Grey Goose Notable: Lucian Matis

Notable.ca has partnered with Grey Goose, the World’s Best Tasting Vodka, to celebrate an exclusive series of Grey Goose Notables: young professionals and entrepreneurs who are influential taste-makers. For the next 10 weeks, we will feature two unique Notables who have made it – young professionals who have reached success beyond their years. We’ll show you how these Notables enjoy what they’ve earned – how they entertain friends, where they travel, what drives them from the office to the golf course – and how they celebrate life and all it has to offer. So, raise a glass as we toast to the Grey Goose Notables…

Fashion Designer Lucian Matis was born in Transylvania, Romania, where he grew up around fashion production. His mother owned a studio where manufacturing of anything from pyjamas to wedding gowns took place, and this solidified his foundation and curiosity for fashion.

In 1999, he moved to Toronto – he was 18 at the time – and attended Ryerson University’s Fashion Design program – renowned as one of the top schools for fashion design in Canada. Here, he built upon his earlier learning at his mother’s Romanian tailor shop, and solidified his love of designing and letting his creativity flourish.

After graduation, he was hired as a designer and buyer for both Costa Blanca and Urban Behaviour before he was offered to the role of Creative Director at Sirens; he later joined the Project Runway Canada competition, and gained massive exposure on a national scale.

Launching his own collections came naturally thanks to the vast experience he had garnered at such a young age. His burgeoning empire now counts three different collections under its umbrella: Daphne (designed exclusively for the Shopping Channel), Matis by Lucian Matis, and Lucian Matis Runway Collection (his haute line). He’s currently working on a handcrafted line of eyewear that is slated for a launch next spring. On the jump to accessories, Lucian says “to me, everything that’s creative is under one umbrella.”

While being one of Canada’s top designers at such a young age may seem like a heady designation, the opportunities Lucian has had cemented his love of the industry, and so he doesn’t view this as any sort of challenge. Instead, he’s excited and impassioned to get to live in this world of creation. “The concept is one of the most exciting parts, and the shows…shows are a lot of fun for me.”

Lucian sees his brand expanding even further in the future, potentially going international and maybe working on a fragrance or even furniture design. To him, finding as many outlets as possible for his ideation to take flight is one of the most rewarding parts of his day-to-day.

Lucian Matis is a Notable, and to him, notable is “something unique, something different and tastefully done.”

Lucian Matis

If there was one location that every person must see, what would it be? Why?
I would have to say the Taj Mahal in India. The culture and sheer beauty of this palace is larger than life and makes one introspective and spiritual.

You have 3 weeks to vacation, cost is not a factor, where are you going and who are you taking?
I would bring those closest to me and head for Monte Carlo where I would charter a Yacht for one week. We would then head off to Morocco for a week and then our last week would be spent in the Seychelle Islands in the Indian Ocean.

What is your general life philosophy/What advice would you want to share with others?
Integrity is the main ingredient to healthy living. Life without integrity doesn’t exist!

Why were the early stages of your career (which can be some of the toughest years of any successful business person’s life) worth what you are now able to enjoy?
Everything is a learning curve – we have to learn by our mistakes in order to grow. I welcome those challenges that make me wiser.

How do you enjoy life? What are some of your life indulgences?
I love to vacation and experience different cultures and foods. I require a lot of visual and mental stimulation which is always inspirational.

Do you cook? If yes, what is your best dish? If no, what is your favourite dish to be cooked for you?
I love to cook Moroccan food. The flavour of the food is most intense when combined with spices such as coumarin, coriander, nutmeg, and saffron.

What is one of your favourite lounges/restaurants? Why?
I really enjoy the view at the Panorama. I wish we would have more spots like this.