Montreal.Fashion.Week.Fall.Winter.2011: Day.4

The final day of Montreal fashion week (day 4) ended with a bang as Montreal fashion heavy hitters like Denis Gagnon, Marie Saint Pierre and Barilà were taking center stage on the most prestigious night of the week. Exciting news for the fashion scene as there was such an exuberant feeling of anticipation and excitement in the air. Everyone was on their best outfits and looks of the week and everyone wanted to be seen & heard. People were scrambling to get the last few tickets available including me, however I gave up after a while but I met incredible people who got me tickets for the last few shows. I would like to thank them for their help (they know who they are).

And the buzz was justified. Great talents showcasing their looks, some really good collections and some really good pieces from the last day of Montreal's fashion week.

This whole week, my first experience as a fashion blogger, made me realize that its a lot of work, and you must be patient and be prepared to stay on your two feet for long periods of time. And you cannot be claustrophobic as at times, there was a sea of people all at once trying to get into shows, waiting in line or just having some good old drinks while chatting it up. The whole social aspect of the event is fun but can get tiring and its important to realize that at the end of the day, you are there to do a job, which is to attend, see and report on the great and not so great fashion that is presented to us while staying true to your own self, opinions, thoughts and likes or dislikes.

I attended 4 shows: Denis Gagnon, by Thomas-Samuel Mercure-Chrisitan L'enfant Roi presented by Trusst, Barilà and Marie Saint Pierre.

No pictures this time as I forgot my camera home. But as mentioned before, I will post a recap of Montreal Fashion week's best shows according to me. So stay tuned!

-The.Shoe.Freak

Montreal.Fashion.Week.Fall.Winter.2011: Day.3

Day 3 of my Montreal Fashion Week experience turned out to be great. I have met so many wonderful people; many of my fellow fashion bloggers, great stylists, journalists, fashionistas and so on. Whats great about mingling is to see everyone's different point of view on fashion, collections we've just witnessed and how everyone interprets themes, looks and so on. Also, it is great to get to know everyone's attraction towards fashion and their path & history that lead them to where they are now.

Again, I wasn't able to take good pictures. And I think I'll just stop trying for the final day 4 of fashion week. Hey, it is my first experience at SMM20 as a fashion blogger, learning process!!! ;) No worries though as there will be official pictures from the Montreal fashion week sources in my end of the week recap post.

I attended 4 shows today: !Nu.I, Samuel Dong, Cluc Couture and Soia&Kyo. There were some very good stuff from all the shows, however my favorite was Samuel Dong. I didn't know what to expect from him as I didn't really know his aesthetic. I was surprised at his beautiful workmanship. Lots of his pieces were very editorial and made for a catwalk show which is what we usually come to see. The hair, make-up and styling was gorgeous. The multicolored, extra tight, sequined leggings were awesome and there was some pretty great shoes. Cluc couture's presentation was refreshing. And like everyone in the audience for sure, loved his orange dress; a very dramatic moment.

Here are some of my captured pictures for you all:

(start of !Nu.I's show)

(start of Samuel Dong's show)

(finale at Samuel Dong)

(start of Cluc Couture's show)

(great background display at Cluc Couture)

(start of Soia&Kyo's show)

(cool shot at Soia&Kyo)

(catwalk shot from Soia&Kyo)

Day 4, last day of Montreal Fashion Week, should be interesting with heavyweights like Denis Gagnon, Marie Saint-Pierre & Barilà showing.

Visit www.montrealfashionweek.ca for up-to-date moments, pictures, blog, and interviews of the day and week.

-The.Shoe.Freak

Montreal.Fashion.Week.Fall.Winter.2011: Day.2

Day 2 at Montreal Fashion Week. One word: Exhausting! All the standing up, the waiting, the schmoozing, the ticket adventures, the champagne drinking (ok well that last one doesn't sound too bad lol), it can get long and tiring. Especially if you don't eat as you are trying to catch every show. And taking pictures is another adventure in itself! Depending on where your seated or standing (yes, I was in the stands on a few occasion, but didn't really mind), pictures can be hard to take. I'm not a tall guy to begin with and when seated behind 6 feet tall guys with their most fashionable winter head gears on, taking a good shot can be hard. I gave up after the 3rd show...lol

I attended 5 shows yesterday: Anomal Couture, Annie50, DinhBà Design, Bodybag by Jude & Melissa Nepton. There were definitaly some very good pieces in there and Melissa Nepton's collection was a complete hit.

