- Words and photography by Lia Crowe

Meeting Manuela in person and walking into her ultra-cool office in a brick heritage building down in VancouverB次元官网网址檚 Gastown, one is immediately drawn into the world of someone who is unique and chic, and who definitely has something interesting to say.

B次元官网网址淏etter to be bizarre than boring,B次元官网网址� Manuela says when asked what good style means to her. B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 understand wanting to look the same as everyone else; individual expression is so much more engaging.B次元官网网址�

With a business degree from Simon Fraser University, Manuela says she B次元官网网址渟ort of tripped and fellB次元官网网址� into the real estate development industry in the mid-B次元官网网址�90s.

B次元官网网址淚 started out in pre-sales of single family homes in Port Coquitlam of all places, and eventually worked my way up to the senior executive level. I worked with many of North AmericaB次元官网网址檚 most prominent developers in landmark communities, from Houston and San Francisco all the way up the coast and across Western Canada.B次元官网网址�

Asked what fires her up the most about her work, she says, B次元官网网址淚 am part of the team that provides one of lifeB次元官网网址檚 most intrinsic necessities: shelter. Not only is real estate the single largest purchase that people ever make in their lives, it is also the literal building block of communities and cities. I cannot think of a more rewarding line of work. IB次元官网网址檝e been doing it for exactly 50 per cent of my life as of this year.B次元官网网址�

As soon as I start photographing Manuela, itB次元官网网址檚 immediately clear to me she is also a performer, so I gotta askB次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淏urlesque!B次元官网网址� she responds. B次元官网网址淚 have been a professional burlesque performer, costumer and columnist for over a decade now, and have performed on stages from Berlin to Vegas. A life highlight for me was being featured in RussiaB次元官网网址檚 Cosmopolitan magazine when I headlined in Moscow a couple years ago. [Coming up], IB次元官网网址檝e donated two performances to the first live burlesque show to be held in the city since the onset of COVID-19. IB次元官网网址檒l be performing on September 24 at the Biltmore Cabaret, and I can hardly wait to get back on stage!B次元官网网址�

She has so much diverse life experience that I wonder whatB次元官网网址檚 the best life lesson she has learned over the years.

B次元官网网址淣ot to be afraid of living in a state of radical honesty! I am not responsible for other peopleB次元官网网址檚 fears and insecurities,B次元官网网址� she says.

And lastly, I ask Manuela to describe her own unique style.

B次元官网网址淢y style is 100 per cent based on what makes me feel fabulous, regardless of current trends or dictum. Sometimes my choices align with what is considered fashionable in the moment, but often not. And I fully embrace that dissonance as it allows me to project the confidence I feel in making fashion choices that reflect me and me alone.B次元官网网址�

Fashion & Beauty

Uniform: Dresses. I never ever wear pants. How else can you put on a single item of clothing and look instantly polished? The only pants I own are for skiing and the gym.

All-time favourite piece: Depends entirely on the day.

Currently coveting: Searching for the ideal voluminous-skirted, light-weight silk maxi dress. The sort that will float and swirl like a cloud in the breeze.

Favourite pair of shoes: My weakness! While IB次元官网网址檓 fortunate to own the usual suspects of Valentino, Gucci, Ferragamo et al., I have recently become obsessed with this amazing Italian company, , which allows you to design and customize your shoes from scratch. IB次元官网网址檝e designed and purchased eight pairs this year! ItB次元官网网址檚 addictive!

Favourite day-bag: LV On My SideMM.

Favourite work tool: My intuition and experience.

Favourite jewellery piece or designer: A rope of Tahitian black pearls that I purchased in the Tuamotu archipelago of French Polynesia on Fakarava Atoll.

Fashion obsession: Custom shoes.

Accessory you spend the most money on: Jewellery.

Necessary indulgence for either fashion or beauty: Anything that makes you feel unique and powerful.

Moisturizer: Filorga Time-Filler. The only moisturizer IB次元官网网址檝e ever tried that actually delivered a noticeable difference in the texture of my skin.

Scent: Frangipane by Chantecaille. It smells like my annual trips to Bora Bora, Tahitian vanilla and white tropical florals.

Must-have hair product: Axis hair salonB次元官网网址檚 house brand M艒r Oil.

Style Inspirations & Life

Style icon: Iris Apfel because she is inimitable.

Favourite artist: Cuban artist Tonel, who now lives and works in Vancouver.

Piece of art: A freehand traditional Marquesan tattoo I had done on my hip, outdoors in the jungle of Hiva Oa, the island where Paul Gauguin did so many of his most famous portraits of Polynesian women and where he was ultimately laid to rest. I contracted fengue fever during the process, but the experience and artistry was more than worth it. Besides, what a story!

Favourite flower: Peony.

Favourite city to visit: Moscow.

Favourite place in the whole world: Anywhere in French Polynesia.

One thing that consistently lifts your spirits during these hard times: My four rescue animals that IB次元官网网址檝e collected on my world travels.

Reading Material

What you read online for style: I follow random threads on IG to find people with a unique presentation of self.

Fave style blog: A menB次元官网网址檚 style page on IG, @blackinspiredalphas. The style and swagger of these Black men is both beautiful and inspiring.

Coffee table book/photography book: A retrospective of Art Nouveau that I purchased at the Mus茅e dB次元官网网址橭rsay in Paris.

Last great read: A biography of Eva Braun by Heike B. G枚rtemaker that I purchased at the Dachau concentration camp museum in Bavaria.

Book currently reading: Conflicting Missions: Havana, Washington, and Africa, 1959-1976 by Piero Gleijeses.

Favourite book of all time: Bryce CourtenayB次元官网网址檚 Power of One.

You can find Manuela at her .

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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