Tag: fashion

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All you need is a Charlotte Hosten design

Photo from Charlotte Hosen
Photo from Charlotte Hosen

Fashion trends have never been so daring, so rich in colour and texture. Simply looking back on the past five years, there has been a shift from the simple V-neck to a mix and match of loud patterns — a craze that seems to be sticking.

It comes as no surprise that as the garments get louder, so do the accessories. Luxury jewelry is no longer limited to shiny metals and precious stones; the value of a piece is based on its uniqueness rather than its simplicity, making space for creative minds like Charlotte Hosten and her signature fabric necklaces.

“I wouldn’t have fun making jewelry that’s very simple,” said Hosten. “I really enjoy spending time on a piece of jewelry and feeling like I’m hunting, on a quest for something. Working on it and trying to get somewhere.”

The young Belgian-born designer moved to Montreal when she was 10, and although she has travelled back and forth between two countries, she officially planted roots here when she opened up shop in November 2011.

“I always wanted to build a little house around my necklaces,” she said.

After visiting her boutique and dazzling over her collections, there’s no denying Hosten was meant to be an accessories and jewelry designer. She may have a law degree, but her need to express her creativity became a priority.

Hosten began designing jewelry at the age of 15, a hobby that, with time, evolved into a passion. Once she graduated from university, Hosten began working for jewelry designer Renée Lévesque, where she had access to various materials and was given the opportunity to create her own designs. It was only in 2008, by pure serendipity, when Hosten discovered where her talents lay and how a small piece of fabric could bring a personal and distinguishable touch.

“Because I didn’t know what kind of designer I would be, I was still sewing and buying fabrics, as well as buying beads,” said Hosten. “I was looking for a big clasp for a big necklace I made, and then I had the idea of sewing a ribbon of silk. Eventually I started using fabric more as the necklace itself. It just happened naturally.”

Photo from Charlotte Hosen

Hosten explains that she’s never able to pinpoint exactly what inspires her. She keeps her eyes open and embraces everything that comes her way, from art, to fashion, to interior design. Her spring/summer 2013 collection, Bombay Bazar, is a reflection of her voyage to India — a trip that introduced new materials to some of her favourite pieces, such as the Lakshmi necklace.

Her designs are one-of-kind and sometimes custom-made, a feature that seems to attract brides-to-be. With such a demand, Hosten incorporated a bridal collection a year and is currently working on her next collection. Whether it be pearls from decades past or a sentimental trinket, Hosten tries to incorporate a dash of vintage to every design.

Just in the past year, her statement pieces have graced the pages of fashion magazines like Flare, ELLE, FASHION and Chatelaine.

“You never know how it’s going to be featured, but then you see it, and you’re next to these amazing designers and you’re part of it,” said Hosten. “I really love it!”

 

Atelier Boutique is located on 122 Bernard W. St.

 

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Student Life

Hidden fashion in The Backroom

Photo by writer
Photo by writer

The Montreal fashion scene may not be as commercial or reputable as Toronto’s, but what we lack in big name brands we gain in local talent and hidden shops known only to those who look.

The Backroom may not be an obvious hotspot attraction for summer tourists, tucked between H&M and Reuben’s Deli three floors above, but it’s just the kind of place local trendsetters search for.

LaSalle College students Rachel Sendi-Mukasa, 22, and Marie Pike, 29, dove into business together last December after interning at Just Worn, a vintage stop they bought from the original owner.

“It was something we felt like we couldn’t pass up at the time,” said Sendi-Mukasa.

Originally three, the full-time students took over the business and the clientele book and made it their own.

“We knew what was working, we knew what was being done right. We were the ones spending the most time with the clients,” said Sendi-Mukasa. “We knew what people wanted, what they were asking for. We were thinking that if we don’t go forward with this, people might just fall off.”

Their recent move to their Ste-Catherine St. location gave them the opportunity to evolve the style of the store from hipster to more of an urban street vintage fashion. The Backroom showcases a mixed collection of vintage wear and accessories, upcycled clothing and designs by local designers no more than two at time.

“In Montreal, most people don’t usually like to [wear] something if they don’t know who it is or what it is, so it takes time,” said Sendi-Mukasa. “We’re taking our time to promote them, to brand them. We’re trying to create awareness for them because it’ll take time for people to be receptive to their brand.”

Sendi-Mukasa and Pike devote time and effort seeking out young talent, researching and attending fashion events like Mews at the Royal Phoenix Bar where they discovered V-Franz.

Vfranz Bernil is a talented fellow LaSalle student; a young designer The Backroom duo hopes to continue working with and help establish his reputation.

