The two brains behind Montreal fashion brand UNTTLD, José Manuel St-Jacques and Simon Bélanger, met when they were in fashion school – St-Jacques at Marie Victorin and Bélanger at Collège Lasalle. They clicked instantly, but then world travels and different paths separated them for a couple of years – until the fateful day Simon came back from studying in Milan. “I went to get him at the airport, and that was that, “ laughs St-Jacques in their messy Mile End studio.

Their fate as a fashion brand was sealed with the help of television: in 2010, they were the big winners of Quebec’s answer to Project Runway, La collection. “We won $100,000 – that’s how we managed to launch our own line,” says St-Jacques. “I mean, we don’t have any business background, so in a year that $100,000 was gone – but we learned a lot from that experience and had we not had that start, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

The spirit of Montreal infuses their creativity and the unique quality of their beautiful designs. There is a love of texture and sophisticated statement wear in their brand that doesn’t equate to outlandish prices and hard-to-wear materials. Says St-Jacques, “When we design first of all we think of a woman that’s very contemporary, that likes beautiful things but needs things to be practical. There’s a public part to her life that requires her to look sharp, but she need to run around, do errands, and then dash to a 5 à 7.”

And are there plans to design for men too one day? “Ultimately I’d like to design for men as well, and in other media – collaborate with furniture designers, collaborate with other more commercial fashion labels, like Le Château. I just like to make beautiful things for life. And for that the people in Montreal are so inspiring. You don’t need a lot of money to make things happen here, and that’s such a wealth. It keeps everyone so creative.”

THE DETAILS
Find UNTTLD at Simons (977 Sainte-Catherine West, 514-282-1840) and Quai 417 (417 Saint-Pierre, 514-419-3848)

Photos by Richmond Lam

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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

The post MONTREAL FASHION WEEK DOES IT IN STYLE appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

Montreal’s Gay Village is centered roughly between Berri-Uqam and Papineau metro, bordered by Sherbrooke Street on the northern edge, and René-Levesque on the south. Smack dab in the center on Saint-Catherine is Beaudry metro, easily identified by the rainbow bars above the main entrance. The best way to discover the Village is to explore the streets and meet the people. However if you need a little assistance, here are some notable Village hotspots…

Notable restaurants in the Gay Village include the highly-rated Mezcla, a “nuevo latino” restaurant that combines South American flavours with European style cooking. Mezcla has an extensive seafood menu, with private import wines from Latin America. Miyako Sushi is one of best Japanese restaurants in the area with good service and prices that won’t make you squirm. Other higher-end restaurants in the area include the amazing BYOB O’Thyme, mediterranean-style Ella Grill, and the open-kitchen Kitchenette.

If you’re looking for something a little more on the casual side try Quebec classic St-Hubert, the always tasty Resto Pub St. André, La Piazzetta, Mozza (BYOB) or village favorite Saloon (complete with cute waiters.) You can dine your way across the globe in the Gay Village, with some international cuisine like Couscoussiere d’Ali Baba, the Korean rice bar Be Bap (BYOB), and the insanely yummy NosThés Bistro which offers up great value Taiwanese with an impressive selection of exotic tea.

During the summer Montreal’s patios bloom to life. Restaurants with great open air seating include Bistro Florin graced by a large poplar tree, or Sky with huge pitchers of Sangria on the rooftop. One of the highest rated restaurants in Montreal on TripAdvisor (coming in at #8) is located a block east of the Gay Village called Le Grain de Sel. It has a neighbourhood vibe with some exquisite French cuisine. Want a sleazy one night stand with a burger? Five Guys Burgers on Saint Catherine is all the meat you’ll need.

Finding a fun, local watering hole in Montreal’s Gay Village is probably the easiest thing you’ll do all week. Every block has at least some sort of bar/lounge that will satisfy your thirst and preference. Starting with the always lovely Gotha Lounge, it’s intimate with a fireplace and a big beautiful bar. Try not to be deceived by initial appearances, Bar Relaxe on Sainte-Catherine is a solid place to grab a quick drink and chit chat with a friend. One of the hidden gems near the Gay Village is a little door and staircase right outside Berri-Uqam metro called l’Escalier. Escalier is filled with chill people, cheap beer, with nooks and chairs to get lost in.
Drinking with a purpose always feels more productive, so flipping through the extensive song list (and settling on any Celine Dion) at the Village karaoke bars Club Date and Cocktail will be an easily achievable goal. If you’re a man’s man looking for other men, Bar Le Stud and l’Aigle Noir cater to a slightly more beefy demographic. Grabbing a drink while taking in one of Mado’s famous Drag Shows is particularly popular with students on Tuesday nights, due to the cheaper cover. The deadliest cocktail list in the Village is at Saloon, I suggest trying the “Bangkok.” I’m sure there was no pun intended when the owners named it.

