YOUR LIFESTYLE SUPPLEMENT FROM VITA DAILY - FEBRUARY 2017
SPRING Fancies: Warmer-Weather Wardrobe Musts
BE-MINE WINE: Love Day, Uncorked
VALENTINE’S lust LIST: Objets d’Amour
LOTTE DAVIS:
AG Hair’s Co-Founder Makes Every Bottle Count
BEST IN KLASS KELSEY KLASSEN’S PICKS OF THE MONTH
A NEW DAWN With spring just around the corner I’m channelling the heat with the new limited-edition Desert Sunrise palette from Beautycounter. The set captures a desert oasis at daybreak with illuminating pearls, pinks, purples and khaki for eyes, plus satiny shades of tan, rose and flamingo for cheeks. Perfect for looking Flawless with Beyoncé in Palm Springs. $75 at Beautycounter.com
CUBA LIBRE I’m busy planning my spring escape to warmer climes, and Chanel has left visions of Havana salsa-ing in my head. The Parisian house’s 2016/17 resort collection is a raffish homage to the Pearl of the Antilles, evoking oversized gold hoops, cigar boxes, military chic and macramé (this embroidered tweed and ruthenium metal backpack, $8,250, for one). Select pieces at the Chanel boutique in Holt Renfrew, 737 Dunsmuir St., 604-681-3121. Holtrenfrew.com
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MAIS OUI While we’d never say no to a trip to France, sometimes it’s nice for France to come to us. Les Cocottes is a newly launched local mystery box service that delivers a curated selection of gourmet French edibles to satisfy your craving for food with attitude. In addition to traditional recipes and tips for use, our December box came laden with truffles, fois gras, confit d’oignon and more. From $49 at Lescocottesvancouver.com
DELIVERING THE GOODS I love walking to cafés for lunch but, come the rainy season, Vancouver’s booming food-delivery services become my best friends. The Good Stuff, founded by two varsity basketball players, delivers nutritious, ready-toblend smoothie mixes made with local and organic ingredients from sources like UBC and Fresh Roots farms to your door. I reach for the vegan Madagascar for a heaping helping of fruit in the morning. From $115 for 20 juices at Thegoodstuffco.com
A few years ago a TV crew came to my house to document the Great Closet Cleanout: 18 bags of clothing that I removed from my sphere of being and donated to charity. With it came a personal organizer to help me piece what remained of my collection back together. When it came time to organize my lingerie, she saw me putting my Pérèles and McCartneys back in with my socks and looked aghast. “Never put your lingerie in with the riff-raff!” she cried. “Those are your power pieces, the base of your entire wardrobe. They deserve their own drawer so they can speak to you each morning.” It was among the best fashion advice I’ve ever received, and I now start each day in clear conversation with what makes me feel good. This edition we’ve taken a page from that book to curate a Lust List of things we love, and that make us feel loved—Simone Pérèle included (page 6). We kick off Canada’s 150th with a homegrown success story (page 10) and escape the final dreary days of winter with a look at the latest spring/ summer collections (page 4), not to mention, a visit to the sun-soaked Greek Isles (page 9). Enjoy!
Kelsey Klassen
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
@KELSEYKLASSEN
@KELSEY.KLASSEN
What would you like to see featured in VITA? Contact us: noa@vitadaily.ca Twitter @vitadailyvan Instagram @vitadaily.ca
PUBLISHER JULIE HAMILTON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF KELSEY KLASSEN EDITORIAL DIRECTOR NOA NICHOL CREATIVE DIRECTOR MADISON HOPE PROMOTIONS MANAGER KRYSTIN TYSIRE ACCOUNT MANAGER TORI CLARK EDITORIAL INTERN SIOBHAN LIDDER TO ADVERTISE IN VITA EMAIL VITASALES@GLACIERMEDIA.CA | ON THE COVER It’s official: as the weather warms, nothing goes better with CHANEL’s classic tweed suit than some electric-fused pastel, sweet bling and a perfectly angled ball cap. CANADA POST PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT #42849020
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FA S H I O N & S H O P P I N G
Hot Shops
DYNAMITE There’s a certain look to les femmes de Montréal. An artsy effortlessness, a Cheshire confidence that is as intoxicating as the city itself. Capture the essence with Dynamite, a beloved Quebec-based fashion brand that strutted into its newest home in the heart of Pacific Centre at the end of last year. Tucked alongside the likes Le Chateau, Nine West and J.Crew, Dynamite makes it easy to stock up on trendsetting satin silhouettes and Millennial-friendly fashions, complete with just the right amount of detail. It doesn’t hurt that the prices are, as the French say, très bon. 701 W Georgia St., 604-688-7235. Dynamiteclothing.com KELSEY KLASSEN
SEWLESS @ DESIGN_ + CONQUER Here’s a fashion Zen koan for you: “Can clothing exist without sewing?” In 2016 jewelry maker Morgan Mallett challenged herself to apply a “slits and tabs” technique to her first official clothing collection at Vancouver-based Design + Conquer, aptly called the Sewless collection. Her Ikea-esque designs made from sustainable and ethically sourced Portuguese cork
MEET VANCOUVER’S NEWEST RETAILERS.