While promoting local talent is a main priority for Sendi-Mukasa and her partner, they do want to cater to their client and offer a balanced range of styles.

“We’ll put something like V-Franz that’s a little more alternative urban street with Jolietta who’s a lot more commercial,” said Sendi-Mukasa. “Not everyone is going to like extremely different from the masses.”

At the moment, The Backroom is focusing on unisex pieces, catering to the tomboy female with the confidence to take on the androgynous look. As for men, expect a more fitted style similar to Off The Hook.

Sendi-Mukasa and Pike have been business partners since December 2011 and have managed to build a successful working relationship in such a short amount of time. While Pike is the creative mind behind their blog and takes on the role as the optimist, Sendi-Mukasa uses her marketing education to her advantage and is responsible for their finances and inventory.

“Honestly I’m really impressed with the awareness that we’ve created about the store and the amount of clientele that we’ve managed to get on board in a short amount of time is really hard for a small business,” said Sendi-Mukasa. “There are a lot of cliques, so you have a lot of people who stick to their genres and if you can’t get into that genres, then you won’t get your clientele.”

The Backroom duo is welcoming the new season with their Spring Fling event on April 5.

 

The Backroom is located on 1118 Ste-Catherine W. St. suite 305.

 

 

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Student Life

Local designer gives a taste of past decades

With this year’s spring/summer 2013 trends that are bold and daring from head to toe, you can’t go wrong stepping into the trendy and sassy Lustre Boutique. Yasmine Wasfy, the designer behind it all, brings it all, from extravagant prints, to geometric shapes and stripes.

Photo by Madelayne Hajek

The boutique looks like a beautiful and sophisticated designing studio and the name itself describes what the store is all about. Unlike others, you get the dizzying feeling of a time traveller, from the British Invasion to the Rococo Era, from rock and roll to Mad Men.

Wasfy established Lustre Boutique in 2006. She has taken her playful and vintage-inspired designs outside of Montreal, bringing them to Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa and Edmonton. Though in the beginning, most of Lustre Boutique’s pieces were finely-made dresses for the romantic and confident woman, it now carries feminine tops, bottoms and locally made accessories and shoes with a rocker twist. Not only does Lustre offer unique and tailored pieces, it also takes special orders.

We sometimes have an inner urge to rebel and that comes through in our choice in clothing. The pieces we wear help define us, and that is exactly the energy that Lustre brings.

The collections are extremely modern, but what shines through in every one of Wasfy’s pieces is the way she embodies different eras through her designs. Wasfy blends many different styles from different decades into one piece of expertly tailored clothing.

Her wholesale line and retail collection all aim to please the feminine and chic woman who loves to play dress-up, but Wasfy is aware that certain fits and fabrics are not made for everyone, so she offers custom fittings.

The material for her unique designs consists of rich European fabrics with a vintage look at a budget-friendly price.

Her pieces are made for the everyday woman who appreciates fashion, as well as the career woman who often needs pieces to help transition from day to night.

Another quirky detail is the names Wasky gives to her designs, such as “Backwoods Barbie Dress”, “Prairie My Heart Dress” and “Edge of Seventeen Dress”.

New pieces are added weekly, each with their own twist. If you are looking to find one-of-a-kind fashionable and wearable pieces, look no further.

 

Lustre Boutique is located on 4068 St-Laurent Blvd.

 

Photos by Madelayne Hajek

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Student Life

Arti Gogna celebrates feminine curves on the runway

Her collection features an array of gowns in blues, greens, beiges, and reds in lace, chiffon and brocade.

In a city that houses approximately three million people, few have been given the gift of design; fewer are given the chance to explore it. Born and bred in Montreal, fashion designer Arti Gogna is one of the chosen few.

During her second year in the fashion design program at LaSalle College, Gogna put on a fashion show where one of her teachers attended.

“He really liked one of my skirts. He worked at ELLE Québec at the time and said that it would be perfect to feature in the magazine.

The Arti Gogna collection features an array of gowns in blues, greens, beiges, and reds in lace, chiffon and brocade. (Arti Gogna press photo)

That’s what triggered it,” said Gogna. “I knew that this was my calling, it’s what I’m meant to do for the rest of my life.”

Five years later, on Feb. 22, I found myself at Espaces des Arts waiting for the launch of the Arti Gogna summer 2013 collection to begin.

As people filled the room, wine glasses started to clink and the lights began to dim to signal the start of show. The first model strutted onto the runway in a beautiful lace and chiffon peek-a-boo turquoise and lime dress.

