Last week, Groupe Sensation Mode in partnership with P&G Beauty & Grooming presented Montreal Fashion Week at Arsenal in trendy Griffintown. I wasn’t able to get there myself, but I really enjoyed watching the runway from afar! Over 4 days (Feb 4-7), more than 25 Canadian and International designers presented their fall/winter 2013 collections to hundreds of well-dressed guests, including Will Smith!
The A-lister surprised show-goers by showing up in the front row of the Ralph Leroy show on day two of Montreal Fashion Week. The Twitter-sphere went crazy with rumours about his attendance, but he just happened to be in town and was invited by one of Leroy’s models, Sarodj Bertin (Miss Haiti Universe 2010), who works with the designer to help Haiti after the devastating earthquake of 2010.
Probably one of the most exciting front row sightings in a while! Not to be outdone by a Hollywood celebrity, Montreal Fashion Week saw strong showings from some of my favourite Canadian designers and wrapped up with the highly anticipated Target Emerging Designer Award showcase.
I’m conserving my energy for full coverage at World MasterCard Fashion Week here in Toronto but here are my dainty faves from Montreal Fashion Week:
Day 1 Fave: Melissa Nepton
Melissa Nepton’s fall/winter 2013 collection has a chic equestrian influence that bridges the gap between couture and comfort. Nepton’s signature elegance was apparent throughout the show among themes of fluidity, structure and anti-structure. I loved the loose billowy silk blouses and tunics juxtaposed by sleek leggings and sophisticated outerwear. Textures included sleek leather and luxurious fur accents, plaid tweed, soft heathered fabrics and silks of varying transparencies. I really enjoyed the creative necklines, figure flattering tunics and chic sweater dresses.
The husband and wife duo behind Martin Lim are fan favourites in Montreal and I really enjoyed seeing them in Toronto last spring (for their FW’12 collection). This season they brought some serious movement with swinging fringe and flowing ruffles on everything from oversized tops to figure-hugging shifts and flowing maxis. I loved the sixties influence alongside geometric and sporty-chic elements – true to their modernist aesthetic with effortless style. Love that BLUE!
Geek’s never been so chic! I’ve been catching glimpses of my friend Rachel’s fall/winter collection online for a couple of months and this was (hands down) the show I was most excited for at Montreal Fashion Week. The high school nerd has grown up and she doesn’t hide behind her glasses anymore; she is confident, chic and always on the go. This read-to-wear collection transitions effortlessly from day-to-night and I absolutely love her unique take on the classics – especially that caped white dress shirt! The colour palette is mostly neutral with a stunning deep green and sophisticated colour blocking. There were polka dots too, but I’ll wait until Rachel presents her show in Toronto to share the rest…
Check out my interview with Rachel Sin before her first show at WMCFW!
The final show at Montreal Fashion Week was, in my opinion, the finest showcase of Montreal talent of the entire week. Five finalists (UNTTLD, Anastasia Lomonova, Nisse, By Thomas and Melissa Nepton) competed for the Target Emerging Designer Award – $25,000, a collection at Target stores in Quebec, and an Elle spread. Entrants were asked to present three looks capturing the essence of their proposed fall-winter collection for Target. At nine months pregnant and after staging a full show of her own on opening night – Melissa Nepton took home the prize! I loved the wearable looks that hit the runway in the grand finale of Montreal Fashion Week and I think it’s amazing that Target is taking their innovative designer partnerships north of the border too!
It looks like the black and white combo is still hot for fall, along with sheer, geometric and leather accents. These trends were big at WMCFW last spring and it looks like we’ll be seeing more of the same this season…with a little more layering, higher necklines and a darker colour palette.
It was another great week of Canadian fashion and it’s just the beginning! I can’t wait to report to you live from World MasterCard Fashion Week in Toronto March 18-22 – stay tuned!
Photos courtesy of MFW – See more from the runway here!
Were you in Montreal? Did they broadcast online?
(I don’t cover shows unless I’m actually there or can see them online. I don’t think relying on pictures only is good enough
)
Hi Cynthia! I was thinking about going, but couldn’t get there with other obligations. I enjoyed the photos and can only hope my readers will enjoy my thoughts. All about sharing and supporting even if I can’t be there in person all the time. I wasn’t at the Globes or the Grammys either, but I can still comment on the dresses
Yeah, but the difference is that the Grammys and Golden Globes are on TV, so you could “see” it like you would a fashion show online. For me, photos aren’t good enough – you have to see moving footage to properly critique. Just my opinion – doesn’t have to be yours.
I thought this post was marvelous.
I think you did an amazing job and gave a really fair review with the images.
In order to give a proper review I don’t think it is always necessary to see the garments in person.
When you are seeing them in motion in video feed and then get sent pictures, you are more or less experiencing the same thing as someone sitting at the show.
Plus, you dont have to worry about being influenced by peoples’ opinions beside you, infront of you, etc…
Great post as always Nicole.
You have built a wonderful site and I look forward to more.
THANK YOU for the kind words! I agree and appreciate your support always!
Love Rachel Sin’s collection! The designs are so chic and modern
Kate xo petite-adventures.blogspot.ca
Hi Kate! I love her designs so much. Always so chic, elegant and sexy too!
xo
Love how elegant and wearable these pieces are from the runway! Didn’t know montreal had a fashion scene, there’s so much great arts and crafts there so it’s not surprising.
Thanks for reading the post! I posted my faves which always tend to include more of the ready-to-wear looks. Montreal has some incredible talent and their fashion week is becoming quite the place to see and be seen!
xo