THE HER-STORY
Once upon a time there was a little SGIT (Social Gal in Training) named Jenn with a way too active imaJennation who had her mama (yes, Gail) read her Cinderella bedtime stories way too many times, thereby laying the seeds for a dream of creating her own entrance-making, princess-worthy evening wear line one day. Fast forward to 2017, when the bona fide grown up Social Gal (turned Publishing Gal) decided to morph that dream into reality, creating the designs and enlisting the help of her favourite master couturière — Naomy Stern of Naomy Stern Couture — to take on their realization. The results are a beautiful collaboration featuring the seven creations that follow (marking Diary’s seventh edition and milestone fifth year in biz) shot against the backdrop of the stunning Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth and worn by a truly amazing squad of powerful, accomplished, talented women — VIRGINIE COOSSA, ANNA GALCHENYUK, ANOUK MEUNIER, CAROLINE NÉRON, VANESSA PILON, ANGELA PRICE, and DEBBIE ZAKAIB — who continually inspire with their many respective achievements, creativity, generosity of spirit, humour, determination, difference-making, and overall fabulousness. The planet is infinitely better because of humans like them and it is truly an honour, and privilege, to feature each one in this edition. (Yes, a tear rolls down my cheek as I pen this. Darned sentimentality!) Thank you ladies for the gift of you … and to the spectacular crew who helped bring this shoot to life: you rock like no other, a dream team of pros. Special thanks to mama Gail Campbell who continues to be my greatest ally, supporter, champion, and role model “gal” extraordinaire. Whatever good I achieve in this world is because of YOU.
CREDITS
Photography LAURIE GODIN-RHEAULT
Creative direction and styling JENN CAMPBELL
Makeup and hair CHARLOTTE MARIE FLANNERY, ELIZABETH D’AMICO, CHRISTINA SFETSIOS and KATHY VALLEE, using YSL BEAUTY Video KASTALLIS PRODUCTIONS
Photography assistant ANTOINE LA ROCHELLE
Retouching LAURIE GODIN-RHEAULT
IT TAKES A VILLAGE! Special thanks (in random order) to my collaborator in glam NAOMY STERN and the NAOMY STERN COUTURE crew, her delish super-helper/ daughter ELIANA STERN, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth angels MICHELE GUZZO and MAUDE SAMSON, Birks Group marketing maestro ELIZABETH HARRISON and delightful DANNY, the incomparable TUTI DO (CEO of
REV Communications) for invaluable contributions re: production, coordination and sanity-saving, and Diary’s JESSY COLUCCI.
VANESSA PILON
HUMAN
Lover of: contemporary art and the cosmos. Majorly inspired by: Yayoi Kusama, Rupi Kaur, and many women artists. Super proud of: our youth; their ideas, their vision of the world, and the hope they carry. Looking forward to: travelling to Hawaii with my man. Forever supportive of: OXFAM, for their actions worldwide, but also with our youth.@vanpailong
Strapless jumpsuit with skirt SOCIAL GAL SOIRÉE (Jenn Campbell Design X Naomy Stern Couture). Ruby and diamond necklace THE BIRKS SALON COLLECTION (Birks). Shoes STUART WEITZMAN.
ANOUK MEUNIER
TV HOST
Lover of: shoes, chocolate and precious moments with my loved ones! Majorly inspired by: travel, other cultures, people who make a difference. Super proud of: my career path, that I made it on my own, believed in myself and got to where I am. Looking forward to: my next trip! Don’t know where and don’t know when … that’s what makes it so exciting! Forever supportive of: people who spend their lives trying to find cures for incurable diseases. I make it a point of getting involved in different causes such as Scleroderma Quebec, the Breast Cancer Foundation and Bowvember Campaign. Facebook @AnoukMeunierOf cielle, Instagram, Twitter @anoukmeunier.
Blush feather jumpsuit SOCIAL GAL SOIRÉE (Jenn Campbell Design X Naomy Stern Couture). Birks Splash Diamond and Pink Sapphire Hoop Earrings, Morganite and Diamond Ring THE BIRKS SALON COLLECTION (Birks). Shoes STUART WEITZMAN.
