Brace yourselves, fashion, design, music, beauty and shopping aficionados, as the 13th edition of the Fashion & Design Festival (FDF), produced and directed by Groupe Sensation Mode in collaboration with the Casino de Montreal, will electrify downtown Montreal until August 3rd.
This year, they’ve brought together various movers and shakers from all horizons; with Maybelline as the festival’s new beauty partner, internationally renowned artist Jean-Charles de Castelbajac as honorary chair, Geneviève Borne as their spokesperson, the participation of over 60 artists and designers, and hundreds of clothing lines, the FDF 2013 is set to make a huge impact!
What can you expect when attending? Over 50 runway shows and presentations will take place, including: fashion, music, special events, spectacular runway shows and much more. A notable standout will be the legendary Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, who will host a number of extraordinary things, including Fantômes, part runway show and part performance featuring models and dancers performing to live music from Parisian DJ Mr Nô and his VJ Florian.
Other must-attend events include the following:
The incredible High Heel Race, which will kick off the festival tomorrow featuring some 50 participants rocking their best high heel beauties and performing extraordinary acts of balance to raise money for the non-profit organization Le Chaînon. The notable part? The first edition was won by a man!
The À la Grace Kelly runway show, presented by Casino de Montreal, will host ten finalists that will wear their finest attire inspired by the legendary American actress as part of the McCord Museum’s Facebook competition.
Also back this year is 5 bloggers, 5 looks, a show in which five Montreal bloggers will each present a selection that reflects their individuality, character and style.
In partnership with Redken, Maybelline New York will present the Open Backstage and the Beauty Bar, which will offer visitors free makeup and hairstyling touch-ups.
The On Public Benches design competition returns, where Montreal designers are invited to take a fresh look at a symbol that represents the city of Montreal: the park bench. Five offerings chosen by a selection committee will be presented on site, and festival-goers will have the opportunity to vote for the bench they would like to see in their city though Instagram using the hashtag #bancspublic.
Pop-up boutiques between Sainte-Catherine and Cathcart Streets will be set up and will offer a golden opportunity to make some exclusive discoveries, from Quebec designers in particular.
In collaboration with ELLE QUÉBEC, Ice Cream and Sweet Lemonade will bring together three designers (Pedram Karimi, Barilà and UNTTLD) and three emerging Montreal musical groups (UN, Beverlay and Jef Barbara) on a sunny afternoon.
Festival-goers will also have the opportunity to discover Rock ‘N’ Couture, presented in collaboration with Lisbon Lux Records, featuring Le Couleur, Ryan and DJs Heidy Pinet and French Fox, and Quebec stars who will play every evening in the DJ booth from 5 to 6pm.
And that’s only a third of what you can expect when planning your visit to the festival. It’s a must-see and the energy that is felt throughout the city during these days is truly enigmatic. To find out more about the complete Fashion and Design Festival programming visit them online.
.
Cover Image: Peter Morneau Photography for Groupe Sensation Mode
Images: Groupe Sensation Mode