Generally the consensus among frequent nightlife patrons is the Gay Village has some of the best dancing in town. Big open floors, flashy light shows, and people who, you know, actually dance. Club Unity is big on Friday nights filled with a young college crowd grinding to Top 40, while Saturday brings a slightly more mature crowd and House music. Apollon sits inside a stunning building (a former post office) and is worth going any night between Thursday and Sunday. The crowd is mixed, the bartenders are shirtless, and the space is a fun place to explore. Especially the basement level called Katakombs. Complex Sky has several dance floors, a gentle crowd, and music that fluctuates in quality depending on the room you find yourself in.
Even after the regular clubs close, if you’re still itching to move, the Gay Village has two afterhours clubs you can hit. Stereo is renowned for its sound system and weekly lineup of world-class DJ’s, and Circus does its name honour after the clubs close. Don’t forget to grab breakfast on your way home at Chez Cora, L’Oeufrier or Resto du Village!

While wining, dining, and dancing is always a good time for a Friday night, it’s those Sunday afternoons in a coffee shop reminiscing about that wild night out that are often the most enjoyable. There are a bundle of cozy cafés for your latté sipping pleasure in the Gay Village. Autour d’un pain is the best-smelling café because it also doubles as a bakery.

There are the chain coffee shops like Starbucks, Second Cup, Java U, Tim Hortons and Presse Cafe, but why would you bother when you could support local small business by going to places like Le Pouce Gourmand, De Farine et d’Eau Fraiche, Pourquoi Pas, and 1000 grammes (formally known as Kilo). La Mie Matinale is filled with handsome men, sandwiches, coffee, treats, and pictures of singer/actress Dalida, so naturally it’s worth every minute and dollar spent there.

Starting with White Party Week (March 28-April 1) there will be lots happening in the Village during these busy few days. Also in March, ARTSIDA and the Edgy Women’s Festival will be taking place throughout Montreal. The real festivals begin in the summer though, when the Village transforms into a pedestrian boulevard with patios, performers, and people watching. Divers/Cité will take place July 30-August 4, followed by Fierté Montreal Pride, August 12-18. Fierté Montreal Pride week will see Community Day, Dyke March, and free concerts draw huge crowds to the Village. Check out some highlights from the full summer festival season in Montreal:

While not all festivals happen in the Gay Village, all of them are LGBT-friendly. All of January and into February, Montreal will be spending hours outdoors dancing at Igloofest, the coolest electronic music festival ever. Following in February is Montreal en Lumiere with Nuit Blanche, a celebration of culture in the Plateau, Old Port and Downtown. The summer season includes Jazz Fest, Just for Laughs, and Completement Cirque!

There are two primary shopping arteries in the Gay Village. Saint-Catherine that runs west-east and Amherst going north-south. Amherst is filled with many antique shops and stores that specialize in home decor like Cité Deco, Montréal Moderne, Spoutnik, and Second Chance. If you’re strolling down Saint-Catherine and hunting for something a little kinky, Priape and Fetish Armada are both high-quality stores with all the leather and rubber you could shake a stick at. For men’s clothing check out Evolution, Podium, Ernest, or the very cool Boutique Osez just off Saint-Catherine on Wolfe.
If you’re in the market for art, stop by the galleries in the area: Galerie Dentaire (yes, doubles as a dentist’s office), Galerie Hermine, Galerie Nowhere, and Zephyr. All can be found dotted along Amherst. Last but not least, if you’re looking to buy something for a little furry friend, Doggy Style on Amherst is stocked with bones and toys!

