my ten-year-old brother would tell them that we’d call when they were ready for collection. He’d bring them to me in the basement, where I was essentially a human virus scanner, prior to the time when virus scanners were so readily available. A few hours later, they’d come to collect them, he’d take the $50, from which I would give him his $10 cut.
Dolphins, the Boston Red Sox, Bruins, Canadians, the list goes on. What was most important about his teachings, was that you had to prepare for the game and everything that came with it mentally because the best athletes in the world are the best because of their mental toughness. Throughout my career since retirement, I have kept in contact with Dr Frank and brought many of these issues and resources to our Players’ Association.
We were, without a doubt, the best 10 and 12 year old businessmen on the street.
In addition to this I have been an outspoken ambassador with many mental health organizations nationwide. Finally, with my new role as Chief of Corporate Social Responsibility at Zenabis, I am in conversations with the CFL, as well as many other professional leagues, regarding the benefits of utilizing and researching the use of legal cannabis to aid in the treatment, recovery and prevention of mental illness associated with repeated head trauma and other injuries sustained while playing professional sport.
IC: And from a philanthropic perspective, which charities are you working with? MI: I work with many many charities but I can say that it all started with my desire to cure MS, given that my mother has lived with MS for as long as I can remember. When we won the Grey Cup in 2011, I brought the cup back to Calgary where I brought it to my old high, junior high and elementary schools, as well as the local youth prison and finally to the base of the Calgary Tower. I invited my friends, family and the public to climb all 802 steps of the Calgary Tower, whilst carrying the Grey Cup, with everyone carrying the cup for at least a few steps, as we shared in raising money for the Branch Out Neurological Foundation https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=0aNiUGNzf6I. IC: There is finally a spotlight being shone on the issues of mental health in sport, with a recent study of British athletes finding that over 50% of professional athletes have struggled with issues such as anxiety, depression, addiction and esteem upon retiring. How is your sport addressing these issues and supporting their former players and how are you able to support these issues through your role at Zenabis? MI: This issue is serious. Very serious. During my career I had access to the great Dr. Frank Lodato, who was the guy who essentially invented sports psychology. When I met Dr. Frank, he was 87 years old - I’ll always remember that because that was my jersey number. Dr. Frank had worked with at least one team in every sport on the planet including the undefeated Miami
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IC: Are there any other athletes turned business people that inspire you? MI: Even as a child, I have never looked up to one specific athlete, as I felt it would always limit my ceiling. I loved Barry Sanders for his agility and loved Deion Sanders for his straight speed, so I thought I’d try to emulate each for their best attribute…them along with another dozen athletes. My position is no different now that I am in the business world, I look at the successes of my peers and try to best incorporate these characteristics in my daily thoughts and dealings. Innovation is key to me and this is something that cannot be stolen from anyone else but has to be harvested from within. IC: Who are your mentors? MI: The mentors in my life have always been within arm’s reach and who went on to achieve something. For instance, there were a number of guys who played at my high school before I did and who went on to play professional football, I looked up to them. And not just in athletics - one of them did his PhD while playing pro ball, another started his, now very successful, franchise business while playing. I always look to people who were very well-rounded, remembering what my mother told me about training my mind as well as my body.
IC: What 3 words would your closest friends use to describe you? MI: Driven, genuine, problem-solver. IC: Thanks for your honest and insightful answers, Marco. Now, all that is left, is for you to answer Iconic Concierge’s ‘Completely Unrelated, but Nevertheless Entertaining Standard 10 Questions’… Are you ready? MI: Sure!!! IC: You lose everything you own. How do you rise like a phoenix from the ashes? MI: I once studied jet powered propulsion at Harvard. Do I look like a rocket scientist to you? My point is this is that, there is no magical device, like a flux capacitor, in a spaceship. Rather it is a bunch of screws, bolts, plates and materials, all coming together to make something so special that it can go into space. Rocket science is nothing more than a bunch of regular science and math theories that the majority of people from developed nations already know. The art of creating something special starts with the smallest of pieces combining with another, and so on and so forth. So how would I rise? Simple, one piece at a time. IC: We finish this interview and as you step outside, you find a lottery ticket that ends up winning you $20 million. What do you do? MI: The first thing that comes to mind is, ‘who can I help and how can I help them?’. But not in a handout fashion. How can I implement various programs, projects and initiatives to empower people to provide better for themselves and those whom they care about. IC: You can invite 5 people for a dinner party…and the guest list isn’t restricted by the confines of time and mortality. Who joins you for dinner and why? MI: Galileo, Albert Einstein, Elon Musk, the Dalai Lama and Michael Jordan. Each has had a monumental impact on the world in which they they lived and upon the generations that followed.
IC: What was your first car, what do you drive now and what is your dream car?
MI: That would be cheating - the journey of being 16 is the journey of being 16.
MI: My first drive was a 1987 Jimmy, which looks similar to the notorious OJ Simpson Bronco, basically zero aerodynamics and a box on wheels but the first car I bought was a 1992 Acura Integra. I learned to install a stereo, all new electronics, an air intake, an exhaust system as well as a number of other mechanical and body work mods. I then sold these services to my friends during High School to help them fix up their cars.
IC: Who would play you in a movie about your life?
Currently I drive a 100% electric economy car - very utilitarian. Nowadays, I believe that any two car household should have at least one that is 100% electric. My $250 monthly gas bill is now only a $30 electricity bill and it’s a cool feeling to know that our 10 year old daughter will never have to drive a gas powered car in her entire life. IC: What one piece of advice would you give to your 16 year old self?
