Welcome to Issue #24 SPRING! 

While others transition their wardrobes towards seasonal florals and pastels, I will continue to live unapologetically in black with a little more black, accessorized with black. So when I discovered the [1.] Collection by Canadian designer Charles Lu, I became obsessed.

charles lu, fashion in toronto, helen siwak, folioyvr, toronto, yvr, bc, cafa awards, mercedes benz

Each piece is a masterpiece, with clean lines, structure, and constriction balanced with volume. This issue’s cover belongs to Charles; his story is for all of you to experience and share. 

Brandon Newell, Wealth advisor, rescuer, Vancouver, Canada, Helen Siwak, folio, yvr, folioyvr

Wealth Advisor Brandon Newell is challenging his industry to lead with compassion and insightfulness and to leave behind traditional hard-sales tactics. Besides having a smile that lights up the room, he has opened his heart to the plight of animal abandonment post-pandemic. Making significant change is definitely on his 2024 agenda! 

celine Paolini, Musician, Piano, showcase piano, Vancouver, Canada, Helen Siwak, folio, yvr

This month’s Showcase Pianos Presents spotlight is on Celine Paolini. Following in the footsteps of featured international icons Chloe Flower, Rachel Naomi Kudo, and Hedy Chan, Celine played her way through the Westbank Fazioli‘s during her visit to our city, leaving us delighted with her delightful, whimsical, and utterly compelling performances. 

OWO, Raffles London, heritage hotel, Vancouver, Canada, Helen Siwak, folio, yvr, folioyvr

Manuel Bernaschek (Showcase Pianos, Stefano Ricci) shared his exclusive experience at the newest luxury landmark hotel to open in 2023, Raffles London at The OWO

OWO, Raffles London, heritage hotel, Vancouver, Canada, Helen Siwak, folio, yvr, folioyvr

With the prestige afforded royalty, guests can also visit a secret Spy Bar and the Guerlain Spa & L’Atelier for a refresh, adding to the allure of this exceptional destination. Manuel is one of our city’s top travel enthusiasts, and we are thrilled to have his insights. 

Oakridge Park announced a lengthy list of luxury-level lessees that left us speechless, but none more than the addition of Maison Margiela! John Galliano‘s road to recovery has been years in the making, and the Artisanal Collection 2024 continues to make waves. We could not resist exploring this upcoming connection to Vancouver in a story by contributor Kate Pickering

John Galliano, Maison Margiela, Oakrdige park, Vancouver, Canada, Helen Siwak, folio, yvr, Kate Pickering, folioyvr

Macallan 200, Vancouver Club, Whisky Vancouver, Canada, Helen Siwak, folio, yvr, Kuna photography, folioyvr

Tyson Villeneuve invited us to celebrate  The Macallan 200 at the Vancouver Club, and we were delighted to accept. Prevail‘s spoken word performance, course after course of delicate plates, and conversation with a selection of Vancouver’s most interesting people complemented a glorious whisky-centric evening. 

Emily carr, art, watercolour, Vancouver, Canada, Helen Siwak, folio, yvr, folioyvr

Before it comes down, we revisit the ‘Emily Carr: A Room of Her Own’ exhibition at the Vancouver Art Gallery at its halfway point to reinforce the importance of Canadian art, take a cruise in BMW’s iX EV and revel in the beauty and artistry of latest iteration of Guerlain’s Muguet

Vancouver, Canada, Helen Siwak, folio, yvr, folioyvr

Pandora’s ‘Diamonds for All’ campaign, led by a trio of powerful women, including  Pam Anderson, is offering a compassionate alternative to traditionally mined diamonds, and the settings are stunning. 

Finally, a heartfelt thanks to Charles Zuckermann (Zuckermann & Wong Photography) for this issue’s EIC portrait taken at The Macallan 200 event at Vancouver Club in my favourite Roberto Cavalli (RIP) dress from Turnabout Luxury Resale!

All my best,

Helen

Author Profile

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle Observer
Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle Observer
Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Marketing & Communications Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine, and digital women's lifestyle magazine EcoLuxLifestyle.co. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Post-pandemic, she has worked with many small to mid-sized plant-based/vegan brands to build their digital foundations and strategize content creation and business development. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at helen@ecoluxluv.com.
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Macallan 200, Vancouver Club, Whisky Vancouver, Canada, Helen Siwak, folio, yvr, Kuna photography, folioyvr Previous post The Vancouver Club Celebrates The Macallan 200 with Intimate Event
celine Paolini, Musician, Piano, showcase piano, Vancouver, Canada, Helen Siwak, folio, yvr Next post Showcase Pianos Presents: Celine Paolini, Elite Canadian Pianist