Director of Marketing ANGELA PALMIERI-ZERILLO angela@dolce.ca
National Sales Manager CHRISTINA BONO
Growth Marketing Associates MARIO BALACEANU
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES
T: 905-264-6789
info@dolce.ca • www.dolcemag.com Front Cover NADIA CATERINA MUNNO Portrait by JESSE MILNS
Dolce Magazine is published quarterly by Dolce Media Group, 111 Zenway Blvd., Suite 30, Vaughan, Ont., L4H 3H9 | T: 905-264-6789, info@dolce.ca, www.dolcemedia.ca
Publication Mail Agreement No. 40026675. All rights reserved. Any reproduction is strictly prohibited without written consent from the publisher.
Dolce Magazine reaches over 900,000 affluent readers annually through household distribution across Canada. Dolce Magazine is also available to over 100 million digital consumers of Magzter Inc. and Issuu. Inquiries about where else Dolce Magazine is available for sale may be directed to Dolce Media Group: info@dolcemedia.ca or 905-264-6789. Visit www.dolcemag.com for single-copy and yearly subscription fees.
The opinions expressed in Dolce Magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or advertisers. Dolce Media Group does not assume liability for content. The material in this magazine is intended for information purposes only and is in no way intended to supersede professional advice.
We are proud to be a Canadian company that has successfully published magazines for the past 29 years without any government funding or financial assistance of programs to cover editorial costs. It has all been possible thanks to the wonderful support of our readers and advertisers.
“What you do makes a difference. And you must decide what difference you want to make.”
— Dr. Jane Goodall
From the first moment we arrived at Nadia Caterina Munno’s home we knew we were in for an incredible day ahead.
As we entered her beautiful, beautiful (yes, we needed to say this twice!) home, we were immediately welcomed in true Roman fashion by her two adorable Chihuahuas, Cacio & Pepe and Carbonara, who gave us the warmest welcome with wagging tails and cuddles.
A few minutes later The Queen of All Pasta came downstairs wrapped in a printed Dolce & Gabbana robe, her hair in a towel still wet from her shower, to give us the biggest hug herself.
It is on occasions such as these that we feel blessed to be able to meet super-kind and authentic characters who, regardless of their huge success or fan base, are a pleasure to be around! And by the end of the shoot this queen had stolen our hearts. We might have attributed that to the pasta alla puttanesca she whipped up for us at the end of our shoot … but no, it was her intoxicating personality and her love for life.
Plus, who else is lucky enough to say that they had The Pasta Queen open her home for an exclusive interview — and prepared a meal for us that was truly delizioso? There’s a saying that the
shortest way to a person’s heart is through their stomach — and we can attest to that!
We hope you enjoy this cover story filled with all the same colours, passions and love you might experience on an actual trip to Italy. (Story on page 62.)
But wait — we have more for you in this edition of Dolce. We report on the exclusive groundbreaking event we were invited to in Milan, where we witnessed Audi’s unveiling of its new Audi Concept C automobile, which was nothing short of breathtaking, and Audi’s announcement of its new corporate philosophy, which will set the tone for the design of Audi products in the future. (Story on page 74.)
Dolce loves discovering new talents who are destined to become legends. We discovered Teddy Swims back in the winter of 2023, when he had just one song (and was featured on our cover) … We knew he was the kind of talent people would come to love once discovered. Well, we have the same prediction for Sons of Legion, Adam McInnis and Daddy Jack. Their music is profound and they are one of those rare bands that don’t write music for the industry or for commercial success — instead, they write what feels right and true to themselves. Their mission is to have as many people as possible on the planet listen to their music, and by charting their own course, they have already garnered millions of monthly listeners.
As the late Dr. Jane Goodall said, “What you do makes a difference. And you must decide what difference you want to make.” Her remarkable courage and conviction and lifelong dedication to creating awareness of how humans pose a threat to wildlife and to inspiring harmony between wildlife, humans and nature, has indeed made a profoundly important difference in the world. We mourn Dr. Goodall’s passing and celebrate her life and work on page 92.
In essence, we entrust every story we feature in Dolce with the task of enriching life. And just as music has the power to unite people universally as it transcends boundaries of language, so does food, with its ability to nurture not just our bodies but also fuel our souls. So, whether we help you discover a new song, a pasta dish, a new piece of art or a travel destination, we hope you are inspired to live life with awe and a sense of discovery … but, most of all, with authenticity. We hope you enjoy this edition of la Dolce vita!
Michelle Zerillo-Sosa Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
Fernando Zerillo Co-Founder/Creative Director
@dolcemag / @amorebagstoronto / @fernandozerillo
IN 1755, IN GENEVA, A QUEST BEGINS. A QUEST FOR EXCELLENCE IN HIGH WATCHMAKING.
A QUEST OF PASSION, PERSEVERANCE AND MASTERY.
A QUEST TO « DO BETTER IF POSSIBLE, AND THAT IS ALWAYS POSSIBLE ».
A QUEST THAT NEVER ENDS.
VACHERON CONSTANTIN CELEBRATES SEEKING EXCELLENCE FOR 270 YEARS.
270 YEARS OF DOING BETTER IF POSSIBLE
74
NADIA CATERINA MUNNO:
“The Pasta Queen” invites Dolce to her home for an exclusive interview, where she shares her passion for cuisine, her love for family, and all the things that define her dolce vita!
AUDI’S GROUNDBREAKING EVENT IN MILAN
Introducing a bold new design philosophy focused on clarity, innovation, and the future
86
NEVIS ISN’T JUST A DESTINATION: The island that inspires transcendent feelings — and will always remain in your heart
JOEL KIM BOOSTER: The two-time Emmy-nominated actor, writer and producer shares the highs and lows of his life and career 72
OBJECTS OF DESIRE: Exclusive fall picks your heart will desire!
THE GIANFRANCO FERRÉ RESIDENCES: ONIRO Group and MIRA Developments launch an exciting new residential opportunity 24
CENTURIES OF THE FINEST QUALITY: Martell Cognac remains the world’s finest and continues to strengthen its legacy 84
57 ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Sandra Ainsley travelled across the world to sit down with Italian glass artist and master glassmaker Lino Tagliapietra 82 SONS OF LEGION: Adam McInnis and Daddy Jack share their thoughts on the importance of music, their inspirations, and their life journeys More stories inside . . .
ZERILLO.CA
ORDER NOW
FAMIGLIA ZERILLO IS PROUD TO BRING YOU PREMIUM EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL FROM THE ADRIATIC COAST OF ITALY.
Zerillo Oil is crafted to perfection by more than three generations of olive growers. Reinforced by the grandeur of the ancient olive trees, Famiglia Zerillo honours our family’s heritage and legacy afforded by its founding members by serving you an elevated farm-to-table experience.
Much more than a brand of olive oil, Famiglia Zerillo symbolizes generational aspiration, passion, connection and humility toward the craft of making olive oil.
AVAILABLE AT
CELEBRATING PAST GLORY AND PRESENT ACHIEVEMENTS WITH THE HERITAGE COLLECTION
Château Lagrange’s Collection Héritage adds modern flair to its impactful legacy
WRITTEN BY ISHA SHARMA
The quest for excellence without compromise” is a philosophy that has driven Château Lagrange over the years, and it is exactly this philosophy that makes it one of the most extraordinary wineries to offer premium collections.
A major impetus behind the Collection Héritage is Château Lagrange’s desire to celebrate its heritage while anticipating the demands of the future. With the new Collection Héritage, the winery honours its legacy — the historical treasure that Suntory acquired in 1983 — while being mindful of its duty to preserve and develop this legacy for generations to come.
The collection draws inspiration from those that preceded it, including the Collection Parcellaire, which showcases the distinctive characteristics of the gravelly terroir and its renowned Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety, and the Collection Remarquable, which highlights the unique relationship between the wine and the exceptional
barrels it is aged in, crafted from remarkable threehundred-year-old oak trees.
This collection also reflects the success the Château has garnered in the past four decades and the technical advancements it has made since 1983, combined with the cumulative knowledge of its oenologists, the soil studies done in 2009 that led to the division of its vineyard into 103 individual plots or “parcellaires,” and the proficiency of people who have contributed to making Château Lagrange a pioneer in the industry.
“Our Heritage Collection takes its place in a series of limited editions created by the property over recent years,” says Matthieu Bordes, Château Lagrange’s general director.
The intermingling of the past with the present is a noteworthy aspect of the collection’s look as well: both its label and typeface reference those used for the vintage from 1983, which was the year Suntory acquired the estate from the Cendoya family. The label also incorporates images of the
Château and two Spanish conquistadors to honour the Cendoyas’ Basque and Spanish ancestry.
This is complemented by the modern design of the collection’s simple, clean presentation case, which displays only essential information and is secured by three leather straps and a delicate oak stick. The 100% wooden case is made in Médoc by Adam, a company adhering to an eco-friendly approach for its products. Its design also serves as a tribute to the great Japanese art of wabi-sabi, which is based on a traditional philosophy that emphasizes the beauty of simplicity, imperfection, authenticity and natural materials.
Bordes explains, “This creation embodies the desire to bring together yesterday’s legacy and today’s values in a single case.”
Today's Collection Héritage is the realization of the potential that Château Lagrange could only have dreamed of 40 years ago.
chateau-lagrange.com
@chateaulagrange
The Heritage Collection’s grapes 54% Cabernet Sauvignon and 46% Merlot were grown on the winery's original plots of land, the vines already planted when Suntory acquired the estate in 1983
TUDOR UNVEILS THE MOONPHASE COMPLICATION
Discover brand history in the making with the TUDOR 1926 Luna Collection
WRITTEN BY MARC CASTALDO
Presenting the TUDOR 1926 Luna (m91560-0001, m91560-0002, m91560-0003)
• 39 mm polished 316L steel case
• Domed black, blue or champagne dial with moon phase at 6 o’clock
• Chronometer-grade Swiss automatic Calibre T607-9 with moon phase
• Polished and satin-brushed 316L steel bracelet
• Five-year transferable guarantee, no registration or maintenance required
The year 1926 is of great significance to the TUDOR brand. Not just the year of the company’s inception, it’s also the year that it decided that it would never stop striving to produce the most robust, durable, reliable and precise watches in existence.
Everyday people, watch enthusiasts and all kinds of athletes and adventurers wear TUDOR watches — on land, on ice and under water.
But what really sets TUDOR apart from other brands is the creative energy it focuses on family and unity. With that in mind, to honour the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Chinese festival that celebrates the power of togetherness and is also
known as the Moon Festival TUDOR worked with multitalented Dior brand ambassador Jay Chou to create the first-ever moon-phase watch for the 1926 collection.
A collaboration between TUDOR’s designers and Chou demanded subtle sophistication, and there was no better place to start than with the 1926 collection. With that level of collaborative magic, the result is as magnificent as a resplendent full moon lighting up the night sky.
Framed by a perfectly polished bevel, the moon-phase indicator appears at 6 o’clock on three brand-new dials in 39 mm stainless steel cases for the 1926: blue, black and Chou’s own
champagne colour. The moon-phase indicator for each dial is distinct, and Chou’s vision for the champagne-coloured dial model has come to life in a truly fantastic way, with the phantommoonlight gold disc representing the moon hidden behind an inky-black cut-out, slowly appearing and disappearing as the moon waxes and wanes.
It is truly a beautiful piece for any watch enthusiast to add to their collection, and it’s a bold reminder that in 1926 TUDOR was born to dare — and has been daring ever since.
www.hublot.com @hublot
LA DOLCE VITA
What’s happening in the Big Apple?
WRITTEN BY ANGELICA SOSA
FOLLOW US ON @dolcemag
1. AMAN SPA NEW YORK Spanning 25,000 square feet across three floors, Aman New York’s spa is dedicated to complete well-being. Guests can enjoy bespoke treatments such as crystal-infused facials and shiatsu massages. www.aman.com @aman
2. The Metropolitan Museum of Art An iconic institution showcasing over 5,000 years of global art — from modern masterpieces to Egyptian antiquities — across two New York City locations: Manhattan’s Upper East Side and Fort Tryon Park. www.metmuseum.org @metmuseum
3. BACCARAT HOTEL A midtown-Manhattan gem, the Baccarat Hotel blends crystal flair with lush suites, fine dining, and the indulgent Spa de La Mer. Named to Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List among the world’s best hotels and resorts. www.baccarathotels.com @baccarathotels
4. LE BERNARDIN Chef Eric Ripert’s three-Michelin-starred French seafood restaurant has defined fine dining in New York City since 1986, offering an exquisite tasting menu in an elegant midtown setting. www.le-bernardin.com @ericripert
5. BERGDORF GOODMAN A Fifth Avenue landmark since 1896, Bergdorf Goodman offers curated luxury from Tom Ford to Chanel, with personalized shopping services and exclusive rooftop access — a true fashion destination. www.bergdorfgoodman.com @bergdorfs
THE BOCA RATON: HOME TO THE EXTRAORDINARY
Where coastal beauty meets curated indulgence: five hotels and endless experiences — a new era of luxury travel courtesy of the Suite Collection and Beach Club
The Boca Raton continues to set the standard for luxury travel with its iconic resort, home to five distinctive hotels that cater to every style of leisure. From family-friendly adventures to adultonly escapes, this legendary destination is still one of South Florida’s most-celebrated retreats.
The highly anticipated reopening of Beach Club in January, 2025, marked a new chapter for
Palm Beach County’s only private beach resort. Following a US$130 million redesign, Beach Club now features three times as many suites as before, 210 fully renovated guest rooms and suites, many with expansive outdoor terraces and ocean views that embrace the natural beauty of its half-mile of private shoreline. The property blends modern coastal design with thoughtful amenities, including wellness treatments, curated
programming that captures the spirit of the sea and immersive dining. Standout culinary offerings include Marisol, helmed by Michelinrecognized chef Johnny Spero, and Onda, a sandside restaurant spotlighting rotating international chefs.
For travellers seeking the pinnacle of refinement, The Boca Raton Suite Collection offers a portfolio of the resort’s most coveted accommodations, including its Beach Club, Tower and Yacht Club. Guests get to enjoy not only spacious, beautifully designed suites but also exclusive privileges — from personalized butler service and chauffeur transfers to dedicated pool and beach seating. Access to the private Top of the Tower lounge, priority reservations throughout the resort as well as curated daily experiences such as wine tastings and afternoon tea elevate each stay into something unforgettable.
Together, the revitalized Beach Club and the Suite Collection affirm The Boca Raton’s enduring legacy: a destination where leisure, luxury and coastal living come together in perfect harmony.
www.thebocaraton.com
@thebocaraton
The Boca Raton’s reimagined Beach Club invites guests to experience its private half-mile stretch of golden sand, expansive suites with oceanfront terraces and vibrant new dining venues — reaffirming the resort’s legacy as a premier coastal escape
JAMES COOK, TYPEWRITER
ARTIST
U.K. artist James Cook transforms typewritten characters into intricate worlds layered with hidden stories
WRITTEN BY KATE BRYNN INTERVIEW BY MARC CASTALDO
I have always been fascinated with buildings,” says James Cook, his voice carrying the certainty of a lifelong passion. Having grown up in the U.K. just an hour from London, his earliest memories include visiting the city and returning home with his mind full of architectural lines.
“Even when I was five, I probably did not know what an architect was, but I knew it involved drawing buildings.”
Art class became his sanctuary. While classmates took to the sports field, Cook stayed inside, sketching his way through the noise of adolescence. The bullying he endured made that creative space all the more vital. His dedication led him to architecture school at University College London, yet the profession proved far from what he had imagined.
The turning point came during a school project on artists who use technology, when Cook discovered the story of Paul Smith, an American artist with cerebral palsy whose parents gave him a typewriter to help him read and write. Unable to hold a pen, Smith began making art with keystrokes. “It was that story more than anything else that inspired me to give it a go,” Cook recalls.
That first experiment grew into a practice
that set him apart. With 44 typewriter keys he constructs cityscapes, portraits and landscapes by layering punctuation, letters and numbers into form. “I like the challenge of puzzle-piecing stuff together. Working with limitations can actually help creativity.”
His works hold more than meets the eye. Hidden in the patterns are personal references and playful secrets: pub names from his university days, clients’ names disguised within tower blocks, diary-like reflections woven into the architecture. “Somebody might just walk past and think these are pen-and-ink drawings. But when they stop and look closer, they find messages.”
The typewriters often arrive as gifts. In 2020, after a wave of media coverage, strangers began offering him machines with decades of history. “They would say, ‘It has been in my attic for 40 years. I know you will give it a second life.’” One machine with Arabic characters once belonged to a BBC journalist reporting from the Middle East.
