Kelowna Archives - PORT/FOLIO.YVR

Setting the Stage for an Unforgettable Okanagan Summer With the Return of Mission Hill Family Estate Summer Concert Series

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle ObserverMarch 20, 2025April 9, 2025

For over 15 years, the Mission Hill Family Estate Summer Concert Series has been the pinnacle event of the Okanagan summer season. Set against stunning vineyard and lake views, the...

☆ Issue #32 - February 2025 FoF ☆ Culinary, Wine, Spirits Mark Anthony Group Wine & Spirits

Martin’s Lane Winery: Kelowna’s Pinnacle of Precision Winemaking

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle ObserverMarch 2, 2025March 3, 2025

Nestled in BC’s Okanagan Valley, Martin’s Lane Winery is a seamless fusion of innovative architecture and precision winemaking. Designed by award-winning Olson Kundig, the six-level, gravity-fed winery blends effortlessly with...

☆ Issue #27 - Summer 2024 (II of II) FoF ☆ Travel & Adventure

Watermark Beach Resort Offers Convenience & Quality in South Okanagan

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle ObserverSeptember 1, 2024September 5, 2024

The Watermark Beach Resort has held a special place in the heart of the South Okanagan community since its founding. It is not just a destination; it is woven into...

PORTFOLIO.YVR Volume 1 | Issue 2

PORTFOLIO.YVR: Jason Sarai: Style by Sarai & SARAI Bespoke

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle ObserverJanuary 4, 2024

Founded by Creative Director and CEO Jason Sarai in 2014, SARAI Bespoke is a boutique lifestyle brand that creates luxury custom garments, renowned lifestyle collaborations, and exclusive soirées for a...

FoF ☆ Personalities

YVR Entrepreneurs Club: Bringing Together Vancouver’s Most Successful Entrepreneurs

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle ObserverJune 14, 2023September 3, 2024

The YVR Entrepreneurs Club is an upstart networking group in Vancouver and the brainchild of co-founder and CEO Brittany Michalchuk, a relative newcomer to the west coast from Calgary. [caption id="attachment_11374"...

☆ Issue #18 - Spring 2023

From British Vogue to Rolls-Royce Anniversary: Carolily Jewelry is Making a Statement

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle ObserverMay 11, 2023July 1, 2023

When an accessory is so divine, one can only wonder how much love, patience, and care went into its creation. Carolily Jewelry was created out of love. Donna and Danielle...

☆ Issue #12 - October 2020 FoF ☆ Travel & Adventure

Folio.YVR Issue #12: Eldorado Resort: A Legacy of comfort

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle ObserverNovember 13, 2020March 10, 2025

As serene and gorgeous as much of the Okanagan Lake waterfront may be, it is still unmistakably modern, as so much of Kelowna's development has come in recent decades. This...

☆ Issue #12 - October 2020

Folio.YVR Issue #12: Plantbased on the Krafty Kitchen + Bar Patio

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle ObserverNovember 7, 2020November 15, 2020

When visiting a new city, it is often tempting to ask Where do the locals eat? But we think a better way to find extraordinary dining may be Where do...

☆ Issue #12 - October 2020

Folio.YVR Issue #12: Current Taxi 100% Sustainable Tesla Fleet

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle ObserverNovember 4, 2020June 25, 2022

When tasting our way along the Okanagan Wine Trails, we love getting about in a sustainable style, so arranging for Current Taxi to meet us at the airport was an...

☆ Issue #08/09 - Nov/Dec

Folio.YVR Issue #8/9: ‘Frankie We Salute You’ Launches in Kelowna

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle ObserverDecember 8, 2019October 15, 2023

It was during a 3-day getaway to the Okanagan Valley that we were introduced to Frankie, We Salute You (FWSY). A primarily plantbased restaurant launched by Brian and Christina Skinner....

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OU MA ☆ OUMA BRIDAL⁠
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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. ⁠
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"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."⁠
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Learn more about Ou Ma and her process in our new story!⁠

ANASTASIA BESIOU ☆ THE SARTORIAL SHOP⁠
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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. ⁠
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“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."⁠
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Learn more about Anastasia and her journey in our new story here!⁠
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Link in bio!

JORDAN BRANDON ☆ J.D. BRANDON⁠
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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.⁠
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“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." ⁠
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Learn more about Jordan and his journey in our new story!⁠
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Link in bio!⁠

HEATHER DAWSON ☆ HEATHER LYNN CASHMERE⁠
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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. ⁠
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“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.⁠
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Read more about Heather's remarkable journey from server to shoes, schoolteacher to sumptuous cashmere collection designer in our new story!⁠
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Link in bio!⁠
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