“This is the first time I work with chiffon, I’m really experimenting with it and so far I’ve gotten a good response,” explained Gogna. “I’ll be using it for the next collection as well.”

Her collection features an array of gowns in blues, greens, beiges, and reds in lace, chiffon and brocade. Each dress possesses a unique trait that’ll suit any occasion. My favourite look was a turquoise asymmetrical gown with a chiffon bunched-up skirt and a high-cut lace patterned top.

“My designs are glamorous yet practical. I want women to wear my dresses and feel comfortable but still look sexy. We [women] have curves and my fabrics compliment them. They’re tight and fitted but accentuate the female shape,” she said.

As the show came to a close, the last model rocked the catwalk in a form-fitting crimson red silk sweetheart cocktail dress with a black tiered lace peplum skirt.

Gogna’s collection is currently sold at both 1861 store locations as well as on her website.

“I walked into Razberry [1861’s sister store] one day and just thought that my dresses would look great in the store so I asked to speak to the owner. I showed her my samples and she liked what she saw and that was that, they’ve been carrying my garments ever since,” said the designer. “I was lucky. Most aspiring designers aren’t given that opportunity which is why I always tell people to fall in love with what they believe in. If you do that, you’ll always succeed.”

After a trip to India during the holidays, she admits that her perspective on life changed. “Everyone is so free there. They’re just in a different and better state of mind. It has inspired me to do the same.”

Her upcoming collection will showcase that newfound sense of freedom that was triggered in her native land.

When it comes to the fashion industry, Gogna admires anyone who strives for originality. Her newest obsession is Indian-born, American fashion designer Naeem Khan. With his elaborate patterns and accents, first lady Michelle Obama can’t even help but indulge.

Before expanding her eponymous brand to the United States, Gogna would like to establish herself in Montreal.

“This is my home, I can’t fathom leaving Montreal without really getting my name out there,” she said.

After such a successful show, there’s no denying her potential to expand and succeed across the border.

 

To purchase any pieces from the Arti Gogna summer collection, visit http://artigogna.myshopify.com/.

Simply want to browse around? Have a look at http://www.artigogna.com/summer2013.htm.

 

 

 

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Student Life

Madge will add a touch of luxe to your jewelry box

From earth tones with skulls to pastel shades with a chic touch of a gold chain, there is a design to suit any friend worthy of a Peacehands. (Photo courtesy of Madge)

Every now and then, nostalgia finds a way of creeping up on us when we least expect it. It may come from a forgotten photo stuck between the pages of a high school novel, or a friendship bracelet lost in your junk drawer since you were 12. It’s these small, unexpected moments that have the power to plant a seed in your mind, a seed that eventually leads to cancel your afternoon plans and venture through the past.

It’s funny how something so simple, like a stringy friendship bracelet, offers a sense of security to a relationship, a sense of hope that a friendship could last forever. It makes me wonder why we ever stopped wearing them!

“I always made friendship bracelets when I was little,” said Melanie Cheung, designer and owner of Madge jewelry. “I wanted to make sort of a luxury one, more of a high-end one – [it’s] still that fun handmade thing, but it’s not just a string around your wrist.”

Cheung’s Peacehands collection of custom, hand-woven friendship bracelets has attracted some attention from the fashion world. After a year since she began creating the collection, Cheung’s bracelets were featured in LouLou magazine as one the editor’s top trendiest items of summer 2012. From earth tones with skulls to pastel shades with a chic touch of a gold chain, there is a design to suit any friend worthy of a Peacehands.

From earth tones with skulls to pastel shades with a chic touch of a gold chain, there is a design to suit any friend worthy of a Peacehands. (Photo courtesy of Madge)

“I was at a cottage over the summer, making bracelets, and it was kind of when everyone started wearing friendship bracelets again,” said Cheung. “Then I thought, maybe I could start selling these and I had this idea for a fun packaging with the hand and everything. Now I just keep having more and more ideas that I want to add to the line.”

After graduating from Ryerson University in fashion design, Cheung moved to Montreal to snag a spot in the fashion scene. Her day job as a designer for Mark Edwards Apparel Inc. allows her to explore fashion blogs and trend forecasting websites in search for inspiration not only for her garment designs, but her jewelry collection as well.

Although Cheung always had the intention of moving back to Toronto, she can’t seem to leave behind the sense of community and support she feels from Montreal’s fashion scene. Since the launch of Madge in November 2011, Cheung has embraced the various opportunities this city offers to local designers such as Puces Pop and Smart Design Mart.

“I’ve had a pretty great response so far, so it’s definitely encouraging me to keep it going,” said Cheung.