In 2022, Cook moved his practice to Trinity Buoy Wharf, a converted shipping yard on the Thames. “Before that, I worked from home, which meant I never switched off. Here, I can have all my typewriters and projects laid out, lock the door at the end of the day, and leave it behind.”
Since relocating to this studio, he has also created works in remarkable locations, including from the stage of the Royal Albert Hall and the top of Battersea Power Station. His career has brought him into collaboration with celebrities who share his passion for typewriters, including British singer-songwriter Robbie Williams. For the most recent Mission Impossible film, Cook produced a typewriter portrait of the poster, presenting it on the red carpet.
The process has a rhythm of its own. A pianist as well as a visual artist, Cook compares the feel of typewriter keys to piano keys. “They have a weight to them. You develop muscle memory. Some machines feel like an extension of my hands.” For portraits in particular, precision is critical. “If you get the eyes right, you are more than halfway there.”
When asked what la dolce vita means to him, his answer is simple. “Being my own boss. Choosing projects I want to work on. I am not particularly materialistic — I already have everything I need. The sweet life is being invited to places most people never see and creating something that makes people stop, look closer and smile.”
jamescookartwork.com
@jamescookartwork
Cook limits himself to the 44 keys of a standard typewriter, so creating each piece requires variable pressure to achieve tonal differences and an eye for detail — nothing short of pure craftsmanship
LUXURY LIVING
INTRODUCING THE GIANFRANCO FERRÉ
RESIDENCES
ONIRO Group and MIRA Developments collaborate to launch an exciting residential opportunity
INTERVIEW BY MARC CASTALDO
SBrambilla Chairman and CEO of ONIRO Group
et against the pristine shores of the Arabian Gulf, Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah has quickly become one of the most sought-after destinations in the United Arab Emirates. With its year-round beautiful weather, deluxe attractions and growing list of opulent developments, it has captured the attention of global business leaders and major players in the entertainment industry. Now, the
island welcomes its most refined addition yet — Gianfranco Ferré Residences, an exclusive residential project by ONIRO Group, the official licensee of the Gianfranco Ferré Home brand, in collaboration with MIRA Developments.
Blending timeless Italian elegance with the dynamic energy of the UAE, this new development promises to redefi ne luxury coastal living. Dolce had the pleasure of speaking with Moreno Brambilla, the chairman and CEO of ONIRO Group, about the project’s inspiration, design vision and why Gianfranco Ferré Residences is set to become a landmark of la dolce vita in the Middle East.
Q: What inspired ONIRO Group to bring the Gianfranco Ferré Home brand to the residential real estate sector, and particularly in Ras Al Khaimah?
A: At ONIRO Group, we’ve always believed in the power of design to shape lifestyle experiences. The Gianfranco Ferré Home collection with its refined, metropolitan aesthetic naturally lends itself to the world of high-end residential living. The decision
Moreno
DOLCEDOLCE
to enter the branded residence sector stems from our desire to extend the identity and values of the brand — Italian craftsmanship, timeless elegance and expressive design — beyond furniture and into immersive living environments.
Ras Al Khaimah, and specifically Al Marjan Island, presented the ideal canvas for this vision. It’s a fastrising destination that’s attracting global attention thanks to major developments in hospitality, entertainment and investment. Bringing the Gianfranco Ferré name into this context allowed us to merge Italian design heritage with the dynamic spirit of the UAE, delivering a unique residential concept tailored to a sophisticated and international clientele.
Q: What factors influenced your decision to invest in Al Marjan Island?
A: Al Marjan Island represents one of the most dynamic and promising areas in the UAE today. We at ONIRO Group were drawn by its strategic positioning and the increasing presence of key international players across hospitality and entertainment. We saw in Al Marjan Island the perfect environment to bring to life the values of the Gianfranco Ferré brand: a location capable of enhancing our design philosophy through its natural beauty, growing prestige and international appeal. The decision was also strongly influenced by the quality of the partnerships involved. With MIRA Developments we found a trusted forwardthinking partner who shares our vision and standards of excellence. Together, we are shaping a
from the latest Gianfranco
project that reflects our shared ambition: to redefine contemporary living.
Q: Gianfranco Ferré Residences promise “uncompromising luxury and timeless elegance.” How do you ensure these values are reflected in the design and execution of each unit?
A: At ONIRO Group, we translate the concepts of luxury and elegance into a precise design philosophy, rooted in Italian craftsmanship, refined materials and meticulous attention to detail. Each unit in Gianfranco Ferré Residences is a direct expression of this approach. The interiors are furnished exclusively with pieces from the latest Gianfranco Ferré Home collection, which blends contemporary lines with subtle vintage references and a metropolitan spirit. We worked closely with our design teams to curate a palette of warm, harmonious tones — white, beige and rich Canaletto walnut wood — paired with textured, luxurious fabrics to create spaces that feel both sophisticated and welcoming.
Q: Can you share more about the design philosophy behind the interiors?
A: The design philosophy behind the interiors of Gianfranco Ferré Residences is deeply rooted in the legacy of the fashion house itself: an elegant balance between structure and softness, form and function, tradition and innovation. We wanted to create spaces that reflect the sophisticated spirit of the Gianfranco Ferré Home collection. Each environment is designed not just to be aesthetically beautiful, but to evoke a feeling of comfort, personality and identity. We believe that luxury today lies in the ability to make people feel truly at
home in a space that is both inspiring and intimate — this is the essence of our design philosophy.
Q: In what ways do the Gianfranco Ferré Residences embody la dolce vita?
A: La dolce vita is more than an aesthetic. It is a way of living that celebrates beauty, ease and the pleasures of everyday life. At Gianfranco Ferré Residences, we’ve brought this philosophy to life through a design concept that invites residents to
slow down, appreciate their surroundings and live with intentional elegance. Ultimately, la dolce vita is the art of living beautifully. And that’s exactly what this project delivers: a contemporary interpretation of Italian style, set against the timeless backdrop of the Arabian Gulf.
Greg Kolodziejczyk of Prospect Construction doesn’t fret over minor details, he demonstrates commitment — one day at a time, one stone at a time
Ina field built on strength, precision and endurance, few names resonate with as much integrity as Prospect Construction. Led by Greg Kolodziejczyk, whose talent derives from the foundation his father and grandfather instilled in him. The company has carved its own path into the fabric of Toronto’s architectural landscape, with three generations of craftsmanship to back it up. From custom limestone estates to custom brick installations, Prospect Construction’s work is more than construction; its artistry is built to last.
Dolce sat down with Greg Kolodziejczyk and Roya Majd of Roya Majd Design to discuss what drives their success. “It’s personality and character,” Kolodziejczyk says. “When I meet a client, I present myself honestly. It’s about quality workmanship and building a relationship that lasts. I let my work speak for itself.”
Talented and passionate about all things design, Majd echoes the sentiment. “We stay true to our vision, we keep up with trends, colour palettes, without compromising the client’s wants and needs.”
Majd’s passion for design lies in her love for transformation — turning spaces into authentic reflections of personality and lifestyle. Through Roya Majd Design, she approaches each project as a story waiting to be told, guided by the beauty of natural light, textures, and how each space is an opportunity to create its ambiance. The two have an unrelenting passion for what they do, and it’s
WE ARE NOT JUST IN A LEAGUE OF OUR OWN — WE BUILT OUR OWN LEAGUE. I DON’T PAY ATTENTION TO COMPETITORS. I STAY IN MY LANE, FOCUS ON MY WORK, AND LET IT SPEAK FOR ITSELF
become the foundation of their reputation — a reputation that, like the stonework, stands the test of time.
But standing the test of time, in part, also comes with being adaptable. Part of that adaptability lies in embracing modern marketing. For Kolodziejczyk, being visible isn’t vanity — it’s survival. “If I can show you some stonework in the morning while you’re scrolling Instagram, there’s a good chance I’m going to get that job.”
Kolodziejczyk adds, “In today’s world, you must learn about marketing and trends. You can’t just wait for business to come to you.”
The heart of Prospect Construction remains rooted in tradition: craftsmanship, precision and pride. The team is made up of highly skilled masons trained in both classic and contemporary techniques, capable of delivering the highest level of quality on projects that often span years. “We are not just in a league of our own — we built our own league,” Kolodziejczyk says. “I don’t pay attention to competitors. I stay in my lane, focus on my work, and let it speak for itself.”
Among his most rewarding challenges are the monumental projects that once seemed out of reach. “There were 30,000-square-foot homes built entirely of limestone,” he recalls. “I thought, ‘How am I going to finish this?’ But I showed up every day, focused on the job. Those kinds of projects — they get you more jobs. But it’s not just about getting jobs. It’s about client satisfaction.”
With a collaborative spirit and shared vision, Majd and Kolodziejczyk open the door to exciting creative possibilities. Together, they aim to merge craftsmanship and artistry, ensuring every project balances beauty and functionality while celebrating innovation, comfort, and the individuality of the client.
Majd adds, “Being able to work together, collaborating creatively, is what we love to do, and when the client falls in love with our work, that’s what makes all the difference.”
That dedication has transformed Prospect
SCAN THE QR CODE FOR DOLCE’S EXCLUSIVE FOOTAGE OF OUR INTERVIEW WITH GREG KOLODZIEJCZYK AND ROYA MAJD
and
Kolodziejczyk
designer Roya Majd
Construction’s portfolio into a collection of landmarks across the GTA. “When I drive by a house we’ve built, especially one that took two years to complete, I feel proud. The stress, the pressure — it’s worth it. That home will stand for a hundred years. People will still see it decades from now. That’s the reward.”
So, what defines quality for a master mason? “Not cutting corners. Everyone can see when corners are cut. We’re not in the business of cutting corners,” Kolodziejczyk explains. “Quality is both technical and ethical. It’s about integrity — doing the right thing, ensuring each project is something the client can take pride in, and the
city can admire.”
When asked about the best advice he’s ever received, Kolodziejczyk smiles. “Don’t sweat the small stuff. Everything will work itself out. Just show up — one day at a time, one stone at a time.”
It’s a philosophy that’s guided him from humble beginnings to running one of the most respected masonry companies in Ontario. And it’s the same wisdom he’d pass on to his younger self because success isn’t measured only in projects completed or awards earned, but in the life built around them.
From the first brick laid by Prospect Construction to the towering stone homes that have now defined Toronto’s luxury landscape,
Kolodziejczyk has proven that true craftsmanship never goes out of style. It evolves, it adapts — but above all, it endures.
La dolce vita for Greg Kolodziejczyk is simple: “A healthy, happy family. Great people around you. Integrity. Reputation. Sharing your blessings with others — that’s what makes life sweet.” For Roya Majd, “my dolce vita is living simply, beautifully, and meaningfully, surrounded by harmony and joy.”
www.prospectconstruction.ca
@prospect.construction @roya.majddesign
Design and stone masonry just became a whole lot bolder — and infinitely more prestigious
DEFINING TIME: MASTERING THE ART OF LUXURY WATCHES
CARTIER, MEDIUM, QUARTZ MOVEMENT
Cartier’s 27-mm quartz masterpiece combines yellow gold and stainless steel to capture timeless elegance and luxurious versatility. www.maisonbirks.com
Exploring iconic collections that fuse heritage, artistry and elegance
TEXT BY ANGELICA SOSA
BREITLING SUPER CHRONOMAT B01 44
Unleash wristwatch supremacy with a 44-mm stainless-steel and platinum case, a strong rubber strap and a 70-hour power reserve that makes it a high-performance watch to suit all your needs anywhere you go. chateaudivoire.com
Dive into adventure with this award-winning powerhouse, the Pelagos 39 model, which forms a bridge between land and sea and is crafted for precision and resilience. www.tudorwatch.com
JACOB & CO. THE WORLD IS YOURS DUAL TIME ZONE
Travel the world with this luxurious 43-mm dual-time icon and rose gold map dial, radiating both traveller’s prestige and unique mechanical creativity. knar.com
TUDOR PELAGOS 39
JACOB & CO. ROYAL BAGUETTE
Shine like a king wearing this watch, featuring a rose-cut diamond-set 18-karat white gold case, bracelet, dial and crown. Truly brilliant and perfect for the elite connoisseur’s wrist. knar.com
Sammarco is defined
SAMMARCO: THE PERFECT MELDING OF ARTISTIC AND CULINARY EXCELLENCE
With Sammarco II BY IV DESIGN elevates the experiences of both dining and interior design
WRITTEN BY ISHA SHARMA
AsAmerican architect and designer David Rockwell has remarked, “Good restaurant design is about achieving equilibrium between the food, service and design — in effect, telling a complete story.” And a complete story is being told beautifully by Sammarco, the newly opened Italian steakhouse in downtown Toronto.
Designed by II BY IV DESIGN, Sammarco offers its customers a fascinating dining and design experience. This is the third culinary collaboration between Michelin-starred Chef Rob Rossi and renowned restaurateur David Minicucci after their success with the Michelinstarred Osteria Giulia and Michelin-recommended Giulietta.
Rossi and Minicucci, both pioneers in the food business, have brought together their combined experiences and knowledge to build this spectacular abode of culinary excellence. Born from their vision of building a space where a sense of belonging is felt, Sammarco is more than a restaurant — it is also an experience. With its focus on narration, sensory immersion and recollection, it takes its customers on a personal journey where feelings are celebrated.
The restaurant also honours the legacy of Michael Carlevale,
the renowned Toronto restaurateur who was instrumental in shaping Toronto’s dining scene in the 1980s and 1990s. More than a decade after his death, he is still frequently cited as a key contributor to Toronto’s contemporary culinary identity.
Minicucci and Rossi’s friendship with Carlevale had a significant influence on them and motivated them to provide guests with both a space and a dining experience characterized by warmth, sophistication and remarkable attention to detail, much like Carlevale himself. It offers the perfect blend of architecture, history and culinary artistry, a multilayered experience where interiors and cuisine complement each other.
Celebration of culture is also very much at
THE PERFECT
DINING EXPERIENCE,
NO MATTER WHERE YOU’RE SEATED ‘‘ ‘‘ — Sammarco’s philosophy
the heart of Sammarco. A testament to Canada’s vibrant creative culture, the space houses the largest collection of Canadian artwork ever exhibited in a restaurant.
The immersive experience begins with the deep wood tones and Boro-glass-coloured upholstery of the bar, which guests are invited to access through an amber glass gateway. The first sip of specially chosen wine serves as an invitation to feel and enjoy every second of the experience.
The restaurant’s design has been inspired by Italian traditions and contemporary luxury. The sleek leather seats of the custom-made furniture pay homage to Italy’s automotive heritage, drawing inspiration from legendary brands like Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo and Ferrari. A large
Leaders of II BY IV Design Keith Rushbrook (left) and Dan Menchions treat each assignment as a passion project, so the final result is thoughtfully executed and timeless
aerial view of Italy’s cobbled streets is echoed in the hand-poured and meticulously swept terrazzo floor.
This flooring, chosen as much for its ability to stimulate the senses as its aesthetic appeal — you can even hear the tapping of servers’ shoes as they move swiftly from table to table beneath the chatter of enthusiastic diners — highlights the space’s emphasis on sensory immersion.
Intimate booth seating surrounds the sculpted clover fountain that is the centrepiece of the room.
Above, a polished globe hangs beneath a dramatic ceiling adorned with rays that fan outward like sunbeams reminiscent of a Tuscan sunset, their curves providing acoustic softening. The glowing pendant globe creates gentle, diffused light that
unifies the area below and highlights the artistry above. This isn’t just a ceiling — it is making a statement.
Giving visitors a reason to gaze upward and become engrossed in a room where every element has been meticulously planned changes the whole atmosphere. Combining elements of emotion, design and art creates an exceptional hospitality experience.
Following Italy’s tradition of excellent design but from a local perspective, many of the restaurant’s essential components — its wood, stone, glass and metalwork — have been produced by Canadian artists and artisans, who in many cases display the skills and artistry that have been passed down and honed through generations.
The private dining room is a haven of sophistication, made for introspection. Its walls are painted in the sun-warmed golds of an Italian vineyard; a magnificent custom-made chandelier is surrounded by inviting royal-blue leather chairs.
The table, which blends seamlessly into the unique floor from which it emerges, was manufactured from individually veneered pattern pieces and hand-installed on location. It is a perfect expression of the talent and attention to detail at the heart of this space.
All of the carefully chosen artworks, whose styles range from traditional to abstract, foster cross-cultural communication and strengthen Sammarco’s function as a venue for artistic and culinary expression.
