OpenRoad Driver Volume 14 Issue 1 | Page 74

74 » OpenRoad Driver What activities and hobbies do you do outside of work? I recharge by connecting to the outdoors, and do so as often as I can. From hiking, to kayaking, to trail running, to road biking, if it involves a wide open sky and sweating, count me in. I also dabble in writing as a creative pursuit I find both challenging and rewarding. And reading on a wide range of topics such as business, history, and philosophy has always been a passion of mine. Outside of work, what charitable organizations are you a part of or support? Anxiety BC has always been near and dear to my heart. As I previously mentioned, I’ve dealt with anxiety in the past, and know from personal experience how lonely the struggle can be. After getting through the worst of it several years back, I decided to do what I could to bring attention to it. To that end, I’ve spoken in various public forums such as CBC to let others know they’re not alone, and that there are resources to help. What does style mean to you? For me, style is all about personal expression. Whether we like it or not, the unique sense of style we choose to project has a powerful impact on how others perceive us. I also feel customizing style is a unique and often overlooked opportunity all of us have for creativity, which many of us can do with more of. VEHICLE: 1952 Volkswagen Beetle - split window | ATTIRE: Tiger of Sweden burgundy blazer | Hugo Boss dress shirt | Sarai Bespoke pocket square How do you de scribe your style? I’m a strong believer of the mantra “less, but better,” and I try to reflect that in my style. I strive to convey a clean, classical look, but accent that with the occasional subtle flair and vibrant colour for a little fun. What is your go-to professional outfit for work? I often transition from a boardroom to job site to coffee shop meeting in the same day, so my outfit needs to be flexible. The standard combination is a slim fit button- down shirt, sweater or sport coat over top, fitted chinos, and leather boots. Fun accents with colour and flair might include my socks, belt, or for a special event, a pocket square. What is your go-to outfit when working out or being active outdoors? Usually I’m on a mountain or trail of some sort, so the basics usually include a very well worn 5 Peaks Trail Race Series toque, technical running shirt and shorts courtesy of lululemon, and mud-covered trail runners - currently bright neon Nike. What is it about Volkswagen vehicles that you like? The merge of simplicity and elegance at every level of design, which really appeals to my personal sense of style. Despite always being at the cutting edge on technology and refinement, I’ve always been impressed by Volkswagen’s ability to keep a classical, timeless look to their vehicles. What goes into your decision when selecting a car for your career and lifestyle? It’s a challenging balance to maintain. On one hand I drive a fair amount for work, and am increasingly conscious of the environmental footprint of my vehicle. So definitely a vehicle that is fuel efficient. On the other hand, I am quite active outdoors, so I need a vehicle that can handle the occasional snow or mud-covered road. What car is next on your list? Not certain on that front yet, but I’m due for my next vehicle at the end of this year, and the upcoming 2018 Volkswagen Atlas has definitely piqued my interest. Producer & Stylist: Instagram: Facebook: Web: Jason Sarai, Style by Sarai @stylebysarai facebook.com/StyleBySarai stylebysarai.com Photographer: Instagram: Facebook: Web: Ellen Ho, Hong Photography & Cinema @hongphotography facebook.com/hongphotographystudio hong-photography.com Makeup & Hair: Instagram: Web: Anita Lee @anitaleehairandmakeup anitalee.ca