When in the presence of Stevie B, you feel a certain stillness that is hard to explain…until you look into his eyes (checkout this shot of Stevie!). They seem to go on forever without end, and they give you the impression that his mind never stops thinking and dreaming. The KA Best of Canada (events [...]
When we first met Maya, we were floored by the amount of energy that she had, plus the magazine that she was publishing (YU) is amazing. Now, Maya has continued to reinvent herself, and coupled with her experience in print media, she has launched her PR and marketing company. Seeing Maya work and her attention [...]
INTERVIEW WITH SCARLETT JAMES BEST OF CANADA 2010 – Scarlett James, cover art of upcoming book: ( fabulous!! K.A.) KA -This was my first ever Burlesque show and I am a complete convert. I felt like a kid at an amusement park, not knowing which treat to try next; except in the case of [...]
Vanessa Morcom is the PR person’s PR agent, and she is part of the new bread of agents out there: young, ambi- tious, but completely connected to their hearts. KA Magazine is pleased to have Vanessa as Best of Canada, and will definitely do our part to “PR her” as the best in her field. [...]
Teacher, poet, mad scientist, designer, architect…KA Magazine’s Best of Canada 2010 Designer Michael Joannidis is that rare bird that is all of the above. If this interview alone doesn’t fully convince you as to why he is definitely the one to watch, then time will do the job nicely. We invite you to take a [...]
Anna Liani’s journey began years ago as a teenager who was heading for certain fame and then, the nightmare hap- pened. The manager of her then young group completely “lost it” after he began suffering from depression – locking himself away with all their hopes and dreams held on a string. This caused a chain [...]
One night at a JoJo Flores session and you will be hooked. The man is really that good! Playing now for over 25 years, JoJo is from the school of the mixed tapes (remember when DJs used to make mixed tapes?!). That rare brand of DJs that had to make it the hard way: with [...]
Doing a magazine and choosing who to interview for Best of Canada isn’t as easy as it seems. But when it came time to chose Nelly Furtado as the best, this was an easy one! However it wasn’t so much because of all the awards and the great music that she had done over the [...]
When is a manager doing a great job? We think it would be when that manager manages to build the careers of his or her client while keeping a healthy low pro. If the list of talented people, both in entertainment and sports is any indication, Chris Smith is definitely doing a great job and [...]
There would not be a KA Best of Canada or even for that matter a KA Magazine without this person. She was the inspiration for the original KA and she remains a key figure in the creation and development of this magazine. Coupled with her role as ambassador for the MJH foun- dation, Ms. King [...]
INTERVIEW WITH BEST OF CANADA STYLIST RABI BAZZI Hair stylist Rabih Bazzi might have launched his career for the love of all things beautiful, but is that really such a bad thing? KA Magazine’s Best of Canada 2010 choice for hair stylist is also the KA stylist of choice, as his most recent work can [...]
Stephan Moccio is a genius. There it is in print, and we said it! To much beating around the bush, let’s just get straight to the point; this KA Best of Canada 2010 choice in the context of rare genius, should go to Stephan Moccio. Add to this, a gift of making the piano into [...]
It seems that a common thread with this issue of KA Best of Canada is serendipity, and this trend continues with the chance meeting between the editor of KA magazine and Zark Fatah. It was at such a chance meeting that we knew that this was not an ordinary promoter. Zark was definitely someone we [...]
* Retraction : In our printed issue of KA Best of Canada 2010, we have recently made an error in the reference to Nicole Jones’ CTV show “City Lites” by calling it “Montreal Lights”. Please see the corrected version below – Congratulations Nicole on being Best of Canada 2010! Allot of readers have commented on [...]
MEET DONNA FELDMAN — VISA BLACK CARDS’S BOND GIRL AND NEW COVER FOR KA MAGAZINE VOL. 5 In the 5th issue of KA, we felt it very crucial that the cover choice be someone that embodied the perfect essence of the KA girl. What is that essence you might ask? Well, the answer had to [...]
When we started to write this love issue, the following kept on cropping up time after time: architecture, travel, design and luxury… how we thought, could a single interview capture all of these elements while remaining as well in the theme of love? The answer wasn’t long in coming, because as chance would have it, all those points were the driving force behind the man that created Le St. James. Architecture — try to find a more stunning example than the lovingly restored building that houses this gem of a hotel. Travel — if you are one of the many lucky travelers who happened to stay here, then you would have experienced design and luxury equal to the best in the world. Coupled with a quick wit and amazing hair, Lucien Remillard is definitely a man that KA loves to spend the afternoon with. KA — How do you respond to a reality that seems to reject that the ultimate speed is doing the things right the first time even if on the surface it might seem to take longer, and how do you relate to the world that [...]