fabric (similar durability and texture to leather) can be rolled up or flat-packed for travel. The resulting pieces have a stunning show-stopping esthetic: we love the Analog Dress (pictured, $500)—an architectural space-age take on the flutter-sleeve shift. Our prediction: these sewless, sustainable designs are sure to conquer the fashion world. Design-and-conquer.com
MUJI Muji, a 37-year-old Japanese brand, is entering the Vancouver market via a pop-up at the Fairmont Pacific Rim, January 27 to February 28, as part of the hotel’s Japan Unlayered exhibition, which celebrates that country’s design, food and culture. Back home, Muji’s stores are among the most peaceful and orderly places on earth: no logos, lots of neutral colours and with soft, folky soundtracks playing in the background. The brand makes everything from furniture to fashion, beauty products to bedding. Stationery is big, as are simple and elegant wooden kids’ toys. Fashion-wise, it produces great tunics, shirts, jeans, knitwear and simple sneakers. Since it was anticipated the Muji pop-up would be ultra popular, advanced reservations were required—sadly, last we heard, all available spots had been snapped up. But, with two permanent shops—one on Robson and one in Metrotown—set to open later this year, the not-so-early birds among us may luck out yet. Muji.com
MIRANDA SAM
AILEEN LALOR
FA S H I O N & S H O P P I N G
spring
PERPETUAL BLOSSOM Daisies look positively precious wrapped around your wrist via this 12-karat-gold-plated bracelet watch with a motherof-pearl face. $430 at Kate Spade, 701 W Georgia St., 604-699-9106. Katespade.com
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NOTHING BUT BLUE SKIES Paired with your Sunday best or your favourite T, this necklace features clusters of pale-blue stones reminscient of robins’ eggs (how spring like!). $168 at J.Crew, 1088 Robson St., 604-684-2367. Jcrew.com
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STRAWBERRY SEASON Made for the posh city gal, this cropped crêpe Miu Miu jacket has beautiful crystalembellished buttons that remind us of flowers in bloom. $1,609 at Net-a-porter.com
FRESHLY CUT Uniquely handcrafted by Caitlin Mocuin, adorn your finger with this ring of shimmering sapphire and dazzling diamond cabochon. $2,840 at Nordstrom, 799 Robson St., 604-699-2100. Nordstrom.com DESIGNER BOUQUET Nothing short of elegant, this top-handle structured bag is the perfect balance of girlish innocence and sophisticated taste. $4,180 at Gucci, 900 W Georgia St., 604-488-0320. Gucci.com
CITRUS CHIC Fresh off Carven’s resort collection, this belted lace skirt with a scallop eyelash hem is as refreshing as a tall glass of lemonade on a hot summer day. $450 at Net-a-porter.com
BLUSHING ROSE Part of Chanel’s new Coco Codes cosmetic collection, apply a few dabs of this silky poder blush for that coveted radiant glow—no actual sun required. $53 at Holt Renfrew, 737 Dunsmuir St., 604-681-3121. Holtrenfrew.com
BEST PUMP FORWARD This season Prada reinvents the loafer for the modern gal with metallic-finished calfskin leather, jewelled flower accents and a (dare we say it?) comfortable stacked heel. $890 at Holt Renfrew, 737 Dunsmuir St., 604-681-3121. Holtrenfrew.com FLOWER VISION This pair of camellia-framed shades by Chanel are the perfect accessory for what we’re certain will be a pinkhued spring. $610 at select boutiques. Chanel.ca
GARDEN PARTY Intricate lace, bright shades and romantic floor-length hems swept us off our feet and swooning for more at Valentino.
