Spring is here, and as the cobwebs of winter get dusted away, doors are flinging open to let in the sunshine. Both Design Montréal Open House, running in various locations across town on May 4 and 5, and the Virée des ateliers, which runs from downtown to Hochelaga-Maisonneuve along Parthenais street from May 9 to 12, invite art and design fans into the interior sanctums of Montreal’s creative geniuses. Both provide an amazing opportunity not only to get a sense of how people work, but to pick up the most unique souvenirs imaginable.Over 100 addresses all over the city are yours to discover on the Design Montréal Open House trajectory, designed to familiarize you with the astounding star power that lives in Montreal, a Unesco City of Design. Among them you can visit the studio and store of Montreal fashion maven Mariouche Gagné, the mind behind the label Harricana, in St-Henri; the workspace and store of Aquaovo (pictured at top of page), on Saint-Laurent, who designed of the world’s most handsome water purifier (no wonder it won awards); the workspace of stuffed toys Raplapla, where designers Anne Chalifoux, Dominique Dansereau and Erica Perrot will give family-friendly workshops on how their funky characters are made; and Espace Verre, a glass-blowing studio and gallery in Old Montreal where not only will you able to snag unique pieces, you’ll see professional glass artisans create on the spot.The Virée des ateliers, in the city’s east end, is an event spread over three massive art buildings, each of which houses dozens of creative minds – think of the whole area as an enormous think-tank. Among the 100-plus studios you can visit – including so many by visual artists that you’ll get your fill of eye candy – are those of Atelier Cocotte, makers of beautiful woven wooden lamps; Velvet Moustache, which design hilarious cushions in the shape of animals; fashion accessory and textile designers Infuse, who make the most evanescent batik scarves; and women’s wear designers Grob, where you can pick up that perfect lacey blouse for all those upcoming summer picnics.

THE DETAILS

Design Montréal Open House, May 4-5, 2013

Virée des ateliers, May 9-12, 2013

The post Montreal Designers Open Their Doors This Spring appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

Our Shop Hop guides are designed to help you scope out the most unique finds in town by suggesting easy-to-walk excursions through the city’s nicest neighbourhoods. Not only will you get a feel for Montreal as locals experience it, you’ll also come away with souvenirs that’ll remind you of your magical trip to la belle ville. After our hunt for designer clothing in Outremont and menswear in Old Montreal, we take a gander at some sleek designer furnishing stores in Little Burgundy.

Our journey starts admittedly a little east of Little Burgundy in Griffontown, on Peel between Wellington and Ottawa street, only because that’s where Celadon Collection lives. Among the tufted leather divans, wallpapers and mile-long cherry wood dining tables o this breathtaking showroom, you’ll find a plenitude of cool little items that are easy to pack. A kit of lacquered cream-coloured stationary boxes, for example, will make your desk look as worldly as Christopher Columbus – or how about a vide poche with a heraldic lion motif for a stately statement?

When you wander out, take Ottawa street westward to De la Montagne, turn right and walk to Notre-Dame. Notre-Dame, Little Burgundy’s main drag, has long been a destination of choice for interior decorators and stylish amateurs because it’s home to a huge concentration of antique stores, so make sure you keep some time to explore those too. What’s most interesting though are all the contemporary design boutiques that have popped up over the years. Ludovik is an invaluable resource for playful contemporary ware, including a vast collection of ceramics, cushions and dishware by Jonathan Adler, an exclusivity in Quebec.

Continuing westward, you’ll happen upon Beige, a sweet, tasteful store filled with silky soft bedding by the likes of Area Home and Dwell Studio, classy glass dishware and chic table linens worthy of Martha Stewart’s Maine home(s). Though generally classic, the tone here sometimes veers towards the contemporary, especially in the lighting department – and everything remains impeccably curated. Just across the street, at Léo Victor Design, the wares are distinctly avant-garde by comparison, trading in dramatic lines and unexpected forms. There’s a preponderance of pop colours in the seating – a specialty – and in the accessories, the focus is on stainless steel, which is the material of choice for wine racks, key holders, lanterns and filing trays – all cooler than cool.