See below a few pics of my day 2:

(start of Anomal Couture show)

(loved this one shoulder Grecian inspired dress from Anomal Couture)

(start of the Annie50 show)

(catwalk shot from Annie50)

(start of the DinhBà Design show)

(catwalk shot from DinhBà Design)

(end of Melissa Nepton's show...to be different)

(final at Melissa Nepton's show...my favorite piece of this great collection is the cocoon coat on your left...beautifully made and the fabric was stunning)

So there you have it, I promised a few catwalk pictures in my last post! I will try for better ones today!

And the madness continues, on to Day 3!

p.s: my BodyBag by Jude images were way too dark and blurry unfortunately. That is why I haven't posted them. Check out www.montrealfashionweek.ca for complete coverage & pictures of each show.

-The.Shoe.Freak

Montreal.Fashion.Week.Fall.Winter.2011: Day.1

I have been wondering what to post exactly from my week at the SMM20 (Montreal Fashion Week) that is occurring in our beautiful city of Montreal this week. Should I post about the shows I am attending, give my humble opinion of them, take pictures and post them, talk about the cool and not so cool outfits I witness from the fashion sea of hipsters, stylists, fashion lovers, bloggers and other industry mavens out there? What do I really want to blog about?...And while attending my first day, it dawned on me...I will be posting about my first experience at Montreal Fashion week as a fashion blogger, and therefore part of the big 'media' family. The whole experience, not just the catwalk reviews. Note it is important to mention that I have been attending Montreal Fashion Week for many years now, from the backstage commotion as part of my designer duties, to the few shows a season I always catch, mostly to encourage some fellow designer friends. But never have I been so immersed in attending the full week, from beginning to end, watching the full schedule and being oh so present on site at Marché Bonsecours. And never have I had to think about press passes, media lingo, line-ups for your media tickets, the many many many meets & greets, schmoozing and other PR'ing going on and what not. This is all new to me and this is what I really wanted to share with you guys more than anything. Hope you enjoy my ''journey''.

So here is the resume of my experience of Day 1.

I arrive @ Marché Bonsecours to obtain my Media accreditation. Yes, never would I have thought I would say that I am part of the big 'media family' one day, but hey, its pretty cool to be included. A shout out & big thank you to Sensation Mode's Karine Poirier for her great help and niceness. And that is when the fun started (there is a bit of irony in my statement, yes!).

They should really come up with a How to book for first-timers. This was a first hard day. My camera decided to bail on me, I wasn't sitting in the best seats for pictures, I missed an entire show (Nadya Toto) because of an incredibly long line-up to obtain your media tickets (I thought our media accreditation was enough, but apparently not, we have to wait in line for our tickets as well), I was hot and sweating with the many layers of clothes I had on, the weather does not help as we have to wear coats and boots and change and all that good stuff, the meets and greets can be exhausting and hard, especially for someone as reserved as me. But hey, all in all, it was a good first day. Day 2 is another day! :)

Here are the few pics I was able to take from the different shows I attended. I promise I will try to take pictures of actual models wearing actual clothes in the next few days...Lol

(waiting for the Rud by Rudsak show to start)

(And the Rud by Rudsak show starts)

(The only image I was able to take from the Nadya Toto show, the photographers!)

(Start of the Post-Vernissage by Thrusst show taken from my Blackberry because my camera bailed on me...yeah i know, we see nothing and its blurry.)

As for reviews of the shows, I will write an entry on my favorite looks and shows on friday, so stay tuned!

-The.Shoe.Freak

Montreal.Fashion.Week: The.Beginning

Montreal Fashion Week #20: Fall-Winter 2011

Montreal Fashion Week is back for the Fall-Winter 2011 collections starting this Monday, February 7th 2010 at Marché Bonsecours. I enjoy attending the events & catwalks during the week as it allows me to see old friends I don't have the chance to see that often because of hectic schedules. As well, it allows me to meet new friends-especially looking at you fellow fashion bloggers-and share our passion for fashion and this crazy industry. But, first and foremost, it allows me to really appreciate our local fashion scene, discover new talents and keeping in touch with the older ones.

We really do have a lot of talent in our own backyard and it is fun to see what they come up with every season. All their hard work, struggles and talent must be appreciated. As I completely understand all their efforts and struggles, myself being in their own shoes working in the design creation part of the industry, it is my duty to go support their visions and share them to you guys as well through this medium.

Hope you will follow me all throughout this week of tweets, pictures and post on all that is fashion in Montreal.

It begins on Monday...stay tuned.