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SUMMER BREEZE Temperley London’s pillowy sleeves and dream-like smocks are a stunning postcard to sunny climes and rare adventures.
POOL READY Hues of azure, pink and lavender saturated Miu Miu’s spring collection, leaving us with dazed with patio fantasies of iced drinks and playful retro prints.
SPRING FORMAL Beehives and pink pouts galore, Anna Sui’s homage to the American Girl fuses vintage embroidery with pops of colour, making us want to travel back in time.
FA S H I O N & S H O P P I N G
The Wanted W H A T
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COMPUTER LOVE We certainly consider ourselves “mistresses of a digital universe” ’round here (visit us online at Vitadaily.ca) and thank Karl Lagerfeld for making this the focus of Chanel’s stunning spring/summer 2017 ready-to-wear collection. Against a backdrop of shiny computer cabinets, metallic racks and kilometres of cable, the designer sent models striding down the runway in, among other revelations, woven multi-coloured tweed suits, flat shoes with crossover straps and chunky pendant necklaces resembling ID tags. This sleek clutch bag in perforated silver leather, a detail from our cover, conveys Lagerfeld’s “intimate technology” theme stylishly, making it a shoe-in for our most-wanted accessory this season. Indeed, we’d like to see the outfit in its entirety hanging in our closet. Available in select Chanel boutiques from March end. Chanel.ca
1457 Bellevue Avenue, West Vancouver · 604.925.8333 Four Seasons Hotel, 791 Georgia Street, Vancouver · 604.682.1158
FA S H I O N & S H O P P I N G SWEET SOMETHINGS Chocolates are so expected. A Prestige Pink gift box filled with two-dozen macarons in your choice of flavours (rose petal’s got our taste buds watering) is a sweet surprise. $85 at Ladurée Boutique and Tea Salon, 1141 Robson St., 604-336-3030. Laduree.com
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ONE & ONLY The cut, the lace details, the silhouette—we cannot find flaw with this gorgeous one-piece Elles bodysuit by Simone Pérèle. Dare we say it’s the perfect (sexy) Valentine’s Day gift? $195 at En.simoneperele.com
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LOVE HANDLE This sweet perforated purse by Rebecca Minkoff simply screams “be mine,” don’tcha think? $230 at Holt Renfrew, 737 Dunsmuir St., 604-681-3121. Holtrenfrew.com
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HEARTS AFIRE Romantic dinners for two, here we come. This heart-shaped casserole (in cherry red or rose) is cast iron, so it will never break. $200 at Le Creuset, 2997 Granville St., 604-620-3915. Lecreuset.ca
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POINT TAKEN Prada sure knows the way to a woman’s heart. This chic pointy-toe pump in patent calfskin boasts a heel detail that leaves heart-shaped prints in its wearer’s wake. $1,323 at Nordstrom, 799 Robson St., 604-699-2100. Shop. nordstrom.com
CRÈME DE LA CRÈME This limited-edition love collection includes hand creams sourced from ingredients found all over the South of France— think peony, rose and almond. Ooh la la! $50 at L’Occitane en Provence, 1000 Robson St., 604-681-4408. Ca.loccitane.com
SOLE MATES Our stance on cupid is obvious in these Love Heart flats, made from super-soft black suede with a gold embroidered detail on the vamp. $370 at French Sole, Park Royal Shopping Centre S, Unit 1052, West Vancouver, 604-913-0312. Frenchsole.com ALL NIGHT LONG Go from date night to night cap with Amaterasu—smudge-proof eyeliner that stays in one place, so that you don’t have to. $28 at BeautyMark, 1268 Pacific Blvd., 604-642-2294. Beautymark.ca
TECH TOKEN Not only does it look lovely, this polished-gold QBracelet links to your iPhone via a built-in connector, providing up to an extra 50 per cent charge. $149 at Qdesigns.co
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CANDY CRUSH Box of bonbons begone. This delicious red-and-white-striped strapless Frieda dress shows off our curves—without adding inches to them. $655 at Ted Baker London, 725 Granville St., Unit 126, 604-661-4544. Tedbaker.com
DINING & NIGHTLIFE
Be-Mine Wine U N C O R K
