TOP 5 SUMMER WARDROBE UPDATES FOR THE RECESSIONISTA

ALTHOUGH IT HASN'T FELT LIKE IT LATELY, SUMMER IS IN FACT FAST APPROACHING. WHEN THE WARM WEATHER DOES FINALLY DESCEND, YOUR SUMMER WARDROBE CAN FINALLY BE PULLED OUT OF THE BACK OF YOUR CLOSET, AND THE HEAVY SWEATERS SAFELY STORED AWAY.

BUT, AS WITH A NEW SEASON, EVERY WARDROBE NEEDS A LITTLE UPDATE. CHECK OUT MY ARTICLE FOR UPDATING YOUR SUMMER LOOK WITHOUT TIRING OUT YOUR CREDIT CARD:
Top 5 Summer Wardrobe Updates for The Recessionista

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WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS

THE FOLLOWING LITTLE OUTFIT LANDED IN MY INBOX TODAY. AND WHAT BETTER TIMING? GREY WET DAYS MAKE ME CRAVE COMFIES--SWEET STEAMY TEA, TOASTY BAGUETTE, AND MY BLANKET. THE RAINCOAT IS REMINDS ME OF MY CHILDHOOD K-WAY. I LOVE THE BIASED-BUTTON DETAILING AND SOFT PALETTE OF THE DRESS, AND, WHEN PAIRED WITH 80s BOAT SHOES, I AM SUDDENLY OVERCOME BY A NEED TO RUN OUTSIDE AND SPLASH IN THE PUDDLES.
ALL ITEMS ARE AVAILABLE AT OFF THE HOOK: 1021 STE. CATHERINE O. 514-499-1021

BODY ART

MAYBE IT'S THE FRESHLY WARM WEATHER, AND GROWING PEEPS OF SUN-DEPRIVED SKIN. MAYBE IT'S SIMPLY THE CYCLICAL FLOW OF ALTERNATIVE TO MAINSTREAM. BUT I HAVE BEEN NOTICING TATTOOS QUIETLY CREEPING INTO FASHION. AT FIRST, I WAS SEEING IT COME FROM ASIAN AND EUROPEAN EDITORIALS. AS OF SPRING 09, THE TREND OFFICIALLY HIT NORTH AMERICAN MAINSTREAM SHORES.

THINK BOLD, GRAPHIC, EDGY, GRITTY, UNDERGROUND.

NOT SHAVEN BRITNEY. AND DEFINITELY NOT THE TRAMP STAMPS OF THE 90S.

Rollercoasters

As you may have noticed, I haven't been writing and posting very regularly these last few weeks. I have been reeling in the wake of life events, from both ends of the spectrum.

As we welcome a new life into the world, my family ushers another out. This week we will be saying goodbye to our gentle-souled Joseph--father, grandfather, great-grandfather.

I will be back next week.

BON JOUR DE LA TERRE

WONDERING HOW YOU SHOULD CELEBRATE EARTH DAY? LE JOUR DE LA TERRE QUEBEC HAS ORGANIZED ALL OF YOUR CHOICES INTO A HANDY CALENDAR. TODAY ALONE, THERE ARE 219 DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES IN AROUND AND THE ISLAND OF MONTREAL TO CHOOSE FROM. FROM ART EXHIBITS, CONCERTS, MOVIE SCREENINGS AND CONFERENCES, THERE IS SOMETHING FOR ALL TASTES AND INTERESTS.

WHERE WILL I BE? CHECKING OUT THE FASHION SHOW AT MONTREAL ECO-FASHION BOUTIQUE LA GAILLARDE.

WANTED: TRAVIS TADDEO SHOPPING

WANTED, THE FOUR DAY SHOPPING EVENT, KICKS OFF TONIGHT WITH A COCKTAIL SHOPPING PARTY HOSTED BY MONTREAL'S OWN THREE MONKEYS. THEN, IF YOU HAVEN'T YET HAD YOUR FILL, SHOP FOR TRAVIS TADDEO RARE ONE-OF-A-KIND PIECES, SAMPLES, AND OVERSTOCK ALL WEEKEND LONG AT HIS STUDIO.

