Trendspotting

While our minds are already in summer mode, the fashion world is focusing on fall and winter. From March 1 to 4, the big names in Montreal fashion shared their fall/winter 2010/11 ready-to-wear collections with fashionistas, journalists, buyers and bloggers at Marché Bonsecours. Read on for our front-row seat report of the ten major trends.

Bigger is better:

When it came to hair and jewelry, the general consensus seemed to be the bigger the better. Teased tresses, piles of chains and bangles complimented each other on the Dinh Bá catwalk without distracting us from the clothing’s details. For a season where more really is more, take it as a cue to have fun and go a little wild.

Hats off:

From Eve Gravel’s Parisian berets (perfect with the heart-embossed tights), and elf caps at Envers Par Yves Jean Lacasse to the fur trappers by Harricanna &- staying warm this upcoming fall/winter season will be quite exciting.

Fur finish:

Fur is the word for fall/winter 2010/2011. Heating up the runways of Annie 50, Envers, Nadya Toto and Muse; fur graced the likes of hats, neck warmers, collars, scarves and blazers. Harricana designer Mariouche Gagné of recycled fur fame, teamed up with outerwear brand Chlorophylle to collaborate on a slew of sporty/sexy cold weather styles. Some ensembles were more demure, while others, including a black leather jacket paired with a brown fur trapper hat, full fur neckline and show-stopping fur cuffs were more dramatic (in a good way).

Winter white:

The marriage between fashion and practicality can be rocky at times. Such is the case when chalk-white coats are shown in a city where slushy winters are the norm. Regardless, one can’t help but love the white down jackets from Soïa & Kyo, or the elegant knee-length coats at Marie Saint Pierre; in particular the one with strong shoulders, an up-to-the-neck zipper and a curve-hugging bodice. A white see-through long-sleeve dress festooned with feathers at the chest and a casual belted sweater dress at Dinh Bá, proved white works beautifully indoors too.

All torn up:

This was the most anticipated show and sought after ticket of the entire week, by a long haul, and the great Denis Gagnon didn’t disappoint his legion of worshipping fans. Looped tiers of flowing fringe, cut to reveal bits of flesh here and there made their mark on dresses, pants and tops. Rocker chick meets tribal princess is the best way to describe the collection that was a refreshing take on the overdone distressed trend. Meanwhile, most of Dinh Bá’s models wore dresses over tights with gigantic holes.

Shoulder the storm:

One would think we’ve had enough of the bold shoulder, but designers continue to come up with new twists on last spring’s hottest trend that keep us wanting seconds and thirds. From Bodybag by Jude designer Judith Desjardins, we saw a cropped bolero style black blazer that had eye-piercing edges on the shoulder pads. Fellow sharp-shoulder sisters included Eve Gravel, Marie Saint Pierre, Nadya Toto and the designer sisters behind Barilà.

The (p)leather report:

Grunge met glitter when Barilà took the stage. Ruched pleather leggings looked stunning alongside a royal blue sequined blazer with prominent shoulders. The strapless gathered pleather bodysuit was a jaw-dropper too. Denis Gagnon also rocked the one-piece leather look with a chocolate brown outfit complete with a gold zipper down the front and a zipper belt.

Put a belt on it:

Montreal fashion darling Marie Saint Pierre returned to the runway after being absent from last fall’s fashion week with her eponymous collection that was part genius, part disaster. Numerous styles were accentuated with a black, multi-strand low-slung belt formed by linking together spheres and rods in varying sizes. The belt was brilliant atop a black vest and white taffeta floor-length skirt. Yet when the belts started to take on different forms and began resembling human intestines &- Saint Pierre had gone too far. Christian Chenail of Muse Par Christian Chenail erred more on the safe side than his colleague, but his belted tailored blazers and evening coats in shades of grey looked effortlessly chic.

Lace “em up:

The allure of lace lays in its subtle sensuality. You get all the benefits that come with a little skin exposure, without having to bare much at all. Inspired by the grace and fluidity of ballerinas, Nadya Toto showed an ultra-tight black jersey top featuring an asymmetric lace neckline that continued into a hand-covering sleeve. It was tucked into a glossy black snakeskin print bubble skirt with a handmade silk flower belt for a high-voltage glamour effect. At Eve Gravel, the girly designer channeled the “fabulous 40s” and “crazy 80s.” One standout style was a black lace sweetheart neck bustier mini-dress worn with a cap-sleeve vest, ankle socks and rugged lace-up boots.

Grey area:

Seems like black’s got some serious competition this fall. Grey was especially rampant at Nadya Toto where it was the only colour aside from black and fuchsia. Working the monochromatic look, the designer showed grey opaque tights and a long-sleeve ruffled jersey dress. One word: amazing.