With such an appreciation for the sentimental value of a piece of jewelry, it seemed perfectly fitting for Cheung to pick the name Madge for her line. Aside from using the same name for her graduating collection, Cheung added a personal touch to her line with her grandmother’s nickname.

“She was always a fashionable, stylish lady, and she was always my inspiration for going into fashion,” said Cheung. “And I thought it also sounded kind of quirky; a quick, snappy name that went with the aesthetics of the jewelry.”

In an effort to be more hands-on in her designs, Cheung’s ambition to improve on her material led her to broaden her knowledge of jewelry making. Her courses at the Visual Arts Centre in Westmount taught her the fundamentals and sparked an interest in metal.

“I think it’s kind of an art in itself, it’s like sculpture,” said Cheung. “In a way, it’s like fashion. It’s always something that I’ve loved to design, but I kind of feel like I could be a little more creative with metal.”

With her newfound skill, Cheung took on the challenge of designing a ring collection, the Lost Ones. This newest addition to Madge offers a variety of sterling silver and gold plated brass rings. While some are more bold and chunky, others are skinny, classic, and can be worn as a single or layered.

Inspired by the music festival scene, Cheung designs for someone who is fashion forward and appreciates good quality material and design. Her Lost Ones collection is the perfect balance between classic and ultrachic — they are statement pieces and conversation starters without being completely over the top.

“I think I try not to be overly trendy because I want them to be wearing it as their everyday piece, all the time, and not like a seasonal type thing,” said Cheung. “So I think of someone who is aware of fashion trends and very into music and culture, but is more of a classic.”

What’s interesting about Cheung, aside from her humble attitude towards her talent, is her goal to share her success with others. A portion of the profits of every Peacehands bracelet she sells goes to The Shift, a Toronto-based project organized by a friend of hers. The Shift is an organization that helps empower female entrepreneurs across Canada and abroad.

Loving the idea of collaborating with a charity, Cheung is trying to find a way to be more involved rather than simply donating. Inspired by TOMS, Cheung hopes to find a way to have a direct impact, to show consumers where their purchase is going and how it’s influencing change.

“I mean I love fashion, high fashion, but I’ve always had a sort of love/hate relationship with fashion where it’s just so consumer-driven and wasteful,” said Cheung. “So I at least want to somehow feel good about what I’m doing and give back in a certain way.”

 

Peacehands bracelets are roughly $45, and Lost Ones rings range from $45 to $125. For more information on purchasing Madge jewelry, check out www.madgemelaniecheung.com

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Student Life

A more sustainable fashion future

Graphic Jennifer Kwan
Graphic Jennifer Kwan

In early 2010, the New York Times released a story of a Manhattan H&M store caught red-handed disposing of unworn clothes, most of which seemed intentionally slashed and torn to avoid reuse. The clothes were packed in garbage bags and thrown to the curb.

This incident left consumers aghast and caused H&M to reevaluate their green footprint and become a little more socially and environmentally responsible. In 2011, H&M launched the Conscious collection, which is made from sustainable fabrics including organic cotton, recycled polyester and Tencel, a fabric made from wood pulp and processed in a closed-loop production which releases no toxic materials into the environment.

Vanessa Paradis, French actress, model and singer, is the new face of the 2013 Conscious collection which is full of optimism for the spring with romantic styles, sporty shapes and tropical prints. However, the most exciting part of the collection is that is coincides with the Conscious garment collecting program, an initiative that seems just as optimistic. Starting in February, customers can now bring any unwanted garments from any label to selected H&M stores, such as the downtown Montreal H&M, and in return for each bag, they receive an H&M voucher.

The H&M Conscious garment collecting program has partnered with I:CO, short for “I collect,” whose mission is to get heavy hitting retailers to help create sustainable consumption by participating in the environmentally friendly sorting and reuse of men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing.

Turning old into new has become somewhat of a trend, especially in Montreal given the number of vintage clothing pop-up shops. Fashion icons like Gwen Stefani and Amanda Seyfried are all known to rock eco-conscious clothing such as garments made with low-impact dyes and organic cotton.

H&M is definitely keeping with the trend in their effort to encourage garment return, preventing clothing from going to landfills and as a result, increasing unnecessary air emissions, residual and water waste. According to the CEO’s message in the 2011 Conscious Actions Sustainability Report, Karl-Johan Persson stressed that “H&M’s target is to use only sustainable cotton by 2020,”  by tackling challenges of “climate change, working conditions, wages at supplier factories and the long-term availability of natural resources” that affect all fashion retailers worldwide.