The post WHAT TO DO IN MONTREAL’S GAY VILLAGE IN 2013 appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

(outdoor sparkle) While the Old Port lights up to musical accompaniment every Saturday night at 8 p.m. for December’s Telus Fire on Ice fireworks show, the Noël sur l’avenue Mont-Royal brightens up a long stretch of shop-and-restaurant-rich Mont-Royal Avenue, beginning with a joyful, candle-lit parade on December 8, starting at Mont-Royal Metro at 7 p.m. and ending at Parc Lafontaine with choirs singing, music playing and fireworks too! And throughout the month, kids and adults alike can take part in all kinds of activities, including a tree decoration workshop, December 9 at Place Gérald-Godin. And over at the beautiful Montreal Botanical Gardens, the main greenhouse is decked out for the holiday season with lights, new plant life, choir performances on weekend afternoons, and a craft fair December 7-9.

(glimmering gifts) Find professionally handmade and unique gifts at Montreal’s craft and artisanal fairs this weekend. Over 400 Quebec artists and artisans offer clothing, toys, food and much more at Salon des métiers d’art, downtown at Place Bonaventure to December 22 – Santa even drops by every Saturday afternoon. Find more creative gifts at the festive Le Marché Casse Noisette, co-organized by Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, on until December 9 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. Designers, artists and other creative types set up mini-boutiques at the hip, cool Smart Design Mart, December 7-9 at 5505 Casgrain, in Mile End. Also in the neighbourhood is the Old Skool Crafts Holiday Fair, at L’Église St-Michel (105 St-Viateur W.) – it continues next weekend too, rivalling the new-skool at Puces Pop DIY & Craft Fair. And head east to Haut & Fort Noël Market at Marché St-Jacques (2nd floor, 1125 Ontario East).

(fancy food & drink) December is a time to indulge in social delights and delicious things – both are plentiful at FoodLab this month as the restaurant, located in cutting-edge multimedia centre le SAT, offers a “Grandes tablées” menu of Québécois terroir: December 10-13 try the Terrine De Gibier & Pot-Au-Feu, plus appetizers and desserts, all for $45 a person. Or warm up in nearby Chinatown with a steaming bowl of cheap and cheerful pho soup. Later, get cozy with friends and friendly Montrealers at any one of the city’s neighbourhood brew pubs.

(art & sound) Family friendly activities abound in December, including entertaining, interactive art around the city: downtown at the Quartier des Spectacles, walk through and play with musical installation Iceberg and see several large-scale projections on buildings along Sainte-Catherine and de Maisonneuve, all part of Luminothérapie. It’s also worth the trip to Maison de la Culture Maisonneuve to make your own music inside The Improbable Igloo, an igloo-shaped dome made of speakers by artist Alexis O’Hara, on until December 20. And fans of the band Sigur Ros won’t want to miss a screening of Sigur Ros: Valtari Film Experiment at the Phi Centre on December 9.

(comedy & theatre) Comedian Jeff Dunham’s show on December 9 at the Bell Centre is sure to be funny and strange and puppet-filled, just like Christmas, right? Later in the week, check out the hilarious DeAnne Smith headlining and Al Lafrance hosting “giftalicious” stand-up comedy show Let’s Do This! – it costs a mere $5 or a wrapped present if you want to be a part of a wacky gift exchange – at Mainline Theatre, December 13. Children’s theatre experts Geordie Productions add entertaining new twists to the classic tale of Robin Hood, December 7-16 at the Centaur Theatre. And for more traditional holiday theatre there’s Les Grands Ballets The Nutcracker, December 13-30 at Place des Arts.

(classical tunes) The sounds of Christmas are writ large when The Montreal Symphony Orchestra teams up with the Montreal Bach Festival to present Bach’s Christmas Oratorio performed by internationally renowned Collegium Vocale Gent, December 12-13. On December 8, The Orchestre Métropolitain performs Bruckner’s Symphony No. 6, while on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, Les Choralies Christmas concerts find harmony at Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours in Old Montreal. Le Choeur Gospel Célébration sings its Noël Divin program of Christmas and holiday-themed music at The Gesù on December 9. And at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts on December 9, the Cantivo Vocal Ensemble gives a performance free of charge and on December 12, soprano Hélène Guilmette sing cantatas and traditional songs.

(rock n’ roll) Friday night brings much-loved Australian multi-instrumentalist Xavier Rudd to Metropolis and Loreena McKennitt to Place des Arts, while the skyrocketing love for the indie-rock of Half Moon Run peaks at Le National, Alaclair Ensemble adds hip hop to modern art at the MACM, and Keys N Krates’ electro-hip-hop fills the dancefloor at Le Belmont. More dancing is in store with electronic music producer Jacques Greene, Doldrums and more live on Saturday night at the SAT. Sunday, December 9 sees The Faint playing their album Danse Macabre, with Trust opening, at Club Soda. Since Monday is the new Friday, why not make a night of it with NYC’s St. Lucia at Divan Orange on December 10. On Tuesday, Rock and swoon to the electro-orchestral-tinged sound of The Breezes, with Montreal’s CFCF at Sala Rossa.

