DIGITAL MAGAZINE [WINTER 2022]
“Respect goes a long way with FABEFO, which has been a precedent through 2022 as we continue to strengthen the relationships built within our community.
My heartfelt gratitude to our awe-inspiring rockstars - Chef Duncan Ly @eatforeign, Chef Jeff Matthews @expatasia.ca, JohnMary Igbelina (JM) @agu.athletics, Bobby Ifeanyi @kahxiboxerbriefs, Chef Alonzo Zarco @aristides.food.chronicles, Annie Ibarra @chunkd, Yalda Kazemi @stylesteem, Jenny Ho @jaihoaccessories, Andrea Ruiz-Pineda @unconventional_style, Fahreen Rattani @happyeatsyyc, Lynn Than @munchwithlynn, Howard Kong @heartbeatsyyc, Bernice Wong @foodventureswithb, Reina Mohamed @silkandtee.fashion, Rayna Bilous @rayna.eats.yyc and Aleena Eaupanitcharoen Lee @yummytummyyc; for showering your unwavering pillar of support.
Above all, celebrating FABEFO's 3rd Anniversary on Saturday, November 5th at The Porch. And, an exclusive acknowledgement to @porchyyc warmly sociable Manager, Kim Azemi and service staff, Julia - both of whom attentively oversaw our community's flawlessly funtastic brunch.
Get personable 'Behind The Lens with Howard Kong', 'Reina's Rendezvous at espy Experience Inc.’ as well as my exclusive interviews featuring 'Stylist Spotlight with Andrea Ruiz-Pineda', and 'Buttons & Wicks with Bernice Wong'.
As FABEFO amplifies our 'not so ordinary vision', I have waited in anticipation to introduce Edmonton, Alberta as the chosen city to kickstart our onward growth.
Read all about my prominently unparalleled 'Eyes on Edmonton' recommendations on Shojo Izakaya, Sodo Bar on Jasper, Fu’s Repair Shop, Asymmetrical Brewing, and Campio Brewing Co.- connecting our 'ordinary hearts' with an impactful hospitable vibe, from the raddest people I was fortunate to cross paths with.”
~ Liana, Founder & Editor-in-Chief
BEHIND THE LENS WITH HOWARD KONG
@heartbeatsyyc
"I would say that I have always been a visual person with a form of creative expression. As a child, the subjects that would interest me the most would be art and writing. My first creative outlet was doing web design at the age of thirteen for a personal blog website called Calgary Planet, before eventually becoming a DJ in university and a photographer and videographer shortly after that. I am very lucky that I get to inspire people through photography and art every day through my work, and I could not imagine working in an industry where I was not encouraged to be creative and express myself.
I love every part of the process that goes into photography. I consider taking the photos like shopping for the best ingredients at the supermarket and editing to be making the best dish possible out of those ingredients by showcasing all the moments of the shoot, as well as capturing the emotions during the day in the photos. Of course, the best part is getting to enjoy the dish afterwards by sending the album to the client and hearing how much they love the photos. I would say the most challenging part of photography is getting to the part where you get to take the photos – trying to find clients, convincing them to trust you, and working out all the logistics for a shoot. However, the most challenging projects can oftentimes be the most rewarding in the end.
Rockstars take center stage in front of a giant audience, so I guess the rockstars to me are the people I am photographing. I think of myself as the sound and lights guy behind the scenes that is doing my best to make them stand out and look great in their photos. In a way, we are an inseparable team because the ‘rockstars’ I am photographing are very passionate about something in their life that they want to be captured through photography, and it is my job to help support their passion and showcase them to the best of my ability.
Photography has become more than just a way to earn a paycheck for me. It is a creative outlet, a way that I can help others, and one of my favorite hobbies."
REINA'S RENDEZVOUS AT ESPY EXPERIENCE
@espyexperience
"Every story has a plot, and every plot has its hero. In this case, its heroine. From the sprightly age of sixteen, Megan Szanik’s initial exposure to fashion retail opened her perspective to a broader scope of the fashion industry. After attending an Action Sports retailer expo and meeting a slew of fashion designers and artists, she quickly realized the opportunities beyond selling blouses and trousers at Suzy Shier. From that moment, she started, and continues, to push boundaries and test limits to pursue her dreams and endeavours.