The convergence of food, design, and emotion sets a new benchmark for dining in Toronto
Tile, Bar Feature: Viúva Lamego (through Portuguese Products)
Brick, Exterior Façade: Glen-Gery
Wood: M. Bohlke Veneer & Lumber
Kitchen Flooring: LSI Floors
Lighting: Eurolite
Fabric: CTL Leather and Wollsdorf
Leather
Construction: BLT Construction
Millwork + Furniture: RFP Design Group Inc.
Upholstered Seating: Louis Interiors
Ceiling Plaster Installation: Studio Alvo
Custom Exterior Doors: Classic Crystal
Custom Planters + Exterior Patio: Rose Perri
Exterior Marble Bench: Kreoo
Sammarco is all about a feeling rather than a specific geographical location or person. The restaurant invites each customer to discover their own connection as it develops, a memory in the making.
Coexistence is central to the dining rooms’ character, with the food and the room’s design coexisting in conversation. Through their varied characteristics, they shape each guest’s perceptions of narrative, space and the sensory impact of hospitality.
Dan Menchions and Keith Rushbrook, the founding partners of II BY IV DESIGN, have brought this vision to life by personally curating each piece and aspect of the restaurant to improve its immersive atmosphere and create an environment where art and food seamlessly coexist.
The restaurant thrives on this idea: the perfect dining experience, no matter where you’re seated. By providing the best dining experience in Toronto, Sammarco tells its own beautiful story through its cuisine and style — and gives its customers a chance to tell theirs, too.
It is home to a perfect blend of storytelling, art and culinary excellence. Most importantly, it is a space where the experience matters the most.
@sammarcosteak
@iibyivdesign
Q&A WITH REETU GUPTA
Author of Whispers of the Soul, Reetu Gupta gets candid with Dolce about her craft, her inspiration, and the power of words
INTERVIEW BY MICHELLE ZERILLO-SOSA
Q: What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?
A: I have always loved to write, before I even knew how! I would take a notebook and scribble, and pretend to write out all my thoughts, pretending to be an author!
Q: Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice?
A: Absolutely! Writing can be meditative. When I write, I ask the universe what message needs to be given to the world, and I write by hand whatever I hear from the universe.
Q: How did your personal experiences shape this book?
A: I have always loved to read and dreamt of having my own books one day! I have been meditating for almost two decades. About ten years ago I started to teach meditation because I felt the world needed more peace. After my classes, I found the students would ask me to send them some of the messages
I would give. So I collected everything and felt one day, on the universe’s timing, I will put out these messages in a book.
Q: Many writers describe the strange experience of rereading their work years later. What aspects of this book might surprise your future self? I think years later when I read this I will have evolved, because I’m learning every day. I’m sure I will look back and understand how these lessons allowed me to grow.
Q: What inspired you to write this poetry book?
A: I am inspired by poets like Rumi and Hafiz. Their poetry has uplifted me and so I hope I can now pay this forward and uplift others.
Q: The book cover features a peacock feather. How does this tie into the theme of your book, and why is this an important symbol for you?
A: The peacock feather in Hinduism represents
the God of Love. This book is meant to inspire self-love.
Q: Do you have a favourite poem in the book, and if so, why?
A: My favourite chapter is love and mysticism, because it’s about love and magic, my two favourite things!
Q: What do you hope the reader will take away from reading this book?
A: I hope that even one poem or piece of writing will inspire the reader to live life with joy, purpose, passion and love.
Q: What was the inspiration for the title, Whispers of the Soul?
A: The title comes from the fact that everyone’s heart whispers to them, and I would love for everyone to listen to their own soul.
Q: Which poem from your book do you think will be the most popular, and why?
A: What I believe should be popular or impactful would be the pieces on gratitude as I feel that as long as you have gratitude in life, your heart will always be happy and you will attract abundance.
Q: What feelings do you hope readers will experience when reading the poems in your book?
A: I hope the reader will feel inspired and uplifted. I hope the reader will feel like listening to their hearts more and living life with more love.
Q: What are you currently working on that might be interesting and exciting for your readers (e.g., a new book, a play, a movie script)?
A: I am working on book three!!! My first book, Auspicious, published by Dolce Media Group, was released in 2023.
Q: How can poetry help people align their daily actions with their soul purpose?
A: Everyone has a soul purpose. I hope this poetry will spark that feeling, to listen to your heart and soul, because your heart whispers your soul purpose to you every day.
Q: Why is it important to live predominantly in love and faith rather than fear? How does poetry fit into this process?
A: When we live in fear we cannot see clearly and we will not make sound decisions. When we live in faith we live in an energy that allows for change and transformation. Most people fear change. I hope that my poetry, although it may not remove fear, I hope it allows you to think about it differently. That’s the first step.
@reetuguptao cial
PHOTO BY LISMERY LOYOLA
KATERYNA LUKASHYK: COUTURE JOURNEY
KATERYNA LUKASHYK Founder and Designer of LUKASHYK
Celebrating exquisite couture where every design tells a story
INTERVIEW BY MICHELLE ZERILLO SOSA
Q: What are the main characteristics of your brand, LUKASHYK?
A: When a woman wears a dress or corset by LUKASHYK, something inside her changes. Her sense of beauty transforms: She begins to see herself differently, to value life more deeply, to notice its light. In that moment, her destiny often shifts. LUKASHYK is about love, faith, growth and success. It’s about expression, character and the quiet strength that beauty carries. It’s about changing the world through elegance and light.
Q: Recently, you hosted a major fashion gala with the launch of your new collection. What was the story and purpose behind this event?
A: After two and a half years of living in Canada, I created my first large project: the LUKASHYK Fashion Gala Night. It was not just a presentation of a new couture collection, it was the birth of a tradition, an event that will now take place every year. I am originally from Ukraine. I immigrated during the war — a time of great loss, but also of profound strength and new beginnings. My husband
served in the military, and there was a time I didn’t know if he would survive. He did, but many of my friends didn’t. Their children were left alone. I created this event to help those children, to send them to the sea for healing and peace, to give them even a few days of warmth, care and light. I often think, if something had happened to me I would hope that someone would do the same for my own children. So this became my mission — to give to others what I would have wished for mine. Thanks to the support of our partners and the kindness of people around me, we already earned enough to send the first group of children to the seaside. And this, for me, is the greatest reward: the light I am meant to pass through myself.
Q: Why did you decide to connect this event with charity?
A: Before the war, I had built a successful career — more than 15 years in fashion. I was an official partner of Miss Ukraine, collaborated with television and major fashion projects, owned my own studio, boutiques, production and an experimental atelier.
Every year I presented several couture collections on the runway. It was an active, fulfilling and beautiful life. But when the war began, everything was lost. And with it, I lost the ability to dream. I couldn’t forgive myself for the thought of creating beautiful dresses while people were dying, while children were losing their parents. I simply couldn’t allow myself to dream again.
After I immigrated, I made a promise to myself: if I ever return to fashion, I will do it only with purpose — to help children who lost their families because of the war. So, for me, charity is not an addition to my work — it’s the heart of it. It’s the only way I can create again. It’s my way of saying thank you — to life.
lukashyk.com
CLAIM YOUR DESTINY
Introducing ‘Scattered to the Winds,’ Paolo Sebastian’s 2025–2026 Autumn/Winter
Couture Collection, an homage to true freedom and resilience
WRITTEN BY MARC CASTALDO
A corseted tassel gown with lattice detailing and floral embellishment, a whisper of Earth’s natural tones and moving with the untamed grace of wind through wild fields
A diaphanous tulle gown adorned with delicate frills and scattered crystal beading, shimmering like starlight carried effortlessly on a night breeze
A hailspot wedding gown with a tiered skirt and Chantilly lace bodice, its windswept silhouette embodying both fragility and quiet resilience
A layered tulle petal gown with an embellished bodice, its petals unfolding like blossoms
Today, the Paolo Sebastian brand is renowned for its breathtaking collections, international clientele, annual showings in Paris and for adhering to the highest standards of craftsmanship.
Paul Vasileff had a prestigious formal education in fashion design. At seventeen, he débuted his first collection to acclaim, then apprenticed with an Italian tailor to refine his craft. Awarded a scholarship to Milan’s Institute Europeo di Design, he graduated with honours before returning to Australia to expand his atelier and mentor passionate artisans. His latest collection, ‘Scattered To The Winds,’ is an homage to the power of true freedom, the bravery in our choices, and the beauty to claim what rightfully belongs.
www.paolosebastian.com @paolo_sebastian
A corseted tulle bodysuit draped in Chantilly lace and cutwork organza, merging structure and fluidity in a design that takes flight with every movement
PAUL VASILEFF Creative Director and Founder of Paolo Sebastian
ADDING SPARKLE TO THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITH LEVIEV JEWELRY
The holiday gift guide from premium jewelry house Leviev exemplifies timeless elegance and fine craftsmanship
White Diamond Necklace with Centre Pear Shape set in 18K white gold, this necklace features a 40-carat pearshaped diamond surrounded by pink and white fancy cuts
The “Sovereign Luminescence” diamond pendant, a 106.04-carat masterpiece in 18K white gold, embodies both art and opulence
Showcasing a 3.23-carat radiant-cut fancy green diamond, this ring is pure allure
Leviev Diamonds, one of the world’s most famous diamond companies, has celebrated elegance and rich craftsmanship since its establishment five decades ago. Now, with seasonal celebrations and the holiday season soon upon us, it has introduced its latest premium highjewelry holiday gift guide. All of its exquisite and personalized designs showcase the world’s finest natural diamonds and rare gemstones, making them a premium choice for holiday giving.
One of the highlights of this year’s holiday collection is the emerald-cut diamond ring with bullet diamonds, with its 2 carats of bullet-cut diamonds set in platinum on either side of a stunning 26-carat emerald at its centre.
Another fascinating piece is the “Honeycomb Brilliance” bracelet, which features 17.25 carats of diamonds adorning a linked honeycomb pattern, so that the wrist glides smoothly within the articulated design. It is definitely a versatile option, equally elegant worn with formal daytime attire or a party dress.
With its focus on adding more glitter and shine to this year’s holiday season, the “Sovereign Luminescence” 18k white gold diamond pendant displays a dazzling lattice of 106.04 carats of carefully matched diamonds.
Another breathtaking piece is the “Leviev Garnet Star” pink and white diamond necklace. It features a spectacular central 15-carat pear-cut natural diamond, just
“Scarlet Radiance” ruby necklace, a fiery composition of 60 carats of rubies and diamonds, radiates timeless brilliance
the brightest star among 40 radiant carats of fancy pink and white diamonds.
The emerald-cut diamond ring with bullet diamonds radiates elegance in every way and would make a great gift for a woman who adores coloured gemstones. Similarly, the “Leviev Garnet Star” necklace is an ideal gift for a lover of pink diamonds and is the perfect adornment for seasonal parties.
Adding to the list of exquisite gift options are the stunning “Golden Eclipse Radiant Dome” diamond hoop earrings, which combine highpolished yellow gold with yellow diamonds for a sunny one-of-a-kind look. These would be a perfect Christmas present for the woman who values both quality and style — with their adaptable silhouette they would look fabulous worn both for holiday festivities and warm-weather getaways.
The “Radiant-Shape-Cut Fancy” green diamond ring is another fascinating piece that highlights Leviev Diamonds’ dazzling use of fancy-coloured diamonds. The attention-grabbing 3.23-carat
EACH PIECE IN THE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE REPRESENTS LEVIEV’S UNMATCHED QUALITY AND EXCELLENCE
fancy green radiant-cut diamond at its centre surrounded by 5.38 carats of pink and white diamonds would be an exceptional present for
someone who appreciates rare coloured diamonds in their best form.
Another stand-out piece is the “Multi-FancyColor” diamond necklace, which features fancy-colour diamonds totaling 47.45 carats in a breathtaking variety of cuts, shapes and colours. Every diamond is surrounded by a halo of pavéset diamonds that highlights its distinct beauty. Each haloed gem is punctuated by an additional 3.96 carats of round-cut diamonds, which unify the composition and enhance the necklace’s unmatched sparkle, making it a unique piece that is perfect for a special gift or seasonal celebrations. Each of these pieces caters to unique gifting requirements. Whether it is a necklace, ring, bracelet or earring, each exquisite piece in the holiday gift guide represents Leviev’s unmatched quality and excellence, and reflects the company’s focus on personalization, elegance and detailed craftsmanship.
leviev.com
@levievdiamonds
Crafted in 18K white gold, this 17.25-carat diamond
“Honeycomb Brilliance” bracelet stuns with its bold honeycomb design
With a heart-shaped 1.35-carat blue diamond at its centre, this enchanting 18K white gold ring is framed by pavé diamonds
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AWARDS 2025: LEADERSHIP, COMMUNITY AND LASTING IMPACT
e evening honoured excellence across ten categories, presenting $32,000 in grants to women driving innovation in sustainability, diversity, mentorship, and global impact
WRITTEN BY ANGELICA SOSA
Asin previous years, this year’s Women Empowerment Awards showcase the immense strength of the women they honour and celebrate the power of community purpose. Year after year, this event stays true to its mission of elevating, empowering and educating women, as well as delivering its promise of recognizing and celebrating exemplary entrepreneurship, leadership and social impact.
This year's Women Empowerment Award ceremony felt immensely strong; by awarding over $32,000 in scholarships and grants greatness was not just recognized but also empowered. The event became more accessible professional and prestigious in collaboration with leading sponsors, such as Rogers
Communications, Mantella Corporations and other supporters, including media sponsors including the Dolce Media Group.
Congratulations to Dr. Alexandra Bastiany, Dr. Cindy Sinclair, Dr. Aditi Sivakumar, Christina Collura, Rashmi Prakash, Meera Mahadeo, Dahabo Ahmed-Omer, Lesley Hampton, Laura Suen and Caroline Thélémaque, who were all this year’s award winners. Guests who attended went home feeling more confident, motivated and connected to their own voices after hearing inspiring stories from this diverse group of award-winners.
The winners did a good job of illustrating the wide range of female excellence found in business, leadership and community work. The heart of the event came from the stories that were shared,
stories that the idea that true progress comes from lifting others through advocacy, mentorship and meaningful networking. Thanks to the event’s exposure, award recipients are able to grow their influence and continue to inspire others.
The impact of this event will stretch beyond just the night itself, as it reshapes narratives, challenges stereotypes and broadens access for generations to come. By building a platform where women’s achievements are recognized and celebrated, the Women Empowerment Awards help lay a foundation for a more fair-minded Canada, where women are not just participants but also future leaders.
www.woea.ca
@womenempowermentawards
Top: Klaudia Zinaty (in red), president and founder of the Women Empowerment Awards, shares a proud moment with several of this year’s inspiring recipients
Right: Sylvia Mantella and Suzanne Rogers
Bottom: Holly Miklas and Michelle Zerillo-Sosa, editor-in-chief of Dolce
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS’ BRASSÉE DE LAVANDE
AUTOMATON
Bejewelled movement and music turn the act of telling time into a performance
WRITTEN BY BONNIE POP
What does it take to turn the simple act of telling time into a performance? For Van Cleef & Arpels, the answer was unveiled in Paris as part of its Extraordinary Objects collection, a series created to reimagine how we experience the passage of time. Their sculptural new Brassée de Lavande automaton continues the maison’s tradition of marrying mechanical innovation with the art of storytelling.
The Brassée de Lavande was developed in Van Cleef & Arpels’ Sainte-Croix workshop, a place dedicated to the maison’s automata. Years of experimentation were required to achieve organic movement, ensuring that the lavender stems opened in fluid arcs and that the butterfly’s flight appeared lifelike.
At first glance, the piece resembles a bouquet of lavender, with 36 sprigs complete with green leaves and blue blossoms in lacquered rose gold. But a mechanical theatre is concealed under this vegetal dome and, when activated, the bouquet sways open to reveal a butterfly. The insect flutters upward in a spiral motion, accompanied by the sound of a carillon melody, before returning to the heart of the bouquet, which slowly closes again.
The automaton measures approximately 27 centimetres in height and 21.5 centimetres in width. While modest in scale, it makes use of a surprising number of technical and artistic disciplines. Its base is composed of verdite and howlite, two decorative stones that have been carefully cut and polished to reveal their natural veining. The fluttering butterfly has been crafted from diamonds, tiger’s eye and plique-à-jour enamel — a labour-intensive technique in which translucent enamel is fired
the piece — one controls the butterfly and the movement of the bouquet, while the other powers the clock’s display.
Launched in 2017, Van Cleef & Arpels’ Extraordinary Objects collection is dedicated to pieces that translate time through art and movement. The latest automaton follows such earlier creations as the Rêveries de Berylline(2022), which at its centre had a hummingbird poised in mid-flight. Both works reflect the maison’s longstanding interest in flora and fauna as symbols of renewal.