WITH THE WEATHER WARMING EVERYDAY, AND THIS TIME IT LOOKS AS THOUGH IT WILL BE STICKING AROUND, THIS IS THE ULTIMATE WAY TO START UPDATING YOUR SUMMER WARDROBE. FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH TADDEO, THIS YOUNG DESIGNER HAS BEEN MAKING NOISE DURING TORONTO FASHION WEEK WITH HIS UNIQUE BRAND OF FASHION.

LOOKS FROM SPRING/SUMMER 09 COLLECTION

ORIGINATING FROM CALGARY, THIS MONTREAL TRANSPLANT HAS CAPTURED THE ESSENCE OF THIS CITY. THE SPRING/SUMMER COLLECTIONS PERSONIFIES SUMMER MONTREAL NIGHTS, QUITE SIMPLY OOZING SEX APPEAL.

DAY 1
WANTED @ THREE MONKEYS
APRIL 16 5 - 10 PM
1455 PEEL (COURS MONT ROYAL)
514 288 1333

DAY 2 | DAY 3 | DAY 4

TRAVIS TADDEO WANTED @ the TT studio
FRI: 12 PM - 9 PM
SAT: 11 AM - 7 PM
SUN: 12 PM - 6 PM

1242 ST. TIMOTHE
514 924 1786
INFO@TRAVISTADDEO.COM

FURNI TO COVET

WHAT STARTED AS A CUSTOM FURNITURE ONLY A FEW YEARS AGO, HAS NOW GROWN INTO A SMALL LINE OF UNIQUE HOME DECOR PIECES APTLY NAMED FURNI. FURNI ACCOMPLISHES THE HARD TASK OF BALANCING SLEEK, MODERN DESIGN WITH ALL THE WARMTH OF NATURAL WOODS THAT COMPEL YOU TO REACH OUT AND TOUCH.

RECENTLY THE LOCAL DESIGN SHOP TEAMED UP WITH ITALIAN CREATIVE AGENCY BIG CHIEF DESIGN TO CREATE A CAPSULE COLLECTION OF LASER ETCHED CLOCKS, SHOWN AT THE MILANO DESIGN WEEK.

Big Chief and Furni from Douglas Hollingworth on Vimeo.

FURNI IS AVAILABLE ONLINE.

ATTENTION ALL RECESSIONISTAS: LA BRADERIE DE MODE IS COMING SOON

IT'S OFFICIAL. LA BRADERIE DE MODE IS BACK FOR SPRING 2009, HELD ONCE AGAIN AT THE MARCHE BONSECOURS FROM APRIL 16th TO THE 19th. THIS SEASON'S PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE EVE GRAVEL, BODYBAG BY JUDE, MACKAGE, MARIE SAINT-PIERRE, STATION 8, RUDSAK, AND MANY MORE--ABOUT 50 OF QUEBEC'S DESIGNERS IN TOTAL. THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO PICK UP SAMPLES AND OVERSTOCK MERCHANDISE FROM ALL OF YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL DESIGNERS AT GREAT PRICES. YOU WILL FIND EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO UPDATE YOUR SPRING WARDROBE--WOMENSWEAR, MEANSWEAR, KIDSWEAR, BAGS, HATS, JEWELLERY, AND OTHER ACCESSORIES ALL AT 50% TO 80% OFF.

BASK IN OUR WEALTH OF DESIGN TALENT AND TAKE SOME TIME DISCOVER SOMEONE NEW. BEST OF ALL, THE DESIGNERS THEMSELVES ARE OFTEN ON HAND DURING THE EVENT, ALWAYS WILLING TO CHAT WITH THEIR CUSTOMERS. BE PREPARED FOR LINEUPS AND CROWDS, THOUGH, AS THIS SHOPPING EVENT HAS GROWN ENORMOUSLY OVER THE YEARS AND NOW WELCOMES CLOSE TO 8,000 SHOPPERS OVER THE FOUR DAYS.

