Taking it
to the streets

>>Montreal’s Fashion and Design Festival
gives everyone a taste of the high life

FULL-ON FASHION:
By Helmer from MFDF ’07

by SACHA JACKSON

“Fashion is a mysterious and private industry,” says Geneviève Borne, spokeswoman for this year’s edition of Montreal’s Fashion and Design Festival. “Usually, fashion shows are reserved for journalists and people working in the industry. This is a very democratic event—fashion in the street.”

The festival, which opened last night and continues until June 8, does indeed bring fashion to the street. In fact, a 100-foot catwalk has been erected on McGill College exclusively for the four-day event. And it’s here that the public will get a chance to experience events usually reserved for those with press passes or good connections.

The opening last night included a tribute to Yves Saint Laurent, who died of a brain tumour this past weekend. Quebec designers including Rad Hourani, Marie Saint Pierre and Dubuc reinterpreted and reinvented designs made famous by the late designer. If you missed the opening party, their creations will be on view at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts alongside the ongoing Yves Saint Laurent exhibit.

A look at fashion’s past continues tonight, Thursday, June 5 at 9:30 p.m. with a show by E.R.A. Vintage Wear. Pulled from the collection of goodies at the store on Notre-Dame W., the show will feature dresses from the ’40s onward.

“It’ll be an occasion to see how fashion has evolved,” Borne, who will also be modelling in the show, says. “The dresses are very high-end, very elegant. I’ve seen some of the dresses and they are amazing, absolutely incredible.”

Also tonight at 10 p.m. is Highlight Toronto, featuring the work of 20 Toronto-based designers and the music of King Sunshine.

“Fashion and rock ’n’ roll always makes a good match,” Borne says. “There’ll be bands playing on the catwalk and the models walking to the music, and around the musicians. It creates a great atmosphere.”

Of course, there aren’t just rock bands but also DJs. You can catch the Martinez Brothers DJ set tomorrow, Friday, June 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Also on the line-up, Boutique mode écologique la Gaillarde presents creations by seven sustainable designers, Saturday, June 7 at 8 p.m., everything from handbags and jewellery to dresses and jackets. And Défilé éco mode will have a series of shows by various designers who use worn clothes and old material to create new designs. Check out Second Denim on Friday and local designer Moly Kulte on Saturday, both shows at 6:20 p.m.

If scantily clad ladies turn your head, don’t miss La nuit des maitresses, Saturday, June 7 at 10 p.m., featuring lingerie by French labels Barbara, Huit and Ravage and the music of Misstress Barbara, who will be singing for the first time.

The festival closes Sunday, June 8 with afternoon shows by recent design graduates. Up and coming designers from École Supérieur de mode de Montréal, College Marie-Victorin, College LaSalle and Académie des arts et du design get a chance to show their stuff from 4:30–6 p.m.

With 500, 000 spectators expected, plan on arriving early, or muscling your way through the crowd if you want a true front-row experience.