Unlike conventional timepieces, these automata are not intended for the wrist or the pocket. They are objects created to be observed, inviting viewers to slow down and watch a scene unfold. In this way, they extend Van Cleef & Arpels’ idea of the “Poetry of Time,” a concept that frames timekeeping, and time itself, not as a matter of precision alone but as an occasion for wonder.
within a gold framework, creating a stained-glass effect. The lavender sprigs were shaped by hand and lacquered using an airbrush process. Multiple layers of pigment were applied, sanded and polished before a glaze was added to complete the surface. The result is not an exact imitation of nature but a stylized interpretation that places equal emphasis on realism and artistry.
The time is displayed on a rotating ring set with golden beads and diamond hour markers. Two small snails in polished white gold perch on the branches, serving as miniature guardians of the hours. Two independent mechanisms drive
The Brassée de Lavande automaton is a unique piece and will never be duplicated. But beyond its exclusivity, it demonstrates how luxury houses are investing in projects that preserve rare techniques. Enamel, lacquer, lapidary work and goldsmithing converge here in a mechanical bouquet meant to endure as an heirloom.
For Van Cleef & Arpels, the project underscores a dual mission: to protect traditional métiers d’art and to reimagine them for contemporary audiences. In doing so, the maison proves that timekeeping, when approached with imagination, can be as much about telling a story as it is about the minutes and hours that make up our lives.
www.vancleefarpels.com
@vancleefarpels
The Brassée de Lavande automaton, in lacquered rose gold, conceals a secret beneath its dome of thirty-six stems whose green leaves and blue flowers intertwine in harmonious balance
For over two decades, Dr. Nutt’s work has improved the lives of millions of war-affected children in conflict zones worldwide
THE EMPATHY OF A TRUE LEADER AND HUMANITARIAN
e impact of Dr. Samantha Nutt’s War Child charity is recognized with her induction into Canada’s Walk of Fame
WRITTEN BY RICK MULLER
INTERVIEW BY MARC CASTALDO
Dictionaries define the word “humanitarian” as “concerned with or seeking to promote human welfare.” While concern for human welfare is noble, it is much more powerful to actually do something to improve it. And “doer” certainly describes Dr. Samantha Nutt, a medical doctor and the founder and president of renowned humanitarian organizations War Child Canada and War Child USA, and a 2025 inductee to Canada’s Walk of Fame in its Humanitarianism category.
Although we might think we are aware of the troubles that beset people in far-flung countries in crisis, whether those be Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, the Congo or Sudan, global citizen Dr. Nutt says you can only really fully appreciate the challenges first-hand, on the ground — somewhere she has been for decades.
“To wake up every day and to face the Taliban edicts and restrictions, and to find the strength and the courage to be able to persevere in the face of that, is very difficult for anyone who has not lived in that environment to fully comprehend,” says Dr. Nutt, in a recent sit-down interview with Dolce Magazine following her Walk of Fame induction ceremony. “Every day requires monumental courage.”
It has often been said we are all the products of our environment, and that is certainly true of Dr. Nutt. A child of immigrant parents, she grew up in a multi-ethnic neighbourhood in a Toronto suburb, where she saw and interacted with people from around the world. She also saw the disparity
YOU SEE HOW [DISPARITY] SHAPES PEOPLE’S LIVES AND THEIR CHOICES, AS IT’S HARD TO GET OUT OF THAT WHEN YOU ARE BORN INTO IT. GROWING UP WHERE I DID LEFT ME WITH A SENSE OF CURIOSITY ABOUT THE WORLD ‘‘ ‘‘
among different ethnic groups and income levels. She, her sister and her parents lived in South Africa and Brazil as well as Canada, and she went to university in the United Kingdom — a true citizen of the world. Recruited by UNICEF when she was just 25, she was sent to Somalia during the 1995 famine, where her group had to travel with armed guards in order to try to help people.
“My sister and I were the only two people from my family who didn’t grow up in Ontario housing, and I was the first of our family to go to university — my sister was the second,” says Dr. Nutt. “But as a kid, growing up where we did, we were always in the middle of people’s experiences with inequality, and I do think that changes you. You see that disparity, you see how it shapes people’s lives and their choices, as it’s hard to get out of that when you are born into it. Growing up where I did left me with a sense of curiosity about the world.”
As a young doctor, Dr. Nutt turned that curiosity into action. In 1999, she founded War Child Canada after working with children who were facing the violence and despair of war, when she asked herself what she was going to do about the conflict and devastation she had witnessed firsthand. Since then, War Child has helped more than five million people.
Dr. Nutt had seen how long it takes for communities to recover from conflict after the guns fall silent, and how the legacy of war stays with people for years. For 25 years, War Child has advocated for children and families in war-torn areas around the globe. The donation-funded
nonprofit organization provides aid, food security, infant care, educational opportunities and even financial literacy training so that poor people can start to plan their own lives, even open their first bank account. The organization now assists more than 600,000 people annually around the world, with each of its initiatives rooted in local, community-driven programs. It now has more than 1,000 staff around the world, and 99.9 per cent are local because they know their local communities best. But the core of the War Child effort is that it provides opportunities where before there were none.
“If you provide access points and if you provide different pathways and opportunities for kids, it opens up their world kids who otherwise wouldn’t necessarily see themselves achieving in that way or see that those opportunities were available to them for the first time,” says Dr. Nutt. “When you present that to them and work with them so they can access those opportunities, you can accomplish extraordinary things.”
Dr. Nutt has been achieving extraordinary things most of her life. A leading authority on public health, war, international aid and foreign policy, she is one of the most intrepid and recognized voices in the humanitarian arena and a highly sought-after public speaker. With a career spent in dozens of conflict zones, her international work has benefited millions of waraffected children and families globally.
Dr. Nutt’s critically acclaimed début book Damned Nations: Greed, Guns, Armies and Aid (Signal, 2011), a bracing and uncompromising account of her work in some of the most devastated regions of the world, was a No. 1 national bestseller in both hardcover and paperback. She has been appointed to both the Order of Ontario
WE’RE TRYING TO CHANGE THE WORLD, AND IT’S ACTUALLY A PRIVILEGE AS IT DOESN’T TAKE A LOT TO CHANGE A PERSON’S LIFE ‘‘ ‘‘
and the Order of Canada, this nation’s highest civilian honour. Time has named Dr. Nutt as one of Canada’s “Five Leading Activists.”
“We’re trying to change the world, and it’s actually a privilege as it doesn’t take a lot to change a person’s life,” says Dr. Nutt. “But people have to get involved through volunteering or even small donations, because it’s not enough to complain — you need to invest in change, because suffering is not what it means to be human.”
Dr. Nutt is certainly a humanitarian extraordinaire, someone who is doing far beyond her fair share to make the world a better place for everyone.
Dr. Samantha Nutt’s induction and the 2025 Canada’s Walk of Fame broadcast is available for streaming on CBC Gem.
www.warchild.ca www.warchildusa.org
Dr. Nutt has worked with children and their families at the frontline of many of the world’s major crises – from Iraq to Afghanistan, Somalia to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sierra Leone to Darfur, Sudan
DOLCE EMPOWERING WOMEN
Dolce proudly presents its Fall Edition, celebrating the eighth class of women who demonstrate leadership and the importance of being relentless in their passion
TEXT BY ANGELICA SOSA
EMINA MEMIA
What is the ultimate power move? In my opinion, it’s letting your work ethic speak for itself. A person’s work ethic reveals more than ambition; it reflects integrity, discipline, and a deep sense of purpose. The professional journeys of these women remind us that true influence isn’t loud, forced or manufactured, but earned through persistence and authenticity.
VALÉRIE PLANTE
Founder and principal designer of Memia Interiors, Emina Memia has dedicated over a decade to creating homes that exude quiet elegance and enduring beauty. Her hallmark use of layered textures, earthy tones, and nature-inspired elements reflects a deliberate design philosophy. Beyond interior spaces, she is expanding into lifestyle and retail sectors, while inspiring young designers through her resilience, vision, and commitment to how true design can transform both spaces and lives.
@memiainteriors
Valérie Plante is a powerful force for Canadian and international leadership. In 2017, history was made when Plante became the first woman ever elected as the mayor of Montréal. She began her journey to that milestone in 2013, when she was elected city councillor in Sainte-Marie under the banner of Projet Montréal. Before entering the political arena, Plante earned degrees in anthropology and museology, with a certificate in multiethnic intervention. She also became actively involved in nonprofits, including Fondation Filles d’Action, to empower girls, young women and gender-diverse youth across Canada.
In February 2022, Plante was elected vice president of the Steering Committee of C40 Cities, which is the first global network — comprising nearly 100 major world cities to develop a strategy on climate action. She has championed causes including better access to public transit, more environmentally conscious urban development, more public services that benefit everyone as well as bold sustainability policies, including the development of what will be the largest urban park in Canada, Grand Parc de l’Ouest.
@val_plante
CHELSIE HILL
Chelsie Hill continues to break barriers in the world of performance as a professional dancer, entrepreneur and pioneering voice for disability representation. Recently, she has contributed to the choreography team for Wicked: One Wonderful Night, airing November 6 on NBC and Peacock. While she was there, Chelsie worked as the specialty choreographer for Marissa Bode’s performance, which served as a powerful breakthrough for inclusive choreography on an international stage. Chelsie was 17 years old when she sustained a spinal cord injury that may have shifted her path but certainly not her passion. When she returned to dance, she chose to redefine it by becoming the founder and CEO of the Rollettes, a globally known wheelchair dance team and empowerment group. Beyond leading this movement, Chelsie was the first wheelchair user to be featured on the cover of Women's Health magazine, as well as to perform at the Paris Paralympics opening ceremony, and she also appears in Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra” music video. With her powerful story and swiftly growing portfolio of partnerships, including with Reebok, Disney, Dove, Target and Aerie, Chelsie is quickly changing the game for disability representation across the board and redefining what is possible in dance and beyond.
DAHABO AHMED-OMER
DOLCE EMPOSWERING WOMEN
DR. LISA A. ROBINSON
Dahabo Ahmed-Omer is an inspiring voice for justice and system change. In 2020, she was chosen as the first executive director of the BlackNorth Initiative, leading efforts to partner with Canadian business leaders to eliminate anti-Black racism and set measurable goals that move toward unity. Prior to her affiliation with BlackNorth, Ahmed-Omer served as director of operations at the Somali Centre for Family Services and became a celebrated policy advisor and human rights activist. She is on the Federation of Black Canadians' board of directors and co-founded the coalition of Justice for Abdirahman to pursue action on situations of police brutality. Her leadership abilities have also been well noted and, in 2019, she was included in the "100 Most Influential People of African Descent Under the Age of 40" list. She was also awarded the Diversity, Equality and Inclusivity Award at the 2025 Women Empowerment Awards. With her openness and dedication AhmedOmer demonstrates the power of action and responsibility, inspiring women all over to guide with purpose, courage and clarity.
Dr. Lisa A. Robinson is a groundbreaking Canadian leader in both the medical and academic fields. As of July 1, 2024, she has served as dean of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and the vice provost of Relations with Health Care Institutions at the University of Toronto. Dr. Robinson is a professor in pediatrics, biochemistry, and medical science, and her background stretches across multiple academic and clinical fields. Her clinical background is in Pediatric Nephrology, where she previously led the division at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). She holds a Canada Research Chair Tier 1 in Vascular Inflammation and Kidney Injury, and her research fuses molecular and cellular techniques to advance understanding and treatment of kidney disease. Apart from her scientific and administrative success, Dr. Robinson is deeply committed to mentorship and outreach. She founded Kids Science to inspire youth in STEM and she also initiated the Student Advancement Research (StAR) program for high school students. Her leadership and passion for education continue to inspire women globally.
@sickkidstoronto @dahaboahmedomer
@chelsiehill
WHERE ELEGANCE MEETS EASE: A WINDSOR MASTERPIECE
Presenting the beautiful, seamless indoor-outdoor living of 10085 St. Augustine Ave. in Windsor, Vero Beach, Florida
WRITTEN BY ANGELICA SOSA
Inthe warm sunny climate of Vero Beach, Florida, luxury meets tranquillity at 10085 St. Augustine Ave. in the private, luxurious Windsor community. This house — designed by Clemens Bruns Schaub and built by Wissel Construction in 2006 — epitomizes the peak of Windsor’s South Village charm. The 7,438-square-foot five-bedroom home, which includes eight bathrooms (two powder rooms) on a 14,846-square-foot lot is a perfect blend of indoor and outdoor beauty. This home effortlessly blends
With five bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and sweeping southwest views over the golf course, this custom South Village home offers elegant indooroutdoor living with a lakefront pool terrace and a serene central courtyard
indoor elegance with outdoor attraction, offering wide southwest views over the golf course and serene lake.
Upon entering the central courtyard, you are immediately charmed by a reflecting pool of shining silver that invites everyone to a lifestyle of effortless sophistication. Custom details found in the house include walnut flooring with honed travertine borders, handmade millwork with storage-hiding tricks and vaulted ceilings with nickel joints in the main bedroom. The pavilion-style living room, casual dining area and cosy family room all flow
through French doors to a poolside terrace, with a living loggia, an outdoor fireplace and barbecue grill, promising al fresco gatherings under the stars. The gourmet kitchen with its sitting nook is open to a breakfast-garden terrace, and a bar/lounge, with storage for 432 wine bottles, that leads out to the reflecting pool garden through folding glass panels.
The primary suite, which occupies its own wing overlooking the golf course and lake includes a room that can be a study or office with built-in shelving and a desk, a full-width balcony and a spa-like bath in travertine and statuary marble. There are three bedroom suites located in the guest wing with a sitting room and shared balcony as well as a separate guest house and kitchenette with a view of the lily pond. This is a perfect arrangement for multigenerational families or well-travelled hosts.
Windsor itself elevates the experience beyond the home. This private community, defined by “easy splendour and natural grace,” offers a variety of amenities, from golf and waterfront activities to cultural enrichments that ensure life is never boring here. In an era where harmony, nature and community are true luxuries, this property isn’t just a residence. At US$12.5 million, it is an investment in the unmatched Florida living that is sure to increase in value as well as the new owner’s happiness.
www.windsor orida.com @windsor orida
JOEL KIM BOOSTER ON SCREENSTAND-UP,SUCCESS AND THE SWEET LIFE
The journey of one of television’s most beloved actors is defined by selfreliance — built without excuses, handouts or the need for approval
WRITTEN BY BONNIE POP | INTERVIEW BY MARC CASTALDO
Joel Kim Booster has built a career out of defying expectations. His early years were anything but conventional. Born in South Korea, adopted into an all-white Evangelical Christian family in suburban Illinois and homeschooled until he was 16, he emancipated himself from his family after a difficult coming out. “It’s quite honestly the cornerstone of my personality that I haven’t taken any money from my parents since I was 17,” he says.
That fierce self-sufficiency shaped both the person and performer he became. Initially immersed in theatre, Booster discovered stand-up almost by accident while auditioning in Chicago. The stage offered something rare and liberating: the chance to speak in his own voice, rather than compete for the narrow roles offered to Asian-American actors at the time. Stand-up soon became, in his words,
“the most interesting thing in my life,” leading him to New York and, eventually, national recognition. Today, Booster is one of the most versatile talents in comedy and entertainment. He wrote and starred in Fire Island, the 2022 rom-com reimagining Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice through a queer lens. The film earned two Emmy nominations, won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film and made him a breakout name. He followed that success with Joel Kim Booster: Psychosexual, his Netflix special, which was nominated for a Critics’ Choice Award and hailed by Variety as one of that year’s best.
His acting credits span platforms and genres: starring alongside Maya Rudolph in Apple TV+’s Loot, hosting Bravo’s dating series, Love Hotel, and voicing Sony Pictures Animation’s hit Kpop Demon Hunters. Next, he’ll be reuniting with Searchlight as
writer and producer of Again Again Again, a wedding comedy now in development, and recently wrapped Season 2 of Bad Dates, a podcast where funny friends share their most memorable — and disastrous — dating stories.
When asked what la dolce vita means to him, Booster’s answer is disarmingly simple: “The sweet life to me is just a night at home on the couch with my fiancé watching something that is a cultural artifact from one of our pasts that the other one hasn’t seen, or playing a video game and taking out. Those are the moments where I really do feel like I’m living the sweet life.”
For someone who’s carved his own path since the age of 17, it makes sense that joy lies not in chasing mass approval, but in savouring the small, meaningful rituals of a life fully his own.