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S T A R R QUICK AND FRISKY Whether it’s a fresh love in your life or a new love of the night, get salty with oysters and sparkling wine. Oysters are sexual in nature—from their texture and flavour to the way you slide them off the shell into your mouth—and bubbles complement this with sparkle and elegance. Briny oysters go well with fresh and crisp sparkling wines. For creamier species, splurge on Champagne. We recommend: ▶ À LA CRISP: Fitzpatrick—Fitz Brut 2013; Peachland, B.C. Bright-green apples and citrus, with firm minerality and creamy bubbles, make this a perfectly fresh pairing with Atlantic oysters (think Malpeques or Beausoleils). $33 at BCLD. Bcliquorstores.com ▶ À LA CRÈME: Taittinger—Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2006. Racy minerality, with a rich and elegant palate of brioche and ripe apricots, this Champagne demands celebration and appreciation. Enjoy alongside Pacific oysters, such as Kusshis or Fanny Bays. $250 at BCLD. Bcliquorstores.com
As if it weren’t enough to be celestially beautiful and the divine manifestation of all things LOVE and SEX, Aphrodite also wore a magical girdle that rendered her irresistible to anyone in her path. Since the chances of accessing such a tool is slim to none, we say reach for the next best thing to tap into the Greek goddess’ confidence this month: WINE.
Wine has been historically labelled as an aphrodisiac for as many reasons as we can find to continue drinking it. You’ve probably skimmed across such terms as amines, polyphenols, resveratrol and procyanidins, all claiming grape-related health benefits in one way or another. But sometimes that wine hits our lips with a more primal purpose in mind. Whether you’re fresh on the prowl or cosied up to celebrate your 25th Valentine’s Day together, put some oil on that libido with a few sips of vino, and step into Aphrodite’s shoes …
SULTRY AND ROMANTIC For a warmer and slower sip into the night, go Italian with a bottle of Amarone. Rich, and velvety with aromas of tobacco, leather and dried fruits, this powerful wine demands some time to drink it, giving you a chance to scoot closer and get heated. If you want to get playful, sneak some dark chocolate into this equation to double down on your aphrodisiac game. We recommend: ▶ Amarones can be powerhouses of intensity, so make sure to find one with good balance. Brigaldara 2011 Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico offers all those sultry characteristics (dusty leather and tobacco, with dark, dried fruits) in a sophisticated and elegant wine. Take your time with this one, because as she opens up, she starts shedding layers. $89 at Marquis Wine Cellars. Marquis-wines.com A bottle of wine will point you in the right direction, but be weary of bottle number 2! Aphrodite’s girdle can quickly turn into a belt of celibacy if you don’t practise moderation with wine. Cin cin!
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Tel 604.913.0312 www.frenchsole.com
DINING & NIGHTLIFE
New Noshes W E B E S T
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COMMODITY X RITUAL Lately it feels like juice is to Vancouver what wine was to the Bible: everybody’s drinking it. Which, to our great delight, means a growing number of local restaurants have started offering nutritious juices as part of their in-house dining experience. As of last month you can score Commodity Juicery’s cold-pressed goodness right next to the nourishing nosh at Ritual in the West End. Flowing out from the gorgeous juice bar are standouts like the Upbeet Smoothie (a medley of exotic fruits mixed with beets, ginger, coconut and more) and Black Majic Mylk (almonds, toasted black sesame, activated charcoal, dates, vanilla and salt) alongside smoothie bowls and farm-inspired comfort food. For the tippler among us there are also vibrant juice-centric mimosas and vegan Caesars. Because, c’mon: it’s all about the healthy choices. 774 Denman St., 604-428-7722. Ritualvancouver.com | Commodityjuicery.com KELSEY KLASSEN
DALINA Part grocery. Part kitchen. Part Coffee. Say hello to Dalina: Main Street’s newest haunt, with Italian-inspired offerings (natch, it falls under the Bosa umbrella) to entice urban-dwelling foodies. Whether you want to savour a morning cappuccino and croissant, pop in at lunch for a panini of lean prosciutto and arugula or pick up a few staples for your pantry, Dalina aims to please. With aisles full of curated grocery items, a beautiful café and an exposed kitchen, there’s a whole lot to love—no plane ticket to the Boot required. Grazie infinite! 687 Main St., 604-428-4364. Dalina.ca AUREA DEMPSEY
