The Spring edition contains the usual suspects – Marie Saint Pierre, Denis Gagnon, Christian Chenail, etc – and a handful of newcomers to the show: Claude Bouchard, Dimitri Chris, Micalla,  and Annie 50.

The highly successful Le Showroom, a sort of trunk show, will be showcasing other local designers’ collections since many are not choosing to run on the catwalk. Curiously, the CIMM is MIA in this edition, where usually the more commercial designers like Simon Chang would showcase the more wearable collections to the public. I would’ve thought they had finally made some sort of business connection with MFW, but I guess that has dissolved?

One has to wonder though how the recession has affected local Canadian fashion industries. More and more companies are outsourcing their workload to Asia, with a very select few companies who still produce in Canada (to my knowledge Tristan and Le Chateau are still hanging in there). The sole and only press conference that could possibly address this issue will be on Tuesday, Oct 15th, the inaugural opening day of Montreal Fashion Week SS10, but I’m afraid it’s nothing more talking fluff to reassure designers.

I do certainly believe that a fashion conference in Montreal is severely lacking in addressing these important business issues. And perhaps it would be to the local designers’ benefit if the industry would stop trying to brush it off by replacing it with more talks about pushing creativity, which frankly is not necessary. Think of all the past talents that have appeared and disappeared under the radar: Yso, Renata Morales, Rush Couture, Nadya Toto, Marisa Minicucci, Philippe Dubuc, and for a time Denis Gagnon. Top tier talents like Dubuc and Minicucci are struggling to keep afloat, or in Minicucci’s case, have to rethink their business strategy altogether. Montreal also has to contend with Toronto, which often has some of our best talents migrating to show such as Rudsak, Andy, Aqua di Lara, Travis Taddeo, and Morales, and our cream of the crops are showcasing in Paris or New York, like Rad Hourani and Mackage. It seems that Montreal is too small for designers who are aiming higher.

If Montreal is supposed to be so axed on promoting local talent and encouraging to buy local, they will certainly need to rethink their strategies to influence shoppers. Because the fast fashion giants down on Ste-Catherine are eating up the local industry’s sales with cheap “chic” like Forever 21, H&M, and Zara. While the talents of the likes of CIMM is totally capable of wowing us with commercial and sometimes innovative garments, yet they are nowhere to be found this season.

Like I’ve said before, Montreal has great potential as a fashion hub, but lacks the direction and support it needs to establish itself as true player among fashion capitals.

Image credits: Jimmy Hamelin, Montreal Fashion Week

Although I’m not a big fan of beauty products, and I’m sure you’ve already read it from the newspapers, but Sephora just opened two stores in Fairview Pointe-Claire Mall and Promenade St-Bruno. Why the mega french beauty store hasn’t opened one in downtown Montreal always boils down to the same problem: lack of space. Downtown isn’t very big, competition is fierce, and rent for space is high. I personally think that if the city wants to attract more commercial vendors, they will need to rethink their urban planning a little (like maybe work on making more commercial skyscrapers instead of just limiting the merchandise with tiny buildings).

Over at the Rockland Centre, La Senza is being relaunched with a “new store concept” a couple of weeks ago. The newly refurbished store is now 5000 sq. ft of bras and panties. If you’re not already aware, La Senza also sells Victoria’s Secret beauty line – my spidey senses tell me that lingerie mogul Victoria’s Secret made a pact with La Senza instead of outright overtaking it.

If you head on out to the Eaton Center, you might have noticed a spankin’ brand new store called “Little Burgundy” carrying over 80 brands of shoes and bags with a dash of cupcakes. According to Creativity Montreal, there’ll be a second store opening on Ste-Catherine this summer, is it open yet I haven’t checked, but you can scoot your bunbuns over to the Eaton Center to get a taste.

Lastly, I attended what was called a Crave Party thrown by several indie brands in Montreal at the Just for Laughs Museum. A laid back party of cupcakes, foods, drinks, raffles and goodie bags, I invited my friend along since some of the Aqua Di Lara swimsuits were on sale. Sadly, I didn’t purchase a swimsuit, they’re just really way too fancy despite having subtle colors, but is there such a thing as too sexy while being covered up? How does that work? And I’m not talking about ultimate boobie and butt exposure here, I’m talking about one piece suits tastefully covering all the necessities plentifully, yet a peep of a stomach skin here make a huge difference.

