LIFE
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Studio days are my favourite dayyysssssss. Picking up CKD’s beaded embroidery samples. Can’t wait to show you everything we have been working on. From the pillows, to drapery, to launch material :)
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Jan, Feb have been rough. Anyone else feel like they have been swimming through a murky swamp? I am ready for some crystal-clear waters. There have been a lot of changes for CKD and I lately. I consider this a fresh iteration of myself, a version I'm eager to discover and share with the world. On the personal side, I’ve been working on clearing out anything that doesn’t serve me. By creating space, I'm inviting new opportunities to flow in and propel me to greater heights. You want different? You have to move differently. If we desire change, we must be willing to adapt our approach.
On the professional side, I have been revisiting what makes CK “CKD”. I’ve been reconnecting with the girl I was 10 years ago who moved to New York with a dream and unwavering faith. That version of myself was pure magic, and because she believed in magic, life unfolded like a serendipitous movie. Everyone around me saw it. Chance encounters led to conversations that propelled me forward. It wasn't just about belief; it was a deep-rooted knowing—a certainty about where I was headed, and what I desired. And in that knowing, I felt the universe aligning itself in my favor. After all, our reality mirrors our beliefs.
The pressures of building over the past five years have gradually dimmed that magic, and it's something I've only just realized. Day by day, the spark dwindled. I found myself listening to the opinions of others, their voices dictating how I should or shouldn't live my life. It's a stark departure from my former self, who never paid attention to the opinions of others.
This month, however, I've come to a realization: the magic I thought I'd lost was never truly gone—it just shifted its place. A decade ago, my anchor was firmly in my dream, unwavering in whatever it took to ‘get there’. Whenever doubts arose, I'd refocus on that dream, propelling myself forward.
Yet, I've come to understand that pinning your anchor solely to a dream is both immature and risky. Dreams evolve, change shape, and transform—it's a beautiful journey of evolution. As I write this from LA—yes, LA!—a place I never envisioned myself, having always imagined either New York City or Paris, I've realized that the destination matters less than knowing who I am and anchoring myself in that. It's about establishing a sturdy foundation in me, regardless of where life leads or how CKD transforms.
I was on my walk when I realized this. I stopped and for the first time in a long time I felt the magic again—faith, love, gratitude, hope—all flooding in at once. It was waiting for me, in me as me. Not some far off dream. I realized I am the dream, and I have been simply waiting for me this whole time.
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Approving fabric samples for CKD’s newest collection. Hand made beaded and velvet embroidery that will be turned into pillows and drapery.
This collection is a special one for me. CKD’s first introduction to fabric. Coming soon!
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4 days of cutting. 4 days of installation. Papi Steak Las Vegas was our most bespoke installation to date. Because of the shape of the domes the print had to be built on-site. Each piece cut by hand, each piece hand placed and glued by hand. Every inch mattered. The end result was perfection. We overlaid glass blown flowers.
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After my time in Mexico life moved really fast and I didn’t get the time to update you. The weeks leading up to the Fontainebleau opening were nuts, my days were long, stress was high, anxiety was keeping me awake. All of the usual symptoms. The first couple of photos are from my headquarters in Montreal. The Papi Steak installation in Vegas had to be installed by hand. Each flower, each petal. Installed by hand. So that meant I had to cut out each piece of the print by hand as well… 4 days of cutting. I’ll show you more photos of the install this week.
We managed to fit a bespoke print in the middle of all of this for our friends at Studio Munge. The space looks stunning, I can’t wait to see the final images. As for the rest, my memory is a bit hazy – my mind felt like mush. On a brighter note, I've managed to rest, gaining clarity, although my body still feels tired. I’ve been spending the last couple of days easing back into my emails. Resting and taking it easy. Jan looks like it’s going to be more of this. New things are coming, old things are exiting, and it’s time to move into this new year.
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oh baby, 2024 lets go :)
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Papi Steak and Komodo have officially opened in the new Fontainebleau Las Vegas. The night was an absolute dream. From Paul Anka to Justin Timberlake to rooms filled with black tie attire, it felt like Las Vegas glam. Here are some photos from my digital camera of the night. What an incredible experience. Groot hospitality did what it does best and created an experience that was out of this world. Congratulations to the one and only Groot team!
What a way to end 2023 :)
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This day felt like magic. I really love what’s coming. What we’ve been building. The team around me. That’s all.. I’m just really excited.
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Just when I thought this year couldn’t get any better it continues to surprise me. San Miguel was NOT what I was expecting!! The decor, the hotels, the colors, the food, the people, everything felt like magic. We stayed at the Belmond for a couple of days and I felt like I was in the South of France, then we headed to Habitas, and I felt like I was a completely different city. This was my first Day of the Dead. I never understood how beautiful and spiritual it was. We ended in Mexico City. The new Soho House is a dream. There’s a cool vinyl speakeasy downstairs too :)
I’m currently in Montreal @ CKD headquarters. I’ve been cutting for a new installation in Vegas for the past 3 days straight. I can’t exactly see straight.. but last push of this year. And it’s going to be a pretty epic one :) Damn, 2023 what a ride you’ve been.