RAILTOWN CAFÉ Railtown Café has opened a second sweet location—gourmet sandwiches, salads, breads and pastries made with local and organic ingredients and served in heaping portions. We happily tucked into a custom salad of baby kale, fennel, blue cheese and grilled chicken topped with squash chips (ridic!) and apple cider vinaigrette. So beautifully crafted was our bowl, we devoured every bite. Spying the 72-hour bacon on the Clubhouse, we know what we’ll be having next (plus house-made ice cream once the temp warms up). 968 Howe St., 604-428-8255. Railtowncafe.ca AUREA DEMPSEY
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LIFT BAR & GRILL Before you take off to what undoubtedly is a fabulous and far-flung destination, dine in at Lift Bar & Grill—Vancouver International Airport’s newest restaurant located in the international terminal. The eaterie’s oak and charcoal-grey dining space wraps around YVR’s iconic aquarium—with 850 indigenous sea creatures to ogle, it’s a truly unique noshing experience with a view. In the kitchen, executive chef Soojin Park (whose experimental cooking style may be linked to the fact that she holds a master’s degree in inorganic chemistry) successfully adds unexpected ingredients to West Coast contemporary dishes developed specially for this, Lift’s second location—all Ocean Wise certified, of course. Try the spicy tuna roll, which features a tropical twist thanks to guacamole-style avocado and grilled pineapple. YVR International Terminal (post security, near Gate D67), 604-278-2024. Yvr.ca MIRANDA SAM
T R AV E L & L E I S U R E
Island Hop to It S E T T I N G
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“Opa! Welcome to sailing!” our skipper, Jose, announced happily. We were leaving Mykonos for Syros and, though he was downright gleeful, I on the other hand was freezing cold and dripping wet from wind and ocean, clutching tightly to the boat as it leaned precariously toward the water and thinking, “ This is nothing like the calm catamaran sails I’ve been on before; how am I ever going to make it through the week?!” I heard Kent, one of five other guests on this G Adventures trip, ask, “So, how far can the boat lean over before it tips?” and was immediately grateful I wasn’t the only one feeling unnerved. (The answer: the sailboat is actually very, very difficult to tip over. Phew!). Thankfully, the rest of the trip was smooth sailing. gadventures.com
In Syros, at Oneiro, we devoured the best Greek salad of the trip (foodie tip: add sea fennel, if you can find it, to your bowl). In Kythnos, we walked to the cliff to take in the sunset (I got up early to use this same incline for hill training). In Kea, we hiked to the Lion of Kea, which, according to mythology, was sent by the Gods—jealous of the island’s beauty—to wreak havoc on the island. The figs we plucked from the trees during the hike whet our appetites for a seafood dinner at Rolando’s Ouzeri. In Kythnos, we ate on the beach as cats wound through our feet looking for leftovers.
We’d spent our first night in Mykonos wandering the stone pathways and eating seafood pasta at Fato a Mano (where the food was so good, a local kid was sprinting in-between bites to make room in his belly). Jet lagged, we bypassed the busy bars in favour of an early night’s sleep on the boat. The next day, our kitchen filled with market supplies, we launched; we spent the next week sailing to a different island daily, as chosen by Jose and determined by the winds. Most mornings saw us set sail by a 9 a.m.; a few hours later, the boys would anchor the boat for a period of time so we could snag a quick lunch (including two epic halloumi feasts) and a swim (if you have an interest in sailing, you can also gain some nautical knowledge here—I learned a few knots). We’d then dock at the island’s marina, hop ashore to satisfy our gelato cravings and, finally, hit the showers before dinner on land. Fato a Mano, Meletopoulou Square, Mykonos Town, fatoamano.gr
During a stop in Poros, we joined the other tourists stumbling through a steep winding maze of stairs up to the clock tower, from which a vista view was worth the sweaty climb. In Aegina, our last island stop, we got a hit of history and visited some ruins, including the Temple of Aphaia, the Paliachora of Aegina and the medieval Tower of Markellos, each one shimmering in the blistering heat. Our final stop brought us to Athens for our flights home, where the traffic and crowds were jarring after a week at sea and immersed in the slower pace of island life. But it was time to find our land legs again and say a bittersweet “antio” to the skipper and our new friends. All photos courtesy of G Adventures.