MI: Matt Damon. Partly because he demonstrates a sophistication of knowledge, as well as physical strength, but also partly because we actually lived in the same freshman dorm room at Harvard. And I swear that his initials were etched into the window frame of my personal room! IC: Where is your favourite travel destination and why? MI: Because my wife and I had our children quite young, we’ve not had much time to travel the world, so at this time my favourite travel destination is anywhere we all go because it is all new, fun and exciting for us.
not, because I your mother and I never named any of our children ‘Hungry’!”. IC: Where is your favourite Vancouver restaurant? MI: We are big fans of any of the restaurants in the Glowbal and Joseph Richards groups and, of course, our local sushi shop. IC: Complete the sentence: “Vancouver is a great place for entrepreneurs in 2019, because…” MI: …there are many minds, originating from all around the world, coming together to create a very vibrant and thoughtful community. The wealth of experience in both business and life come together to impact not only on BC, Canada but also the world. IC: Thank you, Marco!
IC: Tell me your favourite joke… MI: Every time our children say “I’m hungry”, my response is, “No, you’re
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GLOBAL SPIRITS FESTIVAL On November 3rd, 2018, the doors opened for the first and long anticipated annual Global Spirits Festival, presented by Luxury Alliance Group. Announced as “A salute to luxury spirits and cocktails from around the globe, showcasing a curated selection of the finest imported spirits for both tasting and sale, marketed to those consumers that have a desire and propensity to buy, collect and consume luxury spirits”, the event did not disappoint! 30 booths transformed the Lamborghini Vancouver dealership into a showcase of luxury from some of the finest spirits in the world, to bespoke fashion with the world-premiere of one of the most exclusive pens in the world. “Cheers” was the word of the night, with brands like Dalmore, The Glenlivet, D1 London, Bruichladdich, Martell, Belvedere, Hennessy, Remy Martin, and Jiang Xiao Bai showcasing their very best. Visitor sampled and purchased some of the finest spirits in the market. Complementing the tasting experience, the chefs at Hawksworth created some delicious hors d’oeuvres, accompanied by a selection of cheeses from Les amis du fromages along with Lesley Stowe raincoast crisps, D’oro Gelato for dessert and Caffè Umbria espresso. “We are extremely happy with how this first event turned out, we knew people were looking for an event like this, and with what we see and hear tonight, we look forward to second Global Spirits Festival next year” said producers Craig Stowe and Nadia Iadisernia of Luxury Alliance Group. To find out more about Global Spirits Festival, visit www.globalspiritsfestival.com. Also, mark your calendar - the 2nd annual Global Spirits Festival will be held on Friday, November 1st, 2019.
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Perfectly Paired Chocolates & Spirits ... A Match Made in Heaven!
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words: Keith Trusler photography: Tracey Kusiewicz/Foodie Photography
The idea of pairing food and drink isn’t new, and we rightly go directly to wine when it comes to some of our favourite main courses. But if the Grand Cru Bordeaux that paired beautifully with that perfectly-crusted ribeye is the Aria, then dessert is the swan song - and it should be treated as an act unto itself. Most restaurants will offer ice wine and port pairings on their dessert lists, but when it comes to chocolate, nothing can compare to the transcendent experience of enjoying it with a luxury spirit. Whether from France, the UK or Latin America, the complexity of luxury spirits aged and blended by a master is perfectly suited to complement the intricacies and pleasures created by a world class chocolatier.
The process of finding a perfect pairing is more experimental art than science; one can go as deep into the subtle nuances as one chooses, but a great place to start is by simply matching the level of sweetness of the chocolate to the sweetness of the base spirit. The source of the barrels used has an impact; American oak barrels influence spirits differently than their French oak counterparts. One can then take it a step further by investigating the flavours of cuisines from different cultures and how they complement the spirits those cultures produce. Tasting notes can be helpful in the process as well; simply refer-
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ence the scents and flavors you know and enjoy together. The most important lesson here is that we all have our own palates, and it will ultimately come down to personal preferences; the suggestions on the next few pages are simply meant to inspire. For this article we have chosen four beautiful expressions of spirits from four countries and paired them with four of Vancouver’s most celebrated Chocolatiers. The results should speak for themselves, but I highly recommend doing your own research!
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THE SCIENCE OF GLASSWARE The choice of which glass to go with which spirit is an important one, for scientific reasons as well as aesthetic ones. If you choose well, the glass you pour your guests’ spirits into can help maximise the aromas and body of the drink so that you get the best out of its flavours. For our spirits, we highly recommend the following glasses: 1. Spiegelau Profi Tasting: This wine tasting glass is versatile enough to use for aged spirits or even sipping your favorite craft beer. 2. Spiegelau Whisky Snifter: My favorite spirit glass, the whisky snifter is perfect for the nosing and tasting any aged spirit. 3. Digestif/ Liqueur glass: This little vintage number is a perfect sipper for a variety of after dinner drinks from tequila to chartreuse or grappa. 4. Waterford Double Old Fashioned: Waterford’s beautiful tumblers are perfect for any whisky lover and double as cocktail glasses.
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Established in 1824, George Smith’s Glenlivet has become a global icon. The 18-year-old expression is widely regarded as one of the finest whiskies Scotland has ever produced. Showcasing the perfect balance of Exbourbon barrels and Oloroso sherry casks, The Glenlivet 18 is the perfect after dinner dram especially when paired with a dark chocolate dessert. Thomas Haas’s 67.9% dark chocolate with hints of orange cinnamon and caramelized hazelnuts is the very definition of a perfect pairing for this whisky.