Actor, producer, and writer Joel Kim Booster found solace in the performing arts — a place where authenticity meets artistry, and where he continues to embrace his truest self
LINO TAGLIAPIETRA
Sandra Ainsley conducts an exclusive interview with Murano, Italy’s Lino Tagliapietra, recognized as THE glass artist who inspired so many artists in the glass world today
INTERVIEW
BY SANDRA AINSLEY
Q: You began your journey in glass at just 11 years old. What drew you to this craft so early?
A: I was born on Murano, so glass was all around me — in the air, the water, everywhere. I started working as a boy in the furnaces to help my family, and that hands-on experience gave me a deep connection to the craft. By the time I was 12, I was already learning directly from Maestro Archimede Seguso. From that moment, I knew glass would be my life.
Q: You earned the title of Maestro at 21. What did that recognition mean to you?
A: Becoming a maestro was a huge honour for me. In Murano, it’s not just about skill; it’s about responsibility. I felt entrusted with centuries of tradition and with passing that knowledge on. At 21, it was exciting but also a bit daunting, knowing that I had to uphold the legacy of Murano glass.
REBECCA AL LAHIQ
Fine Art Practice Leader Canada
Q: What is the difference between a soft market and vs. hard market in insurance?
A: In a soft market, premium rates are relatively lower, and there is a lot more competition for business, so clients aren’t typically looking to make changes to their policies because they may view their rate as attractive. In a hard market, rates are likely higher, and insurance can seem more expensive. In this type of market, insurers may have more limited underwriting appetite based on the competitive marketplace.
Q: What advice would you give clients with their insurance in this market?
A: Now is the time to consider your relationship with your carrier — have they been historically restrictive with coverage? Despite being claims-free, have your rates been going up year upon year? Talk to your Insurance Broker and ask them prior to your renewal to talk to your carrier about a competitive and appropriate rate. Ask your Broker to do a market analysis — you might have been with a carrier for decades but in a soft market, now is the time to explore all options — yes, building loyalty to a company is important — you don’t want to be jumping around each year from carrier to carrier, but in some cases you might be surprised what else is out there that might be a better fit for you personally or commercially.
Q: Does this market behaviour highlight the importance of maintaining strong relationships?
A: It all comes down to valuing our relationships with our clients and our brokers and making sure people know that Great American is a specialist in this space, that we’re Industry Leaders, and that we are flexible. As far as Great American Insurance Company goes — hard market or soft market — we offer an excellent product and reputation. We think outside the box with coverage. It’s not a one-size-fits-all. People are often surprised when they think they’re getting a great deal with their home insurance collection or their business insurance collection, and then they come to us and we’re able to provide tailored coverage and often, more competitive pricing.
Q: Your work blends Venetian tradition with modern innovation. How do you approach this fusion?
A: I deeply respect tradition, but I don’t want to be bound by it. My work is a dialogue between the past and the present. I use ancient techniques like filigrana and zanfirico, but I also experiment and push the boundaries. I let the glass guide me, and that’s when the magic happens.
Q: You’ve had a significant influence on the American studio glass movement. How did that collaboration begin?
A: I first visited Seattle in the late 1970s and met Dale
Chihuly. We exchanged ideas, shared techniques, and inspired each other. That experience opened my eyes to new ways of working and thinking about glass. It was a true collaboration, and it helped me grow as an artist while connecting Murano to the world.
Q: You’ve worked with various institutions and artists worldwide. What has been the most rewarding aspect of these collaborations?
A: I love the exchange of ideas. Every time I collaborate, whether with a museum, a fellow artist, or a student, I learn something new. Working together pushes me to grow — to try things I might not have attempted alone.
Q: Looking ahead, what do you hope for the future of Murano’s glassmaking tradition?
A: Murano has a rich and deep tradition, but I see the challenges young glassmakers face today. I hope they embrace the craft, innovate, and keep it alive. The future of Murano glass depends on passion, dedication, and a willingness to evolve while honouring the past.
sandraainsleygallery.com @ainsleygallery
Sandra Ainsley Owner of The Sandra Ainsley Gallery
MEXICO CITY: A CAPITAL IN RENAISSANCE
Beyond the chaos, Mexico City reveals a renaissance of art, Michelin-starred dining, vibrant neighbourhoods and timeless traditions — a capital reinventing itself daily, balancing history and innovation with unmistakable Mexican soul
Mexico City: A Capital Experiencing a Renaissance
My first images of Mexico were of white sand, turquoise-blue water, sun, tacos, tequila and margaritas - a postcard destination. Yet beyond the beaches lies a city to be felt rather than merely seen.
I moved to Mexico City braced to endure rather than enjoy it - traffic, pollution, crime, and chaos. Instead, beneath the watchful golden Ángel I discovered resilience and renaissance unfolding
through art, food, design, and innovation that would change the way I see the world.
What I found was an organized chaos that reveals its beauty layer by layer through the rhythms of its streets and the people’s stories. Beneath colonial facades lie Aztec ruins; behind modern glass towers murals tell the stories of struggle and resilience. Each neighbourhood beats to its own rhythm, a reminder that Mexico City has always been a crossroads of worldsindigenous, colonial, and modern in one breath.
Foro Lindbergh in Mexico City
The city where the mind, body and soul passionately ignite through flavours, colours, music and history
Angela Marotta CEO and Founder of Marotta Travel Co.
Neighbourhoods with Distinct Souls
At the city’s heart the historic centre gathers Mexico’s past and present, a vast Mexican flag shadowing the Cathedral and the Templo Mayor pyramid - history unfolds from Aztec emperors to revolutionaries echoed in Diego Rivera’s mural “The History of Mexico.” The streets around it burst with life: the Palacio de Bellas Artes, mariachis in Garibaldi, organilleros on corners, and stalls selling everything from gold to handwoven crafts. Messy, noisy, and endlessly layered - the Centro Histórico is the city’s soul. From there, the city’s personality splinters into worlds of their own: Polanco with its colonial revival villas, embassies, and Masaryk’s highend luxury brands, boutique hotels, cafés, and restaurants. By day executives arrive to their meetings by helicopter to avoid the morning gridlock and at nightfall Michelin-starred dining and mingling over wine sets the stage to see and to be seen; Roma and Condesa’s bohemian air slows the pace. Writers, artists, designers and expats linger in cafés surrounded by Art Deco buildings reborn as vintage shops, bookstores, and indie fashion boutiques. After dark, mezcalerías, cocktail bars, and restaurants run by visionary young chefs fill with cool crowds and conversations last until morning.
EACH NEIGHBOURHOOD BEATS TO ITS OWN RHYTHM, A REMINDER THAT MEXICO CITY HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CROSSROADS OF WORLDS — INDIGENOUS, COLONIAL AND MODERN IN ONE BREATH
Further west, Santa Fe’s corporate glass towers and luxury malls reflect the city’s modern edge softened by La Mexicana Park’s trails, playgrounds and skatepark. Next door, Bosques de las Lomas slows the pace with its mansions hidden behind high security walls, prestigious private schools, patisseries and restaurants - a self-contained enclave that is home to Mexico City’s most influential families.
To the south, Coyoacán, San Ángel, and Pedregal feel like towns tucked inside Mexico City and they reveal another face: cobblestone streets and Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul, in Coyoacán, San Ángel’s Saturday art market in Plaza San Jacinto, and Casa Pedregal, Luis Barragán’s modern masterpiece built into volcanic rock, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. By day they hum with art and markets; by night lanternlit squares and cantinas overflow, carrying a timeless, laid-back spirit and a deep appreciation for Mexican traditions that balances the city’s relentless drive.
A Culinary Awakening
Then there’s the food. Mexican cuisine is among the most complex and expressive in the world, and nowhere is that more evident than in its capital. It is no wonder that it has been honored globally by
An experience like no other, the cathedral showcases architecture, paintings, and altarpieces from the colonial period that capture over 300 years of Mexico’s history
The Metropolitan Cathedral in Mexico City
The Angel of Independence at Paseo de la Reforma
UNESCO, which inscribed traditional Mexican cuisine on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list, the world’s first national cuisine to receive such recognition. From its humble street stands to high-end restaurants reinventing centuries-old recipes, the city pulses with culinary creativity. Chefs are not only preserving tradition but reimagining it, whether crafting moles with unexpected twists or pairing local flavours with Mexico’s growing portfolio of world-class wines, tequila and mezcal.
This innovation has not gone unnoticed: Mexico City now proudly holds Michelin stars, solidifying its place among the world’s great gastronomic capitals. And yet just as memorable as a star-studded meal is a late-night taco al pastor on a street corner, eaten shoulder-to-shoulder with locals under the neon glow of a taquería.
A Global Stage with Local Heart Mexico City is also firmly on the global stage.
It hosts the Formula 1 Grand Prix, Zona MACO - the largest art fair in Latin America - as well as film festivals, fashion weeks, and concerts that rival any world capital. And then there’s the Day of the Dead parade, a burst of colour and symbolism that celebrates life by honouring death. For Mexicans death is not an end but a continuation, a perspective that imbues the festival with beauty, depth, and joy that captivate visitors and locals alike.
A City That Keeps Surprising
Perhaps the greatest surprise of all is how personal the city feels. Despite its immensity, Mexico City can be experienced as a mosaic of intimate villages, and what makes it even more captivating is how different cultures and ethnicities coexist here. Indigenous, Spanish, Lebanese, Jewish, Asian and many more - each preserving its heritage while fully embracing what it means to be Mexican. You taste it in the
food, see it in the architecture and feel it in the traditions that live on in the streets and festivals. Mexico City is not the quick beach escape I once imagined when I thought of Mexico. It is a world within a world - layered, complex, unpredictable, and utterly captivating, made even more so by the warmth of its people. Their hospitality transforms the city’s chaos into something inviting, reminding me that beyond the monuments and museums, it is the human connection and the tapestry of so many stories that make this place unforgettable. To visit is to shed old assumptions and uncover a city that reinvents itself with every street, every flavour and every encounter.
www.marottatravel.ca
@marottatravel
Coyoacán neighbourhood in Mexico city
Tlayuda de setas at Corazón de Maguey
NADIA CATERINA MUNNO
The Gorgeous Life of a.k.a. THE PASTA QUEEN
Born into a Southern Italian family that had already been making pasta and wine for many generations, Nadia Caterina Munno has used her love for authentic Italian cooking to create a multimedia empire
WRITTEN BY RICK MULLER INTERVIEW BY MICHELLE ZERILLO-SOSA
SCAN THE QR CODE FOR DOLCE’S EXCLUSIVE FOOTAGE OF OUR INTERVIEW WITH NADIA CATERINA MUNNO
Among the many wonderful and beautiful things that define Italy is its food — specifically, pasta. Its origins in the country date back to when traders from the Arab world brought dried noodles to Sicily in the 8th and 9th centuries. By the 18th century, pasta was a staple in Southern Italy thanks to the widespread availability of affordable wheat.
Pasta is authentically Italian, it presents many layers of possibilities, and it’s fun to cook with. The same can be said about The Pasta Queen, Nadia Caterina Munno, culinary virtuoso, New York Times bestselling author, social-media sensation and star of The Pasta Queen, an original television series now on Amazon Prime.
While Munno now travels the world with her culinary-travel television series, Italy is never far from her heart and exists throughout every fibre of her being.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: MICHELLE
As The Pasta Queen, her reign is simple: to bring about a modern renaissance, with shareable moments with the people you love most Full look: Nadia’s collection
I
WOULD BE FOUND FROM THE TENDER AGE OF FIVE MAKING FRESH PASTA AND BUBBLING TOMATO SAUCE WITH MY NONNA CATERINA, AFTER WHOM I WAS NAMED “ ”
Nadia’s family is known as the “Macaronis” in the region of Campania, in a village called Santa Maria Capua Vetere, where she lived between the ages of two and six with her grandparents (her dad’s side of the family) on their estate. She then moved back to Rome and would visit for three to four months each year. This is where she developed her love for cooking! Though she is now a global media star, it is the simple times with family, surrounded by loved ones and learning the joys of using simple, fresh, organic ingredients to prepare authentic Italian food that are among her strongest and most cherished memories.
“I think I got inspired right away — I was a child who preferred to be in the kitchen with my nonna, cooking, than being outside in the courtyard playing with bikes and roller skates like my cousins and siblings,” recalls Munno in a recent interview with Dolce Magazine. “I would be found from the tender age of five making fresh pasta and bubbling tomato sauce with my nonna Caterina, after whom I was named. So I’ve always had this inclination and love for the idea. I remember being really tiny — and my grandma was a giant compared to me — and I had this little stool, but the feeling I had with the bubbling sauce and the atmosphere of my grand-aunties and uncles and all the other kids coming in and out of the kitchen with these great, incredible smells of delicious foods, all of that became my stable feeling that I’m home.”
Who wouldn’t want to experience the comfort of that safe and secure environment and upbringing — or better yet, recreate it later in life? “I think it only came to me after I became a mother to want
to recreate that family feel,” says Munno, now a mother of four. “Before, as a teenager, I was going in a completely difference direction. I did theatre, did some acting, some commercials, and I studied abroad in the United Kingdom. I wanted to see what the world was like outside of my comfort zone, which was always being around a lot of family and cooking. But as a teenager, you want to experience something entirely different, so I also started to sing opera as I loved the idea of performing.”
Her love of performing and her love of cooking, combined with her genuine and infectious personality, made Munno a natural for the screen — any screen. She became known as “The Pasta Queen” in her thirties and seemed to be a natural for the new and emerging wave of connecting through social media.
“It was a combination of everything I loved at once,” Munno says about her foray into the world of digital media and the possibilities it presented. “For me, social media was perfect as it really did feel like I was onstage, performing live. It seemed like live musical theatre to me, where you can meet people from all over the world and your audience varies, and it can be big or small. When I started social media, it was 2020, especially with Tik Tok, so it was an incredible push of content to a very international audience. Some of my videos went to one type of audience, some to a completely different type of audience.”
Munno expanded her digital-media reach through Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, which gave her an instant connection with her audiences, just the same as would happen in a live theatre.
She loved and still loves the instant comments and engagement with her audiences, knowing and learning what they are thinking and what is touching them and embedding her love for cooking and pasta in the cooking space. Viewers are drawn to her social-media cooking videos because of her vibrant personality and the fact that while she might be making complex dishes, she does it with warmth, humour and honesty.
The Pasta Queen moniker was a natural for Munno, given her upbringing in Italy. “I come from pasta — I come from the land, from a family of farmers, so I became The Pasta Queen,” says Munno. “I looked it up and nobody had claimed that throne, so to speak, so I trademarked it internationally instantly, because I thought it was such a clever name. There is almost a character associated with it that could be developed into so many things.”
One of those things was the printed word. Munno’s natural love of storytelling led her to author her first book in 2022, The Pasta Queen: A Just Gorgeous Cookbook. It focused mainly on pasta and traditional recipes.
“It was my love letter to Italy and my love letter to pasta as it was very much about where I came from,” recalls Munno about her first venture into publishing. “The recipes are from my personal repertoire of recipes, plus my grandmother’s recipes and even my great-grandmother, which she got from her grandmother, so some of the recipes are hundreds of years old. It was just about pasta, so I was proud to show the world all the different things you could do with pasta.”
Munno spent much of her childhood surrounded by pasta in the kitchen with her aunties and nonnas
Full look: RVNG Couture
Along with several farm animals, Nadia has two small Chihuahua dogs named, in playful homage to the classic pasta dish, Cacio & Pepe and Carbonara! Full look: Revelle Shop
LA
DOLCE VITA IS THOSE LIFE MOMENTS THAT GO
“ ”
BEYOND
WORKING OR RUNNING AROUND, BUT SPENDING QUALITY TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS OVER GATHERINGS OF FOODS AND AMAZING FLAVOURS
Draped in elegance and confidence, The Pasta Queen redefines what it means to rule — both in the kitchen and in couture
Full look: RVNG Couture
With beauty and a hint of theatrical flair, The Pasta Queen proves that food is an act of love
Wardrobe: Alessandro Enriquez, Designer
Favourite pasta dish?
Spaghetti alla Puttanesca
Favourite bottle of red wine?
2021 Ferrari-Carano PreVail Back Forty, Alexander Valley
Sweet or sour?
Sour
Favourite perfume?
Baccarat Rouge 540 Perfume Extract
Favourite pet names?
Cacio & Pepe and Carbonara
What do you like to do on your day off?
Interior design and decorating
Beach or mountain?
Beach
Favourite car brand?
Rolls-Royce
Favourite fashion brand?
Dolce & Gabbana
Favourite saying?
“Just gorgeous!”
Favourite Book?