LIFETIME COLLECTIVE SPRING 09 HITS MONTREAL

GRANTED, LIFETIME COLLECTIVE IS A VANCOUVER BASED COMPANY. HOWEVER, THEIR DESIGNS, AND THE CONCEPT BEHIND THE BRAND, IS TOO GOOD TO PASS UP WRITING ON. LAST WEEK, THE BOYS BEHIND THE BRAND WERE AT OFF THE HOOK TO LAUNCH THEIR SPRING 09 COLLECTION, ALONG WITH THE NEW BOOK IN A CONCEPT ART INSTALLATION/POP-UP SHOP/MEET-AND-GREET PARTY.

CERTAINLY AN EYEFUL, AND PROBABLY IN NEED OF AN EXPLANATION. WHAT ONCE WAS A BASEMENT T-SHIRT PRINTING OPERATION IS NOW A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH IN THE INDIE FASHION SCENE. LIFETIME COLLECTIVE, IS JUST THAT, A DESIGN COLLECTIVE WHERE ARTISTS, DESIGNERS, SKATERS, AND OTHER INDIES COME TOGETHER TO CREATE. THEIR WORK IS THEN SHOWCASED THROUGHOUT THE COLLECTIONS ON COUNTLESS GRAPHIC TEES FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, THROUGH THESE TRAVELING ART SHOWS, AS WELL AS THROUGH THE PUBLICATIONS OF THEIR BOOKS.

IN THEIR EXPANSION ACROSS INTERNATIONAL MARKETS, LIFETIME HAS ALSO, OVER THE YEARS, EXPANDED THE COLLECTIONS FOR MEN’S AND WOMEN’S, NOW COMPRISING HOODIES, JERSEY-KNIT JUMPERS, JEANS, AND, OF COURSE, THE SUPERFLUOUS GRAPHIC TEE.

AVAILABLE EITHER ONLINE OR LOCALLY AT OFF THE HOOK AND BOUTIQUE FLY, WHERE I HAPPENED TO BE ABOUT A WEEK AGO AND SHOT THESE IMAGES.

SHOPPING PARTY AT BOUTIQUE FLY

TOMORROW, MARCH 19TH FROM 10 am TO 9 pm, BOUTIQUE FLY IS HOLDING A SAMPLE SALE FOR LOCAL DESIGNERS EVE GRAVEL AND STATION 8. FIND GREAT DEALS ON THIS SEASON'S SAMPLES, AS WELL AS OVERSTOCK FROM F/W 2008. WHAT BETTER WAY TO JUMP START YOUR SPRING SHOPPING THAN WITH A SHOPPING PARTY? ON TOP OF FAB FINDS AT AMAZING PRICES, THERE WILL ALSO BE REFRESHMENTS AND COCKTAILS ALL SET TO GROOVY TUNES.

TAKE IT FROM ME, FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, TASTY COCKTAILS MIXED WITH THEIR INCREDIBLY WARM STAFF AND GREAT DEALS CAN LEAD TO SOME SERIOUS LOOSENING OF PURSE STRINGS. RARELY, IF NOT EVER, HAVE I SUFFERED BUYER'S REMORSE WHEN GUIDED BY OWNER ARIANNA RABINOVITCH, BUT, ALL TOO OFTEN, HAVE I RECEIVED A SHOCK TO THE HEART WHEN OPENING MY CREDIT CARD BILL.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THESE LOCAL LABELS, THIS IS A PERFECT WAY TO DISCOVER THEM. EVE GRAVEL HAS BEEN DESIGNING HER NAMESAKE COLLECTION FOR 14 SEASONS. THE 29 YEAR OLD GRADUATE FROM THE RICHARD ROBINSON ACADEMY OF FASHION IN OTTAWA DESIGNED UNDER SOME OF THIS CITY'S GREATS, INCLUDING KEVIN ALWOOD OF NEVIK, BEFORE JETTING OFF TO EUROPE FOR A SHORT STINT. THERE, SHE ENVISIONED A LINE THAT WOULD BECOME EVE GRAVEL. HER SOMETIMES ECLECTIC MIX OF FEMININE FLIRTY DRESSES AND DRESSED-DOWN BOYISH LOOKS HAVE HAD FASHION INSIDERS CLAMORING EACH SEASON. STATION 8 IS EVE'S FORAY INTO MENSWEAR, TEAMING UP WITH FRIENDS AND PARTNERS MARIE-CLAUDE GUAY AND MARIE-NOELLE HAMELIN. THIS 3 YEAR OLD LABEL IS IS THE MALE URBANITE'S UNIFORM--A LITTLE DRESSED-UP MIXED WITH A GRUNGE FLAIR, AND HAS BEEN KNOWN TO ATTRACT LOCAL GRAPHIC AND TATTOO ARTISTS TO CREATE IT'S ORIGINAL PRINTS.

