Day 3: Design identity
The second day of Montreal Fashion Week began with a lunch for out-of-town journalists at the Musee d’art contemporain (185 Sainte-Catherine Ouest, 514-847-6226) and a discussion on the differences between Montreal and Toronto style. The Toronto pack cited Montreal’s theatricality and euro styling as what sets its catwalk looks apart.
There must have been a plaid sale at a local fabric store recently because heavy tartans popped up again in the Body Bag by Jude show. This time, double breasted trenches, cropped jackets and waistcoats were cut from the check and punctuated with cobalt opera gloves. Heavy wool Aladdin pants and felted shirt dresses prove heartier fabrics are a staple among Montreal designers.
The focus on the coat in collections is another repeating theme that showed up again at the Nevik show. The line’s never ending looks longed for a clever stylist to work her editing magic but black coats and caplets with offset hems would have made the cut.
Cluc Couture demonstrated Montreal fashion’s love of detailing and embellishments. Silk scarf turbans wrapped in pearls and pinned with gold brooches topped brocade coats and a cropped jacket made of giant gold pailettes, edged in opalescent, tear drop beads.
The best show award for the day goes to Envers’ Yves Jean Lacasse. His unisex collection played with skinny vs. voluminous proportions and incorporated killer knits in rough, macramé weaves. A men’s cropped coat was topped with an oversized hood while slim trousers in pistachio paisley grabbed at a bulky male model’s thighs. Women got a sheer blouse stitched out of pinhole polka dotted ivory chiffon and lean silk pants that reached for the point of stiletto heels. A purple satin jump dress with a gathered hem and puffy cargo pockets stood out because it landed perfectly between slouchy and svelte.
Body Bag by Jude available at Frock, 97 Roncesvalles, 416-516-1333.
Nevik available (in Montreal only) at Nevik, 240 St. Jacques Ouest, 514-289-9449.
Cluc Couture available (in Montreal only) at Boutique Atelier Cluc, 305 Bellechase, suite 204 B, 514-383-6974.
Envers available (in Montreal only) at Envers, 4935 Sherbrooke Ouest, 416-935-7117.
On today: Fairyesque throws a tea party before presentations by Soku menswear and Dinh Ba.
