With the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA) coming up on April 15, we’ll be featuring some of the incredible nominees who are making their mark in Canada’s creative industry. Today we’re talking with José Manuel St-Jacques and Simon Bélanger of luxury fashion label UNTTLD, a beacon of Canadian fashion both on and off the runway…
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1. Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
UNTTLD is a luxury line with a sense of masculine femininity and timeless elegance. Our clothes are made to be cherished as friends by powerful and iconic women. We focus on fine fabrics and the perfect fit. Also, part of UNTTLD’s mission is to support high-end fashion manufacturing in Canada.
2. What was the inspiration for your career route?
We admire all the independent spirits and have applied ourselves to find the right partners to help us bring our vision to life. Our goal is to inject our work with emotion and soul; two things fashion has been craving for a long time.
3. What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
We are reminded daily how lucky we are to live the life we want to live however we want to live it. This freedom is our greatest treasure and accomplishment!
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
Our goal is to find UNTTLD women across the universe and provide them with a wardrobe they have always dreamed of; this will of course take time. We will take one step at a time and follow our instincts.
5. Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Money must be a secondary motivation; always apply yourself to become the person you want to be. Surround yourself with people you admire and that bring the best out of you. Work hard and keep your eyes on the prize, whatever that means for you.
6. Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
We take care of our local industry by having our entire collection produced here in Montreal. It is our goal to bring high-end manufacturing in Canada back to life. We believe in being the change you want to see in the world; making choices that have a direct impact in your and other people’s life.
7. What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
Every step is a challenge in the fashion industry. We surround ourselves with professionals who can help us clearly see what is in front of us and provide the tools to keep going. Know what your strengths are, but even more importantly: find people who are better than you at all the rest.
8. What does the word notable mean to you?
Someone/Something worthy of being celebrated and remembered; the kind of person we aspire to be one day.
PLAY
1. Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
When it’s time to treat ourselves, we go to Leméac on Laurier St. Its classic French bistro cuisine, extensive wine list and elegant décor make it a Montreal staple for a great evening among friends or a late after-show diner.
2. What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?
YouTube is our television. We watch a little bit of everything, but especially historical and animalistic documentaries and interviews with people we respect and admire. As for music, we’re on Deezer all day. Check our Facebook page on Fridays for our #studiosounds and listen to music with us!
3. Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
We have a love/hate relationship with social media. We prefer live human interaction. Nevertheless, Simon follows a zillion drag queens on Instagram. We feel they are the best entertainment out there.
4. What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?
We love Paris and never get tired of it. We love having a coffee on a terrace, getting lost in its maze-like streets, and drinking Champaign by the Seine on Ile St-Louis. Our dream destinations are Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, India… we can’t wait for the Asian culture shock.
5. What gives you the greatest FOMO?
Not at all familiar with the feeling…
6. What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
We love white wine… a lot of it!
7. What’s something you wish you didn’t spend so much money on? What’s something you wish you spent more on?
We are not big spenders; we inject all of our money back in UNTTLD. Except for our wine budget…
Nevertheless, we both would like to build ourselves a fabulous home with everything custom made: An open kitchen with plenty of space to cook and host our guests, a mile-long burnt wood table with two benches where we could all sit down, drink and be loud; extra deep Montauk sofas to relax in with plush knitted mink fur throws; Japanese-inspired wood bathroom with sliding doors. The list goes on and on.
8. And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…
Freedom and a sense accomplishment.
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