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

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The grandiose Arsenal space will transform once more into a glittery palace of rad rags for this year’s Fall/Winter edition of Montreal Fashion Week, happening from February 4 to 7, 2013. In addition to the runway shows, Montreal Fashion Week mixes things up with all sorts of fashion inspired activities: conferences, exhibits, artistic performances, and a new concept that marries fashion with cinema called the Fashion Premiere. This series of 21 fashion films will be presented throughout the event at the headquarters, and will include a tribute to internationally known homegrown designer Rad Hourani, directed by Parisian filmmaker Jean Du Sartel.

The spotlight on local talent will shine particularly bright during a few special events, including a presentation of the creations of 25 finalists for Canada’s Breakthrough Designers 2013 contest, which collects entries from 22 fashion design schools across Canada, on Thursday, February 7 at 7:30 in the main space. Also, right after, Target is putting on a fashion show featuring the collections of five finalists from its Emerging Designer Award, at 9 pm. Start your night off with a bang with the Harricana par Mariouche show at 5:30 pm and get to know one of Quebec’s most crafty designers.

Other shows to keep an eye out for to meet the next generation of Montreal creators are Pedram Karimi (a lover of geometric sharpness and minimalist construction) at 7:30 on February 4, Matière Noire  (a playful label that deconstructs sportswear) at 5:30 pm on February 6, and Coklush (a duo of leather workers who make tactile, functional wear and accessories) at 7:30 pm on February 6.

Meanwhile, off-site at McCord Museum, there are two free activities dedicated to the history of fashion: on February 2, the film Bill Cunningham New York, all about the octogenarian New York Times photographer, will screen at 11 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. Then on February 6 at 6 pm there’s a cocktail marking the launch of the book
 Giorgio Armani: Empire of the Senses, by Concordia University professor John Potvin. Not to be missed.

Tickets to Montreal Fashion Week are on sale here and spots are limited. Those who will not be able to get to the Arsenal can watch all of the shows live on the Montreal Fashion Week website thanks to Parce Que Films, the official video partner.

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THE DETAILS

Montreal Fashion Week SS13, February 4-7, 2013

Arsenal, 2020 William, (514) 876-1499

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September 6, 2012, marked Montreal’s first ever Fashion’s Night Out. Joining forces with over 500 cities around the world, the initiative is the brainchild of Vogue U.S. Editor in Chief Anna Wintour…

Montreal’s version of Fashion’s Night Out unfolded in Old Montreal with some of the city’s hottest boutiques, including Cahier d’exercices, Denis Gagnon, Espace Pépin, Michel Brisson, Quai 417, Reborn, Rooney, Ssense, U&I and Vault.

Many local designers were in on the action. Our camera bumped into Mariouche Gagné of Harricana, Anastasia Lomonova, José Manuel St-Jacques and Simon Bélanger of UNTTLD, Denis Gagnon and Philippe Dubuc – the latter who dazzled the crowd just after dusk with a live presentation of his new collection. Led by a pair of horses and followed by a band of loud speakers that drilled the sounds of sirens into the night sky, Dubuc’s military troupe marched solemnly over the cobblestones.

What became a virtual street party made for an excellent excuse to soak up and enjoy what was possibly the last outdoor festival of the season, drink some cocktails, nibble on little bites, gossip with friends over a DJ soundtrack and, of course, shop!

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Smart, out-of-town shoppers know that buying indie fashions, which you don’t see in every mall across the country, is an easy way to original style. I mean, how cosmopolitan does it sound to say, “Oh, this little laser-cut, distressed leather, pleated skirt? I picked it up in a cute little boutique in the Old Montreal. I met the designer. He had these really huge black glasses…” (Pause right there: if I had you at “Oh, this little thing…” you should immediately check out my post on Montreal Jewellery Shopping.)

Mode Montréal goes out of their way and into the private ateliers of Montreal designers and indie-boutiques to show you the real people and the underground vibe of our local fashion scene. I’ve even learned a lot. The site’s Mode TV tab has smart, video snippets of up-and-coming designers (like Juliana Bennett and her line Mulcair), fashion veterans (like Iris Setlakwe), even mega-retailers that are based here in Montreal (Aldo’s VP, David Bensadoun).

Pretty exciting is the interactive Fashion Map where you’ll find 11 style categories; when you click on one, you’re connected to a Google Map that shows you where to get that specific look. Let’s say, in my case, I need a new LBD, I go to The Little Black Dress and, voilà, under “route” there’s a shopping itinerary planned out with little red dressmaker pins indicating each stop, complete with address and telephone number. Number five on that specific route, by the way, is Unicorn, one of my favourite non-vintage boutiques in the Mile End. I’d start there and work my way back downtown.

Another choice “route” to follow is Virtuosos for it’s mini-roundup of the city’s brightest fashion stars, including haute couturier Helmer, modern dandy Philippe Dubuc and avant-garde Marie Saint Pierre.

I also like Sustainable Style where you’ll find eco-friendly brands like Cokluch (I’m loving their oversized purses with hand-painted flowers for spring and summer 2011) and Harricana whom, besides recycled furs, does amazing blouses with recycled wedding dresses. You may not be in the mood to say “I do” but if you’re anything like me, you’ll be saying, “I WANT!

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