“Alice in Wonderland”
RAP I D-FIRE
It was an instant bestseller on the New York Times and Wall Street Journal lists and also a bestseller in Canada. It was followed in 2024 by her second book, The Pasta QueenCookbook, more than 100 recipes that expanded beyond just pasta to include cooking techniques and tricks and tips behind authentic Italian cooking with traditional ingredients.
Munno now has her own line of five authentically Italian sauces at Walmarts across the United States. She has also worked with best-in-class brands and platforms and has been featured in prestigious publications and popular programs including The Hollywood Reporter, Forbes, CNN, ABC News, The Today Show, People Magazine, Good Morning America and The Drew Barrymore Show
The success Munno enjoyed by being a regular on bestsellers’ lists and a commanding social media presence, with more than 10 million followers on various platforms, soon had Hollywood heavyweights calling. American media company Hello Sunshine, which Reese Witherspoon co-founded in 2016, approached Munno to begin a culinary-travel series for Amazon Prime. When it débuted on Prime Video in 2024 it immediately found a home among its Top 10.
For fans of Italian food and Italian cooking (we’re looking at you, Planet Earth), The Pasta Queen television series is an incredibly joyous and educational journey through the wide variety that is Italian food. Munno explores four regions of Italy, highlighting their cuisine and ingredients. She then returns to her kitchen to give step-by-step instructions on how to make Italian dishes.
Favourite romantic movie?
The rebellious love in Dirty Dancing and Titanic
Most iconic architectural landmark?
The Pantheon in Rome — this is where my inspiration came from for the “Tears of the Pasta Gods”
Cashmere or linen?
Cashmere
Must-have candle scent?
The Fifth Avenue Hotel candle in NYC
Champagne or Amaro?
Champagne
Best meal you’ve had at a restaurant?
Café Carmellini at The Fifth Avenue Hotel, NYC
Favourite colour?
Bright red
Favourite love song?
“Oro” by Mango — its fiery passion beyond love.
For example, the first two episodes see Munno explore the region of Puglia, where she makes two classic Pugliese dishes, orecchiette con pomodoro e cacioricotta and cozze alla tarantina, using for the recipes two key ingredients from Bari’s “pasta ladies” and Taranto’s mussel fishermen. She then explores the town of Altamura, where she learns to make their world-famous chewy sourdough bread.
In further episodes she and her father explore an olive-oil mill to learn about extra virgin olive oil and she even returns to Rome, her hometown. There, she shares three classic dishes she calls the “Holy Trinity of Pasta”: cacio e pepe, spaghetti alla carbonara and spaghetti all’Amatriciana. All three dishes use the Lazio region’s legendary pecorino Romano cheese, and Munno takes a deep dive into this glorious ingredient.
In one memorable episode, titled “Once Upon an Italian Sunday,” she explores the Lazio region and makes some traditional Sunday supper dishes, including a decadent fettuccine Alfredo, sautéed dandelion greens and roasted chicken with potatoes and sautéed mushrooms. It is no wonder Munno’s deep knowledge, captivating and engaging style and her willingness to explore the roots and traditions of Italian cooking and ingredients have made her show such an instant success.
Among the many things that jump out when speaking to Munno is her strength of character — and who better to ask about that than someone who has known her all her life, her daughter Eleonora, or Ellie, who happened to pop by to visit her mom during Dolce’s recent visit.
“I really love how determined she is and how she strives for what she loves and puts in a lot of passion, creativity and her own flair for things,” says Ellie. “I’ve been really influenced by that because I believe you should be your own person and you should have your own personality. My mom is diverse — and, in the biggest sense of the word, beautiful.”
Munno has come a long way from that tiny stool as a five-year-old cooking with her grandmother in her kitchen, but despite her global superstardom, those simple times remain her definition of the sweet life.
“To me, la dolce vita is creating those magical, pleasurable moments through food or wine or through incredible storytelling, or even life advice when you are sitting with your grandmother,” says Munno. “La dolce vita is those life moments that go beyond working or running around, but spending quality time with family and friends over gatherings of foods and amazing flavours.”
It is both beautiful and comforting to spend time in the court of The Pasta Queen.
thepastaqueen.cooking @the_pastaqueen
AUDI’S GROUNDBREAKING EVENT IN MILAN STRIVE FOR CLARITY
Audi introduces a bold new design philosophy, focusing on clarity, innovation and the future of automotive excellence
WRITTEN
BY
ANASTASIIA HORBULOVA
AThe choice of city wasn’t random — Milan has represented design and technology for centuries, making it the perfect place to mark a new era for
ll roads led to Milan on the second day of September, where automotive giant Audi welcomed specially invited guests from around the world to unveil something extraordinary. And I was given a unique opportunity to be part of this exclusive event and to travel to Italy’s design capital on behalf of Dolce for Audi’s Strive for Clarity event, a name that would soon reveal its meaning.
Audi. And from the moment I stepped into the legendary Portrait Hotel, it was clear that the venue could not have been more perfectly suited to the occasion. It felt like walking into the future while honouring the past.
Once a seminary, the hotel now blends modern
elegance with its storied history, creating the ideal atmosphere for Audi to introduce a new design philosophy, embracing progress while honouring its traditions. Guests enjoyed welcome drinks and engaging conversations while the stage was set for Audi CEO Gernot Döllner to explain the company’s Strive for Clarity vision.
“The phase of taking stock is over — now is the time to look to the future and pick up speed,” said Döllner. “We are focusing on what really matters, to set standards in design and quality. Clarity, focus, and commitment to implementation — that’s how we are reshaping design and the company.”
Audi has always stood for unique design, uncompromising quality and value, and the new design philosophy emphasizing clarity unmistakably embodies the brand’s identity. The event in Milan unveiled the new Audi Concept C, a concept car that sets the tone for the design of future Audi products and is the beginning of a pivotal new chapter for Audi, he said.
“We achieve clarity by reducing everything to the essential,” said Massimo Frascella, Audi’s chief creative officer, describing the universal design principles that are the basis of the company’s new design philosophy: a focus on the essential — without superfluous lines or elements — and a commitment to geometric clarity. The Audi Concept C’s vertically oriented frame, which is inspired by the iconic Auto Union Type C racing
car, is designed to focus the gaze. This reduction to the essential continues inside the cabin, where the interior’s design minimizes distractions, delivering just the right information at the right time through intelligent technology.
By blocking out the noise and focusing on the essentials, this new design philosophy touches every aspect of the company known around the world by its four-interlocking-rings logo — not only embodying the simplicity of its new design but also reflecting these principles in the company’s organizational structure, while leaving space for innovation and technological leadership. As Döllner emphasized, “The way we design our vehicles is the way we will shape our company. Clarity is an ethos and the compass that will guide Audi through the times ahead.”
Audi is making no pit stops on its innovation journey. Just a few weeks after the new design philosophy was unveiled in the Strive for Clarity event in Milan, another exciting moment is already on the horizon. The Four Rings are already working on the next innovation cycle, and Audi will be entering Formula 1 in 2026. “Preparations for our start in Formula 1 are moving at full speed,” said Döllner. “We look forward to giving all fans a concrete preview of what to expect from us in Formula 1 starting next year.”
What could be more exciting than watching a global leader constantly push the boundaries in shaping its transformation? The world (including me) is watching how Audi will continue to redefine the future of automative technology and design, and expects that the road ahead will be filled with even greater breakthroughs.
www.audi.com @audi
The Portrait Milano Hotel, a seamless fusion of modern elegance and historic charm, set the stage for Audi’s exclusive Strive for Clarity event
Capturing the moment as the Audi Concept C made its début, showcasing a bold new vision for automotive design, as crowds gathered around to witness the striking concept up close
DUN ALUINN: MODERN SCOTTISH LUXURY
PHOTO BY FRAN MART PHOTOGRAPHY
Morning light spills across Dun Aluinn’s terrace, revealing panoramic views of the Tay Valley and the tranquil landscape surrounding this exclusive-use Highland retreat
ere is no better place to escape and to nd yourself than at the Dun Aluinn Hotel
Perched high above the town of Aberfeldy in Perthshire, Scotland, Dun Aluinn is not just a destination — it’s an experience of the country in its truest form. Set on 22 acres of pristine hillside, this design-led exclusive-use estate has redefined modern Scottish hospitality. Marrying Edwardian heritage with bold contemporary design, Dun Aluinn invites guests to embrace both serenity and sophistication in one of Scotland’s most breathtaking settings.
The main house, originally built in 1909, has been reimagined by owner and interior designer Susie Whyte with an eye for understated elegance and timeless comfort. Natural materials, bespoke
furnishings and curated art pieces complement the sweeping Highland views, creating a space that feels both luxurious and deeply grounded. With nine ensuite bedrooms accommodating up to 18 guests, the home effortlessly balances intimacy and grandeur — ideal for family gatherings, corporate retreats, or private celebrations.
“Dun Aluinn is more than a place to stay — it’s an experience of Scotland at its most authentic and elevated,” says founder John Burke. “Guests come here for privacy, but also for connection — to the land, to local culture and to one another.”
At Dun Aluinn, hospitality is an art form. Guests don’t merely rent a house, they step into
WRITTEN BY MARC CASTALDO
PHOTO COURTESY OF DUN ALUINN
Architect and designer Susie Whyte at The Lodge, located on the estate of Dun Aluinn, in the Scottish Highlands
a fully curated experience. From the moment of booking, a dedicated Guest Experience Manager begins tailoring every aspect of the stay, crafting itineraries that reflect each guest’s interests and desires. A private butler, daily housekeeping, and evening turndown ensure effortless comfort, while beautifully prepared breakfasts and afternoon teas with homemade cakes add a personal, indulgent touch.
Fresh seasonal flowers, hand-picked for each room, enhance the sense of natural beauty throughout the estate. Every moment is designed to feel seamless, refined, and personal — an embodiment of Scotland’s growing reputation for “slow luxury,” where time moves more slowly and every detail feels thoughtfully considered.
For those seeking adventure, Dun Aluinn offers a collection of exclusive experiences that connect guests to the soul of Scotland.
The Call of the Wild begins with coffee at Hamish & Libby’s small hilltop farm, or steading, followed by a guided walk through an ancient Caledonian pine forest. Along the way, guests meet Rue, the resident owl, and learn about sustainable living amid the raw beauty of the Tay Valley. The
experience culminates with a rustic, farm-sourced lunch enjoyed outdoors or in a cozy bothy (rustic cabin) — a journey that is as spiritual as it is scenic.
Another standout offering is Wild Swimming, where guests are led through hidden swimming spots across Aberfeldy and Glen Lyon, an experience that blends Gaelic folklore with the rejuvenating power of cold-water immersion and offers not just a physical thrill but also a profound connection to Scotland’s ancient landscapes and traditions.
Guests can also indulge in a private evening at Castle Menzies, the historic seat of Clan Menzies. Lit by candlelight and filled with stories of ghosts and legends, the evening ends with dinner in the Great Hall — a magical immersion into Scottish history.
Nearby, the Scottish Crannog Centre provides vivid storytelling and reconstructed Bronze Age dwellings on Loch Tay. Visitors gain insight into Scotland’s earliest communities and their enduring spirit.
Guests can gather around the 5.5-metre bronze dining table for long, laughter-filled dinners, unwind in stylish lounges, or enjoy a film in the
private cinema room. Outdoors, the estate’s terraces, firepit, and wood-fired hot tub create moments of warmth and connection against the Highland backdrop.
For those seeking a slightly different rhythm, The Lodge at Dun Aluinn offers an equally elegant experience. Its open-plan kitchen and dining space, anchored by a striking feature fireplace, invites guests to cook, dine, and share stories while enjoying views of the surrounding wildflower meadows. Whether guests are self-catering or enjoying the services of a private chef, the Lodge blends comfort with creative freedom.
Only a short walk from the vibrant town of Aberfeldy, home to local artisans, weavers and the famed Aberfeldy Distillery, Dun Aluinn is both accessible and remote, worldly and wild. Its proximity to Tay Forest Park, Gleneagles and St Andrews offers endless possibilities, from hiking to championship golf.
What defines Dun Aluinn is a sense of peace, but it’s the rugged beauty of Scotland that makes it worth calling home.
www.dunaluinn.com
@dun_aluinn
Set within 22 acres
overlooking Aberfeldy, Dun Aluinn’s design-led spaces and immersive hospitality redefine the essence of a private Highland escape
Experience the magic of the Scottish Highlands — rugged peaks, tranquil lochs, rich clan history and the joy of excellent cuisine
BALSAM HILL: CRAFTING THE HEART OF HOLIDAY TRADITION
There is a certain magic that arrives with each holiday season — you can find it in the warm glow of twinkling lights, the scent of freshly baked cookies and the joy of gathering with loved ones a er another busy year
For many families, the Christmas tree stands at the heart of this holiday’s celebrations, a symbol of tradition, memory and togetherness.
But what if that centrepiece could o er the beauty of nature without the constant upkeep?
Enter Balsam Hill, the world’s most luxurious and realistic producer of arti cial Christmas trees, a brand born from one man’s determination to blend tradition with innovation and the provider of what has become the gold standard in holiday décor.
is story begins like many meaningful ventures do, when someone notices a problem and nds a solution. For founder Mac Harman, the idea for Balsam Hill started from something as simple as a sneeze.
name Balsam Hill itself is a nod to heritage and memory — inspired by a drive through rolling hills on a sunny day, paired with Canada’s most beloved Christmas tree species: the balsam r.
Of all Balsam Hill’s creations, the BH Fraser Fir has become a crown jewel, representing the very essence of the brand. Revered for its full pro le, classic silhouette and uncanny lifelikeness, the Fraser Fir is crafted using the company’s exclusive True Needle® technology. Each branch is molded and painted with painstaking precision to replicate the colour, texture and upward-turned tips of nature’s own masterpiece. From the waxy, velvety surface of its needles to the balanced fullness of its shape, it is nearly impossible to distinguish the tree from its living counterpart.
“Our Fraser Fir is designed to look and feel like the real thing,” Harman explains. “It’s a tree that resonates deeply with families who grew up with Fraser rs in their homes, and now they can continue that tradition without compromise.”
Available in a wide range of heights, from 5.5 feet to 12 feet, and complete with pre-lit options, the Fraser Fir is engineered to deliver the joy of Christmas with none of the hassle. Gone are the days of daily watering, dropped needles and uneven branches; instead, families can focus on the traditions that matter most: decorating together, baking cookies and sharing stories by the glow of the Christmas tree lights.
When a family member struggled with an allergy to live Christmas trees, he searched for an alternative only to nd that none came close to capturing the magic of the real thing. “Before Balsam Hill came along, there weren’t lifelike Christmas trees that mimicked farm-grown Christmas trees,” Harman shares. “A few tried to mimic the needles, but none tried to mimic the entire tree — and that’s when Balsam Hill was born.”
Raised in the quiet summers of Georgian Bay, Ont., Harman had a childhood lled with exploration, creativity and a spirit of invention. He devised clever marketing strategies for his youthful lemonade stands, had an early fascination with building and seemed destined to someday design something that would leave a lasting impact. e
What sets Balsam Hill apart is not only the naturalism of its trees but also the emotion they inspire. “Balsam Hill’s purpose is to create joy together,” Harman says. “Our trees have a frontrow seat to the holidays — they become part of the cherished moments that bring families closer.”
at sentiment has made the brand a household name, trusted by millions of families and even celebrated by personalities like Kelly Clarkson, Martha Stewart and Oprah Winfrey.
As the company continues to grow, sustainability and innovation remain at its core. Balsam Hill is now incorporating recycled materials and plantbased plastics into its designs, ensuring the future of holiday traditions is as environmentally conscious as it is beautiful.
At the heart of it all is something timeless: e belief that a Christmas tree is more than décor. It is a gathering place, a keeper of memories and a beacon of warmth. With the BH Fraser Fir, Mac Harman and Balsam Hill invite families everywhere to experience the magic of tradition — perfected.
www.balsamhill.ca @balsamhillca
Mac Harman Founder, Balsam Brands
SONS OF LEGION: THE NEW SOUND OF ROCK AND SOUL
Adam McInnis and Daddy Jack of Sons of Legion chat with Dolce about their lives, inspirations, and the importance of music to la dolce vita
WRITTEN BY MARC CASTALDO
Adam McInnis (left) and Jack Crenshaw, a.k.a. Daddy Jack, from opposite sides of the U.S., who happened to cross paths and chose to walk down the same road
PHOTO BY ADAM FARR
and NBC
AsI sat across from Adam McInnis and Jack Crenshaw, a.k.a. Daddy Jack, in Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama — hallowed ground in the history of American music — their slick smiles, flair for fashion and rugged voices put me in their music world of rock, soul and warmth for the entire interview. Above all else, the camaraderie of the duo was palpable from the beginning.
