In good Hans

>> Fashion event guru Hans Koechling rules Montreal’s catwalks

by JOANNE LATIMER

Just days after Montreal’s second Fashion Week, Hans Koechling is masterminding the city’s next big designer events—the Chabanel 555 show and the North American Fur Fashion Gala. Koechling, this city’s events guru, co-ordinates all the splashy shows, handling the modelling agencies, casting, music, make-up and hair stylists, lighting, public relations, designers and photographers.
“I had to turn down jobs in May because I’m just too busy and they didn’t give me enough notice,” reports Koechling, from his office on Côte St-Luc at Décarie. The phone rings relentlessly there, while his assistant deals with a dry ice shipment. “I need one month’s notice, minimum.”

Koechling is in demand for a reason. His events have a seamless quality and a special professional edge—like a catered dinner party. His handiwork was evident recently at six designer shows during Fashion Week, including Nayda Toto’s outstanding evening, the launch of Hugo Boss’ first women’s wear collection at the Hotel St. Paul last fall, KAMKYL’s fall show and the runway event during Birk’s swanky Venetian Ball.

“I like to create dramatic shadows on stage, using back-lighting and special effects,” says Koechling, whose first break came 10 years ago, coordinating a Hugo Boss show in Toronto. “Because I modelled internationally for 13 years, I knew the industry and wanted to use that knowledge. As a model, I was always interested in learning how things worked behind the stage. At one point, I realized I knew more than the people I was working for! Mine is a new kind of job. Before, fashion houses coordinated their own shows, but there became an urgent need to promote the brands more consciously. That’s why I create ‘concept shows’ inspired by the designers’ clothing.”

Born into a family of diplomats in Zurich, Koechling was raised in India and started modelling over 20 years ago. His parents eventually moved to Montreal and Koechling followed. These days, models want to win his favour, as do the stylists and technicians.
“I work internationally and remain a gypsy at heart,” he says. “Toronto’s Fashion Week doesn’t interest me because there’s only one location and stage for all the designers. It’s an assembly line—too generic—and doesn’t distinguish each label with a special presentation. That’s my thing.” l

Lotsa hots ’n’ nots

The ins and outs of the minute revealed

by PENNY G AND SHANIQUA

Gather ’round victimes de la mode: ’tis time to unveil our seasonal scientific nit-pick of statistically surveyed style trends. Do dissect or disregard any details of the following well-researched and authoritative index. Stay beautiful!

Hots

• Anti-celebrity guerilla fashion (e.g. Imitation Of Imitation Of Christ)

• Peasant tops and puffed sleeves

• Ultra-mini jean skirts

• More ruffles

• Mini pleats and crêped fabric

• White

• Lace and embroidery

•Armpit hair on women

• The gypsy look (fringe and tassles)

• Turquoise
jewellery

• Butterflies

• Ladylike party dresses

• Long, dangling,
beaded earrings

• Crazy, messy, bird’s nest hair

• Belted bikini bottoms

• Long, thin neck scarves

• Crafty details (floral patchwork and the like)

• Bright colours (especially in eye makeup)

• Wedge sandals

• Corsets

Nots

• Crystal studding

• Pierced tongues and/or navel rings

• Dirty/distressed denim

• Cowboy hats

• Aviator
sunglasses

• Horse motif

• Capris

• Camouflage

• Exposed belly buttons

• Gold

• One-armed backpacks

• Western look

• Open-back shirts

• Tans

• Snakeskin

• Smooth, straight hair

• Graffiti on
clothing or
accessories

• Uniforms

• Bondage wear

• Gwyneth
Paltrow’s
lumpy sausage look at the Oscars