PRODUCT Toronto Issue 13 by PRODUCT Toronto by Kyle Kofsky

Lead Event Partner:

A N A N N UA L F U N D R A I S E R I N S U P P O R T O F T I F F

What happens inside the box? Come see for yourself as we celebrate the opening of our major exhibition Stanley Kubrick, which runs October 31, 2014 – January 25, 2015. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30

PARTY BEGINS AT 9PM

TIFF Bell Lightbox, Reitman Square 350 King Street West

Tickets $160 | $150 for TIFF Members Ticket Package $1,600 (12 for the price of 10) TIFF prefers Visa.

TIFF.NET/BOOMBOX

Toronto International Film Festival Inc.

@PRODUCTTORONTO

eleGAnt Accents &

StUn n inG Views

the newly renovated Feature rooms and Suites at the interContinental® toronto Centre integrate classic design and textures with elegant accents and stunning views. experience rest and relaxation at the Spa interContinental®, and enjoy contemporary dining at Azure restaurant & Bar.

225 Front Street WeSt, toronto, on CAnADA M5V 2X3 416 597 1400 • WWW.torontoCentre.interContinentAl.CoM

STARTUP FASHION WEEK FASHION | TECHNOLOGY | BUSINESS

Oct. 7 – The Future of Fashion Forum Oct. 8 – The Business of Fashion Conference Oct. 9 – The Future of Fashion Runway Showcase

3 DAY PASS Early Bird: $195 #StartupFW

www.startupfashionweek.com

10. EDITOR’S LETTER

TABLE OF CONTENTS

14. SHE IS INCREDIBLE 21. HEAR ME ROAR 18. A CHANGE WILL DO YOU GOOD 26. GOOD VIBES 30. IN GOOD COMPANY 34. PRETTY BIG LOVE 44. YOUNG CAPITAL

47. IF YOU COULD, YOU WOULD

55. CHEERS TO OUR HEALTH

52. I NEED A HERO

58. FOR THE ARTS

60. THE SPARK 62. HOME OF THE BRAVE

ILLUSTRATION: ROSIE PEA

CELEBRATING 2 YEARS WITH 13 ISSUES

PRODUCTTORONTO.COM @ PRODUCTTORONTO # DOINGMYJOB

Kyle Kofsky Editor In Chief, Creative Director & Lead Designer Isabelle Savard Deputy Editor & Art Director Ana Opulencia Lead Copy Editor Brian Sweigman Managing Director Melissa Allen Lead Writer & Assistant Copy Editor Jonathan Broderick Lead Writer & Assistant Copy Editor PRODUCT STAFF

CONTRIBUTORS

Adam Hendrik Senior Writer

Frances Dinkha Contributing Hair & MUA

Andrija Dimitrijevic Senior Photographer

Sarah May Taylor Assistant Photographer

Brad Silverberg Cinematographer

Shamran Aoudisho Contributing Hair & MUA

Eirini Moschaki Business Architect

Skye Kelton Contributing Stylist

Eli Thomson Senior Writer

Tim Luther Contributing Writer

Hayley Campbell Health & Sports

Tyler Rumi Assistant Photographer

Joe Swallow Assistant Director

Zach Hertzman Guest Photographer

John Huss Business Architect

THANK YOU

Kate Koler Senior Photographer

Al Pacino

Michael Kahn Senior Photographer

Exhibit Change

Nick Wons Senior Photographer

Morgan Yew

Ronit Rubinstein Senior Writer

Nick Iozzo

Rosie Pea Illustrator

Toronto International Film Festival

Tal Shalmon Web Manager Tara Noelle Senior Photographer HAIR & MAKEUP ARTISTS

Christina Rufino Jordana Savard Natalie Shemuel Trisha Florentin PRODUCTTORONTO.COM @PRODUCTTORONTO PRINTED SIX TIMES ANNUALLY ISSUE NO. 13 (2014) Printed & Published in Toronto by PRODUCT Toronto INC. 416 . 364 . 5753 info@producttoronto.com

ON THE COVER:

PHOTOS: andrija dimitrijevic HAIR & MUA: jordana savard styling: untitled&co

EDITOR’S LETTER WORDS: KYLE KOFSKY PHOTOS: TARA NOELLE CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES: DAILY NEWS PROJECT

KYLE KOFSKY

will not be stopped. I will push back, often I will make the first move. There is nothing worse than a sense of entitlement. If you haven’t earned your place, you best step aside and make room for those who will make their own room if necessary. Do better. Be better. Remember the facts before you attempt your argument. We come “Runaways prepared. Remember ransom your commitments and responsibilities. We are not here to baby sit and remind you every day. Runaways can’t send ransom notes. There are people younger, faster, better and hungrier than you. They are coming for their place in the world, we are waiting for them. We will counter their inspiration with motivation. We choose to support our fellow warriors. A warrior is defined as a brave and experienced fighter. The brave take risks and manage their fears. The experienced listen, remember and accept knowledge. The fighter is hungry, and takes their place standing up to be counted. A warrior has honour and whether they are part of an army or on their own they fight for a greater truth and purpose. You must be brave, you must learn from your experiences, and you must fight with honour. A warrior takes their purpose with open arms, often carrying more than the average person. They never pass the buck or step out of the way of the bullet. They can achieve their goals 9 different ways using their left thumb. When you don’t take ownership of your affairs, you pass your burdens to others. We all have our own burdens and are not always