BAK 69.7% Dark Chocolate Cake with hints of orange, cinnamon and crispy hazelnut wafers. Thomas Haas new “Blak” truffle cubes. 70% cocoa. Smooth & silky.
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Chocolate Marquise with hazelnut daquoise and salted caramel
The Flagship expression from France’s oldest Cognac house, Cordon Bleu XO owes its distinct profile largely to three characteristics. Martell is the only Cognac house to exclusively distill clear wines, creating a delicate eau-devie. The grapes are sourced from the Borderies region, a terroir that gives a distinctly nutty flavor and finally the eau-de-vie is aged in oak casks sourced from the Tronçais forest which impart a subtle spice and sweetness. Blended from over 150 eau-de-vies, Cordon Bleu XO is a remarkable cognac to pair with chocolate. Thierry Busset’s cognac truffles or the decadent Chocolate Marquise with hazelnut daquoise and salted caramel are perfect!
Cognac truffles
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THOMAS HAAS Fine Chocolates & Patisserie
THIERRY Chocolates
A fourth-generation pâtissier, Thomas Haas was first introduced to the delicate art of hand-crafting chocolates and pastries in his parents’ “Cafe Konditorei Haas” in the Black Forest region of Germany. Thomas continued his family’s long-standing tradition, apprenticing and working with top chefs in Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe, earning his stripes as Master Pastry Chef.
Born in Auvergne, maitre artisan Chocolatier and Patissier Chef Thierry Busset honed his craft at the hands of the masters, including notable chocolatier Bernard Sicard in Auvergne and later at Pilati Patisserie in the Loire Valley. He was pastry chef to a trio of three-star Michelin restaurants in London: Le Gavroche, The Restaurant Marco Pierre White, and The Oak Room. A lasting legend in many European pastry kitchens, his former colleague Chef Gordon Ramsay called him “one of the finest pastry chefs in the world.”
In 1995, Thomas came to Vancouver to take the role of Executive Pastry Chef at the Four Seasons Hotel. He placed twice in the top-3 in the prestigious annual North American Pastry Chef of the Year competition in New York City and in 1998 moved to The Big Apple, where he helped famed restaurateur and chef Daniel Boulud launch his flagship eatery, Daniel. During this time Thomas was named one of the Top Ten Pastry Chefs in America by Chocolatier and Pastry Art and Design magazine. In 2001, Thomas returned to Vancouver to fulfill his dream. With his wife Lisa, he opened “Thomas Haas Chocolates & Patisserie” in North Vancouver, followed by a second location in Kitsilano in 2009. Thomas was named Vancouver’s best pastry chef & patisserie 16 times over the last 18 years. 998 Harbourside Dr, North Vancouver 2539 W Broadway, Vancouver www.thomashaas.com Instagram: @thaaschocolates
1059 Alberni St, Vancouver www.thierrychocolates.com Instagram: @thierrychocolat
CHOCOLATE ARTS
CADEAUX BAKERY
Greg Hook is the owner and head chocolatier at Chocolate Arts. He started his career studying cooking in London, England, and the secrets of chocolate at Belgium’s Callebaut College and the Ecole du Grand Chocolat in France. He started his business in 1989 and opened the original store in 1989 in Kitsilano, creating unique chocolate products using local, organically grown ingredients and the best raw chocolate from producers in Belgium and France.
Eleanor Waterfall brings over 18 years of pastry/baking experience, having worked as executive pastry chef in some of Vancouver’s top restaurants including Lumiere, Blue Water Cafe and Raw Bar, and Chambar Belgian Restaurant. Prior to opening Cadeaux, Eleanor ran the pastry programs at Chambar Belgian Restaurant, Medina Cafe, and the Dirty Apron Cooking School.
In 2012, Greg moved into a bigger location and added a café, where we can enjoy sandwiches, his famous pastry, or a fresh salad. Another milestone was reached in 2014, when Greg visited the Or Noir laboratory and became the first artisan chocolatier in Canada to visit and blend his own signature chocolate. Consequently, Chocolate Arts released Allure, a signature chocolate created in collaboration with renowned French chocolate house Cacao Barry, blending Mexican, Dominican, and Peruvian cocoa beans that are low in tannins and high in red fruit flavours.
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Upon moving to Vancouver, Chef Thierry led the pastry programs at two of Thierry Cafe’s sister venues, CinCin Ristorante + Bar and West Restaurant + Bar, with an innovative approach to desserts, chocolates, and breads. “Widely regarded as one of North America’s finest pastry chefs”, Chef Thierry focused the experience he gained from his multiple award-winning successes with Toptable Group to open Thierry Cafe where he shares his dream of showcasing art through the science of patisserie.
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Eleanor opened Cadeaux Bakery in 2012 and has created an open concept kitchen where patrons can view pastries and desserts being created right in front of their eyes. Cadeaux takes pride in providing high quality baked goods, desserts and frozen treats made with natural and locally sourced ingredients. Products are seasonal and created on premise with no additives or preservatives. Custom celebration cakes, dessert catering, wholesale, restaurant consulting and full pastry programs are also offered by Eleanor and her team.