Given H&M’s size and global reach, it will hopefully inspire other retailers to get informed on how they can contribute to sustaining the environment. Les Oubliettes owner Daniel D’Amours is devoted to recycling and giving new life to vintage clothes. “Being conscious is the mission behind Les Oubliettes,” said D’Amours. The company is a great example of how you can still keep with the trends while shopping second-hand.

D’Amours agrees “there is so much waste,” however, hopefully the upcoming H&M campaign “will inspire people to change the way they think and shop.”

Our levels of consumption and waste probably figure higher than we can imagine, however, there are ways we can still help sustain a healthier environment, even in the fashion world!

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Hot off the runway: fashion tips for 2013

Graphic by Jennifer Kwan.

Yes, it is still chilly outside, but as starts spring blossoming on the distant horizon, don’t be so quick to throw away your fashion sense along with the cold weather, because some of this year’s winter trends are here to stay.

Colour, colour, everywhere!

This winter, cobalt blue and emerald green were a hit, and is set to flourish this spring, only this time, it will be from head to heels — literally!

Graphic by Jennifer Kwan

Say goodbye to wearing all black, it is time to be prepared to rock those bright jewel tones anywhere you go. Whether it is emerald green or even orange crush, monochromatic dressing will be every fashionista’s dream this spring. From Gucci and Hèrmes’ rich blues to Stella McCartney’s gem-inspired greens, to Fendi’s soft yellow, colour-blocking was a hit on the runways in every direction. The vibrant and bold colours will be sure to make a splash in every woman’s closet from tops and bottom wear to shoes. Any of these colours will surely make an instant impact, and a lasting one as well, as this trend is most certainly affordable to anyone. And not to worry, any silhouette will unquestionably pull off this colourful trend!

 

Black and white…and stripes

Not head over heels over the whole monochromatic look? Do not fear, black and white, and many bold stripes are zigzagging everywhere! Yes, when you think spring you think colours like pastel shades or florals, but this spring, black and white all-over stripes might just surprise you. Though some women do not praise the inmate influenced look, do not say no just yet as these stripes are nothing like we have ever seen before. They are big, bold, vertically and horizontally all over the place. They will not only give you that so-called burglar look, but they will most certainly steal everyone’s attention. American designers Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger and Michael Kors embraced this trend; the uncomplicated stripes were worn from head to toe proving they are most definitely wearable. Be prepared to see these thick stripes interpreted through tops, skirts and dresses — it’s a new take on the rebel look.

 

Frills and ruffles, what more can a woman want?

Yes, ladies, the peplum trend that made us all look fantastic and fabulous this winter is not leaving us this spring. Though this trend made its mark in the 1960’s, peplum will only be expanding that much more this year. This time around, the ruffles will not only be at the waistline, but on the chest, sidearm, and bottom, as they seem to be multiplying and leaning towards a different edge. Balenciaga did it in black, Gucci and Marni in white, and Givenchy in grey, so rest assured these ruffles will come in every shade. Now, there is no excuse for those women out there who think they cannot find the peplum look in black or white, because I promise you, you will fall in love with this structured yet feminine look. To give this trend its fresh edge for the spring, ladylike ruffles in a soft pink will be sure to hit the shelves as well in every boutique. Designers have taken peplum to a whole new level with plunging and revealing necklines, for those warmer spring days, which are sure to turn heads. Make sure not to put those frills too far away in your closet when the snow begins to melt!

 

Rock it out leather

Designers will blow us away again this coming spring with leather pieces which are sure to rock the house. You may not think of wearing leather during warmer months, but go for it, it is fashionista-approved. We saw a lot of genuine and faux black leather pieces this winter. From pants, to dresses, to leggings, to those rocker-edgy combat boots, and this spring, leather will be the season’s staple. Leather-luxe pieces will be found in trousers, tank tops, and dresses — all boudoir inspired and blossoming in colours such as burgundy, blue, white and green. Everything becomes minimal when wearing a leather piece as you do not need to worry about accessories or shoes because the edgy shapes added to this trend has it all. Jason Wu, Yves Saint Laurent and Salvatore Ferragamo moulded leather in ways you never would have thought. Go on, give it a try, and release your inner rock goddess this spring.

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When fashion and architecture collide

Photo by Sophia Loffreda

Fashion Week in September always seems to hold an unsettling feeling that comes with the change in season. Just as we are about ready to embrace our felted fedoras and wool ponchos, fashion designers tease us with next year’s spring/summer collection of bright colours and fresh fabrics.

With this seasonal change in fashion trends comes the wardrobe revamp — a process that could be both time-consuming and dizzying. Thankfully, there are designers who believe practicality does not have to suffer at the hands of style.