able to carry others. Broad shoulders and a strong back are not universal characteristics. There will always be people to help you, if you ask nicely. Make sure you want their help, make sure you will head their advice. There are many things I can’t do and there are many things I won’t do. I make sure to clearly define these things and collaborcan’t send ate to fill in the gaps and expand my abilities. Life notes.” is chalk full of tests, trials, victories, and rewards. You don’t get one without the others. We’ve talked about balance many times before. We will always thrive with balance in our hearts. You get smarter everyday as long as you are remain conscious in your efforts. Whether you would consider yourself a fatalist or not, you have more control than you think. Dogs can smell fear and conscious people can smell bullshit. Every day I secure my place in this world by defining my intentions and abilities. Every day we the warriors prove our talents and check our weaknesses. We won’t exploit yours, we do not accept excuses. Our victories will come with honour, our defeats will come with lessons. We are proud, we are sensitive, we are present, we are capable, and we are humble and grateful for your attention. We will unite warriors and battle to the life. You can’t secure your future if you are not awake in your present.

@KYLE _ KOFSKY

SHE IS INCREDIBLE

ESIE MENSAH

WORDS: MELISSA ALLEN PHOTOS: TARA NOELLE ASSISTED BY SARAH MAY TAYLOR HAIR & MUA: TRISHA FLORENTIN LOCATION: THE COFFIN FACTORY

met the beautiful dancer and choreographer, Esie Mensah, whose Afro-fusion style is about to take Toronto by storm, on a late afternoon at a Queen West café, where she easily takes me through her journey to find herself and her dance “voice” in Toronto, and the world. Big on teaching, learning, and celebrating their African (by way of Ghana and Togo) culture, Esie’s parents had her and all of her siblings dancing in a traditional group as soon as they were able to walk. “I’m last born of five kids, so I’ve been dancing literally since I was in my mom’s stomach,” she corrects. Nevertheless, it was at McMaster University that not only did Esie form a hip hop group while majoring in women’s studies and cultural studies, she also founded and organized the annual Ontario Universities Competition for Hip Hop, which still runs today, over a decade later. Halfway through third year, she left school, taking a six-month break before successfully auditioning and enrolling in George Brown’s dance program. “I faked and performed by way through,” she reminisces, her lack of classical training no match for her natural talent and determination. It’s notoriously difficult to eke out a living in the real world of professional dance, but thanks to George Brown contemporary, and close friend Shameka Blake, who was already dancing professionally and able to help Esie navigate her way through the industry, she was able to meet industry notables such as Hollywood-Jade, leading to music video gigs, a performance with Flo Rida at the MuchMusic Video Awards (MMVAs), and touring with Divine Brown who opened for Backstreet Boys. Not bad for a dancer fresh out of school. After a whirlwind stint in China, Esie returned and was offered an opportunity to curate the Journey Through African Dance

show at last year’s Kuumba celebration at Harbourfront where her unique style began to take shape. Collaborating with an African dance company whose roots from Mali and Guinea introduced Esie to the bolder style that’s usually associated with African dance, Esie realized that this whole other style “completely transformed my choreography, so I was really meshing both styles [African and urban] together.” Now, she’s one of the only professional dancers around that does both African and urban dance; and she has since become dedicated to refining her style. When a YouTube video she released through her just-formed dance company, The Black Stars, went from zero to over 80,000 views almost overnight, she knew that she was on the right path. The next step was to take her “afro-fusion” style and meld with the other styles of the dancers in her crew, which were already popular in Ghana, across Europe, and the Caribbean. Esie continues to promote her work and her fresh style, meeting key people who can partner with her to bring her message to the masses. She’s also working on a production about a young African man who travels to Canada and then makes the decision to go back - a theme that will no doubt resonate with a wide and diverse Canadian audience who can all in some way relate to the theme of being an immigrant still very much tied to their homeland, proving the universal appeal of African dance once again.

@ESIEMENSAH

A CHANGE WILL DO YOU GOOD JENNIFER CHAN & COLIN LACEY

WORDS: KYLE KOFSKY PHOTOS: ANDRIJA DIMITRIJEVIC

hy do we do anything? What compels us to discover and engage? Is it human nature? If it was wouldn’t more people be doing it? In August of 2009, a very conscious lady named Jenn Chan “birthed” Exhibit Change, a unique institution, with a design tool kit created to ask questions and test out ideas regarding communities, connecting with people that lived within them. “We want to see solutions meet needs,” says Jenn. After graduating university with a degree in architecture, Jenn wasn’t exactly sure what she should do, she wasn’t where she thought she should be so she created the company. Starting a business wasn’t her intention. But life and business caught up to each other and created Exhibit Change. Working with organizations that connect with their community not in a physical sense but in a community sense. Exhibit Change often tells its clients, “we will get you to failure and then get you passed that.” Just over a year ago Jenn answered a knock at her door. It was the equally conscious Colin Lacey, who at the time was volunteering for a local election campaign. Shortly thereafter, the dense network in Toronto threw these two together again. And after Colin remembering Jenn as the lady with the cat, they became friends and self-proclaimed “partners in crime.” Together, they are taking Exhibit Change to new heights, travelling as educators, connecting to people, gathering the very best of ideas. They pose questions like, “When we live in a place we call home and we see something we do or don’t like, what do we do with this information?”. Their home base is set in Toronto because the differences and similarities found in Toronto create the best