PEOPLE & PLACES
Hair Cares T H E B U S I N E S S ,
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South Africa-born Lotte Davis set up AG Hair in 1989 with her husband, hairdresser John Davis. Almost 30 years later the made-in-Vancouver brand is a great Canadian success story, available in salons around the world. Better yet, Davis has also used her business to support her philanthropic work—AG’s Every Bottle Counts campaign involves donating a portion of each sale to One Girl Can, Davis’ charity that provides educational opportunities to girls in Africa. Aghair.com
PHOTO: JENNIFER SALT
When you started AG what was the gap in the market that you thought you could fill? LD: There wasn’t one! We were very entrepreneurial but we didn’t know anything about the hair-care industry. We were buying in product from a generic manufacturer and pumping it into 8oz bottles in our home. Then we realized the quality was inconsistent and the ingredients were poor—for example, table salt was (and still is) used as a cheap thickening agent, but it’s extremely drying for hair. We learned about formulation and my husband spent a long time developing a method of using plant-based cellulose. It was so much better, leaving hair soft and silky, that we started to explore using natural ingredients, and that’s where we found the gap. How do you remain innovative? LD: We do a lot of research to get ahead of the curve; lots of comparison and testing with our target audience (we give products to employees of Aritzia and Lululemon as well as hairstylists in Vancouver, New York and L.A.). Then we reformulate based on feedback, so we know a product will be a success before it gets to market. We look at runway trends, blogs, fashion trends and take our inspiration from there, and we keep an eye on the competition but try and do things better, more naturally. How important is it to you that you’re a Canadian brand? LD: We’re the only professional haircare brand that manufactures in Canada. From an economic point of view it would have been sensible to be down south because of the larger population size. But we’ve turned our Canadian-ness into an advantage—we talk a lot about the natural environment. Americans consider us somewhat exotic. Canadians are extremely proud that we’re a brand from here that’s made it, so it has really worked to our advantage. Why did you decide to move into philanthropic work? LD: I’ve always had a social conscience—I spent my childhood in South Africa, where I witnessed apartheid and racial discrimination and just knew it was wrong. I moved to Canada in the ’60s and it was an incredible time: the rise of the Civil Rights Movement and feminism. I became aware of how underutilised and discriminated against women were. Initially I was determined to become successful myself, because it proved that women were useful in society. From my teenage years I was determined to do charitable work, too—a combination of being naturally rebellious and having that sensitivity to social issues.
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PHOTO: AG HAIR
“But we’ve turned our CANADIAN-NESS into an advantage— we talk a lot about the natural environment. Americans consider us somewhat EXOTIC.” PHOTO: AG HAIR
PHOTO: JENNIFER SALT
Tell us about Every Bottle Counts and One Girl Can LD: It was about 15 years in that we realized the business was solid enough, and we started raising money for charity through various different campaigns and eventually established Every Bottle Counts, which donates a portion of every sale to One Girl Can. All the costs are absorbed by the business and every part of the business is involved, so it’s something our employees are very proud of. We started One Girl Can in 2008 with the aim of helping girls in Africa get an education, through investing in and rebuilding schools, and scholarships. We work mainly in rural areas of Kenya. Girls are particularly disadvantaged there; there is some cultural resistance to them receiving an education. But once we started rebuilding schools people started listening, and once we started investing in their girls, they started investing in their girls, too. Now we support 130 girls in high school and 60 in university, financially and through an intricate mentoring program that involves successful African women who are even offering internships. Last September we saw the first two girls graduate from university, which was very emotional. What’s coming up for the brand? LD: We’re about to launch a 98 per cent natural line of five basics. I believe it’s the highest proportion of natural ingredients in any pro hair-care line. We’re also building a state-of-the-art manufacturing and distribution facility in Coquitlam, which will give us a great opportunity to expand our brand—we’re looking at South America next. In terms of One Girl Can, we’ll be continuing our program there and holding various different events including a fundraiser—a really fun stand-up cocktail event—on April 13 at the Imperial Theatre.
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