Montreal Fashion Week is back in full swing next week for their Fall/Winter 2013 collections. Produced by Groupe Sensation Mode in collaboration with P&G Beauty & Grooming, MFW will take place from February 4 to 7 at the stunning Arsenal, a contemporary art complex. Expecting more than 20,000 visitors, including fashion professionals, designers, artists and media representatives, this MFW will be bigger than ever.
A large variety of designers, both established and emerging, will show their Fall/Winter 2013 collections, each representing the different facets that Canadian fashion has to offer. While we would love to see every single show and exhibit showcased, we narrowed it down to our top 5 picks of must-attends for this year:
Rachel Sin: On Wednesday, February 6th, at 8:30pm, Rachel Sin will be debuting her Fall/Winter ’13 Collection at the 24th edition of Montreal Fashion Week. This season’s collection is “Geek Girl Gone Chic” – the awkward high school bookworm who has come out from behind her specs and has blossomed into a chic confident woman. This collection’s inspiration is a simple one – the high school nerd has grown up and she is chic, knows what she wants and wants to do it all. This woman doesn’t hide behind her glasses anymore; she is the confident working girl who is always on the go; sounds like a modern age young professional. Dots and pops of emerald, aqua, and poppy will dazzle the runway, making this a show you do not want to miss.
Melissa Bolduc: Born in Matane, Québec, Melissa has been passionate about creating clothes since she was a young girl. Melissa is devoted to designing clothes and promoting forms of beauty that represent all spectrums of society, which we love. This season, she will take part in the exhibit concept that has returned and will be held on Thursday, February 7th at 6:30pm. For the showcasing of Melow par Mélissa Bolduc’s latest collection, she and five other fashion designers will exhibit their Fall/Winter ‘13 collection at Exhibit24. This season the theme is “The Spirit of Renewal,” designs inspired by fashions past. A great way to travel back in time!
By Thomas: Born in francophone Canada, Natasha Thomas has a DEC in fashion design from Marie-Victorin’s Cégep, as well as a near-finished Bachelor’s degree in styling and design from UQAM. Her designs revolve around a poetic tribute to the strength of the modern loving, independent women. It is all about being brave and honest and about standing up for things you believe in and going for your craziest ambitions – no guts, no glory! Her show is presented by Designer Début in collaboration with Elle Québec.
Martin Lim: This is definitely one show we are super excited about, and is all about the fusion of two cultures and two worlds. Besides winning prestigious national and international awards, the designer duo of Danielle MARTIN & Pao LIM are devoted designers who gained valuable experience while working with internationally-renowned designers. For their Fall 2013 collection, references to the sixties alongside the study of elementary geometry, combined with sports elements that evoke a modernist, chic and effortless style, will be strutting the runway.
Harricana: A pioneer in luxurious eco-fashion, Mariouche Gagne is the creator behind the ready-to-wear clothing and accessories from beautiful recycled materials such as fur, silk, leather and cashmere.
The 2013-2014 collection draws its inspiration from the meeting of two distinct universes: that of a continental ski explorer and of a Northern Plains native. Inuit motifs, braids and fringe mix with quilted coats developed in conjunction with the Rossignol skiwear company. This will be a visual stunner not to be missed!
Members of the public can take advantage of exclusive access to MFW F/W 13 by either: a four-day passport for $175, a one-day pass for $75, or single tickets for individual fashion shows priced at $25. Tickets are on sale at www.montrealfashionweek.ca and spots are very limited!
Those who will not be able to get to the Arsenal can watch all of the shows live on the MFW website and check out some of our coverage from the shows.
Photo courtesy montrealinfashion.com