opportunity for the greatest impact. Colin and Jenn decree, “Toronto is really young, a teenager in terms of a city. and we have a lot to learn from other places. We are a great city but we could do a little bit more. There is a lack of open-minded conversation. Toronto is full of fight over whose solution is the best, rather than stating the problems and engaging discussion.” It is hard not to agree with this statement. It is not about whose idea is better. It is not a popularity contest. Toronto just needs to move forward. There are many great ideas, and we need to implement them all to see a successful future. Exhibit Change works with clients from all over the city, so when Jenn and Colin find themselves somewhere different, they take advantage of that area, trying out many places and picking their favourites. For Jenn, there is some really great noodle thing at Suhko Thai on Parliament, or the intoxicating smell of sheep poop at Black Creek Farm. Either way, she says her best adventures are found when she takes different routes as she travels to and from her usual point A to B. When he has the chance, Colin heads to the Leslie Spit at night to actually see the stars or the 420 Smoke House on Parliament for some killer ribs, where he converses with the waitress who looks like Edith Piaf or the waiter that resembles Baby Huey. They both love the Perogi Nachos at Intersteer on Roncesvalles and by far encourage you to “SHOW UP! And don’t be afraid to Fail UP!” I have to agree with them, “Failure is when you stop trying.”

@EXHIBIT _ CHANGE

HEAR ME ROAR

CHANEL BECKENLEHNER

WORDS: BRIAN SWEIGMAN PHOTOS: TARA NOELLE ASSISTED BY TYLER RUMI HAIR & MUA: FRANCES DINKHA & SHAMRAN AOUDISHO CLOTHING & JEWELRY: LAZURE COUTURE LOCATION: THE RITZ-CARLTON TORONTO

hat’s it like to be Miss Universe Canada? In fact, what is it like to live the pageant life in Canada? That’s the question we asked Chanel Beckenlehner, who was crowned Miss Universe Canada 2014, because we honestly didn’t know. Unlike Miss America or even Honey Boo Boo, Miss Canada is not a highly publicized figure in our country, so the public rarely gets a peek into the life of a pageant queen. To start, to be a pageant winner is more than to be just a pretty face. Chanel is now 25 years old and took two years away from pageantry to finish her undergraduate university degree. She graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Political Science. Moreover, she is an avid horse rider, having learned at a young age. And she is very involved in the community, having studied HIV/AIDS and concentrating on certain women’s health and reproductive issues. Chanel only got involved with Miss Universe in 2009, at 20 years old, after members at the golf course she worked at kept encouraging her to try out. Pageantry was never an interest for her until she was urged to send in an application. She did, and she was asked to come in for a personality interview. After that, representatives from Miss Universe Canada urged her to enter the competition, so she did. Chanel placed top 12 (from a field of 65) after her first competitive beauty pageant. Her interest was piqued and as a result of her first Miss Universe Canada finish, she was selected to represent Canada as Miss International and continue competing in beauty pageants. If you are unaware, the Miss Universe competition has three events: 1) the swimsuit portion, where the judges look for a toned, athletic, feminine body; 2) the evening gown portion, where the judges look for personal style, elegance, and the charisma to pull off formalwear; and 3) the interview, which shows

the contestant as a relatable, approachable role model as she displays her public speaking abilities. There is no talent portion in the Miss Universe competition. The competition for Miss Universe Canada lasts one week and three weeks for Miss Universe. During that time, all contestants are together all the time and on the clock 24 hours a day, just like a reality show. Your attitude after minimal sleep during the entirety of the competition is part of the evaluation as well. After being crowned Miss Universe Canada, Chanel received a one-year contract as Miss Universe Canada, where she will act as a media and television presenter, humanitarian, and representative for the Beauties of Canada and Miss Universe Organization, which is a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal joint venture. This year, Chanel will be raising money and awareness for Operation Smile, which provides free surgeries to repair cleft lip, cleft palate, and other facial deformities for children around the globe; SOS Children’s Villages, providing homes for abandoned and orphaned children; HIV/AIDS and Anti-Bullying campaigns. Both locally and abroad, she will appear at public events, speak in support of meaningful causes, and represent Canada at the Miss Universe competition. The location this year is unknown, but Canada actually won the Miss Universe competition in 2005. However, we have not placed since 2006. Chanel intends to break that slump. Armed with talent, beauty, and a good head on her shoulders, Chanel is set to show the world how Canada can compete on the world stage. Acting as Miss Universe Canada, she is harnessing her opportunity to do good for herself and others. As a beacon for charity, fitness, education, and ambition, Chanel is a role model for us all.

@MUNICANADA

GOOD VIBES LUKE AUSTIN HAUER, KENNEDY POLLAND, BRYAN SWARTZ & BROCK MCLAUGHLIN

WORDS: TIM LUTHER PHOTOS: NICK WONS LOCATION: JAM FACTORY CO.