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Our Shop Hop guides are designed to help you scope out the most fashionable 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 every time you wear them. After our hunt for designer ware in Outremont, get a load of the great men’s wear offerings in Old Montreal.

Surrounded by the classic grandeur of Old Montreal, abounding with European charm and ye olde quaintness, it’s natural to feel like you should be wearing your Sunday best. And as luck may have it, the city’s best designer stores have flocked to the area like as many golden-egg geese, ready to chic you up. The city’s founding neighbourhood is a hotbed of hot men’s wear.

Start on the corner of Saint-Laurent and Saint-Paul, one of the area’s main east-west shopping drags, with the Marché Bonsecours at your back, and head westward. Among the first shops you’ll encounter is the two-storey boutique of one of Quebec’s most famous designers, Denis Gagnon, who only recently started offering men’s wear to his clients. His looks are dark and dense and as edgy as the boutique’s modernist angular design, predicated structural shapes and on layering of different textures in basics hues (mostly black). He is a master leatherworker, which he contrasts with wools so soft you could melt into them.

U&I, across the street, used to sell his wares before he had a boutique of his own, but now counts among its international brands Moncler, Ralph Lauren and Mackage. They flirt with edginess in their selections but carry lots of great basics, from shoes to shirts to outer wear like wax jackets and puffer coats (both Quebec essentials). Reborn is a boutique that caters as much to the young and avant-garde as to the working man, depending on your level of daring. It carries fantastic brands like Acne Men (everything from denim to tees), Kin (the sharpest parkas) and Fleet Ilya (who make one mean looking basketball sling).

Time for a lunch break? Perfect coincidence, you happen to be in from of Bocata, the little sister of the next-door Barroco. The stars on the recently launched seasonal menu include an insane lobster dish with chestnut lasagna and anis-pumpkin purée, which you’ll enjoy sitting in a leather booth so silky soft you’ll think you’re still pawing one of Denis Gagnon’s jackets. Make sure to pair your plates with some of the private import vintages the restaurant is renowned for.

Espace Pépin awaits the refreshed you few doors westward; the grand shop owned by Lysanne Pépin mixes furniture with accessories for the home with jewelry, shoes and clothing. It’s a great place to pick up a rugged carpetbag or distressed leather chukkas. Michel Brisson’s eponymous boutique a bit further is much more streamlined, both in concept and style: the glass-tiled boutique itself offers perfect rows of clothing that are the utmost in gentlemen’s wear (he carries Dries Van Noten, Filippa K, Zegna and James Perse, among others). This is the place to go to pick up that flawless suit, luxurious wool overcoat or thick leather porte-documents by Montreal brand WANT les essentiels de la vie.

Okay, time for a little detour, but before – need a coffee? Pick up the neighbourhood’s best latte – and a sandwich for the hotel room later, why not? – at Olives et Gourmando. Turn right and head first to Quai 417, a boutique dedicated to independent designers where among the leather goods and high top sneakers you’ll find the most unique looks under one roof, including those conceived by local fashion makers Philippe Dubuc (otherwise known as the perfect suit man) and UNTLTD (a pair of up-and-comers you should know).

A little further northward on Notre-Dame there’s Rooney, home to colourful basics like two-toned canvas hand luggage by Heritage Leather Co., chambray shirts by Our Legacy or quilted jackets by Barbour. Finally, for the last stop you’ll be turning on McGill avenue, which runs at right angles with Notre-Dame: Stones Splash may not be a stylish high-design store like those on Saint-Paul, but it’s your stop for great rugged basics like thick wool sweaters, plaid shirts and chunky brown lace-ups – just the kind of thing you need to traipse around cobblestoned alleyways.