BOUTIQUE FLY: 1970 STE CATHERINE O. AT DU FORT 514 846 6888 INFO@BOUTIQUEFLY.COM

VALERIE DUMAINE SPRING 09 IS HERE

ELSA TAFFETA TRENCH COAT IN SAND, $229

SPRING IS DEFINITELY ON ITS WAY--THE WIND COMING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN IS EVER SO SLIGHTLY WARMER, THE SNOW IS MELTING, THE SQUIRRELS ARE MAKING BRIEF APPEARANCES IN THE PARKS, AND LOCAL DESIGNERS ARE FINALLY SHOWING THEIR NEW COLLECTIONS. THE FIRST LADY OF INDEPENDENT MONTREAL DESIGNER'S, VALÉRIE DUMAINE, LAUNCHED HER NEW COLLECTION ONLINE THIS WEEK. AND WITH IT A NEW ECOMMERCE BOUTIQUE.

DUMAINE CAN STILL BE FOUND AROUND THE CITY AT SUCH LOCAL FAVORITES AS THREE MONKEYS.

SPRING AT DUMAINE IS SWEET PRINTED DRESSES IN VARYING SILHOUETTES, FROM THE FLOWING TRAPEZE TO THE ULTRA-TAILORED, SHORTS, AND SOME GREAT DENIM PIECES. THE COLLECTION HAS A NAUTICAL THEME, AND, AS ALWAYS, A STRONG 1940s VIBE. THIS SEASON, ANOTHER DOMINANT TREND, DUMAINE HAS UTILIZED MORE SUSTAINABLE FABRICS WITH BAMBOO AND LYOCELL APPEARING IN EVERY FORM FROM JERSEY KNITS TO SUITING.

THE HOTTEST PIECE FOR SPRING, THE JUMPSUIT IN ALL LENGTHS AND SHAPES, ALSO MAKES ITS APPEARANCE. BELOW ARE TWO GREAT EXAMPLES OF THE TREND WITH A DUMAINE TWIST:

ZOE JUMPER IN BLACK, $139

THE HALTERED ZOE IS A NICE TAKE ON THE TREND WITH THE BOW NECKTIE AND ELASTIC WAIST. A TROMPE L'OEIL, THIS SHORT JUMP SUIT IS AT FIRST GLANCE A DRESS.

AMIRA BAMBOO JUMPER, $135

ALEXA DENIM PANTS, $135

ALTHOUGH NOTHING NEW WITH ITS WIDER LEG AND PAPERBAG WAIST, THE ALEXA PANT IS A GREAT DENIM ALTERNATIVE. THIS SEASON, HOWEVER, THE LEG HAS NARROWED SLIGHTLY FOR MORE EASILY-WORN FIT.

MFW: BEST IN SHOW

MONTREAL FASHION WEEK KICKED OFF MONDAY AND WITH IT THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE INDUSTRY WILL BE RECEIVING $2.4 MILLION FROM THE CITY OF MONTREAL AND QUEBEC. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE $82 MILLION ALREADY PLEDGED FOR PRO MODE. THE MANDATE FOR 'MONTREAL FREESTYLE' IS TO PROMOTE THE CITY'S DESIGNERS AS A COLLECTIVE ON THE WORLD STAGE, UNLIKE PRO MODE WHERE THE MONEY IS HANDED OVER DIRECTLY TO THE INDUSTRY. SADLY, THE STORY HAS BEEN OVERSHADOWING THE ACTUAL GOING-ONS ON THE RUNWAY, ALL SEEMING RATHER COUNTER-INTUITIVE.