LUKE AUSTIN HAUER

ny remarkable musician has to an incredible audience response. “When always brought a passion to their you’re playing a really good show for a bunch work so powerful that it forces of people that are really into it, that’s instant the rest of us to fall in love. Luke gratification.” Since then, Long Road Home Austin has an obvious passion for his music has been released online, where it was played and he’s using it as a vehicle to write songs 10,000 times in its first week and a half. With with messages that are universal. “I believe in its success, The Luke Austin Band has also Rock ‘n’ Roll more than anything on Earth,” launched - longroadhome.info - where you Austin explains. can stream the hit and share your own stories In his early high school days, Luke spent of the long roads you’ve taken home. much of his free time playing the drums Luke is currently working with a North in different garage bands. Although he American team to complete the anticipated was always passionate EP. Luke describes the about music, he was “I believe in Rock ‘n’ next song, Old Friend, also drawn towards his as “the best song I’ve ever Roll more than any- written!” He explains “first love,” hockey. He thing on Earth.” played competitively as a that the big accomplishteenager until a concusment in Old Friend sion forced him to stop. is its ability to openly Doctors advised Luke to stay away from loud and honestly “communicate exactly what I noises; and just like that, drums and hockey wanted to say.” Luke has big aspirations for were both off the table. Luke gravitated Old Friend, stating that he plans to do a live, towards his father’s acoustic guitar, following off-the-floor to tape recording. This will be the Doctor’s orders to some capacity. He a challenge, but Luke knows it will bring an continued to pursue music and join various “organic feel” and “natural energy” to the bands. In the end, none were a good fit. “I song. couldn’t find [the right] group…So, I decided With a unique and honest sound, Luke to start my own band,” Luke explains, “I just is focused on bringing “a good vibe” to his decided it was what I was going to do for a music while having fun doing what he loves. living.” The result is a captivating energy that wraps In February 2014, The Luke Austin Band and cradles his audience in his passion play. went on a tour across Canada with the BreakNo matter where you sit on the belief in fast Club Kids of Canada. Luke loved being Rock ‘n’ Roll, I think we can all revel in the on the road, but he found himself sleeping exuberant awesome factor of the Luke Austin in some “questionable places” and “missing Band. home” pretty quickly. “You don’t have to be where you grew up to be home. You just have to be comfortable,” Luke recalls. This concept became the inspiration for his biggest hit yet. After getting the opportunity to participate in this year’s NXNE Festival, Luke decided to unveil a new song written on his Cross Canada tour (and the first release @LUKEAUSTINBAND on his upcoming EP, Long Road Home),

IN GOOD COMPANY

JENNIFER LOVE & ALYSSA LIOUTAS

WORDS: BRIAN SWEIGMAN PHOTOS: TARA NOELLE ASSISTED BY TYLER RUMI HAIR & MUA: TRISHA FLORENTIN

good public relations professional will help a business tell its story. Whether it’s through a product review, television exposure, or generating buzz on the street, the purpose of a public relations campaign is to popularize your product. The prevailing thought is that nobody will buy your product if nobody knows about it. But in a society where the number of television stations, websites, blogs, newspapers, and other information mediums are seemingly endless, how do you get the general public to pay attention to you (unless you’re Justin Bieber)? The work of Duet Public Relations, founded by Jennifer Love and Alyssa Lioutas, has earned a reputation for its success in its ability to gain wide exposure over a number of mediums for clients. Jennifer and Alyssa know what media outlets, events, and channels are best for each one of their clients; and they know how to get them there. Such in-depth knowledge of the media industry does not come easily. Jennifer and Alyssa have spent years learning which outlets reach their clients’ desired markets. They have strong connections with the media to make sure their clients get the exposure they need. Jennifer and Alyssa ended up working on a project together at an agency where they collaborated on ideas and discussed what the future may hold. When a friend needed PR but couldn’t afford a big agency, they took the opportunity to go out on their own and put together a campaign for him. The faith they had in each other allowed them to build a successful campaign, and so Duet Public Relations was born. Through their success and client-focused approach, referrals kept coming in and the business continued to grow. Five years later, their office at King and Spadina contains a full-time assistant, one freelancer, and two interns working next to

Jennifer and Alyssa. They have learned to be more efficient and how to spot a company that needs public relations. Now, upon meeting a potential client, Alyssa and Jennifer can visualize the headlines for the client before they’re published. But the media can only provide exposure; each one of their clients and products must be able to stand up to review and critique. Journalists, television hosts, and other influencers will be using your product and publishing their experiences to their vast networks. That assessment better be good. What will help is a rich history, a good story, a unique or timely product, as well as passionate and exciting owners. These elements come together to make good PR campaign potential, allowing a natural story to evolve, connecting consumers to the brand in a meaningful way. As the girls say, the message needs to be digestible and the product needs to be relatable. For example, the story of Duet Public Relations is simple, “two entrepreneurial spirits take a chance in their field of choice,” and their path to success is relatable “hard work and a client-first approach.” But their ongoing success and their ability to guide others to success is unique and something from which we can all learn.

@DUETPR

PRETTY BIG LOVE UNTITLED&CO

WORDS: ELI THOMSON PHOTOS: NICK WONS HAIR & MUA: CHRISTINA RUFINO, JORDANA SAVARD & NATALIE SHEMUEL LOCATIONS: UNTITLED&CO, THE STREETS OF TORONTO & PRODUCT NIGHTCLUB CREW: ADRIANA ZROMY, ANTONY CREARY CAMERON WILSON, CHLOE SAM-MCGRATH CODY JAMES, ELEANOR ZICHY HARRY BUTTERFIELD, ISABELLE MYKE, JAY ARAGOZA KY ZARETSKY, MARA FLO, NANI, NAOMI MACKEOWN, NATASHA BLACKBURN, NICOLE WALSH-WHITE & SIERRA SMITHCHAR