Toronto-based designer Rachel Sin understands this need for comfort and versatility all too well. Her eponymous clothing line is designed for the “want-to-do-it-all woman” — a woman in need of key pieces that will not only help her transition from one season to another, but more importantly, from work to cocktail hour.

Devoted to the vision of a confident and feminine woman, Sin’s spring/summer 2013 collection is flirty, sophisticated and tailored to a woman’s curves. She showcased her collection on Sept. 7 at the new home of Montreal Fashion Week, the industrial-chic Arsenal art centre.

Aside from seasonal body-hugging dresses that are naturally alluring, Sin has taken the pantsuit and pencil skirt and added a touch of flare that will surely make heads turn.

With the leading ladies of Mad Men in mind, Sin had her models dressed in ’50s-inspired style, strutting on the catwalk to Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots are Made for Walking.”

While looking to trends from past decades is common among designers, Sin goes beyond fashion and taps into her architectural training, giving her a unique edge in the fashion world. With a Master’s degree in architecture from Carleton University, Sin searches for inspiration from eye-catching and elegantly designed architectural spaces.

“Careful attention to detail and precise tailoring comes from the natural tendency in architecture to make all things better with good design,” said Sin. “If architecture must always be functional, then fashion should be wearable.”

Sin spent her university years studying and interning as an architect by day and taking sewing classes by night. While fashion design was always a career she wanted to pursue, she did not think studying fashion was necessary. Sin gives credit to her architectural training and keen eye to detail for her success in fashion design.

“As an architect, you learn to open your eyes and pay attention to everyday details,” she said.

Photo by Sophia Loffreda

For her spring/summer collection, Sin was inspired by the iconic Farnsworth House designed by one of her favourite architects, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Built in the late ’40s, the house was ahead of its time, uncluttered and framed with glass and industrial steel. The idea was to allow the viewer to experience self-exposure to the outside natural world all the while feeling a sense of comfort and protection from the glass structure.

Sin translates the translucence and simplicity of the Farnsworth House with the use of soft and transparent fabric such as lace and jersey. Imagining what a woman would wear in such a modern space, Sin uses clean lines and neutral shades to complement the minimalist expression of the house.

While the colour palette of the collection may be simple with beige, black, grey and the occasional pop of coral, Sin’s attention to detail comes through the lace cropped tops, the ladder-back dresses and the Peter Pan collars.

Though balancing architecture by day and fashion by night can be time-consuming and hard work, Sin is a “want-to-do-it-all woman.”

“As a designer, you definitely have to be passionate about what you do because it is one of the toughest jobs,” said Sin. “I made the decision to become a designer, to create beautiful and well-designed objects, whether it be a building or clothing.”

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Betina Lou travels to the south of France

Photo by Jimmy Hamelin
Photo by Jimmy Hamelin

When fashion shows turn into extravagant spectacles with multimedia effects and illusions, it might often detract attention from the clothing line the designer is trying to display. But when designers embrace the theory of less is more, one cannot help but focus solely on the clothes.

Marie-Eve Emond – the head designer of Betina Lou – chose a minimalist approach to unveil her spring/summer 2013 collection at the Arsenal on Sept. 5. Three slim-looking models with fair skin and bright red lips kicked off the catwalk with the song “Le Temps De L’amour” by French singer Françoise Hardy.

“My whole collection was inspired by French movies from the filmmaker Marcel Pagnol,” says Emond. “It’s really hard to describe inspiration, but in my head I saw young pretty ladies going on vacation in the south of France with their skirts and dresses.”

Emond’s goal has never been to design clothes that attract too much attention. Her decision to opt out of trends that are sexy and flirty gave room to create pieces that are feminine, elegant and most importantly, timeless.

“My clothes are designed for women whose age range from 20 to 34 years old,” she said. “These women usually study or work in creative areas such as film, music, communications [and] web.”

The collection featured high waists, below-the-knee pencil skirts, floaty collared dresses, and well-fitted sweaters in classic nautical colours. Emond’s clever decision not to use accessories, except for thin waist belts, made every garment stand out. A personal favourite was a red pleated skirt with a striped light beige sweater, tucked in.

“The colours of spring/summer 2013 will have a nautical inspiration, so navy, red, beige, taupe and white,” said Emond. “But I also always incorporate black into my collection even if it’s summer. In Montreal, we wear black all the time.”

The best thing about Emond is that she knows exactly what her customers are looking for – comfort and practicality.