ON MONDAY NIGHT, PHILIPPE DUBUC, PRESENTED HIS F/W 09 MEN’S COLLECTION. BLACK, BLACK, AND MORE BLACK, DUBUC SHOWED WHAT HE KNOWS BEST, AND WHAT HIS CUSTOMERS HAVE COME TO LOVE HIM FOR: TRADEMARK SLIM CUT SUITS TUCKED INTO STREAMLINE UTILITARIAN BOOTS. THERE WERE, HOWEVER, SOME NICE, SUBTLE SURPRISES OF SHEER UNDERPINNINGS, CHUNKY KNITS WITH OVERSIZED COLLARS, JODHPUR-STYLED PLEATED PANTS, AND TOUCHES OF DOVE GREY.

PHOTOS: JIMMY HAMELIN, MONTREAL FASHION WEEK

THE COLLECTION, VERY REMINISCENT OF COSTUME NATIONAL, WAS MINIMALIST, MODERN, AND RELEVANT. COMPRISED OF UTILITARIAN AND MULTI-USE PIECES FOR OFFICE-TO-PLAY DRESSING, AND ALL RATHER PAIRED DOWN.

MARIE SAINT PIERRE SHOWED HER LATEST COLLECTION ON THE FOLLOWING NIGHT TO WELL DESERVED PRAISE ALL AROUND. THE COLLECTION WAS DOMINATED BY RUFFLED KNITS LAYERED OVER LATEX LEGGINGS IN CONSTRASTING SOFT COLORS AGAINST INKY BLACKS, RESULTING IN A NICE MIX OF TEXTURES: LATEX, KNITS, SHEERS, RAW SILK. IT ALL MADE FOR A NICE STATEMENT ON OPPOSITES. THE EVENING WEAR WAS THE STAND OUT OF THE SEASON—LOVELY, FLOATING HALTER PRINTS WORN OVER SHEER UNDERPINNINGS AND LATEX LEGGINGS, AND ARCHITECTURAL FLOOR-LENGTH GOWNS.

PHOTOS: JIMMY HAMELIN, MONTREAL FASHION WEEK

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS THAT DESERVE A MENTION INCLUDES THE SURPRISE GUEST WALKING AT SOIA & KYO—NONE OTHER THAN ÈVE SAVAIL, JEAN-PAUL GAULTHIER’S FORMER MUSE OF THE 90s, AS WELL AS SOME CUTE, BUT RATHER SAFE, LOOKS FROM BODYBAG BY JUDE.

PHOTOS: JIMMY HAMELIN, MONTREAL FASHION WEEK

THE BEST MOMENT OF THE WEEK, WITHOUT A DOUBT, WAS GAGNON’S CLOSING RUN DOWN THE RUNWAY WEARING A BLACK YEDDI-LIKE HOOD.

THE OVERARCHING THEME THAT CAME OUT OF MONTREAL THIS SEASON, HOWEVER, WAS PLAY IT SAFE, DO WHAT WORKS.

MTL FASHION WEEK CLOSES TO CHEERS: DENIS GAGNON WITH FULLUM & HOLT

TONIGHT AT THE FULLUM & HOLT FULLUM STREET SEWING ROOM, DENIS GAGNON PRESENTED HIS FALL/WINTER 09 WOMEN’S COLLECTION, INCLUDING NEW DESIGNS FOR THE MONTREAL-BASED LEATHER GOODS COMPANY. THE ROOM WAS OVERFLOWING, WITH THE CITY’S FASHION CRÈME DE LA CRÈME, AND YOURS TRULY, PACKED INTO EVERY CORNER POSSIBLE.

THE INDUSTRIAL SPACE WAS NOT, AT FIRST, AN OBVIOUS CHOICE FOR THE SHOW, WITH A PAINTED RUNWAY FLANKED BY SEWING MACHINES. BUT ONCE THE LIGHTS DIMMED AND THE LOOKS STARTED DOWN THE RUNWAY, I COULDN'T ENVISIONED ANY OTHER SETING. VOID MODELS, INCLUDING GIRL-DU-JOUR RYAN MARTEL, FLOATED TO SWELLING OPERA AND CHORAL RENDITIONS OF DEPECHE MODE AS SPUN BY FASHION WEEK ALUM CHRISTIAN PRONOVOST.