uccess doesn’t come overnight. No and Cameron went out for a “decision walk” matter how easy it may seem from around the neighborhood. They noticed a the outside looking into a successful little shop at 717 Queen West, made some business, it takes dedication, hard calls, and within two weeks had completely work, and perseverance. I sat down with the moved to their new location. The timing founders of Untitled&Co and learned how was impeccable and with Christmas on the they took a good idea and an eye for fash- way, their sales shot up so much that they ion and turned them into one of the most had trouble keeping their racks stocked. successful fashion startups to hit Toronto in Their next turn of good fortune came at years. the Budlight Platinum launch party held The company began as the product at Uniun Nightclub, here in Toronto. Camof founder Cameron Wilson, who, upon eron’s girlfriend gifted headliner Diplo with returning to Toronto a “Bitches ain’t Shit” after a year of modelsweater which he posted “... in business to ling in Milan reverted to his 500k Instato waiting tables in gram fans, as well as choose who gets Toronto at Trattoria a selfie with Macklemore their business.” Nervosa in the heart who still wears the now of Yorkville. When famous sweater. This founder Janet Zucarrini decided to open a sent their fledgling online store into a frenzy. new restaurant, Gusto 101 on King West, Orders started coming in from Japan to she requested that Cameron design the staff Denmark, Dubai to LA. uniforms along with the Creative Director of Not ones to rest on their laurels, they Victoria’s Secret: Pink. headed to Las Vegas to work the trade With the generous cheque from his shows. They went in “do or die” to land work for Janet, the wheels started to turn contracts. An encounter out on the smoking on how he could transform this side pas- patio turned out to be gold when they struck sion into a full-time career. He called up a conversation with Jeni Ni and JneLV, Chloe Sam-Mcgrath whom he had known two buyers from an affluent Japanese retailer. since middle school and ran his idea by her. After showing them their drafts, the ladies She had recently graduated from George were very interested and ended up securing Brown’s Fashion program and was uncertain them a very large order. Many more orders of what was to come next. Over a business would follow from around the globe, with lunch, Cameron’s innovative ideas and Untitled&Co being carried by retailers in immense excitement for the project won her Japan, London, Cape Town, Saudi Arabia, over. Dubai, and Montreal. With some savings, they put together a They have a no-nonsense approach, giving collection of reworked vintage and original all of their customers the same deal and not designs, opening up shop just north of accepting any terms which would give one Queen on Bathurst Street in August 2012. market an unfair advantage over another. It was well-received and business was going They try to avoid drama, claiming they are well until November, when they found that “in business to choose who gets their busithe cold weather affected the amount of foot ness.” Their strengths lay in quality control, traffic passing the store. Together, Chloe graphic strength, and layout. For every

hundred ideas, only a few will actually make their work, though with some prodding, it to production. Cameron mentions a penchant for Louis Communication has also been key Vuitton accessories and vintage furs. in Cameron and Chloe’s partnership, as They loved their home nestled in amongst they each bring very different skill sets to other boutique shops, but when the building the table. Cameron is very extroverted and sold, the new landlord sent them packing. spontaneous, taking charge of networking They found a new spot in Yorkville at 98 and design, while Chloe is technical, dili- Scollard street. The new space which had its gently crafting the grand opening recepproducts with her “... incomparable art, tion on the 30thof July, assistant Jay while more aesthetically a lyrical playfulness, iscurated keeping her eye on the to blend with an unapologetic jab the neighborhood while bottom line. They have at status quo.” had work weeks where keeping a unique, play20 hours a day, seven ful, urban vibe. days a week have been necessary, but Chloe After a summer of doing a private admits that they try to limit themselves to a showroom in New York, they plan to have maximum of 80 hours a week to avoid burn- an event in London this fall. They hope to ing out. Over the last two years they claim open a flagship store in Los Angeles to cater to have gained 10 years worth of experience, to their large California following. For the every day filled with awesome fun and taxing time being, they are busy at 98 Scollard lows. But, in the end, they always leave the peddling their own brand, as well as complioffice feeling content. mentary designs of Joyrich and UNIF. If the Blazing their own trail, the two have also last two years have been any indicator, the managed to pull a runway show together out hustle is looking flow for these hard working of thin air. Within a week, they managed to entrepreneurs. put together 21 looks including jewelry and accessories. The chaos of it all had Chloe on edge, but Cameron stepped into his “zen” to pull off a well-received runway show that they describe as “a beautiful plan, masterfully executed.” Their style is incomparable art, a lyrical playfulness, an unapologetic jab at status quo, unconstrained, with the credo “Everything is okay or nothing is” carefully sprawled across a well-made cotton sweater. They don’t want to box themselves into any one ideal, instead choosing to use aesthetics as the judge of whether an idea is good or bad. “There is no need to compete with other stores,” Cameron claims, as their originality sets them apart. They try not to @UNTITLEDANDCO let inspiration of other designers seep into

CHLOE SAM-MCGRATH

CAMERON WILSON

YOUNG CAPITAL

MITCH PARKER

eal estate can be a great investment. With proper research and understanding, it has the potential to offer a safe place to invest while generating great returns. I chatted with the founder of MP Private Capital, Mitch Parker, to discuss how his business is helping Canadians invest in real estate using a secure, hands off approach to diversify and increase returns within their portfolio. After completing a degree in business with a major in finance, he began working in residential renovations until he could find a job in finance. Around that same time, he began noticing all of the television shows about real estate. Mitch saw this as an opportunity to combine his education with his renovation experience. Being 23 at the time, he approached his father and pitched the idea of buying a house together. He would provide the capital and Mitch would do all the work and manage the property.

Within a few years, Mitch and his father had built up a portfolio of real estate and real estate based investments. As he became more of an expert, he began educating and answering questions from family, friends, and eventually other investors about how he got started. He also started to give advice regarding different investment strategies. Mitch discovered that there were many confused and frustrated investors who were looking for investments to get them back on track financially. Helping these investors became the mission of MP Private Capital, aligning clients with investments that carry all the benefits of real estate without having to do any of the work associated with being a landlord. When selecting projects to present to clients, he utilizes his years of experience to ensure only the most secure opportunities are marketed. MP Private Capital works only with established developers that have a long and successful track record of completing

WORDS: ELI THOMSON PHOTOS: NICK WONS CLOTHING: GARRISON BESPOKE POCKET SQUARE: BAFFI LOCATION: FOUR SEASONS HOTEL

projects on time and budget. Mitch says he only recommends investments that he feels confident in putting his own personal capital. “Each project we review goes through extremely stringent criteria and background research. Safety of capital is priority number one.” It’s a strategy that is paying off. For the average investor, he is able to offer fixed returns between 8-12% annually. For higher net worth individuals, returns can be as high as 25% per year and more secure than many stocks and mutual funds. His company has helped place investors into numerous large scale commercial projects, including hotels, condominiums, and offices across Canada. “We explain and go through the whole process with the client before they invest a penny. For security and comfort, all money goes directly into the project from their account. MP Private Capital just helps facilitate the transaction,” Mitch says.

