by ANDREA ZANIN

If you still think “lesbian fashion” means lumberjack shirts and overalls, you’re about as passé as acid-wash jeans. In late July 2006, Montreal became home to the country’s first lesbian clothing boutique. Part stylin’ concept store, part community centre and part social statement, Boutique Mad-Âme has been garnering rave reviews among dykes and other fashionistas as far-flung as L.A. and Sweden since it opened its doors during the Outgames.

“It’s a many-faceted concept,” says Amy Skinner, the brains behind the business. “Definitely, marketing the store as a lesbian store is risky. We’re a small community, we’re not known as big spenders, and we’re not historically known for our fashion sense. But I decided it was time for someone to step into the market. I’m selling cool clothes with a conscience and great service.”

All the store’s items are either organic, fair trade, made or designed in Quebec, or designed by a lesbian. There’s an in-store tailoring workshop, “so we can make the clothes look the way we want, rather than the way we’re expected to,” particularly taking into account a wide range of sizes and “people’s varying gender expressions.”

Having lived in Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto before relocating to Montreal, Skinner can attest that, “Montreal’s definitely unique in that we’re more fashion-conscious and open—open to dressing for our sexuality and our political ideals. There’s a lot of creativity in this city.” Nonetheless, she insists, “There is no lesbian uniform. There’s nothing about a pair of pants that will mark you, no such thing as lesbian shoes.”

Still, there must be something to it. Well-known lesbian TV show The L Word sends its dresser to Montreal for trend-spotting—and Mad-Âme was only too happy to help her dress the cast for the show’s fourth season.

Mad-Âme is located at 1276 Amherst, below Ste-Catherine. Drop by to play their original 1974 Ms. Pac-Man machine, catch an L Word screening, or grab a coffee and hang out in the wireless-equipped lounge. Check www.mad-ame.ca for special event notices, such as plus-size yoga classes and butch-femme dance parties, and to browse the new online store.