THE DETAILS
Boutique Denis Gagnon, 170B St-Paul West, (514) 935-6360
U&I, 215 St-Paul West, (514) 508-7704
Reborn, 231 St-Paul West, (514) 499-8549
Bocata, 310 St-Paul West, (514) 507-8727
Espace Pépin, 350 St-Paul West, (514) 844-0114
Michel Brisson, 384 St-Paul West, (514) 285-1012
Olives et Gourmando, 351 Rue Saint Paul West, (514) 350-1083
Quai 417, 417 St-Pierre, (514) 419-3848
Rooney, 395 Notre-Dame West Nº 101, (514) 543-6234
Stones Splash, 46 rue McGill, (514) 288-5827

Photo Credit Denis Gagnon: Sebastien Roy

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The Christmas spirit is truly in the air at another big fair, Le Marché Casse Noisette, known in English as the Nutcracker Market. More Montreal and Quebec creations are around every corner at this fair, where gourmet food, jewelry, clothing, bath and beauty products and much more abound among the Christmas trees and tinsel, November 29-December 9 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal.

Hip, cutting-edge design is what the annual souk @ sat is all about, with over 100 professional artists and designers selling unique, often made-in-Montreal clothing, jewellery, handbags, furniture, home accessories, toys, art and more. The sale happens November 30 to December 2 at the Société des Arts Technologiques (1201 St-Laurent), a high-tech education centre, music and entertainment venue, and also home to the inventive FoodLab restaurant.

With a pro style similar to souk’s, Smart Design Mart lets vendors set up approachable mini-boutiques in a huge industrial loft space, where everything from locally designed clothing to home decor to food can be found in a range of prices. The Mart is open on the evening of December 7 and during the day December 8-9 at 5505 Casgrain, in the bagels-and-coffee-and-cool neighbourhood of Mile End.

Also in Mile End is the holiday version of Pop Montreal’s Puces Pop Craft & DIY Fair, an always-lively mix of hip, quality hand-made items for winter and beyond, all infused with plenty of love and care – happening the evening of December 14 and during the day December 15-16 at Saint-Enfant-Jesus Church (5035 Ste-Dominique). For those looking for more traditional craft-fair fare, stop by the Old Skool Crafts Holiday Fair, December 8-9 and 15-16 at L’Église St.Michel (105 St-Viateur W.). And if you’re in town November 17-18, check out the creative goods at Expozine, one of the largest small press fairs in North America, where authors, artists and zine makers impress live and on paper – also held at the Saint-Enfant-Jesus Church.

Explore more of the city by heading south-east to the Haut & Fort Noël Market, dedicated to Quebecois designers and creators of “ideas, objects and furniture made here”– happening December 6-9 and 13-16 at Marché St-Jacques (2nd floor, 1125 Ontario E.). As with all the craft fairs in Montreal, the artists are right there to talk about their work and answer any questions – there’s something special about this kind of face-to-face meeting, and so often we get a good story to go with our purchase, not to mention a warm, fuzzy holiday feeling.

The post MONTREAL BUZZ GUIDE TO HOLIDAY CRAFT & ARTISANAL FAIRS appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

Our Shop Hop guides are designed to help you scope out the most fashionable 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 every time you wear them. First up: women’s designer ware in Outremont – and slightly beyond.

Outremont is among the city’s greenest and most picturesque hoods, and its main shopping drag, Laurier Avenue West, shines as a beacon of world-class designer clothing. Plus, you’ll find amazing options for either weekend brunch (mile-high French toast at Lémeac), lunch (steak-frites at Chez Lévesque), high tea (macarons at Esprithé) or cocktail hour (anything at Baldwin Barmacie), to rest between stops. So let’s get to it!

Starting at Laurier’s western tip, on the corner of De l’Épée, you’ll find local designer Isabelle Élie’s eponymous boutique, home to beautifully tailored blouse-and-skirt sets and dresses. A lover of brightly coloured silks and interesting mixes of patterns, Élie offers both prêt-à-porter and bespoke fashions at this second-floor shop/atelier.

Across the street heading eastward, Henriette L. has been a mainstay on the strip for over three decades, and for good reason: the moody, high-design store houses a judiciously chosen collection of international labels including Sonia Rykiel, Yohji Yamamoto and Jean Paul Gaultier. Think black, sculptural pieces punctuated by bursts of colour – you’ll spot the vibe from the amazing window display.

Down a couple of blocks, both Tristan & America and BCBG are more casual and pocketbook-friendly street-wear labels that are worth a stop. BCBG is designer Max Azria’s international line of office and flirty party threads, while Tristan is special in that it’s a Quebec-born Canada-wide chain specializing in work-friendly wear like sweater dresses and pantsuits.