Peckish? Choose between one of the city’s most acclaimed restaurants, Joe Beef, and its subsidiary Liverpool House, both kings on this block.  After three courses of meaty goodness, you’ll be ready to bask in other made-in-Montreal delights just a hop westward, for a grand finale of this Shop Hop at Fait Ici. In this store specialized in sustainably-produced Quebec products you’ll find everything for the home, but of a different sort: less design products and more edibles, including a gift section where you can get growing gifts – plants in pretty pots. Whatever your wants, it’s worth a stop!

THE DETAILS

Celadon Collection, 186 Peel St., (514) 932-3306

Ludovik, 1318 Notre-Dame West, (514) 678-6617

Beige, 2475 Notre-Dame West, (514) 989-8585

Léo Victor Design, 2480 Notre-Dame West, (514) 939-3888

Joe Beef, 2491 Notre-Dame West, (514) 935-6504

Fait Ici, 2519 Notre-Dame West, (514) 439-3888

The post SHOP HOP: INTERIOR DESIGN WARE IN LITTLE BURGUNDY appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

For the Festival Mode & Design Montreal, basically McGill College Avenue (between Maisonneuve and St-Catherine West), in the heart of downtown Montreal, is shut down to traffic and a huge runway is erected in the center of it. It’s nice and tall, so you can see all the action from a distance, which is handy considering all the fashionistas and accidental passersby that attend. A whole itinerary of events is scheduled. But here’s a quick breakdown of my personal highlights:

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER (August 3): First of all, if you’re a Gaultier fan, you probably already know about his exhibit “The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk” at the Montreal Museum of Modern Arts, from June 17 to October 2. (Maybe you even caught Gaultier at the Pinkarnaval parade.) On the festival’s opening night, you’ll be able to catch the legendary designer’s ready-to-wear collection starring his own muse Tanel Bedrossiantz who is flying in to strut the catwalk! If you’re a JPG groupie like I am, you’ll clear the decks just for this.

BLOGGERS COLLECTIVE (August 4): Get in touch with the voice on the streets. Montreal’s top bloggers – or blogueurs – put together their favourite looks and send them out on the runway. You can get a head start on the hype by visiting their sites: Dentelles & Fleurs, Fashionista 514 by Robyn Chalmers, L’Aristocrate by Patrick L’Aristocrate, Blogue Mode de Rue by Lolitta Dandoy and Ton Petit Look.

MODE & OPERA (August 4): I’m looking forward to this on a purely sensorial level. It will be a mishmash of classic opera costumes and singers (a baritone, soprano and tenor), electronica music, plus, mais oui, fashion – all styled by one of Montreal’s top stylists, Yso, a regular collaborator and friend of Denis Gagnon (Canada’s answer to Gaultier)! Check out this extraordinary hybrid before it dazzles crowds in Hollywood later in the year.

RALLYE SHOPPING (August 5): The Olympics of Shopping, ladies get your credit cards ready and go go go on St-Catherine Street. The main drag will be open only for pedestrians all afternoon, between Mansfield to University. Besides the retailers along both sides of the track, er, street, there will be pop-up indie designer shops, as well as cocktails and other goodies. Oh yeah, and huge discounts!

LINGERIE SHOW (August 6): The grand finale and no doubt one of the best-attended shows of the festival, this is our version of the Victoria Secret pandemonium. Stylist-extraordinaire Andrew McNally pulls together all the frills and lacey unmentionables in a provocative yet sophisticated show. Parents, this may not be suitable for the tots, but worth getting a babysitter for since it’s sure to please both mom and dad.

LOCAL DESIGNERS (Throughout the festival): And because there are just too many to mention, I’ll list some of my favourite local talent here: Anastasia Lomonova and Barilà (Aug. 4), Norweigan Wood (Aug. 5), Dubuc and Rudsak (Aug. 5), Betina Lou, Eve Gravel, Travis Taddeo (Aug. 6), Harricana, M0851, Mulcair, Valérie Dumaine (Aug. 6) and Denis Gagnon, Helmer and Marie Saint Pierre (Aug. 6).