“I think that my pieces are for everyday wear and that you can put [them] into your wardrobe very easily,” said Emond. “They are easy to pair; they fit well. People often talk about the quality of the fabric that is also different. I do a lot of research to have fabrics that other designers won’t have. People are always impressed by that.”

Although Betina Lou’s spring/summer 2013 line has just been launched, the designer is already thinking about fall/winter 2013.

“I always start gathering ideas one year in advance. I already have ideas for the shoot, the makeup and for the clothes,” she said. “But it’s too vague right now. We don’t get to see the fabrics from the supplier till October. Until I see the fabric, I can’t tell you.”

Betina Lou’s entire collection will be available in March of next year. You can find the individual pieces in stores such as Three Monkeys at Les Cours Mont-Royal, Unicorn on St. Laurent, Magasin General Bruxe in NDG, and Boutique Archive on Villeray.

 

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Student Life

Fall 2012 Fashion Trend Spread

Prints, prints and more prints
This fall, designers have taken prints to a whole new level: adorning their models in head to toe graphics. Whether it’s baroque style florals, geometric confusion or paisleys, there couldn’t be a better time to toss aside your fashion inhibitions and embellish yourself with any print you desire!

Snow White
Designers are constantly breaking the rules, making it a little difficult sometimes to keep up with whether full on denim is in or out. This fall, the fashion world has officially taken on white after Labor Day – a fashion faux pas I was never fond of. Until Indian summer is over, I wouldn’t rush to put away your white linen pants!

Femme fatale
Not sure about prints and white? Do not fret, black is still in, but this time with a rebellious twist. Designers have taken on black and created a wardrobe suited for Trinity in The Matrix. There is nothing understated about this year’s fall black leather gear.

Try on a sleek uniform
The military trend has had moments in the past, but this time around it has a classier feel to it. Whether it’s a cinched waist, gold embroidery or fur trimmings, designers have found a way to incorporate heels into the military uniform.

 

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Student Life

Models decked in recycled and eco-friendly clothing to strut stuff for charity

Models auditioned last semester in hopes of being part of the fashion show and competition. Photo by Tiffany Blaise.

Models auditioned last semester in hopes of being part of the fashion show and competition. Photo by Tiffany Blaise.

Model hopefuls and the CASA Cares team are busy preparing for Friday night, when the Recollection Charity Fashion Show will finally take place and the winner of Concordia’s Next Top Model will be announced.

CASA Cares, the non-profit portion of the Commerce and Administration Student Association, held auditions back in November looking for models to fill the runway of their annual charity fashion show that donates proceeds to the Montreal Children’s Hospital.

“Our mission is to promote social awareness and responsibility throughout the university,” said Adelina Kirilova, president of CASA Cares. The biggest challenge of fundraising is getting people involved, but also, getting them to be excited about helping others.

With “Think Fashion Differently” as its slogan, the fashion show, is all about the art of sustainable fashion and celebrating Canadian culture. The organizers want to showcase eco-friendly and recycled clothing, as well celebrate the city of Montreal and other Canadian cities by featuring local designers and music artists. Some of the designers participating include Dita et Bella, Creations Encore, Design Will Be, and Birds of North America. The soundtrack will include tracks from Canuck artists Coeur de Pirate, Beast, Arianne Moffat, MSTRKRFT, Arcade Fire and Misstress Barbara.

The goal for this year is to donate between $13,000 and $15,000 with organizers expecting a crowd of over 300, as part of the show’s biggest appeal lies in its ever changing themes.

Though primarily a fundraising event, Recollection is also the conclusion of Concordia’s Next Top Model, a competition inspired by the Canadian version of television show America’s Next Top Model.

By January, a panel narrowed down the contestants to 30 students, but the final decision is open to the public. You can vote online once a day for the guy or girl student you think has what it takes to be a real model. The models with the most votes will be announced at the end of Friday’s show.

Last year’s winner, 21-year-old marketing student Barbara Dunkelman, really enjoyed the experience and the friends she met through the fashion show.

“You are involved every weekend with the same group of people – you are all going through the same experience together,” said Dunkelman. “Everyone is kind of nervous, kind of unsure about what’s gonna to happen.”

Marketing student Nancy Peng was a first-time hopeful when she went to try out. The 19-year-old loved the idea of supporting a charity. “CASA Cares always does fundraisers for good causes, so I think it’s important to get involved and show your support,” said Peng. “Being able to bring our student body out and make them attract others is also great.”

Showing support for both the school and local charities is an important focus of the work CASA Cares does. Over the years, they have been able to donate over $60,000 to the Montreal Children’s Hospital. The team of 12 has also organized bake sales, soccer tournaments and BBQs as well as comedy nights donating to other local charities including Dans La Rue, The Old Mission Brewery, and Dr. Clown Foundation, to name a few.