The dawning of espy’s concept was similar to Winners: a designer discount boutique offering remaining goods in the marketplace at the end of the season. With her savvy business acumen and industry connections in New York, Toronto, and Montreal, Szanik was able to purchase unsold merchandise for fifty cents on the dollar, passing those savings along to her shoppers. The more people she styled, the more she saw the transformative role fashion played and how well-fitting and well-made clothes improved the esteem of her clients. That was when the essence of her business occurred to her: service, all-encompassing the very definition of the word. By offering a wider range of sizing and fits, Szanik and her team were able to fully harness the power of personalized customer service, and that was when the trajectory of the business accelerated.
Since espy’s conception at a one thousand and four hundred square foot location, it has since expanded to almost ten times the size in four years. Catering to both men and women, espy is known for their sizable collection of denim and inclusive sizing and fits; ranging from petite to plus size, and special sizes for men with longer arms and legs. espy’s inclusive disposition goes beyond size and fit. While primarily championing local brands, they also offer an array of international brands. With a unique selection of interchangeable and versatile pieces, espy is the destination for all your holiday attire."
BUTTONS & WICKS WITH BERNICE WONG
@buttonsandwicks
"The name 'Buttons & Wicks' has a very special meaning behind it. My late grandfather, who passed away last year, used to own a buttons company in Hong Kong. He had worked very hard to help us all immigrate to Canada. I was young at the time, around eight years old, but I still remember the shop and how my parents, my aunts and uncles were all working there. I wanted my company’s name to have a meaning. Therefore, I had come up with the name 'Buttons & Wicks' to commemorate my grandpa and grandma who had inspired me to start my own business. I hope I do make my grandpa proud. The second reason for naming the company 'Buttons and Wicks' is that my initials are BW, which stands for Bernice Wong. Even though I do not sell buttons (yet?), I hope people will enjoy our candles!
My most popular product is the 'Purple Cloud', where the Taro Milk Tea scent will make you crave for the real thing. My other popular items include 'Yuzu Soju', 'Peach Please', 'Thai For Tea', and 'Welcome Home'. Each candle takes up to two weeks for curing, so that the wax and the fragrance can evenly bind; and the scent can be strong.
As a first time entrepreneur, I definitely have learned a lot. I never thought I would have my own company in the first place let alone, one that has meaning behind it. Being an entrepreneur for a small business means I have to wear many hats. I am the creator, the marketer, the operations and logistics specialist, the face behind the business and customer service to name a few. To be an entrepreneur is to be a rockstar, in every position within the company. There are not many helpers around, and you have to learn everything along the way. The journey is tough and it is not easy when there is fierce competition around. I have visited local Christmas Markets for market research for next year, and there are so many candle companies out there. There are those I knew before, and some I did not know about. It motivates me to become a rockstar, who will hopefully be recognized by the mass public one day."
MAG FAM
LIANA @fabefo_com
REINA @silkandtee.fashion
REINA @silkandtee.fashion
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
REINA @silkandtee.fashion
REINA @silkandtee.fashion
REINA @silkandtee.fashion
Features Editor
NAAZ @justmyglam
REINA @silkandtee.fashion
HOWARD @heartbeatsyyc
Features Editor
HOWARD @heartbeatsyyc
REINA @silkandtee.fashion
HOWARD @heartbeatsyyc
Photographer
BERNICE @foodventureswithb
LEAH @wikkid.witch.entertainment
BERNICE @foodventureswithb
Features Editor
RAYNA @rayna.eats.yyc
LEAH @wikkid.witch.entertainment
BERNICE @foodventureswithb
Assistant Editor
ALEENA @yummytummyyc
LEAH @wikkid.witch.entertainment
LEAH @wikkid.witch.entertainment
Assistant Editor
LEAH @wikkid.witch.entertainment
LEAH @wikkid.witch.entertainment
LEAH @wikkid.witch.entertainment
Contributing Writer
COMMUNITY REVIEW
COREY MA @ma_pies
"Liana and I met because of @chunkd, back when we shared the kitchen together with the latter. Through our meeting when we discussed our brands and visions, Liana taught me something that I'll always carry with me: what it really means to support a local business.
It's one thing for a business to simply say that we support locally and use it as a marketing tool to promote ourselves; it's another to act on and live by it. @fabefo_com is by far the latter.
