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Jimmy Hamelin

Lucire autumn-winter 2004

Montréal’s newcomers have thrown out the rule book, but some of its greatest names were still absent from Fashion Week, writes Susan Kelly

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JIMMY HAMELIN

 

Initial capOVINON UP—way, way up, ahead of Toronto or even New York.
   February 1 to 4, 2004 was ‘Montréal Synergy Week’, replacing the former Montréal Fashion Week. By whatever name, Take 6’s showing of fall–winter 2004 fashion was moved up from the usual mid-March timeframe. That was so Expomode, an industry trade show held at the monolithic Olympic Stadium, could be accommodated.
   The new expanded event was fashioned to bring together the old guard importers and manufacturers of Chabanel Street with the city’s young, ultra-independent designers in a celebration of this ville’s varied industry. But it was the former who stole most of the shows.
   The Week opened on a gala note at Marché Bonsecours ballroom, a cobblestone’s throw from the Old Port main venue. Freed & Freed took advantage of the opportunity to show off the four major labels to which it holds the Canadian licenses. Formerly of Winnipeg and recently moved to Montréal, the company also used the occasion to raise funds for Shelternet.ca. A hefty donation of $200,000 worth of new coats went to women’s shelters across the country. And in a pre-show ceremony, company president Noah Stern turned over a cheque for $10,000 to the charity.
   However, the show clocked in at almost two hours of outerwear, outerwear, outerwear—making it way, way overtime for even the most diehard fashion fan. But they did get the chance to show off the couture-ish Guy Laroche, street-smart Sky with its jackets of varied lengths in variations on the quilted theme, and Pacific Trail’s more serviceable outerwear. And, of course, London Fog.
   It’s a world trend that’s getting old: established design houses recruit hip young designers to rejuvenate their lines. Two of Montréal’s finest young Turks have signed such deals. The Freed & Freed show saw the début collection by Douglas Mandel of the edgy, Old Montréal-based Kamkyl menswear label. He has definitely brought some Montréal panache and youthful energy to the mainstay London Fog line, now with its parent company in Seattle. As well, the event saw the launch of the London Fog ladies’ sportswear collection by Québec stylist-turned-designer Julie Blair.

CONTINUED Next page


It’s a trend that’s getting old: established design houses recruit hip designers to rejuvenate their lines. Two of Montréal’s finest young Turks have signed such deals
ABOVE: Freed & Freed lines.

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