“I think it’s important to get to know more people, see what’s happening around,” said Kirilova. “Especially CASA Cares, because we help so many different charities.”

To vote for Concordia’s Next Top Model, visit styledluxe.com/voting

The Recollection Charity Fashion Show is taking place on March 11, 2010 at 9 p.m. at Time Supper Club located at 997 St. Jacques. Tickets are $25 and include entrance to the after party. To purchase tickets head to the CSU office in room H-711 or email CASA Cares’ VP Promotions, Angelle Estevez at angelle@casacares.com

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Student Life

An editorial look with a mix of brands and prices

Unique brands, slouchy tees and great denim are just some of the things that make up Editorial, a trendy new boutique in the heart of the city, which opened only six weeks ago.

The store, located at 1455 Stanley St., seamlessly mixes price points with items starting at $18 and ranging all the way up to $1,000. Its concept of brands and prices lends well to the store’s name and the meaning behind why it was chosen.

“My partner Winnie [Wong] came up with [the name] and the reason is because of the way she does the buying, in a very editorial way,” said owner Yaniv Moyal, who is one of several business partners at the store. “You know, when you look at the magazine editorials, the girls are wearing a $10 shirt with $20 running shoes and a $3,000 leather jacket, so that’s a little bit the concept of the store.”

Moyal explained that they do not buy according to price but rather based on what they like regardless of its cost. However, he strongly emphasized that just like anything in the store, the more inexpensive pieces are very carefully chosen for style and fit. Only the best make the cut.

“The whole concept of the store is styling,” said co-owner Winnie. “Two girls can come in with two completely different price points and come out with something.” You can find jeans for $98 or $300 and dresses starting at $50 and going up to $600.

Editorial boasts an impressive list of exclusive brands that you won’t find anywhere else in Montreal. Laugh Cry Repeat, Levi’s Made and Crafted, Boyfriend/Girlfriend, UNIF and Vintage Frames by Corey Shapiro are just some from the ongoing list. Perfect layering and flirty tees from Laugh Cry Repeat compliment Levi’s Made and Crafted denim, which is made and washed in Italy and shipped direct from London. Shapiro, a Montreal native, created Vintage Frames Co., a company specializing in tracking down sunglasses dating back from the ’50s onwards. Some of his finds have been featured on the most famous of celebrity faces, such as those of Katy Perry, Rihanna and Pharrell Williams, just to name a few.

Most of Editorial’s brands are Los Angeles-based, underground and make for a fun, eclectic mix of fashion. “We basically pick brands that we know and that we like. We mostly like up-and-coming brands, [ones] that are just starting,” said Moyal. They stock Montreal-based Luv U Always, a leggings brand quickly making its mark on the Montreal fashion scene. Their leggings retail for around $85 and up and specialize in a longer cut with zippered hems. Founders and twin sisters Tara and Gabrielle Garbarino work at the boutique, too.

Moyal, who has a strong background in wholesale, founded the jean company Guido and Mary with Editorial partner Winnie Wong. He said he was born into the fashion industry so opening Editorial came naturally for him and the group, which also includes Winnie’s sister Jackie and Stevie B Hamron.

“Really, how we opened, it wasn’t planned. [We find] shopping in Montreal has declined a little bit with all those mega chain stores. There wasn’t a boutique downtown. And that’s why we opened,” he said. “And we fell in love with this location, we fell in love with the solarium, we fell in love with the street.”

The store has had a very successful six weeks, considering it opened in early January, the week known in the retail world business as the post-holiday slump. Not to mention the competition is fierce, with bigger chain stores like H&M and Forever 21 just around the corner.

This doesn’t phase Moyal in the least. “We can’t really compete with them so we don’t consider them a competition. Where we stand out compared to them is we offer more focused buying,” he explained. “[The chain stores] carry everything. So we are more picky in our buying, we’re a smaller boutique, and we really have the time to do that compared to them where they just have to generate more money as opposed to us.”

It would seem that Editorial has a bright future ahead. Great owners that double as a killer buying team with a knack for what’s fashionable is what keeps their shelves stocked with the hottest, most exclusive brands in the city.

Editorial is easily accessible by Peel metro and is only a short walk from Concordia’s downtown campus. In the words of Moyal himself, they “love Concordia!”

Editorial has a transitional sale taking place now, with racks at $10, $20 and $30.

Editorial is located at 1455 Stanley St. between De Maisonneuve and St. Catherine St. W. Open from 11 a.m. Monday-Friday, Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

 

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