I was bombarded once more with goodie bags and came home with a motherload that contained a Grand Marnier branded martini shaker, a bunch of Pantene products, CoverGirl lipgloss, a Venus razor (honestly, every fashion event I go I get razors, I think I’m going to stop buying them since I always get them for free!), and the best – Olay’s Anti-Aging  Lip treatment. All I’m missing is a lip plumper. I also got another pair of crocs, same from last night except in pink, so now I have two sets. I think I’ll send a pair to my mum.

It was less fruitful in terms of talking with people today, everyone was just in such a rush to get inside the shows there was little time to actually socialized.

Tonight’s shows were more commercial, so most of the designs appealed to the audience. The two buyers were especially pleased with the CIMM shows, I could see them grinning ear to ear, my new friend told me they went to Chabanel today and decided to buy their crop from there. Personally I really like Helmer, though I don’t see myself wearing his patchworks, I saw some young ladies wearing his full gowns to the show. Nevertheless, there’s a finesse that I really like from him. I’m having a hard time putting my finger on Dinh Ba, but I certainly thought that this collection was a great improvement from the last two (though still not too sure about the menswear). I was impressed with Myco Anna (ecofashion designer) just by the fact that it must’ve taken ages to patch stuff together, finding the right colors, and the right patterns to go together, also loved the theme they had.

Overall, tonight was a really good show. I’m thinking of attending only the second half for tomorrow night and I know it’s going to be insane because of Armure Urbaine. I have no idea how many tickets that show sold for, but the main showroom can only hold at most perhaps 500-600 people while Facebook confirms 1200 in attendance (but I wouldn’t rely too much on Facebook for accuracy).

Sorry I can’t accompany pics in my posts, it takes a while to edit, so I might just do a pic post on Friday.

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.

This is just to say that asian designers are bursting out into the Montreal fashion scene and applications are pouring into famed fashion colleges like LaSalle and Marie-Victorin. If you look on LaSalle’s front page, there’s now a section written in Vietnamese, this is honestly the first time I’ve seen any local establishment not dominated by asians, actually acknowledging the existence of non-Chinese, non-Japanese students

Proving the successful run of the likes of Andy Thê-Anh, aspiring asian designers have hope in making it here. Finally, asians no longer have to be bogged down by stereotypes of qi pao and kimono fashions, they can truly elevate themselves above and beyond their restrictions and let their imaginations run wild.