For more information on Montreal's fashion week, designer bios, schedules & venues, events, & much more, go to their website at http://montrealfashionweek.ca

-The.Shoe.Freak

Designers.To.Support.Update: XV.Collection.III

XV is the Montreal-based Jewelery designer duo that I have previously posted about on my blog. They came out with their 3rd collection for Spring 2011, and let me tell you that it is beautiful. Uniquely hand-crafted individual pieces with a mix of pretty colors, fabrics and hardware. The collection has grown to offer head pieces, pins, earrings as well a variety of great necklaces and bracelets/cuffs. And, you will not see anyone else wear these stunning pieces of jewelery as this collection is exclusive to trendy St-Laurent's U&I. And each piece is unique.

Here are a few pictures of their Spring 2011 collection. Their images and photoshoots are always gorgeous and aesthetically pleasing.

(Model: Valerie McDonald)
(Photographer: Ken Lam)
(Stylist: XV)

***Bonus: Here's a very cool behind the scene video of the photoshoot. Thank you to the XV team for the video.



Visit their Website www.xvmood.com for the rest of the amazing collection & further information & join their Facebook group. Or visit U&I (3650 St Laurent, Montreal, Quebec).

-The.Shoe.Freak

My.Favorite.Looks.For.Spring.2011: Menswear

My previous posts were about the hot trends and items for us guys come Spring 2011 time. However, while going through the hundreds (literally!) of catwalk pictures out there, I put aside images of complete and total looks that caught my eyes. I decided to share with you guys my favorite looks from Spring 2011. Total looks that I would wear in my daily life and that I would love to purchase or own. Some sort of lookbook of things I want this coming season (or inspiration for when I go shopping). Enjoy!

Ill start with my favorite collection of the season. I was torn between two great collections in my opinion, so I declared a tie between the two. My favorites are: Bottega.Veneta.&.Gucci

Every look of each of these collections made me wish, swoon and want every item. Lets see why.

-Bottega.Veneta

(Bottega.Veneta.Menswear.Spring.2011)

I'm already a huge fan of Thomas Maier's design for Bottega Veneta. And Spring 2011 just re-affirmed why. He has this amazing way to make everything ultra-casual, yet always beautiful. Loved the rich colors he used (dark blues, maroon reds, military greens, sand). The great crinkled and cool details on his tops were wonderful & the model casting was right on point. I also loved the whole urban military feel to the looks. And, finally, Bottega Veneta is known for their amazing accessories; I especially loved the modern urban-like feel to the bags. Love!

-Gucci

(Gucci.Menswear.Spring.2011)

Gucci's Frida Giannini has always had that extra pressure of filling huge shoes at Gucci (remember Tom Ford?) and I find that season by season, she is getting more and more in control of her task and doing a great job. I loved the whole collection. And it is rare I love everything Gucci does, even when Tom Ford was at the reign. I found that the suits were sharp, the skinny white pants cool, the knitted sweaters beautiful, the styling great, the leather jackets wonderful (loved the rich colors), the shoes swoon-worthy and the bags, oh the bags...one word...AWESOME!

***Worthy Mentions: Ermenegildo.Zegna.&.Burberry.Prorsum

-Ermenegildo.Zegna

(Ermenegildo.Zegna.Menswear.Spring.2011)

Known for its exquisite tailoring, this Zegna collection left me in awe for its lovely casual wear with the gorgeous knitwear, loose, yet fitted, trousers, striking belts and other pretty accessories. And, as usual, great suits divinely paired with checkered shirts and one-colored ties. Simply beautiful.

-Burberry.Prorsum

(Burberry.Prorsum.Menswear.Spring.2011)

Burberry Prorsum's Christopher Bailey is another designer I admire for his always commercial, yet ultra forward collections. This Spring 2011, Burberry Prorsum did not disappoint again with dazzling leather trenches, biker jackets and super hot styling. Hot items like his rock&roll leather pants, marvelous sandals and attractive rain boots will surely be huge hits. Edgy-street fashion done right.

See below further looks I loved for Spring.2011 by other designers.

Lookbook.1

(Menswear.Spring.2011)

Lookbook.2

(Menswear.Spring.2011)

These are a small glimpse of what I like. As you can see, I am pretty eclectic in my taste. I don't believe in liking one particular look nor sticking to one specific style.

What do you guys like for Spring.2011? Please share your thoughts on any of the above or share your own likes & dislikes.

'till next time!

-The.Shoe.Freak

(source: style.com)