March 23, 2025 - PORT/FOLIO.YVR

FoF ☆ Business & Tech PORTFOLIO.YVR Volume 3 | Issue 6

Matthew Housser and Convergence: Pioneering Innovation in Vancouver’s Tech Landscape

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle ObserverMarch 23, 2025April 9, 2025

Convergence, along with its UX Research & Design studio, Pixel Ramen, creates award-winning digital products. For over 10 years, Convergence has been designing, engineering, and deploying modern software applications and...

FoF ☆ Fashion & Lifestyle PORTFOLIO.YVR Volume 3 | Issue 6

The Sartorial Shop: Anastasia Besiou’s Journey in Menswear Excellence

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle ObserverMarch 23, 2025April 9, 2025

The Sartorial Shop, located in downtown Vancouver, was co-founded by Zahir Rajani and Anastasia Besiou (Co-Creative Director), and is a premier destination for custom and bespoke clothing. Serving men and...

FoF ☆ Fashion & Lifestyle PORTFOLIO.YVR Volume 3 | Issue 6

Crafting Legacy: The Artistry and Vision Behind J.D. Brandon Leather Goods

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle ObserverMarch 23, 2025April 9, 2025

Jordan Brandon is the founder of J.D. Brandon, a luxury leather atelier started in Victoria, BC, dedicated to timeless craftsmanship and refined simplicity. Born and raised in Prince George, BC,...

FoF ☆ Business & Tech PORTFOLIO.YVR Volume 3 | Issue 6

Andrew Aziz: Mastering Markets, Mountains, and Mindsets

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle ObserverMarch 23, 2025April 9, 2025

Andrew Aziz is a globally recognized entrepreneur, best-selling finance author, and elite mountaineer, known for bridging the worlds of finance, exploration, and innovation. As the founder and Chief Executive Officer...

FoF ☆ Celebrate PORTFOLIO.YVR Volume 3 | Issue 6

Ethereal Bridal: Founder Elena Kawa is Redefining the Bridal Shopping Experience

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle ObserverMarch 23, 2025April 9, 2025

Ethereal Bridal, founded by the passionate and outgoing Elena Kawa, is a distinguished bridal boutique located in Coquitlam, BC. From its humble beginnings in a cozy basement studio, Ethereal Bridal...

FoF ☆ Fashion & Lifestyle PORTFOLIO.YVR Volume 3 | Issue 6

Wrapped in Elegance: The Story of Heather Lynn Cashmere

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle ObserverMarch 23, 2025April 9, 2025

Heather Lynn Cashmere, based in Vancouver, BC, is renowned for its exceptional cashmere products that embody timeless elegance and superior craftsmanship. Founded by Heather Dawson, a school teacher turned entrepreneur...

FoF ☆ Community PORTFOLIO.YVR Volume 3 | Issue 6

Fragments of Fares: A Journey Through Chaos and Rebirth

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle ObserverMarch 23, 2025April 9, 2025

Fares is rapidly emerging as a powerful figure in Vancouver's social and creative scene, known for his ability to seamlessly blend different mediums of art and culture into groundbreaking performances....

FoF ☆ Beauty & Self-Care PORTFOLIO.YVR Uncategorized Volume 3 | Issue 6

Laura Widgett & The Healing Lounge: A Sanctuary for Empowerment and Transformation

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle ObserverMarch 23, 2025April 9, 2025

Founded by Laura Widgett, The Healing Lounge is a boutique wellness studio dedicated to fostering balance, relaxation, and inner connection. Located at the intersection of Ash Street and West Broadway,...

Follow Portfolio.YVR on IG!

@portfolio.yvr

OU MA ☆ OUMA BRIDAL⁠
⁠
Ou Ma is the founder of OUMA, a celebrated couture bridal fashion brand known for its sophisticated, avant-garde designs that challenge the traditional expectations of wedding wear. ⁠
⁠
"Every gown is thoughtfully designed in Vancouver with sustainability in mind, offering a balance of contemporary romance and timeless wearability. Unlike mass-market bridal brands, OUMA is personal. Each dress is made to order, ensuring a unique connection between the bride and her gown."⁠
⁠
Learn more about Ou Ma and her process in our new story!⁠

ANASTASIA BESIOU ☆ THE SARTORIAL SHOP⁠
⁠
In the world of fashion, Anastasia Besiou, co-founder and Co-Creative Director at The Sartorial Shop, works side-by-side with her partner Zahir Rajani, to meet the growing demand for high-quality, affordable suiting for both men and women. ⁠
⁠
“Being part Greek, Kenyan, Indian, and now Canadian, I have a very mixed cultural background. As such, I believe that I have a different view on fashion and style, and so I try to incorporate all of that into what we produce and showcase seasonally."⁠
⁠
Learn more about Anastasia and her journey in our new story here!⁠
⁠
Link in bio!

JORDAN BRANDON ☆ J.D. BRANDON⁠
⁠
Originally trained as a pharmacist, Jordan’s path took a turn in January 2020, when he discovered leatherworking through videos of artisans crafting beautiful pieces. What began as a curiosity quickly became an obsession when he realized that sewing leather by hand gave him the same sense of fulfillment he had growing up.⁠
⁠
“I have not had a formal mentor, but I have learned a lot by studying the work of others, breaking down what makes great design, great branding, and great craftsmanship. I have spent countless hours analyzing how the best in the industry started, built their legacies, and turned their work into something bigger than just a product." ⁠
⁠
Learn more about Jordan and his journey in our new story!⁠
⁠
Link in bio!⁠

HEATHER DAWSON ☆ HEATHER LYNN CASHMERE⁠
⁠
Founded by Heather Dawson, a school teacher turned entrepreneur with a passion for high-end textiles, the brand was born from her desire to create luxurious yet ethically crafted cashmere pieces. ⁠
⁠
“A major turning point came in my first year of teaching. My life was all mapped out—I was planning to become a school psychologist, rediscovering my love of music, singing in a choir, and fully immersed in my newfound passion for kundalini yoga. Then, I had my first three strokes. I went from 100 to 0. My world, which had always been driven by ambition, movement, and productivity, suddenly required stillness.⁠
⁠
Read more about Heather's remarkable journey from server to shoes, schoolteacher to sumptuous cashmere collection designer in our new story!⁠
⁠
Link in bio!⁠
⁠