One of his mottos is that investments should be easy to understand and straightforward to explain. Mitch says he never “sells” his investments. He simply educates people on the opportunity and what’s available to them. At that point, it’s either a match or it isn’t; either way the client comes out ahead. You can contact Mitch and find more information about MP Private Capital on their website – www.MPprivatecapital.com, follow them on Twitter @MPprivateCap, and at Facebook.com/MPprivatecapital.

@MPPRIVATECAP

IF YOU COULD, YOU WOULD TARA BARTOLINI

WORDS: JONATHAN BRODERICK PHOTOS: ZACH HERTZMAN STYLIST: SKYE KELTON (PLUTINO GROUP) CLOTHING & SHOES: 3.1 PHILLIPS LIM, JULIEN DAVID, MAJE, SANDRO, THEORY & ZARA

t PRODUCT, we are strong showcase inspiring emerging and established believers that if one can make it Canadian talent.” There, Tara is the Co-Editor here, in Toronto, they can make and Creative Director. As OTM gained popuit anywhere. We may not be New larity, Tara learned how to connect artists to York, Paris, or Milan but we most definitely other artists, how to build lasting relationships have the talent, drive, and within the arts communsuccess stories as proof ity, and “how to stay “It is really excitthat we can “wear the organized”- all skills that pants.” And when we do, ing to showcase the are fundamental to her the pants are Awesome! current project, Boondock work of my peers.” Tara Bartolini met me Agency. for a caffeine boost on “It took me a good two Queen West to share her thoughts on this topic. years before I felt confident enough to start the Tara is the Founder and Creative Director of company,” Tara clarified. Boondock agency offiBoondock Agency - an artist management cially launched in February 2014 but has been agency representing key emerging and estab- unofficially running off the web since August lished Canadian talent. “It is really exciting 2013. “The agency was always something I to showcase the work of my peers. Nobody is wanted to do,” said Tara when asked about how really supporting emerging artists in Toronto. the company came to fruition, “[Boondock It’s about the jump from being a student artist is] the foundation for artists that feel like they to getting paid work,” Tara explained with a sip can grow here [in Toronto].” And From the of java. looks of it, the agency boasts a unique roster of After a year at York University, Tara was noteworthy artists working in various sectors of accepted to the New Media Program at Ryer- the arts from art direction to graphic design. Of son University - a decision made to help narrow course, the talent is all curated by Tara, herself, down her area of interest. After one year in the providing a lot of versatility within the agency. program, she decided that the program wasn’t Together, they bridge the gap between artistic quite for her; but she was still very interested in and commercial work. what the program could offer. “I spoke to my As Boondock Agency celebrates their first professors and asked them how I could make anniversary, we wish them the best as they the program work for me…I started to curate put on their Awesome! pants and collectively for my class” Tara elaborated, “Students got blow out that candle. “This is an interesting the chance to showcase other work they were place to be working and it feels like it’s just the interested in outside of our projects.” beginning…” It was kismet when Tara was introduced to Aimee Legault, a Media Studies student at the University of Toronto. They hit it off right away when they took a similar position on how the Toronto Art scene could improve. “Nobody was supporting emerging talent in Toronto,” she recalls. As a result, Tara and Aimee conceptualized their first openly realized project: OTMzine.com. The website acts as an @BOONDOCKAGENCY “an online platform that goes “off the map” to

I NEED

A HERO JOE BONSU & MARK WILLIAMS

WORDS: TIM LUTHER ILLUSTRATIONS: JOE BONSU & MARK WILLIAMS

he world is smaller today than ever before, yet the problems we face are larger and more universally threatening to us all. In these dark times, with the size and scale of the problems, we cannot resort to in-fighting or blame. We cannot simply do what is easy. We cannot hide in the shadows of our own fears. Our only hope is to band together, meet the challenges before us head on, and become something greater than ourselves. Luckily, the Unified Taskforce Elite (UNI.T.E) has begun to undertake this daunting task. They continue to crisscross the globe in search of men, women, boys, and girls from each nation willing join the fight against the Fraternity of Insidious Soldiers of Terror (F.I.S.T), from carrying out their evil plans and claiming the Earth as their own. UNI.T.E. is a beacon helping us find our way in the dark. They are Heroes of the World. The comic series, Heroes of the world, is the brain child of two uniquely imaginative and exceptionally talented artists, Joe Osei Bonsu and Mark Williams. Mark describes the pair a, “Fan-Boys of all different genres.” The pair beams as they explain how they accomplished a marriage of so many of the influences they love and the success that they have found. They began in 2005 with a concept for Heroes of the Caribbean, a project they unveiled at Caribana. They immediately received positive feedback and realized that the comic had the potential to grow. The artists undertook the herculean task of creating approximately 1,000 characters representing 272 flags. “Recently,” says Joe, “we’ve been doing limited and special edition-type characters.” They also set to work on their new project and began touring Heroes of the World in every comic, sci-fi, anime and fantasy convention they could find. They are still a consistent showcase at many of the largest conventions in the world. Mark and Joe use Heroes of the World to tell their brilliant and imaginative stories. But they also take advantage of the opportunity to learn and pass on the history, geography, folklore and pride of the nations featured in their stories. Joe stresses the importance of communication with the fans and the need to “listen to the fans and people from the country.” This allows the artists the ability to drop little “factoids on the countries” and “make sure people leave with a little takeaway.” They hope this will inspire readers to discover more about their own history as well as open them up to the world around them. As Mark says, “People will want to learn something if it has entertainment in it.” Together, Mark and Joe have built Heroes of the World into an extensive comic franchise. They continue to create stories and characters and are hoping to soon branch out into an animated series and to additionally expand their collectibles into action figures. Read the comic, prepare yourself, take on the challenge, and defend our world.