Their latest digital spring issue is the culmination of the awesome work and effort that Liana and her team have put in to highlight Calgary businesses, with each issue superseding the previous one in quality. The stories, the interviews, the pictures, the editing..I'm stunned by it.
I hope you subscribe to their digital magazine as they've helped many small local businesses (especially Ma Pies) gain more exposure."
RACHEL MACH @machmediamarketing
"Liana and her team did an amazing job putting together this FABEFO digital magazine with its flawless design, and user-friendly platform. It is truly an honour to be featured in a magazine full of talented creators and influencers.
FABEFO has continued to impress us in making an impact on Calgary's fashion, beauty, and food communities with its incredible events and blogs. This digital magazine is just the cherry on top; which is really a compilation of local creators, restaurants, and news about the latest fashion - seriously worth reading!
Looking forward to the next issue. Thank you Liana and team!"
TIANI BOY & SUZEE HASIBUAN @solagratia.sg
"First of all, we wish to congratulate FABEFO's amazing publication! We find the Calgary Issue 2 (Spring 2021) very well put together, written, and focused with organized flow of contents. The issue has a good build up from introduction of the individuals, to their lifestyles. At a glance, we can get the vibe of the incredible women featured.
The Singapore Issue 1 (Spring 2021) showed a consistency of FABEFO's main mission, all under one roof. It is very heartwarming to know how the Editor-in-Chief, Liana, brought different people from all walks of life (including those starting a new venture), while introducing each to the world without prejudice; rather with an open heart and mind.
It is such an honour to be invited, and featured for Singapore Issue 2 (Summer 2021). Thank you so much for creating such a huge platform for us to share each of our specialties to the world. Wishing only the best on FABEFO's incredible journey around the world!"
CHEF JEFF MATTHEWS @expatasia.ca
"I am honoured to be featured on FABEFO's digital MAGazine twice (including once for Expatasia), and found working with their MAG FAM to be seamless; nothing short of professional.
That is one passionate group of movers, and shakers that Joel and I are proud to be associated with. They are very creative, and extremely generous with offering guidance and support, to ensure that the outcome for both parties are of an excellent quality.
I love their latest Spring 2022 issue which has been recently re-conceptualized. It is their best work to date. Liana, well done girl - so so cool!"
ELLA KOAY @eternity_sweets_
"I had an amazing time reading the FABEFO digital magazine. Calgary Issue 2 was an all-women feature in celebration of International Women's Day in March. Those who were featured into two categories - Women With A Mission, and Women On A Mission; where we had behind-the-scenes look of their lives outside of their business, etc. I was also fascinated by the release of the Singapore Issue 1, and how FABEFO has expanded into Asia. Reading that issue from halfway around the world, I was touched by all the stories shared by the entrepreneurs. I am now excited to travel to Singapore and support the featured local businesses, when the pandemic ends.
It is wonderful how FABEFO has connected us together across the globe. Both issues were stunning and strong in supporting the local community of bloggers and entrepreneurs. I really enjoyed reading and learning about the stories behind their successes. It's amazing to see Liana and her team put together a digital magazine that bridges the gap between fashion, beauty, and food; which is truly worth reading and supporting. Looking forward to the next issue!"
ALEENA LEE @yummytummyyc
“FABEFO’s Spring 2022 issue perfectly showcases what a “community” is like. Lorilei and Howard's photography exuded the different personalities of each MAG FAM, and the happiness that radiated from their smiles. I love how Liana chose all of them to show up at the photoshoot dressed to the themed OOTD and in the makeup they are comfortable with, to present their genuine selves.
The featured editorial reviews were from real foodie experiences, making it all the more engaging; which truly compelled me to try the local restaurants for myself! The advertorials are a great way to share their appreciation for local businesses such as Agu Athletics, Kahxi, Jaiho Accessories, Madeup Beauty, JJ Media, Prevail Beauty, Ma Pies and Allegory Chai; and invite their readers to purchase the products (or engage services) with exclusive perks.
You can truly see all the effort and passion put into this bespoke digital magazine by their MAG FAM, giving spotlight to remarkable stories from noteworthy entrepreneurs and talents."
FABEFO WITH US
Bespoke digital MAGazine and community socials bridging
FAshion x BEauty x FOod all under one roof!