While our minds are already in summer mode, the fashion world is focusing on fall and winter. From March 1 to 4, the big names in Montreal fashion shared their fall/winter 2010/11 ready-to-wear collections with fashionistas, journalists, buyers and bloggers at Marché Bonsecours. Read on for our front-row seat report of the ten major trends.

Bigger is better:

When it came to hair and jewelry, the general consensus seemed to be the bigger the better. Teased tresses, piles of chains and bangles complimented each other on the Dinh Bá catwalk without distracting us from the clothing’s details. For a season where more really is more, take it as a cue to have fun and go a little wild.

Hats off:

From Eve Gravel’s Parisian berets (perfect with the heart-embossed tights), and elf caps at Envers Par Yves Jean Lacasse to the fur trappers by Harricanna &- staying warm this upcoming fall/winter season will be quite exciting.

Fur finish:

Fur is the word for fall/winter 2010/2011. Heating up the runways of Annie 50, Envers, Nadya Toto and Muse; fur graced the likes of hats, neck warmers, collars, scarves and blazers. Harricana designer Mariouche Gagné of recycled fur fame, teamed up with outerwear brand Chlorophylle to collaborate on a slew of sporty/sexy cold weather styles. Some ensembles were more demure, while others, including a black leather jacket paired with a brown fur trapper hat, full fur neckline and show-stopping fur cuffs were more dramatic (in a good way).

Winter white:

The marriage between fashion and practicality can be rocky at times. Such is the case when chalk-white coats are shown in a city where slushy winters are the norm. Regardless, one can’t help but love the white down jackets from Soïa & Kyo, or the elegant knee-length coats at Marie Saint Pierre; in particular the one with strong shoulders, an up-to-the-neck zipper and a curve-hugging bodice. A white see-through long-sleeve dress festooned with feathers at the chest and a casual belted sweater dress at Dinh Bá, proved white works beautifully indoors too.

All torn up:

This was the most anticipated show and sought after ticket of the entire week, by a long haul, and the great Denis Gagnon didn’t disappoint his legion of worshipping fans. Looped tiers of flowing fringe, cut to reveal bits of flesh here and there made their mark on dresses, pants and tops. Rocker chick meets tribal princess is the best way to describe the collection that was a refreshing take on the overdone distressed trend. Meanwhile, most of Dinh Bá’s models wore dresses over tights with gigantic holes.

Shoulder the storm:

One would think we’ve had enough of the bold shoulder, but designers continue to come up with new twists on last spring’s hottest trend that keep us wanting seconds and thirds. From Bodybag by Jude designer Judith Desjardins, we saw a cropped bolero style black blazer that had eye-piercing edges on the shoulder pads. Fellow sharp-shoulder sisters included Eve Gravel, Marie Saint Pierre, Nadya Toto and the designer sisters behind Barilà.

The (p)leather report:

Grunge met glitter when Barilà took the stage. Ruched pleather leggings looked stunning alongside a royal blue sequined blazer with prominent shoulders. The strapless gathered pleather bodysuit was a jaw-dropper too. Denis Gagnon also rocked the one-piece leather look with a chocolate brown outfit complete with a gold zipper down the front and a zipper belt.

Put a belt on it:

Montreal fashion darling Marie Saint Pierre returned to the runway after being absent from last fall’s fashion week with her eponymous collection that was part genius, part disaster. Numerous styles were accentuated with a black, multi-strand low-slung belt formed by linking together spheres and rods in varying sizes. The belt was brilliant atop a black vest and white taffeta floor-length skirt. Yet when the belts started to take on different forms and began resembling human intestines &- Saint Pierre had gone too far. Christian Chenail of Muse Par Christian Chenail erred more on the safe side than his colleague, but his belted tailored blazers and evening coats in shades of grey looked effortlessly chic.

Lace “em up:

The allure of lace lays in its subtle sensuality. You get all the benefits that come with a little skin exposure, without having to bare much at all. Inspired by the grace and fluidity of ballerinas, Nadya Toto showed an ultra-tight black jersey top featuring an asymmetric lace neckline that continued into a hand-covering sleeve. It was tucked into a glossy black snakeskin print bubble skirt with a handmade silk flower belt for a high-voltage glamour effect. At Eve Gravel, the girly designer channeled the “fabulous 40s” and “crazy 80s.” One standout style was a black lace sweetheart neck bustier mini-dress worn with a cap-sleeve vest, ankle socks and rugged lace-up boots.

Grey area:

Seems like black’s got some serious competition this fall. Grey was especially rampant at Nadya Toto where it was the only colour aside from black and fuchsia. Working the monochromatic look, the designer showed grey opaque tights and a long-sleeve ruffled jersey dress. One word: amazing.