DESIGN MATTERS (Throughout the festival): Design aficionados will want to visit the Design Studio on McGill College Avenue between Ste-Catherine and Cathcart. Celebrating Montreal’s fifth anniversary as a UNESCO City of Design, there will be six ship containers showcasing cutting edge local designers. I’m looking forward to the one with performance artist Zilon and the hip décor peeps Surface Jalouse.

When I need to give my high heels a break, I’ll sit pretty at the premiere of “On Public Benches” (every day throughout the festival at 7 p.m.) a design initiative celebrating the début of a seven-year initiative of five public benches created by local industrial designers, by whom 35 of Montreal’s public benches will be transformed into interactive pieces of art by 2017. Stay tuned. Or better yet, meet me there.

A

THE DETAILS

Festival Mode & Design Montreal , August 3 to 6, 2011

On McGill College Avenue between de Maisonneuve Boulevard and Ste-Catherine Street West

(All events are FREE!)

Photo Credit: Jimmy Hamelin

The post FESTIVAL MODE & DESIGN MONTREAL appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

Montreal is an architecture-lovers wet dream. Whether you appreciate Art Deco, neoclassical, modern or anything in between, we’ve got a mishmash of styles and approaches to satiate your construction curiosity. In fact, I’d say we define urban architectural promiscuity.

In this photo we have the iconic Montreal Olympic Stadium.

“Built for the 1976 Summer Olympic Games, the Olympic Stadium is a bold design by French architect Roger Taillibert. A funicular-type elevator brings visitors to the top three observation floors of the Tower, the tallest inclined tower in the world, which offers a spectacular view of the city. The sports centre, at the foot of the Tower, has six aquatic pools as well as a multi-sport facility.”

Thanks to flickr extraordinaire, achille_beaulne, for this magnificent shot. Click on over for other photos of Achille’s perspective of Montreal.

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Submit your Montréal pictures to our MONTRÉAL BUZZ FLICKR GROUP.

And see our previous PHOTOS OF THE WEEK.

The post FLICKR PHOTO OF THE WEEK appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

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Go to SIDIM’s website for a complete list of participants

Look for:

The Chair Show.  Quebec personalities have taken their clever talents to design different chairs – sold to the highest bidder Friday May 28 at the VIP Auction, hosted by Ambassador Luck Mervil.  Proceeds profit Emergency Architects of Canada and CECI to help rebuild Haiti.

The Dream Team Kitchen – The winner of the Normand Laprise Dream Kitchen presents her talented team’s kitchen.

Awards! Philip Lumec’s CLU for outdoor lighting.  SICO Excellence for design students….and much more!

Montreal is a designated UNESCO Design City.  See Guest of Honour Design City Berlin at the show!

How green can you be?  Eco-design, products and services.  Come and learn how to help our environment.

Go to SIDIM’s website for a complete list of participants

SIDIM  – register online and save $3 !

Thursday May 27   10 – 6 pm

Friday May 28 10 – 8 pm

Saturday 10 – 6 pm

The post SIDIM: MONTREAL DESIGN SHOWS OFF appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

Ladies and gents, say hello to Candi Bar, the latest brainchild of Paulo Branco, owner of the already legendary Montreal bars: Gogo Lounge and Chez Serge Bar.  Made out of 80,000 pink and purple Mega Bloks (Canada’s legos), Candi Bar is hands down the ultimate nightlife destination for any gal who appreciates original drinks and playful design.

And you know if all the girls are going, logically, that means it will also be celebrated by the boys. Let’s see how long it takes them to start sipping on slushy pink cocktails!

Candi Bar’s specialty cocktails come in ten different flavors of slush (grape, orange, cherry and more) and are presented on a giant lollipop-shaped menu. After a fair amount of debating, my choice of drink was the Tiffany & Co.  Ingredients? Raspberry Smirnoff Vodka, Blue Caraçao and Raspberry slush. Topped with a ringpop. Sweet bliss.

Ok, so maybe going for the blue slush isn’t such a good idea when you’re trying to make an impression on that hotty sitting next to you (blue lips). My advice would be, rock the colored lips with confidence. MAC lipstick has nothing on Candi Bar’s palette when it comes to fun and delicious colors.