1620 W 3rd Ave, Vancouver www.chocolatearts.com
172 Powell Street, Vancouver www.cadeauxbakery.com
Instagram: @ chocolateartsvancouver
Instagram: @cadeauxbakery
CELEBRATING AN UNPARALLELED
10 YEARS (2009-2019)
Tours • Tastings • Restaurant • Events • Private Dining OPEN YEAR ROUND
1710 Terrace View Road, Lake Country | 250-766-3408 | 50thparallel.com |
A superb Single Estate Venezuelan rum aged using the solera method. The rums in the blend are aged up to 35 years, resulting in a smooth, complex yet balanced spirit that is perfect for sipping and pairs beautifully with dark chocolate. We paired up with Eleanor Waterfall, owner of Cadeaux Bakery who created this beautiful bittersweet chocolate torte with golden chocolate rocher and organic Okanagan plum puree. A perfect pairing indeed!
Bittersweet chocolate torte with golden chocolate crisp,organic Okanagan plum puree
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Latte Truffle - Made with Amore milk chocolate, espresso, and cream, it straddles the line between milk and dark chocolate. Himalayan Salt Wafer - Salt and Tequila - this thin wafer creates a very smooth mouth feel when paired with this tequila. Kalamansi Caramel - Kalamansi is a citrus fruit from the Philippines, with a very similar taste to a lime. The buttery caramel cuts the acidity of the Kalamansi citrus and the alcohol.
Added in the summer of 2006, Tequila Extra Anejo is the newest designation for ultra-aged tequilas spending more than three years in barrels. This extra time imparts incredibly rich notes of vanilla and spiced nuttiness that rivals any category of spirit in its complexity. Chocolate Arts owner Greg Hook paired three amazing creations focusing on the creamy texture of milk chocolate and three beautiful compliments to tequila, espresso, salt and citrus. A truly decadent experience for any chocolate and tequila lover. ICONIC CONCIERGE
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business
women
sevan
of
VANCOUVER
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agopian
words by Amanda Wood | photography by Todd Duncan
Sevan Agopian was born with business and leadership in her blood. She is a resilient businesswoman running the incredibly successful marketing and communications department where she oversees the watch advertising and international e-commerce projects for Lugaro Jewellers. She graduated with honors from York University and was determined to strike out on her own path following her passion for branding, digital marketing and media. Having been born into the strong business savvy family responsible for creating Lugaro Jewellers, Sevan learned from a young age that success comes to those who put in the hard work, learn from their experiences and work their way up the ladder. As young as five years old, Sevan remembers not going home after school, but instead to the head office where her father would have her pass the time by matching stones. Her first official job was gift wrapping in the store and these “after school activities” gave her a great appre-
ciation for all the hard work her parents were putting into the business to make it a success. Since most family dinners typically turned into work meetings Sevan has been immersed in the business world since she could first walk and talk. Moving to Toronto was both thrilling and terrifying since she had no connections or family there, but she welcomed the challenge, as she was excited to step out on her own. For Sevan, it was all about taking risks and saying yes to opportunities as they were thrown at her. Seeking any opportunity for experience she could find, Sevan applied to intern with the ANCA Leo Sarkissian internship program in Washington DC. This position is very prestigious as they only accept one Canadian intern a year. Policy and Armenian issues in North America has been a long-time passion of hers and this experience was one of the best she’s ever had. She quickly grew a deep respect for her co-workers in the DC office as she learned the importance of public relations in the world of politics. It turned out to be a very organic fit for her. Sevan has
taken the resources and skills that she garnished during that summer of 2014 and applies them daily through her work with Lugaro. The next big break out moment on Sevans path to success was when she met with a young man named Jacob Porpossian at a downtown Toronto Starbucks coffee shop. Jacob worked for FleishmanHillard, a global PR & digital marketing agency focused on crisis communications, brand marketing and organic social media aimed at maintaining a positive image for their clients. After offering him her resume to look over in hopes of securing a position, he gave her the task of creating the most creative resume she could think of. “Sky’s the limit,” he said. So with that challenge in front of her she set out to create a resume out of a cereal box while on her flight back to Vancouver. Upon receiving her new and creatively improved resume, Jacob was so impressed with what she’d created that she immediately landed the opportunity to work at one the world’s largest international marketing communications firms in the heart of downtown Toronto. This opportunity
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Lugaro’s success with Alibaba and live streaming to the Chinese market was a national breakthrough and is an ongoing “challenge” like everything in business. meant the world to her and really cemented the fact that she was indeed on the right path. Working alongside Porpossian for nine months was where Sevan found her passion blossom for the ever-growing field of marketing. Seeing her mentor’s enthusiasm and love for what he created was so inspiring. She also admired Jacob’s work ethic and ambition. At a relatively young age he already managed a whole new category for the company and Sevan felt so grateful to get to work alongside him, one of the very best people in the industry. With all of these new skills and inspiration brimming to the surface, Sevan decided to move back to Vancouver and put all of her ideas and drive into the family business. Her love for her family was at the core of this decision. She was determined to make a true impact in the business world with all of her fantastic ideas and disciplined work ethic. Sevan’s parents very much inspired her love for business and she enjoys leading her own team today and has branched into her own projects. Most notable is Sevan’s passion for international e-commerce and her role and relationship with Rolex. She personally handles how Rolex is presented according to their intended brand guidelines and ensures that her team is at the forefront of the latest marketing initiatives. Something Sevan is particularly proud of is when she launched Lugaro’s initiative to work in partnership with Alibaba by live streaming directly to consumers in China. She’s also developed a relationship with Taobao which is a Chinese online shopping website, headquartered in Hangzhou, and owned by Alibaba. It is the