I’m not a fan of small dogs, but damn does that look cute.

I came across one booth full of dog apparels from a store called Poochey Couture. And it has the latest fashion trends for dogs, from “sushi poochie” squeaky toys to Juicy Couture for dogs (I kid you not). You may think it tacky to dress your dog, but from the album pictures of some model dogs, honestly some of those argyle sweaters look really cute! As a pet lover, you might want to check this place out, it’s amazing what people will buy for their pets. Eventhough I don’t own a pet…my boyfriend does, and it was really tempting to buy a cute raincoat for a yorkshire terrier…really tempting.

Every year CASA Cares, a non-profit student organization of Concordia’s John Molson School of Business, organize a fashion show event where all proceeds are donated to the Montreal Children’s Hospital. Since the fashion show’s inception they have raised over $30,000 for the hospital.

In their latest edition called “Temptations,” a slew of local designers lent student models their designs to strut them on the runway. I took photos of the event and you’ll have to forgive my poor photographic skills, you can’t do much on an automated Canon! As 9:15pm rolled around, the lights finally dimmed and the show started. What’s interesting of these student run shows were the choreographies the models produced. Some were fun and quirky like when they presented a collection for Kensie Girl and the girls bopped their hips along, winked and gasped at the crowd.

The first half of the show I wasn’t too impressed with the designs but once intermission was over, I think everyone in the audience relished the second half. Aqua Di Lara, Dinh Ba, Blush, and Rush Couture had all made a great impression.

For Aqua Di Lara, the signature sexy cutouts of the monokinis made any girl look good, there were also a couple of Qiss Qiss’ mint green bikinis too. I recognized Dinh Ba’s Spring Collection and it was a little strange to see something I’ve already seen 6 months prior, I had a quick thought of how “old” this collection was already, but it’s brand new to the public. Blush lived up to its name especially when the bodies of well sculpted 20 year olds were wearing skin tight boxer shorts.

The best show of the night was the old 1950-60′s feel of Rush Couture, with the men wearing fedoras and tailored pinstripes and the women wore long lustrous, backless gowns. Set perfectly into a Michael Buble atmosphere, it was worth the while to wait for such a fun ending.

I have a bunch of updates for you coming up, and in a couple of weeks I’ll be attending fashion week. 3 whole days being holed up in a building for 4-6 hours at a time on top of going to work from 9am. There will be much to talk about, that is if I don’t drop dead from exhaustion first.

Coming Up:

• Magazine review for one of my favorites: Clear Magazine.
• Label Report: Michael Kors, Teenflo, and a tailoring spot called Charles Le Tailleur.
• Show review for the annual Casa Cares fashion show featuring a slew of designers including Dinh Ba, Rush Couture and Aqua Di Lara.
• Montreal Fashion Week press releases concerning several magazine launch parties.
• Most likely exhausted from Fashion Week, I’ll be giving the “spa” a first try, see how those Swedish massages fare.
• March 25th is Gloss’ latest issue! Hopefully it’ll feature my interview with jewelry designer Allison Sklar.
• Onsite reports being at Fashion Week, observing the crowds, and wondering how I’ll keep my sanity throughout these long hours. No show reviews, that’s reserved for Gloss.

In essence, I have a lot to say but not enough time to write them down!

Be forewarned that fashion shows have a tendency to start late. Show up early at your own risk!

Karv Fashion Show @ Club 1234
March 7th, 2008 at 10PM
Tickets are available (10$) price at the door will be (15$).
For Tickets & Table Reservations Call : 707-3333
Cause: Promotional
Click here for the Facebook Event

CASA Cares Fashion Show @ Olympia Theatre
March 13th, 2008 at 8:30PM
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at 1500 de Maisonneuve Blvd. W., Room GM 218-4.
Cause: Donation to the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation
Designers: Dom Rebel, Aqua di Lara, Bodybag by Judith Desjardins, Dinh Bà and more.