@HOTW

CHEERS TO OUR HEALTH FALLON COLLETT, HANA JAMES & JESSICA SEKELA

WORDS: ELI THOMSON PHOTOS:KATE KOLER

reenhouse Juice Co. has an admiringly simple aesthetic. Nestled just off of Yonge Street in Rosedale in a quaint, white house lies the simple bar and fridge. It has become the go-to place to get the freshest, coldpressed juice in Toronto. Samples are readily available; and as the day wears on, the fresh stock depletes. Simply put, what you see is what you get. Opened by a group of Toronto natives in early January 2014, the goal behind Greenhouse Juice Co. was to bring cold-pressed, organic juices made popular in New York and LA here to Toronto. One of the partners, Hana James, who has a degree in Natural Sciences and who majored in cell biology from McGill University boasts that she knows the chemistry behind the organic juice blends. After running Café Shu, selling health food and juices within a gym, Hana was ready for a new adventure.

When six of her oldest and closest friends asked her to join them in launching a coldpressed juice company, it was not a difficult decision. They procured a spot at 5 Macpherson Ave and went on to renovate the space to suit their juicing needs. Opening in the dead of winter wasn’t ideal, they admit, but it did give the “family of friends,” as Hana calls her partners, time to find their feet and be welcomed by the neighborhood. Now, as they experience their first summer, they have placed some benches and tables out front so customers can enjoy their beverages in the afternoon sun. Although, a lot of their business is takeout. The team consists of diverse roles in the company’s operations. Hana is the retail manager. And Anthony Green, who has been instrumental in building the Greenhouse brand is in charge of the company’s daily operations and expansion. Other partners are taking the lead in areas such as social media

to product development. The produce used is certified organic and sourced as locally as possible from suppliers who share a similar environmental awareness as Greenhouse Juice Co. Their most popular juices are the sweet and refreshing Gold Rush (which combines pineapple, cucumber, ginger and lemon juice,) The Good (a savory concoction of romaine lettuce, spinach, celery, cucumber, lemon, and a pinch of pink sea salt,) and their Choco-Maca-Milk (which is their homemade almond milk made with raw cocoa and raw maca.) They try hard to balance staying stocked with minimizing waste, so the best selection is to be found early in the morning. They use strong reusable glass bottles in their packaging and have implemented a recycling program. For every 10 bottles returned, customers are rewarded with 250ml of the juice of their choice as well as a complimentary pass to Roots Yoga studio.

The future of Greenhouse Juice Co. is looking bright. They are about to launch a home delivery service. And this fall, they also plan to expand to another storefront at Yonge and Briar Hill, as well as a new storefront in their production facility at 2 Strange Street in Leslieville.

@GHJUICECO

FOR THE ARTS NICHOLE ANDERSON

WORDS: MELISSA ALLEN PHOTOS: KATE KOLER

any people directly and indirectly involved with the arts scene in Toronto are aware of the Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, and the Canadian Arts Council - the three major funding bodies that have helped thousands of Toronto-based artists across all disciplines acquire the means to pursue their calling. Business for the Arts (BftA) takes this concept even further by not only finding the cash local artists need to launch or continue their projects, but also by providing artists with the business skills to manage their initiatives and continue to find money in the business community, helping artists with their resourcefulness and business savvy. BftA essentially gives our artists the tools they need to turn themselves into powerhouses and be able to compete on the national and international stage. At the helm of BftA is CEO Nichole Anderson who takes me through the many programs they run that keep Toronto arts, and the arts in Canada, growing. “To sum up everything we do here, it’s all about relationship building,” she says. As such, the artsSceneTM program connects young professionals who happen to be art enthusiasts, with emerging artists in the community, with the goal of having these professionals and artists grow together and learn from each other. Whether they’re an analyst at a bank, junior council at a law firm, or brand manager at a company in consumer packaged goods, artsSceneTM encourages these professionals with an interest in the arts to lend their support to local artists whether it be through time, knowledge exchanges, volunteerism, fundraising, or patronage. Business professionals can also get the leadership skills they need to grow their careers while mentoring artists through boardLinkTM, a BftA featured program connecting the future business elite with volunteer board and committee positions in the arts.