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world’s largest e-commerce website, as well as the eighth most visited website in the world. E-commerce was a brand new venture for Lugaro, one that Sevan gladly took up. Sevan recognized the demand for Canadian-made products, and she used her love of all things digital and online to turn that demand into a flourishing new category of business for Lugaro. “To me, this is what I’m most passionate about. How the industry is changing, being part of the digital era, capturing it and running with it.” Lugaro’s success with Alibaba and live streaming to the Chinese market was a national breakthrough and is an ongoing “challenge” like everything in business, Sevan says. “It’s about taking a risk and propelling it into something big.” Justin Trudeau highlighted Lugaro at the Gateway 2017 conference in Toronto in front of over ten thousand people, politicians and Jack Ma (creator of Alibaba) during his introductory speech. Sevan said, “I distinctly remember how Justin Trudeau spoke about Lugaro selling three hundred pieces of Canadian diamond jewellery to Chinese customers in less than a couple hours. It was a pivotal moment for me in my professional career and I am so proud of my team for that. It was eye-opening for us at the time, and today we are taking it a step further by launching Lugaro in China with certified Canadian diamond jewellery as well as opening a YVR Dufry store.” It will be the very first Canadian diamond boutique with Dufry worldwide. They are aiming to open sometime later this year in the international departures lounge and it will allow tourists to take home a part of Canada with authentic Canadian diamond jewellery. In her down time, Sevan is deeply involved in the Vancouver Armenian Community. She volunteers every Sunday with the juniors of the Armenian Youth Federation in their community centre in Richmond. Sevan shared with me, “I coach about 50 kids ages seven to fourteen about Armenian history, politics, music, language, art and current situations happening in our country today. For newcomers, we ensure that the youth pursue education and help them properly integrate into society at large. I grew up really involved in our community and volunteered in our homeland. Even though these kids are all part of the diaspora Armenian community, it’s important for them to remember their culture, heritage and be aware of what’s happening around the world. I’m out in Richmond with them every Sunday teaching them something new!”
Along with her family in partnership with Lugaro Jewellers, Sevan and her Armenian community created the largest private sponsorship group of refugees from Syria. They pledged that not a single refugee that they brought over would receive any kind of government assistance. That pledge meant that more than two hundred families were able to come to Canada and have since proven to be exemplary citizens and have become part of the Canadian mosaic. Lugaro hired six people from this group and have helped to ensure that they are properly adapting to the Canadian work force. Sevan and Lugaro Jewellers are extremely busy as they are very dedicated to the luxury market. Along with being the only Rolex dealer on the North Shore and Victoria, Sevan is directly responsible for their website, which was selected early last year to be the primary Canadian Rolex compliant website, one of only ten in the world. Sevan coordinated with Rolex to relaunch the entire Lugaro website, this time with an emphasis on mobile users. Sevan certainly has a bright future, and Lugaro is in good hands with her and her brother George working hard on the company’s future. Sevan’s creative marketing, winning partnership strategies, natural business acumen, and dedication to the Greater Vancouver business community will only help her shine even brighter in the ever-changing landscape of Canadian business.
LOCAL LUXURY The Story of Lugaro
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LUGARO’S 35 YEARS as a Vancouver-based jewellery company are an intergenerational case study in the business value of innovation, philanthropy, and passion. Lugaro founder Steve Agopian has always had a fascination with Swiss watches. “I have a background in marketing and accounting,” he says. “I was writing my papers at university about the watch industry, and about how a small country like Switzerland was able to dominate an industry for 500 years through sheer ingenuity. My professor ended up sending that paper to a company in Montreal, and they asked me to represent them after graduation.” Agopian immigrated to Canada from Lebanon in 1976, shortly after the start of the Lebanese Civil War. He took up a position as a traveling sales representative, going to jewellery stores and promoting Baume & Mercier watches to retail stores. At the same time, he started receiving inquiries about diamonds. Agopian’s grandfather had friends in the Belgian diamond business, so Agopian arranged diamond sales without taking a commission. As word got around about his diamond operation, he decided to become a diamond wholesaler, and he forged ties with local workshops in the cottage industry that is fine diamond jewellery. “We started the retail component in 1986, and we named it Lugaro. That same year I got married, and I took my wife into the business with me so she could handle the retail side. At one point we had nine stores in BC – a combination of watch and jewellery stores. I sold some of them to friends, and we kept the
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three stores we currently operate in West Vancouver, Burnaby, and Victoria.” Lugaro was still maintaining its wholesaling operation all throughout this time period, and now ships to over 200 stores across North America. The business recently expanded its exports and began selling diamonds in China through Alibaba live streaming, for which the Agopian family received recognition from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2017 as one of several Canadian companies that are exporting Canadian products to China. For the Agopian family, though, Lugaro is a labour of love in every way. Jewellery is all about positive and loving relationships, Agopian says, and that’s why Lugaro and the Agopian family partner on charity initiatives with the Canadian Cancer Society, Forum for Woman Entrepreneurs, Pacific Family Autism Foundation, the Kidney Foundation of Canada, the Armenian Relief Society, and the Sovereign Order of Saint John. Agopian says that luxury is a mindset, not a price point, and Lugaro’s idea of luxury is about more than just creating expensive products. “Luxury involves time, finesse, and class. It’s about being considerate. That’s why at the store level we serve the same kind of Armenian cognac that Winston Churchill loved. We have Oolong tea for the tea lovers, as well as fine French wine, and Blue Label Scotch. Luxury is comfort. It’s peace. It’s about being somewhere comfortable and quiet when you’re celebrating the important moments in your life.”
