GS: Having covered some of Canada’s top brands and designers, including my own brand Sully & Son Co., how do you decide which voices and stories deserve a platform in Living Luxe? What’s the creative or emotional spark that makes something feel like a “Living Luxe” story?

JL: Having been in the industry for almost 20 years, I’ve built relationships with many of the designers, creatives, and brands we feature, but discovering new voices is just as important to us. When deciding who to spotlight, we’re always looking for alignment with Living Luxe – authenticity, excellence, and a story that adds meaning to the world of design and lifestyle. We want to showcase talent from all backgrounds, and diversity remains a core value for us. One of my favourite examples was our cover of the Design Issue four years ago, at the start of the pandemic, featuring seven women designers from different cultures and experiences, each one representing the strength and creativity of our country. A Living Luxe story feels genuinely unique, purposeful, and deserving of a platform.

GS: We’ve had the pleasure of working together over the years, from editorial features to my role as a judge for The Living Luxe Design Show. What does community collaboration mean to you, and how important is it for design leaders to lift each other up in this industry?

JL: Absolutely, we’ve had the privilege of collaborating for three years now, and appointing you a judge alongside our other esteemed judges has been a natural fit. To me, community collaboration is essential. It’s important to surround yourself with people who share similar core values, individuals who are fair, strong, genuine, and committed to uplifting the industry as a whole. When judging any competition, integrity is a non-negotiable. Every contestant deserves to be evaluated with fairness and respect, and that’s why we’re so intentional about who we invite to be part of that process. At the core, the design world thrives on connection. No matter where you come from, everyone wants to belong, feel supported, and be part of something bigger than themselves. That’s why we’ve worked so hard to build a true community through Living Luxe, because in the end, friendship, unity, and shared purpose are what this industry is all about.

GS: Luxury is constantly being redefined. In your view, what does luxury mean today? How does Living Luxe balance the aspirational with the authentic in a way that feels both accessible and elevated?

JL: Luxury means something different to everyone, but for me, it’s rooted in purpose. True luxury is being part of something meaningful and having the ability to create work every day that you’re proud of. That’s precisely what we’ve built at Living Luxe. Not everyone has the privilege of choosing a career that aligns with their passion; many people do what they must do to support their families. A meaningful aspect of having that privilege is that I have the time, and make the time, to give back. Supporting charities and providing them with a platform to create awareness for important causes is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do. At Living Luxe, we balance the aspirational with the authentic by staying grounded in that purpose. Luxury, to us, isn’t just about beautiful things; it’s about creating value, fostering connection, and contributing to something bigger than ourselves.

GS: As you look toward the future of Living Luxe, what new directions or projects excite you most? How do you see the magazine continuing to shape and influence Canada’s design and lifestyle landscape in the years ahead?

JL: As I look ahead into 2026, there is so much to be excited about. One of the highlights is the Living Luxe Design Show 2026, taking place April 16-19 at the Toronto Congress Centre. Each year, we challenge ourselves to push the boundaries, creating new mystery areas, innovation, lifestyle, and fashion experiences. It’s a privilege to create a show that establishes Toronto as a destination for architecture, design, fashion, and more. I’m also excited about the continuing growth of our marketing agency, which allows us to support and elevate a wide range of brands.

And of course, the magazine remains at the heart of it all. Every issue allows me to collaborate with creative minds and showcase the best of what Canada contributes to the global design landscape.

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