The old saying goes “give someone a fish and they eat for a day, teach someone to fish and they eat for life,” which sums up BftA’s latest program, artsVestTM whose mission is to incentivize artists’ fundraising efforts through matching, while providing sponsorship training. Therefore as an artist, Ms. Anderson explains, you first learn from businesses themselves how to approach and pitch other businesses to raise funds, and then artsVestTM rewards your efforts even further by matching the funds you’ve raised, leveraging funding from the Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Government, BftA members, and Canadian Heritage. During the first year of artVestTM in Toronto (2013/2014 season) alone, BftA trained 197 arts managers on the Art of Sponsorship, resulting in 56 arts organizations securing sponsorship with 104 Toronto businesses, 62 of which were first time sponsors of the arts. A staggering $1.2 million in sponsorship funds were raised by these organizations in total, matched by artsVestTM’s $330,000, resulting in a total economic impact of $1.53 million to the City of Toronto. Incredible news for our artistic community. How exactly can artists and smaller arts organizations connect with BftA and take advantage of this programming? It’s not as intimidating as one might think. It the past year, their jury went through 78 applications and approved 74 of them. “It’s not us deciding on merit of art from. If you can find a business that wants to invest in you, we’ll support you too,” Ms. Anderson.

@BUSINESSFTARTS

he tech community in Toronto is growing and is considered one of the healthiest in the world. Products, blogs, and services that are created here have a great reputation and can have an international following in New York, Los Angeles, and as far as Europe. In fact, when three friends got together to create a new company, they had all known each other from previous projects which tasted international success in the music industry. David King, co-founder of SalaciousSound.com, Blake Edwards, co-founder of earmilk.com, and Nate Black, co-founder of LionsDenU.com, decided to combine their talents to create a new music product called Get Receiver, Playlist the Internet. The idea behind Receiver is to make it easy for people to organize both audio and video online, regardless of which platform the content originates from, allowing users to build dynamic, custom streaming playlists. With

Receiver, users can build a library of content, both audio and video, from Soundcloud, Youtube, and Vimeo, with Rdio and Spotify on the way, to create one unified playlist. The playlists can comprise existing playlists or new content from these music services. Receiver is representative of a new type of need for digital products. The way the consumer interacts with online content is evolving. Instead of downloading content, most users are streaming it because with hard drives shrinking, streaming is the easiest way to consume content. In fact, aggregators currently exist for other forms of content, including news, pictures, and social media, among other types of information. David, Blake, and Nate wanted to seize an opportunity in the music space, where they have experience, and release a product that allows users to aggregate, organize, and list music & video in a specified order from various providers in a way that has never been provided.

THE SPARK BLAKE EDWARDS, DAVID KING & NATHAN HOLDER

What happens now is dictated by the user. Receiver, like other useful tools, provides only the framework, while enabling the user to create something on his or her own. It’s a flexible service that allows the user to build something unique that can interact with all types of audio and video content. After creating a playlist, users will be able to share it with a friend. Through interaction and consumer use, Receiver will take feedback to improve the product and make it more user-friendly. Consumer-focused start-ups like Receiver tend to create a dependable service on a free platform, gaining a strong and devoted user base. Then, to monetize, companies can sell advertisers on the opportunity to be featured within the service or brands can engage users by targeting them based on the data mined from the product, including how people interact with the product, the content, and the internet in general.

WORDS: BRIAN SWEIGMAN PHOTOS: MICHAEL KAHN

Together, Receiver is proving that it’s possible to build a successful company in Canada that can attract an international audience. Toronto, in particular, is a great place to start out because of the smaller but knowledgeable community. It is always possible to reach out and tap a friend, or stranger, for advice. In addition, Toronto offers a wide variety of consumers—film, music, art—on an easier scale. Together, three friends took advantage of these factors, and their previous success, to make an even bigger impact in Toronto and worldwide.

@GETRECEIVER

HOME OF THE BRAVE LOGAN COTTON MCGUINESS

WORDS: HAYLEY CAMPBELL PHOTOS: ANDRIJA DIMITRIJEVIC

he man that stands in front of the camera exudes an admirable confidence as he slowly and meticulously wraps his hands. He has obviously come a long way from the boy who, at 14 years old, threw his first punch. Today, Logan Cotton McGuiness is exponentially stronger both mentally and physically. Sitting 4th in the world in his weight class, Logan has come a very long way and is merely punching the tip of the iceberg, as it relates to what he will surely achieve in his pro boxing career. Logan’s interest in boxing sparked after seeing his own brother enter the ring. From the moment he started boxing, he was hooked. It became his passion. It can be said that it became his entire world. He started to dedi“... his next oppocate all of his time to training, seeking to connent doesn’t stand a stantly improve and hone his technique. Often, chance!” when he was stuck at work or at school, his mind raced waiting for the moment he could resume his training. In 2008, Logan finally turned pro and started to travel. He fought abroad in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Meeting his trainer Chris Johnson was a pivotal moment for Logan. Johnson opened Logan’s regime to include the training and discipline of the mind, noting that the mental aspect is what consequently makes a boxer great. With the perfect combination of a strong body and mind, Logan began to achieve his goals. By 2010, his record was 10-0 and he showed no signs of stopping. Logan won the North American Boxing Association (NABA) Lightweight title that same year against Buzz Grant. He continued to retain the title in several other fights in 2011. Then, in late 2011, he dropped a weight class and captured his second NABA title as a “Super Featherweight.” Logan is currently the Undefeated NABA Featherweight Champion and a World Title contender. Since his last match in 2013, Logan has been on a much deserved break. He was grieving the loss of his manager and readying himself for the World Stage. It has been a long seven months for Logan, but he never gives up without a fight. Without having entered the ring, Logan has been forced to become more patient while rebuilding and sharpening his mental strength. Meanwhile, his physical strength is suffering in no way. When he enters the ring again, he will be a different man than he was in his last fight. Everything he has learned and endured has made him stronger and better at his passion. The rugged, good-looking Irish Canadian is feeling every bit as good as his 20-0 record and with his mental and physical game working together, his next opponent doesn’t stand a chance!

@LOCOPUGILIST

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