While this philosophy of luxury is one that Lugaro has been practising for decades, the next generation of the Agopian family is applying it in a futuristic, tech-savvy way. Steve’s daughter Sevan, overseas the marketing efforts with various watch companies and recently redeveloped Lugaro’s website with her team. The new site, she says, creates a more modern, informative, and elegant experience for buyers: “We’re hoping to launch new localized sites for China and Hong Kong as well, once we get a full translation. We also added a Rolex feature and upgraded to a newer user experience.” But the website is just the beginning. Sevan and the Agopian family are also leveraging new technologies at the retail store level to revolutionize the way watches and jewellery are sold in-person. The Lugaro retail store in Burnaby, for instance, now features a three-dimensional hologram projector operated via touch-screen that allows clients to view 3D digital representations of the store’s inventory. While the technology may change, though, the ethos has remained the same. “At one point we did have 3 generations of Agopians working here,” Sevan says. “My father started this business, and he’s very passionate about the design and manufacturing aspect. My brother George has always loved watches – when we were children, he’d play with a watch more than he’d play with his toys. Clara knows the retail side really well, and she knows how to make moments
special. And my grandfather used to do the accounting before he passed away.” There’s a certain elegance in the simplicity of tradition, and at Lugaro, that means creating authentic handmade jewellery and watches that tell a story without resorting to garishness. “You won’t find complicated jewellery here,” Steve says. “About 99 percent of everything we make is designed to hold its value for generations. The center stone tells the story and creates a value that lasts. It’s all handmade, and it’s all authentic.” Steve takes pride in Lugaro’s status as a local Vancouver jeweller, and he’s pleased to see that the Vancouver luxury jewellery market has come into its own in the last decade. Fine products are now well-received in the market, he says, and he’s been privileged to witness that transformation up close over the course of Lugaro’s 35 years in business. Lugaro is a vertically integrated jewellery business with an in-house manufacturing studio based in West Vancouver. Vertical integration means that Lugaro can customize any style or model to the buyer’s specifications. Most Lugaro models can be created in 18K, 14K, or 10K gold, with the option of rose, yellow, platinum, or white gold, and any diamond quality. “About 90 percent of our jewellery is designed and manufactured right here in West Vancouver,” Steve says. “According to the Globe & Mail, we were the first company to fully commit to Canadian diamonds.” All of Lugaro’s models are created in-
house, from initial design to wax modelling to manufacturing to photography and more. By controlling every phase of the diamond and jewellery development process, Lugaro is able to pass savings on to consumers. This attention to detail is a reflection of Lugaro’s commitment to customer relationships and to creating exceptional pieces that celebrate life’s most important moments. Says Steve: “Most of our staff are gemologists who have been with us for 10 years or more. Our employees are part of our family. And we don’t treat jewellery purchases like transaction, we treat them as relationships. When married couples come to us for 10th anniversary gifts, they’ll see the same specialist who sold them their engagement ring. It’s about relationships.” Lugaro is now working on a variety of initiatives to enhance its line of offerings and create a better buyer experience, with at least one patent currently pending for a new kind of diamond setting. All of Lugaro’s diamonds are sourced from Canadian diamond mines and, as per the Canadian Diamond Code of Conduct, are inscribed with the location of the mine, the method of mining, and the original size of the source rock. It’s all part of what Lugaro views as an authentic and meaningful approach to luxury jewellery. 996 PARK ROYAL SOUTH | WEST VANCOUVER 4700 KINGSWAY, SUITE 1130 | BURNABY 1102 GOVERNMENT ST. | VICTORIA
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alent ine’sDay!
EVERY DAY IS
Gentlemen, please do not fight us on this! Especially not when your loved one is around... No doubt - if you need a reminder that there is ‘a special day’ coming up, a day when you cherish your partner, a day filled with romance and love, a day you buy flowers, tell your partner how much you love her or him ... if you need big posters at a store, TV and social media campaigns and a reminder in your phone ... then there is clearly something wrong in your relationship! Gentlemen, every day is Valentine’s Day! Surprise your partner with something special when they least expect it. But yes, better have something for Valentine’s Day, too!
ENCHANTED LOTUS BANDS A vibrant tribute to the serene beauty of the lotus flower blends the De Beers signature micropavé diamond petal motif with18K gold, Mother-of-Pearl and gemstones. At the centre of each motif, the natural purity of the lotus flower is mirrored by peerless round brilliant diamonds. Approx. 1.29 carats.
BIG BANG ONE CLICK SAPPHIRE DIAMONDS It is the latest, transparent model in the Big Bang One Click collection and is available in three colours – neutral, pink or blue. The watch is 39mm wide and features a bezel covered with 42 brilliant-cut diamonds.
BIG BANG ONE CLICK KING GOLD WHITE DIAMONDS The case of this beautiful 39mm watch is made of 18K King gold and boasts an 18K King gold bezel set with 42 diamonds that amount to 1.00 carat.
DEWDROP BANGLE Inspired by fresh drops of dew that adorn natural foliage at the dawn of a new day, the De Beers Dewdrop collection celebrates new beginnings and exciting possibilities with sparkling round brilliant diamonds. 18K yellow gold. 1.85 carats.
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PARK ROYAL SOUTH METROPOLIS AT METROTOWN DOWNTOWN VICTORIA
LUGARO.COM
EMERALD AND DIAMOND DANGLE EARRINGS 18K white and yellow gold emerald and diamond drop earrings featuring two 1.82 carat total weight oval cut emeralds, accented by 2.40 carat total weight diamonds. One of a kind classic emerald earrings.
Valent ine’s Day
SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND PENDANT Inspired by the architecture of UBC’s Museum of Anthropology, this pendant features a 5.24 ct blue Sri Lanka sapphire as its centerpiece, surrounded by GIA diamonds. Designed in-house by Lugaro’s gemologist team. Unique Lugaro gemstone pendant..