Get a shot of European glamour eastward at another cornerstone, Mousseline, where you can find an exuberant and unique mix of James Perse, Nolita, Twin-Set, Virginia Johnson and Odd Molly. The window of their narrow storefront is always a beacon of layered textures and colours.

François Beauregard’s boutique a few doors down brings us back to local designers – his clothes are easy-to-wear, conceived-in-Montreal basics that prioritize comfort and casual sexiness. (His camis have fans citywide!)

The impressive, two-story Une île en Amérique is a mecca of Quebec design, uniting the best of everyone from Denis Gagnon to Marie Saint Pierre, Nadia Toto, Yves-Jean Lacasse, Melissa Nepton and Joseph Helmer. It also acts as an art space, with roving exhibitions that keep the space constantly renewed, and offers an impressive collection of local jewelry as well – you’ll find your made-in-Mtl souvenir here, guaranteed.

By now you’ve reached the limits of Outremont, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t recommend a couple of store on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, just around the corner in what is officially Mile End. When you reach Laurier and St-Laurent, turn north and within the first block you’ll find Unicorn. Lovers of all things black, well-cut and sedate, the folks behind Unicorn bring lines from Sweden and Australia that no one else carries in town. They also boast young Montreal designers like Marie-Eve Emond (of Betina Lou) and Ève Gravel, whose dresses you’ll fall in love with.

Northward, Montreal duo Tavan & Mitto have their atelier/boutique, where you’ll find sophisticated fine wool overcoats, jewel-coloured silken gowns and draped blouses perfect for the office – if you happen to toil in a fabulous workplace. Finally, just across the street is Les Étoffes, a venerable last stop for this fashion excursion: their impeccable collection of internationally-culled labels presents everything that’s just-so and perfect for that season, be it boyfriend pea coats by Rachel Comey or leather bags by Deadly Ponies. All you need to strut, Montreal-style.

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THE DETAILS

Isabelle Élie, 1090 Laurier West, (514) 276-1568

Henriette L., 1031 Laurier West, (514) 277-3426

BCBG, 1020 Laurier West, (514) 274-6719

Tristan & America, 1001 Laurier West, (514) 271-7787

Mousseline, 220 Laurier West, (514) 878-0661

François Beauregard, 204 Laurier West, (514) 508-0772

Une île en Amérique, 102 Laurier West, (514) 878-0661

Unicorn, 5135 Saint-Laurent, (514) 544-2828

Tavan & Mitto, 5334 Saint-Laurent, (514) 279-1212

Les Étoffes: 5253 Saint-Laurent, (514) 544-5500

The post MONTREAL SHOP HOP: OUTREMONT (MOSTLY) appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

ALDO, Montréal’s go-to store for trendy shoes, staged a rockin’ “champagne preview” on October 10, 2012, to kick-start ten days of events and activities in celebration of the brand’s 40^th anniversary…

The stylish party with well-heeled guest list was held in the brand new flagship store on Montréal’s main shopping drag, Sainte-Catherine Street West. International in scope (there are 1,600 ALDO stores in 80 countries), the brand’s “first step” was here in Montréal where the family-owned business still calls home. And what better way to honour the forty-year milestone than with traditional rubies? Certain lucky ladies (myself included) were bestowed with collectible ruby-red pumps pimped out with 5,000 crystals. As I mingled with the who’s who crowd and clicked my limited edition heels with pride, I couldn’t help but channel Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz: “There’s no place like Montréal.”

ALDO‘s flagship store (and party central until October 20) is at 1007 Sainte-Catherine Street West. And make sure to check out ALDO40, a dedicated website that details all of ALDO’s 40^th anniversary plans.

And, if you live in Quebec or Ontario, don’t miss your chance to win an incredible weekend in Montreal that features some pretty sweet Aldo swag.

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You obviously can’t take a poutine all the way back home – the gravy will curdle and who knows what will happen to those fries. Thankfully there’s the P’tit Poutine bowl from Hugo Didier for making those cheese-gravy memories last. Handmade in Montreal, the bowl fits one small poutine and is available from local artisan shops like: Poterie Manu Reva, Fait Ici, and La Boutique du Jardin.

Montreal perfumer Claude Andre Hebert offers some locally inspired perfumes with international influence. Grab his Eaux Trouble, made with Montreal graffiti artist Zilon, the florally “Rue Sainte-Catherine” or the aromatic “Mont-Royal”.