ANNA GALCHENYUK
DAUGHTER/SISTER/CEO/ENTREPRENEUR/MODEL
Lover of: strawberry champagne, roses, and spontaneous adventures. Majorly inspired by: beauty and love and the belief that “everything happens for a reason, trust the timing of your life.” Super proud of: my brother, who has given me some of the most valuable advice of my life, and many opportunities. Stay tuned. Looking forward to: the launch of this magazine! OBVIOUSLY. Forever supportive of: all forms of giving back, big or small. To date, we’ve supported various charities, foundations and causes and will continue to do so in addition to collaborating with the wonderful Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation, and lending support to animal shelters, a cause close to my heart. Website in works. @agalchy
Dress SOCIAL GAL SOIRÉE (Jenn Campbell Design X Naomy Stern Couture). Stack rings, the new BIRKS ICONIC COLLECTION (Birks). Diamond honeycomb ring BIRKS BEE CHIC (Birks)
DEBBIE ZAKAIB
MOM/WIFE/BUSINESSWOMAN/ART COLLECTOR/ COMMUNITY ENGAGEE/FOODIE/PROUD MONTREALER
Lover of: art, fashion, gastronomy, culture … everything related to creativity! Majorly inspired by: “be yourself – Nobody can do it better!” Super proud of: my daughter Daphnée and my husband Alexandre, who are so resilient and passionate … and of my late son who I miss deeply … Always looking forward to: tiny moments and little snuggles with my beautiful daughter. Forever supportive of: youth, local talent and up-and-coming entrepreneurs. mmode.ca, macm.org, teljeunes.com
Jumpsuit SOCIAL GAL SOIRÉE (Jenn Campbell Design X Naomy Stern Couture). Diamond earrings THE BIRKS SALON COLLECTION (Birks). Rosée du Matin 8 Row Flex Wrap Diamond Bracelet BIRKS.
ANGELA PRICE
MOTHER/WIFE/LIFESTYLE BLOGGER/PHILANTHROPIST
Lover of: good vibes, good people, and good food. Majorly inspired by: looking for the good in others. Super proud of: my husband, he exceeds my expectations daily. Looking forward to: snowy mornings spent in bed with a cup of hot coffee. Forever supportive of: the Breakfast Club of Canada. @byangelaprice, byangelaprice.com.
Dress SOCIAL GAL SOIRÉE (Jenn Campbell Design X Naomy Stern Couture). Boots BROWNS SHOES.
CAROLINE NÉRON
MOTHER/WIFE/ ENTREPRENEUR/ ACTIVIST
Lover of: family time and dinner with friends. Majorly inspired by: inspiring my daughter. Super proud of: the team I created. Mostly, people love Friday, I love Monday, it’s a pretty good sign. Looking forward to: bringing my fashion to New York. Forever supportive of: breast cancer, the Breakfast Club of Canada and mental health.
Tuxedo, matching bustier and pants SOCIAL GAL SOIRÉE (Jenn Campbell Design X Naomy Stern Couture). All jools CAROLINE NÉRON. Shoes SAINT LAURENT (her own).
VIRGINIE COOSSA
MOTHER/TV HOST/BLOGGER/ENTREPRENEUR
Lover of: tennis, magazines, world travel, everything touching “l’art de vivre.” Majorly inspired by: hard work, work we love, trying something a bit scary every day, good friends, family, honesty, compassion, and the gift of every day. Super proud of: the launch of my website/online store with local artisans … after five years of dreaming about it. Looking forward to: a cruise with my family on New Year’s Eve. Forever supportive of: our new hospital, the CHUM. I’m involved with the Foundation with my boyfriend, CHUM spokesperson Claude Meunier, and am proud to gift a percentage of candles sold to the foundation, with more to come. @virginie_coossa, boutique.vcommecoossa.ca
Dress SOCIAL GAL SOIRÉE (Jenn Campbell Design X Naomy Stern Couture). Gold and pearl hoop earrings, the new BIRKS ICONIC COLLECTION (Birks). Shoes STUART WEITZMAN.