LUGARO ‘DIAMOND HUG’ COLLECTION 18k rose gold diamond bangle in a patent pending Lugaro exclusive setting with a no-claw tension featuring a 0.26 carat round brilliant cut Canadian diamond, accented by 0.31 carat total weight round brilliant cut diamonds. Includes Canadian diamond certificate.
DIAMOND RINGS 18K white gold engagement ring featuring a 10.03 carat cushion cut diamond, accented by 3.08 carat total weight emerald cut diamonds. YELLOW DIAMOND: 18K white gold engagement ring featuring a 5.14 carat cushion cut GIA diamond, accented by 3.08 carat total weight emerald cut diamonds.
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HAPPY HEARTS PENDANT The Happy Hearts line embraces the heart as a symbolic motif of the Happy Diamonds collection, interpreting it with playful creativity. This timeless pendant in 18-carat rose gold features a large diamond-set heart suspended from a smaller heart housing one of Chopard’s celebrated moving diamonds, in a sparkling celebration of love.
HAPPY HEARTS PENDANT EARRINGS These timeless pendant earrings in 18-carat rose gold feature natural mother-of-pearl in the form of elegant hearts suspended from smaller hearts housing one of Chopard’s celebrated moving diamonds, in a sparkling celebration of love.
s Valentine’Day!
HAPPY HEARTS BANGLE The bangles of the Happy Hearts collection represent the precious expression of the moment of happiness. These Happy Hearts bangles are a modern-day talisman, a symbol of love and joie de vivre for women.
HAPPY DREAMS This stunning timepiece was created to mark the 40th anniversary of the Happy Diamonds collection, originally inspired by the myriad sparkling droplets of a waterfall. The 36 mm, 18-carat rose gold case, diamond-set bezel, satin strap, cloud-like white mother-of-pearl dial and dancing prong-set diamonds all combine to evoke a soft, otherworldly landscape where dreams shift, shimmer and swirl in the light.
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HAPPY HEARTS RING This Happy Hearts ring in 18-carat rose gold is a precious addition to the Happy Diamonds collection. Two contrasting hearts are delicately juxtaposed on the finger in a marriage of sparkling harmony. The larger is inlaid with red stone, the smaller encases a single Chopard moving diamond that dances playfully to the tune of contemporary womanhood - bold, radiant, free-spirited, living life to the full.
Indulge in a Winter Escape WORK HARD. PLAY HARD. REST WELL. Do you need a wellness getaway? You work too hard not to enjoy the many adventures within your reach. The Okanagan Valley is your ideal gateway for winter play, followed by rest and recovery at Sparkling Hill Resort & Spa. Surrounded by 3.5 million Swarovski crystals, indulge in the best of farm-to-table fine dining and experience the breathtaking lake and mountain views. Be inspired to unwind with over $100 in resort inclusions per person per night. Discover the amenities within our 40,000 sq. ft. KurSpa, such as the heated outdoor infinity pool or the 7 uniquely themed steam rooms and saunas. This luxury resort and wellness spa offers over 100 unique treatments and clinic services in Canada’s largest spa.
Call 1-877-275-1556 or visit www.sparklinghill.com
INCLUDED IN YOUR STAY • Daily full hot European-inspired buffet breakfast for two
• • • • • • • • • •
Valet parking Complimentary WiFi Access to our 40,000 sq.ft. KurSpa 7 uniquely themed steams and saunas 4 nature themed experience showers Heated outdoor infinity pool Indoor serenity pool and hot pool Kneipp hydrotherapy Keiser-equipped fitness studio Tea and serenity relaxation rooms
“IF YOU THINK CHOCOLATE AND ROSES ARE GOOD ENOUGH, THINK AGAIN !”
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WHAT WOMEN WANT...
VALENTINE’S DAY SHOPPING GUIDE
I can’t believe it but it’s time to start thinking about Valentine’s Day gifts for your lovers. Gentlemen, listen up I’ve rounded up some of my favourite gift ideas for the ladies in your life. And gals not to worry, if you’re single these gift ideas are perfect for pampering yourself on the day of love. Why not treat yourself, as they would say!
CHANEL Coco Mademoiselle Eau De Parfum Spray This much-loved sexy, fresh oriental fragrance from the renowned French fragrance brand will last longer than any bouquet. With notes of bergamot, orange, jasmine, vanilla, patchouli, white musks and rose, an elegant, luxurious spray every time. The classic signature bottle will look perfect on your loved one’s vanity or beautiful while she is travelling. Available at Nordstrom and retails for $297.39
PIAGET ROSE EARRINGS Surprise the lady in your life with these stunning diamond roses that are sure to become a family heirloom. 18k white gold set with 172 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 2.36 ct) Available at Piaget and retails for $16,600.00
CHARLOTTE TILBURY Hot Lips Lipstick You can NEVER have too many shades of a great lipstick!! Your Valentine will love Charlotte Tilbury’s lipstick for a few reasons, the packaging is adorable, it’s cruelty-free and it has a nice square flat tip which makes it so easy to apply!! Available at Nordstrom and retails for $47.00
PRADA Heart Saffiano Leather iPhone X Case Show her, and the world some tech love with this fashionable phone case made from scratch-resistant Saffiano leather and finished with logo hardware. Available at Nordstrom and retails for $359.64
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GIANT FLOWER BOUQUETS Yanina’s Fleur is a local brand designer specializing in luxurious custom hand made giant flower bouquets and flower walls for home interior décor, events, photo sessions and window shop displays. The flowers are made of imported special water resistant material that is durable and at the same time realistic. The flower sizes range from 1 ft. to 5 ft. in diameter with stems up to 8 ft. tall. The price depends on flower size & quantity, from $ 350 per flower. Make your loved one feel special and your day memorable. Follow Yanina’s Fleur on social media @yaninasfleur.