For drink number two, I went with the Sushi cocktail: vodka, lychee liquor and lemon slush. Served with chopsticks to fish the candy shark and octopus swimming at the bottom of the glass. (Don’t worry, there’s no raw fish involved).

I started singing along to Lily Allen, ordered my third cocktail and guess what? My bladder needed some appeasing.

They say you can always judge an establishment from its toilettes, so what does it mean when one of the stalls in the girls’ bathroom comprises two toilet seats facing each other? It means there might be some crazy line-up action as girls throw lets-pee-together-and-chat-about-boys-in-the-bathroom-stall parties….but that doesn’t matter. Betty Boop is playing on the flat screen TV and I’m enjoying this most perfect powder room to the fullest.

As for the circus-inspired men’s bathroom…do they make these sur mesure?

Also worth pointing out are the tables adorned with candy machines and the purple-legged stools, which are a source of much entertainment when you observe someone sitting on them from the back.

As you may have guessed by now, I’m very excited about Candi Bar. It brings out the child in us and makes us smile, for no apparent reason. That, to me, is precious. That, to me, is what nightlife should be about: FUN!

Cyndi Lauper is coming to town on July 4 for the Montreal Jazz Fest. For some reason, I can easily imagine her after-party happening here…

Candi Bar
1148 avenue Mont-Royal East
Montreal, QC H2J 1X8
(514) 524-4075
Mont-Royal Metro

The post CANDI BAR: MONTREAL’S NEW GROWN-UP TREAT appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

Porters of OPUS Hotel now flaunt hot pink and black John Fluevog shoes, living up to the hotel’s stylish reputation.

From sleek rooms to modern design, a glamorous restaurant and a happening bar, Montreal’s popular boutique hotel, Opus, left nothing to chance.

John Fluevog, the famous progressive and art deco inspired shoe designer, created the Luciano model (above), exclusively for the valets and male guest service associates of OPUS– who welcome their new porteresque footwear as a sassy nod to Montreal style.

The shoe visibly reverberates the hotel’s cutting-edge status and flair for all things cool.

“It was clear that the ideal shoe would be sharp, classy and well made, but also have a little bit of cheek. The pink upper lets guests know that their stay and the service will be of the highest quality, but that it’s still alright to relax and have a wink of fun here and there”, says Fluevog.

On our hand, we like when men wear nice shoes. We also like when hotels pay attention to detail – in this case, all the way down to staff’s tippy toes.

OPUS Porter Shoes are showcased in the lobby and are also featured on the hotel’s mini bar menus. You can even buy a pair at Montreal’s Fluevog Boutique!

OPUS is an affordable boutique hotel that benefits from great service, modern design and a stellar location. Located at the heart of downtown Montreal, you’ll be right in the city’s entertainment district and minutes away from both Old Montreal and the Plateau Montreal.

PS. Bonus points awarded for the stunning rooftop patio.

OPUS HOTEL MONTREAL
10 Sherbrooke West
Montreal, QC, H2X 4C9
(514) 843-6000

FLUEVOG BOUTIQUE
3857 Saint-Denis Street
Montreal, QC, H2W 2M4
(514) 509-1627

The post HIP SHOES FOR A HIP HOTEL appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

Montreal’s most sought-after fashion sale, “La Grande Braderie de Mode Québécoise”, takes over the city from April 15 to April 18!

If I know you at all, I know discounts up to 80% on designer clothes are enough motivation for you to throw on your prettiest heels and tackle the cobblestones of Old Montreal.

If I know you at all, I know you like nice things but you think 1000$ should be spent on a trip rather than a pair of shoes. Still, you wish you could afford the shoes. That and the designer dress hanging on a rack in your favourite store, which would surely make the most recalcitrant of Mr. Bigs do a double-axel and beg to have you back.

You know you deserve it all. Except the mortgage bills, visa statements and piles of parking tickets are not disappearing.

But listen up girls: there is a way to be fashionable and not blow the budget!