“You guys are looking good, looking very sharp!” I said.
They replied with laughter and warmth, “Livin’, Livin’, that’s how we live, man.”
The story of Sons of Legion stretches back more than a decade. A mutual friend introduced them, and soon they were writing together.
The bond deepened years later, unexpectedly, in the Costa Rican jungle. A week of connection and creative exploration planted the seed that would evolve into Sons of Legion. “We knew we had something really cool, but we just didn’t really fully understand where it was going,” says Jack.
By 2023, with songs like “Angels,” the project crystallized into something organic, unforced, and resonant. “They felt a lot more profound, and they just felt like, oh, we’re not writing this for the industry, we’re not writing this for anybody
else, we’re just channelling what’s in the room,” Jack adds.
That spirit of authenticity carries into their name so much so that it begs the question: How did the name “Sons of Legion” come about?
It was a striking coincidence that inspired the foundation: both musicians are the seventh-born sons of their fathers.
“The word “legion” popped out at some point, and it just felt larger than life,” says McInnis. As they explain, “Everything we write and everything we do, we always look for it to hit here,” he says, as he pats his chest. “We always look for it to hit in the soul, our soul, direct, non-filtered.”
For Sons of Legion, music is a mission, not a product. “The music industry is very convoluted. And there are a lot of sharks in the business. There are a lot of contracts that don’t make sense. There are things, like, ‘We want to own your name and likeness,’ which is a slave contract,” says McInnis. In response to that, they decided to chart their own course, solely focusing on the people and the music that is true to them.
That focus has resonated. With millions of monthly listeners and performances at legendary venues, they describe surreal moments that confirm their path. Their inspiration comes not only from
the legacy of iconic studios like Fame Studios, but also from the listeners who share their stories: “Somebody is listening to music, and it’s helping them get through something in their life, or it’s becoming the soundtrack to a part of their life where they’re using it to feel empowered or to just get through the day,” says Jack.
When asked to define their style, the band resists the constraints of genre. They describe it as an amalgamation of different genres of American music: blues, rock, country, soul, hip hop and gospel.
At the heart of their journey is purpose. Their mission is to share their music with as many people on the planet as possible. Both are mindful that for that to happen they must relinquish a certain degree of control so as not to force it. But the mission is firmly cemented in their hearts.
Ultimately, Sons of Legion see their music as a healing force, transcending boundaries and labels. Music has the power to connect with people all around the world, no matter their race religion, ideology or gender. In that purity lies their power — a brotherhood-turned movement, carrying forward a legion built on sound, soul and solidarity.
sonsoflegion.com
@sonsoflegion
Sons of Legion have captivated audiences worldwide. Their music, featuring standout tracks like “Brand New Day,” “Power” and “Firestarter,” has garnered over 55 million streams and is featured on major platforms including ESPN, Dodge Ram commercials, Netflix,
PHOTO BY SHERRI ANGELES
THREE CENTURIES OF THE FINEST QUALITY
France’s Martell Cognac remains the world’s nest, always advancing its legacy
WRITTEN BY RICK MULLER
Maison Martell was founded in Cognac by Jean Martell, an Englishman from Jersey in the Channel Islands
Inthese days of pop-up shops, 20-second social media clips and fleeting fame, for a brand to last more than 300 years and still be recognized around the world by connoisseurs as the finest means you’ve not only been doing something right, but also that your passion and dedication to your craft are peerless. That is the story of France’s Maison Martell and Martell Cognac, generally regarded as the finest cognac in the world by the most discerning lovers of any type of fermented grape juice.
It was in 1715 (and just think about that for a second: 1715) that Englishman Jean Martell journeyed to France from Jersey in the Channel Islands, settled in Cognac and founded Maison Martell. Martell was just 21 years old but had been apprenticing since he was 12 to a merchant and shipowner on Jersey’s neighbouring island of Guernsey, and he sensed a great opportunity.
At the turn of the 18th century, the Channel Islands’ strategic position between England and France made them a key staging post for the emerging business of international trade. Among the products they handled were eaux-de-vie, produced in the Charente region of France around the town of Cognac. Unlike wine, these distilled spirits did not turn sour during long sea voyages, and their quality was increasingly appreciated by English connoisseurs.
Even at his relatively young age, Martell knew a thing or two about the delicate process required when dealing with fine grapes, and he made two
rather audacious decisions that still define the brand to this day — distilling clear wines exclusively and using only barrels of fine-grained oak for aging. Those decisions define the distinctive style of Martell cognacs, which are renowned throughout the world for their richness, elegance and finesse, and for always reflecting the authentic essence of their terroir.
From the beginning, Maison Martell had a global outlook. As early as 1783, it became the first cognac house to ship its products to the newly formed United States. Though the French Revolution in 1789 and the Continental Blockade during the Napoleonic Wars temporarily disrupted international trade, successive generations of the Martell family established a robust commercial network around the world. Again, when you’re referencing the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars in your company history, your brand has been doing something right. The excellent reputation of Martell cognacs enabled the House to export to South America by 1817, Africa by 1848 and Asia by 1858.
Maison Martell has never stopped moving forward while always protecting and honouring the brand’s legacy. In 2023, inspired by its founder’s innovative vision, Martell’s current and ninth cellar master Christophe Valtaud, created Martell Single Cru. For the first time in more than 300 years (there’s that time stamp again!), this collection of six rare cognacs offers a rare exploration of the House’s finest terroirs, revealing the distinctive aromatic specificities of each. Every cognac in the
Martell Single Cru Collection is crafted with an eau-de-vie sourced from a single terroir. Of the 11,000 eaux-de-vie in the House’s reserves, Cellar Master Valtaud retains fewer than 400 for Martell Single Cru. Available in very limited editions, these six exceptionally prestigious cognacs represent less than one per cent of the Martell cognac enjoyed worldwide.
How these cognacs are enjoyed worldwide reflects Martell’s international heritage and brand. In China, for example, they are not only a staple of the nightclub scene but are also paired with the finest cuisine, while in the United States and some African countries Maison Martell vintages represent the cutting edge of current urban style.
The House is always looking for new ways to engage its global audience. One innovative new example is L’Atelier Martell, a retail space combining savoir faire with state-of-the-art digital technology and offering exclusive products and services. The concept was inaugurated in 2020 with the opening of the House’s first-ever boutique, L’Atelier Martell Shenzhen, a reflection of the brand’s popularity in China. There are plans to expand internationally.
It’s refreshing to know that, especially these days, character and quality still matter and cut through the noise, and that experience and longevity can still be celebrated. Here’s to another 300 years of craftmanship and passion — and the exceptionally smooth cognac that only Maison Martell can deliver.
www.martell.com
@martellofficial
Top: Each new release of L’Or de Jean Martell – Réserve du Château is aged in a different French château, celebrating the nation’s heritage and art de vivre. Right: Christophe Valtaud, a ninth-generation Cognac native and descendant of winegrowers, is Martell’s cellar master
NEVIS: A PLACE THAT STAYS WITH YOU
The island of Nevis isn’t just a destination — it’s a transcendent feeling
WRITTEN BY AMANDA PALAZZO
Four Seasons Resort Nevis stretches along the coastline, nestled between the Caribbean Sea and majestic Nevis Peak
When I stepped off the water taxi from St. Kitts and arrived on Nevis, the first thing I noticed was the quiet. Not emptiness — an unforced calm. It was my first solo trip and my first real work trip of this kind, and I’d been nervous about the logistics, the idea of navigating it all on my own, the unfamiliar faces. But my arrival was effortless and my worries quickly faded. The Four Seasons staff waiting on the pier greeted me and my colleagues with easy smiles, taking bags and offering cold towels. It set the tone immediately.
Checking into the Four Seasons Resort Nevis it didn’t take me long to understand why people fall in love with this place. The views are uninterrupted — of palm trees and Pinney’s Beach as well as the sea beyond. The luxury isn’t loud. It doesn’t need to be — it’s there in the details, in the way you’re remembered, in the way nothing feels rushed.
It’s the kind of place that doesn’t need to prove anything.
I was there to see what Four Seasons is building next: the Nevis Peak Residences, which are opening
this year and will consist of 58 condiminiums and villas set along the golf course. Walking the site with Neil Paine, managing partner of St. Kitts & Nevis Sotheby’s International Realty, it was clear to me that this wasn’t just another resort add-on.
“It’s an understated luxury — both in the people culture and the way that people treat you,” said Paine as we stood gazing out over the golf course to Nevis Peak in the distance. These new homes are designed with restraint.
The villas will blend right into the island’s rhythm — low-rise, open-concept spaces with sweeping terraces and floor-to-ceiling glass that place their occupants right in line with the lush green of the mountain and the quiet blue of the ocean. The interiors, imagined by U.K.-based designer Sarah Ward, will reflect the same gentle sensibility: neutral tones, natural textures, and an island aesthetic that feels genuine, never forced.
“The base of amenities here is so established to support the residential development of Nevis,” Paine explained.
What really struck me was the simplicity of his pitch: What you’re buying isn’t just a property, you’re buying the full Four Seasons resort
Tucked between lush mountains and the sea, luxury meets laid-back island life. Waking up to these breathtaking views made every day feel unrushed, intentional and quietly unforgettable
experience, with access to full Four Seasons service — so you’re also getting peace of mind, without having to think twice.
But the heart of the experience is Nevis itself.
During my own stay I visited the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton and took in the long, sometimes complicated, history of the island. I tasted the legendary “Killer Bee” rum punch at Sunshine’s Beach Bar — a rite of passage in Nevis — where the energy was lively but familiar, like a backyard gathering with old friends. My dinners at Mango and Drift were casual but exceptional, each
meal reaffirming the island’s unpretentious charm. Nevis itself isn’t crowded. It’s not polished to the point of sterility. It’s green, quiet, and friendly, with a real personality of its own, and I think Four Seasons has done a good job of reflecting that personality on its own terms.
If you’re thinking about investing here, the appeal is obvious — it’s the last parcel of land they’ll develop on the resort. But what you’ll be buying won’t be just a villa. You’ll also be buying the ability to drop in and immediately feel at home, and to leave knowing that home will be
well looked after until you return.
This wasn’t just a work trip for me — it turned out to be the most profound chapter of my life to date because of the life lessons I learned: Nevis makes life easy because of how beautifully humble and modest it is. It is more than just an island; it is a tight-knit community of people who know the true meaning of respect. In beautiful Nevis, everyone knows everyone, and newcomers are welcomed like family. www.fourseasons.com/nevis @fsnevis
One- to threebedroom villas set along the Robert Trent Jones II fairways, the Nevis Peak residences blend modern Caribbean design with alfresco luxury
BOOKS THAT STIR THE SOUL
Six fascinating stories exploring emotion, history and self-discovery
TEXT BY ANGELICA SOSA
THE COVENANT OF WATER - ABRAHAM VERGHESE Set in Kerala, India, The Covenant of Water follows three generations of families over the years from 1900 to 1977, including a Malayali Christian family plagued by drowning cases, medical mysteries, and their faith and fated destinies in a period of historical turbulence.
PEACE AND GOOD ORDER - HAROLD R JOHNSON Former prosecutor Johnson accuses the Canadian justice system of failing to fulfil its duty to deliver justice for Indigenous people under treaty obligations and draws on his personal experience to expose institutional failure, racism, and argue for the necessity of Indigenous-led justice.
MOTHER MARY COMES TO MEARUNDHATI ROY Roy’s raw narrative examines her intense bond with her fiery mother, Mary, who herself escaped abuse and was an activist educator who shaped Roy’s life in the midst of family conflict, inheritance battles and self-renewal in India.
ROBIN - DAVE ITZKOFF This ultimate biography of Robin Williams explores the innovative comic’s life from stand-up to his iconic films while also revealing his struggles with depression, addiction, selfdoubt, and a hidden medical condition that was a source of his brilliance and tragedy.
ALL BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
WHISPERS OF THE SOUL - REETU GUPTA
This poetry-prose book praises love, mysticism, and the beauty of living authentically. Readers are invited on a soulful journey to explore the depths of joy, passion, and gratitude in order to embrace life fully.
ALL THE WAY TO THE RIVER - ELIZABETH GILBERT This memoir tells the story of Gilbert’s deep relationship with her late partner, Rayya Elias, which started in the midst of Elias’s terminal cancer, grief, and addiction as a friendship and evolved into a romance that combined raw vulnerability with soul-searching and salvation.
Dr.
David, one of the world’s most influential cardiac surgeons, has spent over 40 years transforming the field and touching tens of thousands of lives — both in and out of the operating room
THE HEART AND SOUL OF MEDICINE
Dr. Tirone David, world-famous heart surgeon and prolific author, becomes the first heart surgeon ever inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame
Tirone
now used globally
Bottom: Dr. Tirone David and Jackie David (far right) with the with the late Governor General of Canada, Roméo LeBlanc, and his wife, Diana Fowler
Those who occasionally suffer from writer’s block should consider the career achievements of Dr. Tirone David, a professor of surgery at the University of Toronto: he has published 480 scientific papers, 43 chapters in medical textbooks and six surgical textbooks. Clearly, this is a man who does not fear the blank page. Dr. David, who holds the Melanie Munk Chair of Cardiovascular Surgery at Toronto General Hospital’s Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, now has achieved another novel distinction for those in his field — in June of 2025 he was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame, the first heart surgeon to be so recognized.
“It is an honour, undoubtedly, particularly being the first heart surgeon to be in this club,” said Dr. David in an interview with Dolce Magazine following the induction ceremony. “When you look at Canada’s Walk of Fame, there are a lot of singers and stars and professional players, but not many heart surgeons or doctors. When I was inducted, they said I was like a rock star because colleagues want to take selfies with me — which is true, but I never look at myself like a rock star.”
A celebration of Canadian excellence and achievement since 1998, Canada’s Walk of Fame has now honoured 204 Canadians, among them activists, scientists, philanthropists, athletes, coaches, actors, directors, writers, producers, musicians and comedians. Dr. David was inducted into the Science and Technology category, one of five categories that also include Arts and Entertainment, Business and Entrepreneurship, Philanthropy and Humanities, and Sports and Athletics.
Dr. David’s life story is one of facing challenges and overcoming them. He was born in a small village in Brazil where his uncle was a pharmacist, which created his interest in chemistry and influenced his decision to become a doctor. When Dr. David wrote his entrance exam for medical school, among the 1,800 candidates vying for only 100 spots in the school, he came in second. At the age of only 23 he left Brazil for Brooklyn, New York, knowing very little English, to intern at a hospital there. In 1978, when he was 34, he moved to Canada because he admired its universal health care system and its promise that everyone gets the same level of free health care regardless of income or social standing.
Dr. David has developed numerous surgical procedures to treat patients with heart valve
disease, complications of myocardial infarction and thoracic aneurysms and has prospectively followed these patients over the past four decades. One of these pioneering surgical procedures, known throughout the medical world as the “David procedure,” may account for some of those selfies and the rock-star adoration.
In his distinguished medical career, Dr. David has been a member of the editorial board of several medical journals. He is an active member of numerous surgical and medical societies and is an honourary member of 14 international medical societies. He was president of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery in 2005, the recipient of its Scientific Achievement Award in 2016 and Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.
Among his many honours, Dr. David received the Order of Ontario in 1993 and was named a member
of the Order of Canada in 1996, the highest honour given to civilians in Canada. Dr. David was also elected University Professor in 2004, the highest honour the University of Toronto bestows on its professors. In 2018 the Brazilian Government honoured him with its Order of Rio Branco.
Despite these and many other accolades, Dr. David has been guided and shaped by his compassion, empathy and his wish to help people, which he says is the key to happiness.
“Happiness is truly an internal thing, and you can achieve that by giving yourself to others,” he said. “The inner retrospection that a human being gets is the most important thing in life, and to help someone in need is a privilege.”
To view Dr. David Tirone’s induction, the 2025 Canada’s Walk of Fame Broadcast is available for streaming on CBC Gem.
Top: Dr. David’s deep understanding of heart anatomy led to the creation of innovative surgical techniques, most notably the “David operation,” which reimplants the aortic valve using a Dacron graft to improve blood flow and function; once unheard of, it’s
LeBlanc, in 1996
PHOTO COURTESY OF DR. TIRONE DAVID
THANK YOU, DR. JANE GOODALL
At a time and in a world where compassion and genuineness are rarities, Dr. Jane Goodall set the highest standard
Dr. Jane Goodall, the primatologist, conservationist, animal advocate, educator and National Geographic Explorer whose work revolutionized our understanding of the natural world
Weare living in a state of turmoil, with our world riven by civil unrest, cross-border conflicts and cruel inhumanity. It may be the case that the peoples of the Earth have never been totally at peace — but Dr. Jane Goodall was one of those incredibly special people who refused to accept that peace on Earth was an impossibility.