Style and strength, now that is a combination that rocks and you will be hard pressed to find a more rocking person than Erika Larva. Erika along with business associate Liz Walsh, are the driving force behind Monarch Events Group, which along with their incredible team, have been behind the fashion show production of LG Fashion Week in Toronto. To meet Erika is to meet love personified, there is just something about this woman that leaves you with the same feeling as a fresh shower on a hot summer’s day. KA — Do you think that love is an important factor in the building of a career in entertainment? EL — Absolutely! It is not the easiest industry to penetrate so you might have to work that much harder and perhaps wait longer to find your success. I firmly believe that everything meaningful in life happens because of the love and passion you feel for somethingor someone. KA — How important is it for you to connect with your clients, while creating a project? EL — It is imperative to connect with each client so that one can understand the client’s vision, to know their objectives and who the target audience is. I don’t’ produce cookie cutter shows, my mandate is to produce dynamic experiences that unify brand with product, to infuse life into the client’s vision KA — What has been your most satisfying creative project so far? EL — I enjoy all projects we take on and I have to be creative all the time, but the most challenging shows are the more theatrical ones with a story to tell.I was thrilled and honored to have been asked to produce the L’Oreal Paris’100 Years of Beauty and the FDCC meets Stratford Theatre , both shows presented opening night at LG Fashion Week. Talk about nervous! They were both immense creatively challenging projects that turned out beautifully. Two other projects which give me a ton of creative freedom, are the Book Lover’s Ball for the Toronto Public Library where we bring 8 novels to life via fashion and entertainment, a most unconventional but exciting show to produce. Also, the award winning Bell Gala, a themed fashion and entertainment celebrity studded gala KA — The team that you work with seems to be like your sisters, your work style is also very unorthodox in that you give full trust to your team without interference. Was this always your way of working? EL — Yes! I do not know how to work differently. I have great intuition so I quickly sense who I wish to have on my team. I love the people I work with, each one of them plays an integral role in making “it happen” I could not do what I do without them! KA — What is your personal mantra? EL — Be passionate about everything you do, treat everyone with respect. Be honest - Be compassionate. KA — Which City in the world is your favorite? EL — Rome KA — How do you prepare for something as stressfull like coordinating L’Oreal Fashion now LG Fashion Week in Toronto each year, and what keeps you coming back? EL — It all comes back to truly loving what I do and feeling passionate about my work, plus I have an awesome team! It is the most exciting week in the year and I would not miss it for the world. It is pure adrenaline rush, we work non stop during LG Fashion Week (formerly L’Oreal Fashion Week) , we are exhausted at the end of it but we are also totally inspired by the talent, the new designs, the vibe, the BUZZ! It is powerful. KA — Fashion has almost become the religion on our planet but we see that it has also become very homogenous where a few very large fashion houses are making the decision for everything we wear, do you think this will create a backlash of individuality? EL — We should use the latest trends only for inspiration and as a guideline. To take it literally is a mistake. There is so much freedom and so many options to choose from, so there is no need to lose your own individuality – be creative, fashion is fun. I admire people who create their own style and who have a look, THEIR LOOK… they adapt the trends to suit themselves and THAT is sexy. KA — What would you advise a starting designer in his or her first fashion week show, what is the most common mistake made by the first time participant? EL — Do a show only when you are truly ready! You have only one chance to make a first impression. Use great models, hire a stylist and show producer…work with the best people in the business! KA — What is the most touching moment unexpected that you have experienced at a Monarch produced event? EL — Being recognized and appreciated makes me happy KA — What style of music do you love, and who is on your play list? EL — It all depends on my mood and what inspires me and moves me on a particular day. I listen to classical and opera, old school, disco, pop and hip hop and I always enjoy Italian music … [...]
Luo Hong is a man passionate about the environment and Man’s relationship with wildlife. Armed with his camera, he travels to Africa capturing images of wildlife in the hopes of raising awareness on our connected and shared destinies. He was named “Climate Hero” by the United Nations Environment Program. The story of Luo Hong is the stuff that movies are made of. Born in 1967, Luo Hong at the age of 16, dropped out of school to start a photography business, taking pictures and selling landscape images of rural Sichuan. This business did not work out for the young photographer, so he then decided to start a small bakery shop in 1992. The interesting part of the story occurs when in 2000, Luo Hong founded a moon cake factory in Shenyang, but to only 1 year later take it down and build a new one. He felt that the old factory did not match international sanitary standards, so he invested 50 million yuan (6.7 million US) to rebuild and meet the international standards of the pharmaceutical industry. This act of business conscience made Holiland Bakery the “last man standing” after the scare to follow a short while after when bakeries across&n bsp;China were shut down after the crack down on sanitation. In 2006, he established the Luo Hong Environment Foundation with the aim of training and educating children worldwide on the impact we are having on the planet’s fragile ecosystem. Holiland now has over 800 stores in more than 60 cities across China, selling cakes and bread, moon cakes and sweet dumplings — baking his way to success, this Billionaire has done it from the ground up. “I am more of an impulsive type. I have found the real excitement of my life and know exactly what I want, that’s enough” he says. KA — Your recent exhibit is entitled “Shared Destiny”, in which you present stunning images of wildlife that at once captivates and gives one the sense that they (the animals) are very fragile even in their strength. Do you consider, that we will have to share the destiny of the wildlife we are destroying? LH — Earth is a complete and balanced ecosystem, and if a link goes missing, there will be large and sometimes catastrophic damages. In this sense, all life on Earth share the same fate. As we can now see how closely linked we are as humans, to other biological species – we cannot help to feel anxiety for our own kind when witnessing the accelerated extinction of so many other life beings on Earth. KA — The patience that is required to create some of these images such as waiting 3 days to get the image of the giraffes behind the setting sun, seems to be a patience of joy. What is it like waiting for that sort of magic to occur? LH — With the image of the giraffes, I had been waiting in the wilderness of Africa for three full days – Waiting as the sun would set perfectly near the equator. (Waiting for this image was not the most comfortable thing!) However, if you believe deep enough that you will capture the magic, a miracle will happen. Then, the wait for this miracle is no longer tiresome, it is a thing of joy. KA — The fact that you have created such a vast material success creates also a duality; on one side you need to consume to keep your businesses going, on the other side you need to be aware of the impact Industry has on the planet. How do you reconcile these two opposites? LH — By being aware of the impact Industry has on the Earth, and I do my best everyday to create in consideration of the planet. This is the key. Not only am I aware, but I make it my life’s mission to educate and share my knowledge to as many people as I can. KA — Charity and especially those involving children, seem to be very close to your heart. Why is this? LH — From my growth and success, I’ve learned that the most important thing to have [...]
