Images courtesy of Meade Design Group.
On the eve of his twentieth year in Victoria, Iván Meade, principal designer and founder of Meade Design Group expanded his personal design narrative to include a line of organic fair-trade chocolates. Translating his textile collection onto the palette to delight all your senses, Meade’s chocolate line is the combination of two of his passions: great design and quality cuisine. As a unique touch, each flavour is a representation of a fabric from his thriving eponymous fabric line that was launched in 2014. Originally from Mexico, Meade has received international and critical acclaim for his work in graphic, interior, and industrial design. Featured in Better Homes & Gardens, Style at Home, BC Home and Design Edge, Meade and his team have also worked on the international stage to help interior designers develop high-value brands.
Conceptually, each pattern in the Iván Meade fabric line tells a story about his influences, history, admirations and aspirations. One of his favourite patterns, Mariposa is an ode to Meade’s beloved mother, Maria Celia. The traditional toile-influenced motif of Mariposa, juxtaposed against a crisp carbón background creates an unexpected beauty and captures his mother’s exquisite style of modern interpretations of old classics. It seems only natural that his mother would impact the flavour as well; her penchant for chocolate with mint as a post-dinner treat has been translated into a well-loved combination for Mariposa —Spanish for butterfly. The dark chocolate is reminiscent of the dark background, while the natural mint flakes playfully dance on the surface like a butterfly.
Each organic chocolate is hand-crafted in small batches using high-quality fair-trade ingredients by renowned chocolatier, Sylvia Punguntzky of Art Meets Chocolate on the Sunshine Coast of BC. The first run of the Iván Meade Chocolate collection features six patterns with individually corresponding flavours. The line includes something for everyone from Eme’s Salted Caramel and Fleur de Sel to the exotic, Jinete’s Matcha White, featuring Matcha tea and white chocolate. The adventurous can try each flavour with the purchase of The Collection, a limited edition package featuring all six deluxe flavours. An added feel-good benefit: a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Testicular Cancer Canada.
Says Meade of his latest venture: “As a self-proclaimed foodie, quality and variety in flavours and ingredients is of the utmost importance to me. I can also feel confident about having my name on a product that is not only delicious and organic, but also promotes support of local business.”
The chocolates will be available at local retailers: Lore, Citizen, Pigeonhole, Calla Design, Tara McHugh Flora, Switzer Cult Creative, and many others as well as online and at the Iván Meade flagship showroom: Meade Design Group, in the heart of downtown Victoria.