The Jane Goodall Institute has announced that Dr. Goodall died at 91 on October 1, 2025. Beyond just a remarkable example of courage and conviction, she worked tirelessly throughout her life to raise awareness of how human activity posed existential threats to wildlife, to promote conservation, and to
inspire a more harmonious, sustainable relationship between people, animals and the natural world.
Spreading compassion, harmony and understanding was her life’s work. At the beginning of 2025 President Biden awarded her the United States’ Presidential Medal of Freedom for her contributions to science and her tireless advocacy for our planet.
To mark her passing and in her honour, Netflix has just released Famous Last Words: Dr. Jane Goodall, a documentary that recounts the story of her groundbreaking journey, which began over 60 years ago in Tanzania and led to her working in 34 chimpanzee eco-regions, and how her youthful
passion for animals evolved into showing the world the interconnectedness of all living things and the collective power of individual action. The film features one of her final interviews, conducted earlier this year, and is sure to leave viewers inspired and in awe of how much we can learn about our own humanity when we examine the natural world with an honest and intimate focus.
Dolce is honoured to have showcased Dr. Jane Goodall as our Cover Star for the Winter 2020 issue. In a time when the world seems to have lost its moral compass, may Dr. Goodall’s life’s work live on.
janegoodall.org @janegoodallinst
PHOTO BY GLORIA RODRIGUEZ
SUZANNE ROGERS FASHION INSTITUTE APPOINTS ALEXIS VENERUS
The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University welcomes its newest SRFI member, Alexis Venerus, founder of Sew-Rite, a Toronto-based fashion production studio — a curated, craftdriven and collaborative environment that prides itself on its sustainable production practices.
Venerus’ commitment to community-building, as well as to local manufacturing, is what led the Institute to name her its newest Suzanne Rogers Fashion Institute Fellow.
The SRFI offers a unique program to recent alumni who have careers in fashion. Since 2016, the Institute has contributed more than
$900,000 of support to allow Fellows to attend international master’s programs, develop and create new collections, present at major fashion weeks and establish a solid presence in the global market.
@fashion_tmu
@TheCreativeSchl
NEST SEEKERS YORKVILLE FLAGSHIP
September 18 was a moment was a big night for Nest Seekers International as they officially popped the champagne corks on the Ontario flagship grand opening in Yorkville — and the celebration was every bit as dazzling as the location itself. The highly anticipated event marked a major milestone in the company’s Canadian
DÉBUT MUSEUM EXHIBITION BY RANBIR SIDHU
This winter, the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) will unveil Ranbir Sidhu’s No Limits — an exhibition set to transform the Signy Eaton Gallery into a futuristic dreamscape alive with Sikh iconography and sculptural brilliance. Opening December 11, 2025, the artist’s début show promises to be nothing short of monumental.
Curated by Julian Cox, the AGO’s deputy director and chief curator, the exhibition will showcase three new large-scale works that blend meditation with innovation. Crafted from aluminum and steel, Sidhu’s sculptures merge opulence with technical mastery, the result of two decades spent perfecting his metalworking craft. Visitors can expect to step into a world where ancestral narratives meet a
expansion while also raising $10,000 in support of The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.
Guests gathered for a night that seamlessly blended real estate, luxury, culture, and philanthropy. Hosted by the ever-charismatic Devo Brown, the evening featured live entertainment, a high-end silent auction, signature cocktails, and artfully curated hors d’oeuvres — all captured through the lens of celebrity photographer George Pimentel.
The crowd was a lively mix of industry leaders, influencers and tastemakers, all toasting to a new chapter for luxury real estate in Ontario. Between the music, laughter, and the glow of the Yorkville skyline, it was clear that this wasn’t just another launch party — it was a statement.
The new Yorkville flagship symbolized Nest Seekers International’s bold commitment to redefining the meaning of luxury living in Ontario. Serving as a hub of innovation and global connection, the space reflected the brand’s signature mix of glamour, forward-thinking design, and international flair.
As the night ended, one thing was certain: Nest Seekers didn’t just open an office — they set the tone for a new era in Toronto real estate, one where style, purpose, and community meet under one very elegant roof.
www.nestseekers.com
@nestseekersontario
sleek, forward-looking vision — where heritage meets horizon.
“Sculpture is not merely shape or form,” says Sidhu. “In metal and light, I search for the unseen — where form meets spirit, and the ordinary becomes a pathway to the infinite.” With No Limits, that search takes on an epic, luminous scale.
The exhibition will be free for Ontarians under 25, Indigenous peoples, AGO members, and annual
pass-holders, inviting audiences of all backgrounds to experience Sidhu’s striking vision of form, faith, and the future.
With No Limits, the AGO will not only spotlight one of Canada’s most compelling sculptural voices but also invite visitors to imagine what happens when art boldly tests its boundaries and limitations. ago.ca
@agotoronto
PHOTOS BY GEORGE PIMENTEL
(Left to right) Angelo Ferlisi, Broker of Record, Eddie Feltes Shapiro, founder & CEO, Adolphe Khouri, Director of Growth & Communications
RED-CARPET LOOK
ELEMIS X ASTON MARTIN
ELEMIS, the globally renowned British skincare brand, announcing a multi-year international partnership with Aston Martin, has become the Official Skincare Partner of the iconic ultra-luxury marque. United by a shared heritage of craftsmanship, innovation and performance, the collaborators are delivering bespoke co-branded experiences, exclusive product launches and premium skincare activations at Aston Martin events worldwide. The partnership débuted this past July at the Goodwood Festival of Speed at the Goodwood Estate near Chichester, West Sussex, U.K., where ELEMIS showcased its Skin Spa Airstream in the Aston Martin Hospitality Lounge. With upcoming activations at Pebble Beach and beyond, this alliance sets a new benchmark in luxury lifestyle collaborations.
Academy Award-winning actress and 2025 Emmys presenter Catherine Zeta-Jones, most recently starring in Netflix’s Wednesday, completed her glamorous red-carpet look with high jewelry from Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry. The Welsh actress wore a stunning collection of diamonds totalling over 35 carats, including marquise-cut chandelier earrings, a three-stone ring and a 5.59-carat oval diamond bypass ring. Renowned for its original creations featuring some of the world’s rarest fancy colour diamonds and coloured gemstones, the Silicon-Valley-based high jewelry house’s creations perfectly complemented Zeta-Jones’ elegant style, reinforcing Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry’s reputation for extraordinary craftsmanship and show-stopping designs.
TESLA DINER
Tesla, the company famous for its electric vehicles as well as for solar panels and systems, giant batteries, AI and robotics, has now made its début in the hospitality industry. The first Tesla Diner, located in Hollywood, Calif., is a retro-futuristic supercharging station, classic American diner and drive-in experience all wrapped up into one. The Hollywood location is the world’s largest urban supercharging hub, offering Tesla and non-Tesla drivers alike its sustainably solar-powered 80 V4 stalls, 24/7 dining, classic American-diner menu, Skypad views and giant LED screens — all integrated into Tesla’s in-car app.
Platinum ring featuring a 12.38-carat Ashokacut diamond, flanked by 2.29 carats of Ashoka and round-cut diamonds
DISCOVER THE MAGNIFICENCE OF MALTA
In Malta, the most beautiful palazzi are open to curious strollers and luxurious boutique-hotel gems can be easily found
Malta, with its captivating blend of history, culture and Mediterranean allure, is undergoing a renaissance as its historic palazzi are transformed into boutique hotels. These grand residences, once the homes of nobility, are being meticulously restored to preserve their architectural splendour while introducing refined modern hospitality. Guests can now inhabit spaces steeped in centuries of heritage, experiencing the timeless elegance of Malta’s past enhanced by contemporary comfort. These hotels not only preserve the island’s cultural legacy but also offer travellers a rare, immersive connection to its history and enduring cultural charm.
In Mdina, Palazzino Belvedere Relais & Châteaux presents a medieval atmosphere with refined intimacy. Featuring vaulted ceilings and a gallery overlooking the countryside, as well as historical ties to St. Paul’s Cathedral, this two-bedroom retreat accommodates small families.
Rabat’s Villa Barumbara Tal-Larinġ offers six bedrooms, expansive living areas and indulgent amenities, including a sauna, outdoor pool, cinema and gym. Designed for groups, the villa offers enhanced luxury with such curated services as champagne on arrival, breakfast baskets and daily upkeep, ensuring seamless relaxation amid serene countryside views.
Cité Privée Maison Malte, beside Kalkara Marina, blending contemporary design with the
timeless character of Malta’s historic Three Cities, redefines exclusivity with its sweeping terraces, private plunge pool and refined interiors. Custom European furnishings, Italian linens, Swiss bath products and around-the-clock butler service all ensure discreet, polished luxury.
Opening in the winter of 2025, Valletta’s Romègas Hotel occupies a restored 500-yearold palazzo. With just 23 rooms and inspired by Valletta’s creative spirit, Romègas will emphasize craftsmanship, gastronomy and design, offering immersive hospitality that celebrates culture while delivering intimacy, elegance and authentic Maltese character for discerning travellers.
Palazzo Castagna, built in 1755, stands on a charming square in Ħal Għaxaq. Close to the sea and airport, this palazzo balances convenience and tranquillity. Its secluded internal garden and thoughtfully designed suites provide a sanctuary where historic grandeur and modern comfort harmonize seamlessly, inviting guests into Maltese heritage.
Built within a restored seventeenth-century Valletta palazzo, 66 Saint Paul’s blends architectural beauty with understated sophistication. Guests are welcomed with personalized service in a setting that unites historical elegance and modern luxury, offering intimacy and refinement in the heart of Valletta, Malta’s cultural centre.
Domus Zamittello, an award-winning family-
run hotel, occupies a restored 16th-century palazzo in Valletta. Blending noble grandeur with hospitality, it immerses guests in Malta’s UNESCO-listed heritage. With meticulous architectural detail and timeless atmosphere, Domus Zamittello offers an unforgettable stay that bridges past and present in warm, elegant surroundings.
IBB Hotel Palazzo Bettina, dating from the 17th century and once the residence of Lady Bettina Elizabeth Muscat Dorell, is now a refined four-star boutique hotel that is part of the IBB Collection, preserving its aristocratic character while adding modern elegance. Overlooking the marina, it embodies Birgu’s heritage, offering guests authentic charm in an enchanting waterfront setting.
Palais Le Brun, a 17th-century baroque palace located in central Valletta, offers 39 rooms and, a rooftop terrace with a pool and fitness facilities. Formerly a residence for the Knights of St. John, it balances grandeur and privacy, welcoming travellers seeking luxury infused with the historic Maltese spirit.
The Gomerino Hotel, Valletta’s newest retreat, occupies one of the city’s earliest noble palaces. With 44 stylish rooms plus a spa, sauna and rooftop pool overlooking Grand Harbour, it combines heritage and modern indulgence. Guests experience Malta’s rich legacy while enjoying elevated hospitality in an intimate, rejuvenating setting.
www.visitmalta.com
@visitmalta
Poolside terrace at Palazzo Castagna: a serene escape where the calming rhythm of sea and sky will put you at ease
NEW ZADOR LUXURY SPA BODY SCRUB & BODY BUTTER IN FOREST FUSION
This sweet, spicy scent perfectly complements Zador Fine Bar in Wood Sage. Zador Luxury Spa is born from healing thermal spring water in Héviz, combining 98% natural cleansing, polishing and moisturizing ingredients. The line also contains shea butter, vitamin E and skin-identical lipids to leave your skin ultra-silky and irresistibly smooth. Beautifully packaged, ZADOR LUXURY SPA makes the perfect gift. From Budapest with Love. @zador_canada www.zador.ca
AMORE BAGS
Certainly among the most distinctive style accessories on the market, Amore Bags are reimagined vintage doctor bags collected from travels around the world by Michelle Zerillo-Sosa and friends. Colourfully repurposed by artists from her local creative community, Amore Bags helps the greater good: 30 per cent of sale proceeds benefit Doctors Without Borders, the acclaimed non-profit organization that provides urgent medical care to people in areas that need it most.
@amorebagstoronto amorebags.ca
Great American Insurance Company (GAIC) has a 150-year legacy of expertise and financial strength. We specialize in insuring valuable objects and protecting cultural heritage for collectors, museums, corporations, galleries, conservators, and artists worldwide, and are committed to evolving our services to ensure these treasures are enjoyed by future generations.
THE PASSING OF A LEGAL LEGEND
Dolce’s past cover star, Frank Caprio, “The Nicest Judge in the World,” rests peacefully, leaving the world to reflect on his impact, leadership and final message to the world
WRITTEN BY RICK MULLER
The world felt a little sadder on August 20, 2025, when it learned of the peaceful passing of Judge Frank Caprio in Providence, Rhode Island, at the age of 88, from pancreatic cancer. State flags in Rhode Island were lowered to half-mast in memory of a man who had the humblest childhood, yet reinvented himself time after time, and became one of America’s most successful and respected judges. His viral videos attracted nearly 500 million views, earned him the nickname “the nicest judge in the world.”
When Dolce Magazine readers were introduced to him through our cover story just last winter, they learned of Caprio’s childhood — of his home having had no running water or heat, of his jobs as a shoeshine boy and dishwasher, and of his rise to becoming a beloved and well-respected judge whose compassion in the courtroom gained him worldwide fame — and of his most cherished roles, as a husband, father and grandfather.
Our readers also learned of how Caprio’s childhood and his surroundings shaped him into who he became, how grateful he was for his humble beginnings and the lessons they taught him. “I’ve always maintained I had a very privileged childhood because I was born into a poor family,” he said when interviewed by Dolce last fall. “The experiences I had as a child have really fortified my life.”
And what a life it was.
Caprio was born in the Italian-American neighbourhood of Federal Hill in Providence, Rhode Island, the second of three sons of Antonio Caprio, an Italian immigrant from Teano, Italy, and his wife Filomena, an American from Providence whose family had immigrated from Naples, Italy.
After graduating from public schools in
Providence, Caprio began his career as a teacher, teaching American government. Unable to afford to go to law school full-time, he would teach during the day in Providence and then drive 50 miles to Boston where he attended night school at the Suffolk University School of Law. In this way he was finally able to become a lawyer, and he also served in the Rhode Island Army National Guard from 1954 to 1962.
“Education is the key to success in life — to a good life, to a prosperous life, to an understanding life,” he told Dolce last year. “It gives you an opportunity to help not only yourself and your family but to help the world.”
Public service was important to Caprio, who served as a city councillor in Providence before an unsuccessful campaign for mayor in 1978. He even served as campaign director for California Governor Jerry Brown’s run for U.S. president.
But it was on the bench where Caprio felt most at home and where he felt he could do the most good. In 1985, he began service as a Providence municipal court judge and held that position until his retirement in January 2023 after a long and distinguished career.
Under U.S. federal broadcast regulations, every local cable TV channel needs a percentage of its programming to be local content, and a small cableaccess channel in Rhode Island began airing Judge Caprio’s in-courtroom proceedings. His folksy and affable style, his humour and his compassion for those who would come before him caught on, and Caught in Providence became a hit. The show was picked up by the local ABC station in 2000 and immediately attracted a wider audience.
The courtroom is one of our society’s most solemn places, but Caprio’s demeanour on the bench was always reasonable, approachable,
understanding, empathetic and considerate to all sides and all points of view, smashing the stereotype of a judge as a curmudgeon. In 2018, the show went into national syndication and online clips from the show went viral with as many as 500 million views, earning Caprio the nickname “the nicest judge in the world.” Suddenly, Caprio was recognized when he walked the streets of Italy, France and elsewhere — he had become a worldwide star.
He retired in 2023 and in December of that year announced that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which led to thousands of well-wishing messages sent his way. Just this past February he released a book, Compassion in the Court: Life-Changing Stories From America’s Nicest Judge.
“Because of social media, the world has become so small,” Caprio told Dolce last year. “The one thing that astounds me are the comments I’ve received about treating others with understanding and compassion. I get thousands of messages and 98 per cent of those are saying ‘We appreciate how you treat people with compassion and understanding.’ There seems to be a lack of that in the world.”
Among the very many things that Frank Caprio certainly gave the world was more compassion and more understanding. And during these days, especially, we should be grateful to him for that.
www.frankcaprio.com @therealfrankcaprio
Range. Power. Presence. Quietly, everything you want— in our most aerodynamic Audi ever made. Available now. It