We have all heard the lawyer joke — Hell, I think even lawyers make lawyer jokes! You know the ones that present lawyers as literally heartless and without genuine sensibilities. What happens when a lawyer not only develops a sense of sharpness required to function effectively in this field, but as well as have a [...]
NOBU-Melbourne For the longest time, I was sure that Kleenex was the name of the tissue. In this sense, the recognition and consistency of certain brands have made them even more realized than the original items themselves. What comes to mind when I say for example, “APPLE”? If you are like most people on this planet, it probably was not the fruit. What comes to mind when I say the word “NOBU”…? NOBU-Dubai KA — Change, such a small word, but it can create so much fear. It seems the ones who embrace this word are the ones that create the most in our world —but everyone has their own way of dealing with change. What is your way? NM — My way is to adapt and be creative. Japanese food is very traditional and in order to make the people enjoy more food, I have to create a way. For example, some American people are afraid of raw fish, and thus I created dishes such as the New Style Sashimi which is slightly cooked so that they may enjoy. Also, we use sauces as a dressing to make it easier and comfortable for them to try. I use interesting products and combine them with Japanese cooking techniques to create the Nob u Style of Cooking. KA — Nobu, the name brings a certain energy of respect, even to someone who has never frequented a NOBU restaurant. To what do you attribute this mystique? NM — The level of quality that we preserve here. Be it with food, service or décor. People can expect great tasting food and service every time they frequent the restaurant. I believe the main attribution is the whole package that we provide, when everything syncs together, we can be certain that the customers will have a great experience. KA — Traveling around the world as you do with this name “Nobu”, how do you stay as grounded as you are? NM — To be true to myself and not change my own character. Being a chef is my life. I am grateful for the compliments but being Nobu is not to let “Nobu” get to my head. Being humble is a part of my character. Every time I am in the restaurant I am always smiling and talking to all my customers. KA — How important is alone time to your sense of being centered? NM — It is very important to me. When I need to relax and refocus, I don’t want to see anyone at all. I like to go to the hot spring and be close to nature. No cars, buildings, or phones. I like to read books and be quiet. KA — The name NOBU has become so large as an icon, that to think that there is actually a person with that name, is sort of similar to realizing that there is a family with the name “Kellogs”. Has the power of the NOBU brand affected your ability to be, Nobu? NM — I have to be responsible to the name and protect the people working for me. I feel like a father responsible for taking care of his children. I have to make sure that the quality and standards are being maintained and I cannot afford to make any mistakes. I am proud that the name has become so large, but it comes with responsibility to maintain the quality in order to keep growing, we cannot escape it. KA — Your reality seems to be based on contradictions, and a sort of “going where no one has gone before” attitude. Starting with Peruvian influences and love for places as far removed from the genesis of Sushi, as the idea of ice cream in the Arctic–yet you seem to make it all work. What is it about a place that inspires you? NM — My first inspiration to cook is from my mother. I started as a sushi chef in Tokyo when I was 18. I was there for 7 years before moving to Peru. Peru has opened new doors in different cooking styles for me. As a professional chef, I am always learning something new from all my travels. KA — Which city in the world have you seen the ultimate NOBU challenge and thrill? NM — At the moment it is our new locations in Moscow, Dubai and Cape Town. In the Middle East, the main challenge is the religious restriction. We cannot use alcohol or soy sauce in the cooking there. For Moscow, it is difficult to obtain fresh fish. We have to order them from London, Italy and France. In Cape Town, Japanese food is not as popular as in New York, London, LA or Tokyo which are bigger cities that know and [...]