Ethni-cité fashion-show & Party @ Time Supper Club
March 13th, 2008 at 11:30PM
Pre-sale tickets are $15. Price at the door will be $20.
Cause: Promotion of cultural diversity among local and international students
Click here for the Facebook Event

The Official “WALK” Fashion Show @ House Nightclub
March 22nd, 2008 at 8:30PM
Tickets are $40. Groups of 10 or more get a $10 discount per person.
Contact Megan Clark: thats.crazy.babyyy@hotmail.com
Tel: (514) 525-8567
Cause: Donations for the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation
Click here for the Facebook Event

Armure Urbaine @ Marche Bonsecours for Montreal Fashion Week
March 27th, 2008 at 9:30PM
Tickets are $30. Can be purchased at Admission.com.
Cause: Donations for YWCA.
Designers: Body Bag by Jude, Dinh Bà, Denis Gagnon, Envers by Yves Jean-Lacasse, Helmer, Collection Iris, Marie Saint Pierre, Muse by Christian Chenail, M Siamo, Mylene B.

Path of Destruction Fashion Show – Location TBD
April 5th, 2008 – Time TBD
Tickets are $25. Price at the door will be $30.
Cause: Promotional, free stuff
Click here for the Facebook Event

OR you can just join the Montreal Fashion Group on Facebook and make your life easier.

And as a final announcement, which isn’t fashion show related, I found out that Marie Saint Pierre will be opening a new boutique at the Rockland Centre soon.

Yay! My first front page featured article at Gloss! I’m actually quite excited about this since these were two interviews I’ve been waiting to see pop out onto this issue.

Go ahead and read my latest interviews of Aqua di Lara designer, Reyhan Sofraci, for her new Qiss Qiss swimwear line, and the charming Evelyne Dupuis‘ White Label interview of her sexy little numbers.

Global Warming Just Got Hotter (I came up with that headline and I’m really proud of it)

White Label’s Entrance

Also don’t forget to read the Glossip section of yours truly

Finally, this is the last shameless plug, read me weekly at my column at Capazine, an online magazine for the social network Capazoo. The latest article is about Gucci’s little PR problems that happened during the opening of their 46,000 sq. foot flagship store on Fifth Avenue. And if you’re in for a little humor, I compiled a list of the Top 10 Wackiest Gadgets For Women, which I thoroughly enjoyed researching.

Image credits: AquadiLara/QissQiss, White Label

On Thursday, December 20th, there will be an unveiling of a new swimwear collection by Reyhan Sofraci, designer of the high end swimwear Aqua Di Lara. The new contemporary collection will be called Qiss Qiss and will be shown at Time SupperClub at 10pm. Cover charge is $20. So if you’ve been dreading the last couple of days of thunderclapping winter storms, I’m pretty sure this show will making you look forward to summer a whole lot faster!

***

I will be traveling to the Lone Star state of Texas for Christmas and there are just a few more days until the big day. I’ll surely make a round to the gargantuan Houston mall called The Galleria. One floor level is dedicated entirely to designer collections from Jimmy Choo to Yves Saint-Laurent Rive Gauche. Shopping in America is always a treat because there are a lot of brands that are only local or are not distributed internationally. Houston may not be a fashion capital, so I’m curious to see what kind of fashion style is offered to the general public. So stay tuned!

Based in Paris, this online fashion site opened is doors just last week. With over 250 collections to browse through, Flip-Zone has made considerable progress where other online fashion magazines may lack. True to its name, it’s a website full of “flippable” pages (it looks like there’s an epidemic of flipping websites), not only that, we’re also allowed to zoom in each image, send it to a friend, click on an ad page and brought to their landing page, you can even create your own flipbooks to share with friends.

Montreal’s high end swimwear brand Aqua Di Lara‘s flipbook.

The magazine also focuses on numerous non-popular (but still posh) designers in a variety of different fashion arenas such as wedding dresses, lingerie, accessories, bathing suits and sportswear. With a brief fashion profile intro on the first page, each flipbook contains only editorials (many of them runway shots) available in high quality.

Flip-Zone is optimized truly for the websurfer’s confort and joy by making their website available in different screen resolutions. From 1024×768 to 1600×1050, this is what digital fashion should be all about. High resolution for high fashion, as it was meant to be.

Sorry English-natives, the site is French-only. But they’re still in Beta, so who knows, maybe they’ll be able to afford to translate it one day.