“La Grande Braderie de Mode Québécoise” is one of Montreal’s biggest shopping events, gathering more than 90 of Montreal’s new-coming and top fashion designers, including Andy Thê-Anh, Soïa & Kyo, Rudsak, Report Collection, Mackage and Marie St-Pierre.

Here’s where your shopaholic heart starts racing: all designs will be discounted between 50 – 80% from retail price!

Now is the time to get your hands on great new looks at amazingly low prices. It’s also a rare opportunity to have a chat with designers and meet other fashionable Montrealers.

The event is held at Old Montreal’s Marché Bonsecours (photo above) and will welcome more than 20 000 visitors in just 4 days, so if you’re a smart cookie, you’ll get there early and put your fiercest behavior on.

Insider Tip:  I’ve heard that paying cash may earn you additional discounts.

Photo Credit: Marie St-Pierre (top left), Domino Jeans (top right)

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THE DETAILS

What: La Braderie de Mode Québécoise
Fashion Sale by Quebec Designers

When: April 15 – 18, 2010
Thursday 15 – Friday 16: 10am – 9pm
Saturday 17 – Sunday 18: 10am – 5pm

Where: Marché Bonsecours
350 St Paul East
Montréal
(514) 872-7730

Champ-de-Mars Metro

The post THIS WEEKEND: CHEAP AND CHIC DESIGNER SALE appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

This edition of MEET A MONTREALER, features a one-word named, fabulous female: Azamit. Like Oprah or Madonna, the former model is entitled to only go by a single monicker, as she’s quickly becoming an iconic Montréaler. As one of the city’s most respected and sought-after stylists and art direction consultants, Azamit is the perfect example of a local who gives Montréal its international sensibility. One of her biggest events, STYLIST’S OWN (a stellar fashion buying event), is just around the corner.

Here’s what Azamit has to say about Montréal.

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BACKGROUND

Who are you? Originaly from Eritrea, I’ve been a Montrealer for the last 20 years.

What do you do? I’m a stylist & art director, found at www.azamit.ws. I’ve also launched 2 events:

• STYLIST’S OWN (Unique fashion buying event)
• SOUK @ SAT (Bazaar where one can find a multitude of contemporary creations by Montrealers)

Why do you choose Montreal? La vie est simple (Translation: Life is simple)

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MONTRÉAL FAVOURITES

Café: Laïka – I love my café au lait/lunch menu/brunch, and, of course, the Wi-F! Also, Café Italia – in Little Italy.

Restaurant: So many of them… I loooove to eat & dine-out! But here are a few:

• Nonya – “Sate kambing” is my favorite dish, plus the food is really authentic.
• Liverpool House – Love the gnocchis!
• La Paryse – The best burgers in Montréal.
• Isakaya – The appetizers anytime!

Boutique/Store: I’m more into finding the right pieces than the right store. I love to shop around & dig in odd places/stores/locations – hey that’s my job/hobby isn’t it?

Bar/Lounge: I’m into tapas & good wine! Again, I have a couple of recommendations:

• Buvette chez Simone
• Pullman

Neighborhood: Love Old Montréal, but I always seem to be more in Mile End & Plateau.

Park: I just got a new dog in the fall – it’s helped me see how calm & quiet the Old Port can be in the mornings. I’m happy that the winter is over – will be doing a lot of walking with my little Tsuki.

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QUICKIES

If Montréal were a tall gorgeous woman, and you could dress her, what would she be wearing?

So many talented Montreal designers, it’s too bad we don’t see more of their stuff out there: Denis Gagnon, Renata Morales, Complex Geometries, Tavan & Mitto, Yso, Travis Taddeo. I’d definitely dress her up in something from a local talent mixed with a vintage piece.

What’s your favourite activity to pass the time on a train or a plane?

Reading. I only read while on holiday, everything just stops & I get too carried away – it’s just me & my books.

What would be the ingredients in the ultimate Montréal cocktail?

Cocktail… hummmm. I’m more into wine, so I’d say more a good glass of red wine!

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<– Check out our previous featured Montréaler, Paulo Branco

Photo courtesy of www.maudearsenault.com

The post MEET A MONTRÉALER: AZAMIT appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.