The gift that will give just once, but the memories made will last a lifetime: Dieu du Ciel Beer. Bring back a bottle of Montreal’s best brew. Dieu du Ciel is located at 29 Laurier West, but bottles are also available all day, everyday at depanneurs (corner stores) across the city.

A sought-after staple of Montreal fashion: The M0851 bag. Designed and produced in the atelier on Saint-Laurent, these leather goods are of fine quality and modern design. The perfect leather bag that will get you the “OMG, where did you get that bag?” where you can casually respond, “Oh this old thing? Montreal.”

Once upon a time in 1979 there was a small paper mill established in Montreal’s South West neighborhood called La Papeterie Saint-Armand. 33 years later, this paper mill is still churning out the finest handmade paper to artisans and fans year round. You can buy this paper in shops around Montreal, but you can go to Saint-Armand, Tuesday-Friday (9-5) and on the first Saturday of every month, and buy the paper directly from the mill! Note: Cash only.

Love the sandwich, now love the songs! Schwartz’s The Musical Soundtrack is the perfect background anthem to play while you scarf down 14 layers of Montreal Smoked Meat between two slices of fresh rye bread, mustard and a big juicy pickle. I hear if you play this while you fall asleep you’ll dream of Jewish delis and Celine Dion’s husband.

After you’ve had one St-Viateur Bagel, you’ll need the bag to haul three dozen across the border. It’s cute, practical, and has a smiling bagel on the front. What’s not to love?

Searching the luxury souvenir market? Grab a Bixi and never return it. The Bixi is by industrial designer Michel Dallaire and built in Saguenay, Quebec. Your credit card will be charged $1000, but that’s a small price to pay for bragging rights and a “bad-assery” badge for life. Plus, it’s a totally solid bike.

Photo credit: St. Armand website, Claude Andre Hebert website, Radio-Canada

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The young Montreal designer has been making jewelry and accessories – really better described as wearable sculptures – out of new and found materials since 2008, but up to now she’s always sold in other people’s stores. Now, in addition to Henriette L., Espace Pépin and Anthropologies around the globe, fans like Karine Vanasse can get them directly from the source in Hosten’s own shop, on the happening Mile End street Bernard.

Stepping into the space is like being a Lilliputian hopping through one of her pieces: it’s a simple, small shop dressed up with colourful accents and different textures sourced all over the world. There’s a dollhouse in the window that’s better decorated than my home! The focal points are of course her necklaces, draped here and there: joyful assemblages of silk from India, bone beads from Africa, glasswork from Mexico, and a vintage brooch found at a flea market in Belgium. Hosten is a globetrotter – but we caught up with her at home, in Montreal.

Montreal Buzz: How has it been to have your own HQ?
Charlotte Hosten: Like a dream come true. When I was a kid, I could spend hours playing store. It gives me energy to decorate the space, and I love to have this amazing chance to be able to build a little environment around my creations. The store is like the necklaces’ home!

MB: What are your favourite Mile End spots?
CH: For lunch, La lumière du Mile-End on Bernard West. For a coffee to go, Olimpico, but I usually go closer, to the Dépanneur Café (they also have a mint ginger herbal tea I love).

MB: Where do you find the vintage materials you use in some of your creations?
CH: Some are for travels, others from thrift stores, others from the Internet. I shop a lot online. Everything is online nowadays.

MB: Who are some of your favourite Montreal fashion designers?
CH: I love all the Harricana recycled fur accessories, and I think their brand philosophy is amazing – recycling fur with such class. I really like Betina Lou clothes as well as Eve Gravel, Denis Gagnon, m0851. There’s so much talent here.

MB:What lies ahead for you?

CH: More creativity, more creations, more ideas, more fun. We started doing bridal ware and we are more than ever working with limited editions, which allows me to use very unique materials from all around the world. For example, I have a necklace in the store made of vintage beads I bought in Belgium, beads a friend got me when she went to Mali, beads from India, West African cotton I got from a store in Montreal and gorgeous semi-precious stones. I just love to think that this necklace is the reunion of things from the entire world.

THE DETAILS

Charlotte Hosten, Atelier Boutique, 122 Bernard Street West, (514) 274-8511

Isa Tousignant is contributing editor for Canadian Art, Montreal correspondent for Akimbo, and a freelance writer on art, culture, travel, design and shoes for everyone from enRoute to Canadian Business to herself.

Photos: Coey Kerr

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