DOLCE & GABBANA Medium Leather Satchel For the lady who likes to stand out, this love-covered bag is just her style. How cute is this, merging fresh, street-style influences with vintage-inspired detailing. Who wouldn’t want to read messages of love on Valentine’s Day! Available at Nordstrom and retails for $4969.00
The Ultimate Romantic Getaway PARIS, FRANCE There’s no better city in the world than the romantic city of Paris to spend this Valentine’s Day with your partner. It is no doubt that every couple will be trying to wake up in the city of lights, so make sure you plan early. This Valentine’s Day, stroll the streets of Paris with your lover, take your Valentine for a drive in a Rolls Royce, relax with a massage and a day at the spa, book a dinner cruise on the River Seine, enjoy an evening out to the Opera Garnier and see it all high above the magnificently lit city in the long-running Ballon de Paris balloons. I would recommend booking your accommodations with Le Bristol Paris. Their rooms and suites are gorgeous, with world-class cuisine and exceptional cocktails. You will find everything you could want in Le Bristol Paris. It is one of the best luxury hotels in Paris! $1,298-$1,374/night, 2 guests Address: 112 rue du Faubourg Saint Honore | 8th Arr., 75008 Paris, France
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CITY tonight!
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by Jim Gordon & Leeta Liepins
The Iconic Concierge Magazine version of the weekly, national TV show, “Our City Tonight”, which can be seen Sundays at 12:30pm on City TV. You can also see past episodes on the “Our City Tonight” YouTube channel and follow them on Instagram & twitter at: @ourcitytonight @jimgordontv @lifewithleeta
1181 MELVILLE ST (THE LODEN HOTEL)
604.639.8692
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www.tableaubarbistro.com
Happy Hour: 2:30pm-5:30pm ; 9:30pm until closing
TABLEAU BAR BISTRO
“Let the food shine simplistically” – Catherine Stewart, Chef de Cuisine, Tableau Bar • Bistro
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N A RAINY, January night, we entered an already busy, but remarkably cozy, Tableau Bar • Bistro full of anticipation over the meal being prepared for us.
Recently this award winning bistro, which has been around since October, 2011, introduced their new Chef de Cuisine: Catherine Stewart. The Vancouver born Stewart was coming home after a decade in Europe, working her way up the kitchen ladder at Michelin-star restaurants in France and England. On this night Stewart and restaurant GM Olivier Bureau invited “Our City Tonight” for a delicious sneak preview of the new menu Stewart has created (available as of February 7th). Tableau Bar & Bistro has always had a respectful reputation for dining, but with Chef Stewart on board, the goal is to clearly take this “Rustic-Chic, French Cuisine” food expe-
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rience to the next level while making sure it’s never intimidating to a new diner.
After starting our evening with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Brut courtesy of GM Bureau (who throughout the evening expertly paired each course with a perfect wine selection), we were presented with the 1st of Chef Stewart’s creations: a lobster salad with roasted butternut squash and parsnips, lobster oil, herbs, espellete chilli and Trout Roe, followed by a 2nd course of seared scallop and endive salad with Périgord Black Winter Truffle, lemon vinaigrette and pink peppercorn. Both courses were light, with a fresh taste of a Spring which, in gloomy January, seems far off in the distance. Commenting on this to Stewart, her reply is simple: “Brightness is important in the food if you don’t have it outside.” Her time in Europe enhanced her belief in creating food which was available at certain times of the year.BEN HOWARD
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“In France, food is done seasonally; you see it in the markets,” she tells us between courses, “very much like here in Vancouver.” Her decision to return home seems an advantageous one for all involved. The first 2 courses were paired with a glass of Alain Gueneau ´La Guiberté Sancerre 2017. Bureau, who made sure the wine was there to compliment and not overwhelm, seems to have a philosophy in sync with Stewart’s, in that you create and work with the seasons and the land. “Winemakers should not plant what they want to drink,” he tells us while pouring, “but rather what the land dictates.” Our 3rd course was Trout Amandine with local sustainable Steelhead Trout, toasted almonds in brown butter, roasted potatoes, and beurre blanc, paired with a Chateau Gaudrelle ´Turonien’ Vouvray 2014. With us, there are always food restrictions – garlic and gluten – which can pose challenges. Chef Stewart viewed this request as an opportunity and she created two different 4th courses, both equally delicious! We would heartily recommend both dishes: the Fraser Valley Duck with confit Winter root vegetables, roasted turnips and Swiss chard with a cherry jus, paired with Joie Farm Pinot Noir, Naramata, 2016 & the Braised Beef Short LEON BRIDGES rib in a creamy Peppercorn sauce paired with Château de Beaucastel ´Coudoulet’ Cote de Rhône 2015. Could we possibly have room for dessert? Our belief has always been if you’ve been served the right portion size in each course you can still enjoy that last, sweet closure. And on this night, we were presented with a seasonal Vacherin with grilled and fresh pineapple, vanilla Ice Cream and Chantilly cream, pistachios, caramelised meringue expertly paired with Château de Montifaud Vieux Pineau de Charentes. Our thanks delivered to both Chef Stewart and GM Bureau, we left Tableau Bar & Bistro having enjoyed a spectacular night of food, wine and service. ICONIC CONCIERGE
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