SPRING 09, AVAILABLE ONLINE NOW, MARKED THE BEGINNINGS OF THE COLLABORATION. FOR FALL/WINTER, IT WAS MUCH OF THE SAME BUT WITH A DARKER COLOR PALETTE. THIS SEASON, THE STANDOUT COLOR WAS, HANDS DOWN, A RICH LIPSTICK RED.

THE COLLECTION WAS MONOCHROMATIC BLACK, DOMINATED BY MATTE LEATHER PIECES WITH STITCHED DETAILING LAYERED OVER SEQUINED, FISH-SKIN LIKE LEGGINGS. HEADS WERE ADORNED WITH HANGING BEADED DETAILING ON FITTED HOODS. THE BEADING WAS REPEATED THROUGHOUT THE COLLECTION, FOUND ON EVERYTHING FROM SHOES TO LAPELS. HAIR THAT WASN’T TUCK INTO HOODS WAS TEASED INTO FAUX-BOBS. STARK FACES WITH LIPS AND EYES PAINTED SKIN TONES WERE FRAMED BY STRONG EYE BROWS. THE SHOW ENDED TO CHEERS AND A WELL DESERVED STANDING OVATION.

ALTHOUGH ARGUABLY NOT GAGNON’S BEST COLLECTION TO DATE, IT WAS, WITHOUT QUESTION, THE STRONGEST OF THE WEEK. BOLD, EDGY, STRONG, IT WAS EVERYTHING THAT YOU WOULD COME TO EXPECT FROM THE DESIGNER. IT’S NO WONDER THAT HE HAS BECOME ONE OF THE CITY’S MOST BELOVED AND ANXIOUSLY-AWAITED DESIGNERS. GAGNON PROVED THE HE CAN STAND ON ANY WORLD STAGE.

I ALSO HAD THE PLEASURE OF ATTENDING THE TELIO DESIGN COMPETITION, WHERE 25 FASHION STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY PRESENTED LOOKS. I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT A LASALLE COLLEGE STUDENT TOOK THE TOP PRIZE.

FALL 09 RUNWAY: 80S REDUX

REVIEWING LOOKS COMING OFF THE RUNWAYS OF NEW YORK FASHION WEEK, THE OVERARCHING THEME SEEMS TO BE THE 80s. FROM THE BRIGHT COLORS, TRIANGULAR SILHOUETTES, AND AN EMPHASIS ON EXAGGERATED SHOULDERS, DESIGNERS BIG AND SMALL ARE REFERENCING THE OVERINDULGENCE OF THE WALL STREET DECADE.

LOOK 1: CHADO RALPH RUCCI, FALL 09
LOOK 2: BADGLEY MISCHKA, FALL 09

FOR THE DOWNTOWN CROWD, THERE WAS AN ABUNDANCE OF HIGH-SHEEN BLACK LEATHER AND TOUGH LOOKS OF TEENAGE PUNKS. NO DESIGNER DID IT BETTER THIS SEASON THAN BETSEY JOHNSON, THE ORIGINAL ENFANT TERRIBLE OF THE EIGHTIES, AND POSSIBLY THE ONLY DESIGNER WHO WAS ABLE TO REFERENCE HERSELF. FOR FALL 09, FOREGOING THE RUNWAY, JOHNSON PRESENTED LOOKS IN HER STUDIO'S KITCHEN.

BETSEY JOHNSON, FALL 09

NOTE THE SEQUINS, ANIMAL PRINT, RUFFLES, AND NEON TIGHTS. IF MOLLY RINGWALD HAD EVER GIVEN INTO HER INNER BAD GIRL, THIS IS WHAT SHE WOULD HAVE WORN TO HER COMING OUT PARTY. WE'VE BEEN SEEING OPAQUE TIGHTS IN EVERY HUE SINCE FALL 08, BUT THIS SEASON THEY WERE POPPING UP IN DIZZYING PRINTS.

BETSEY JOHNSON, FALL 09

AT JENNI KAYNE, THE COOL-FACTOR WAS PUT BACK INTO THE LOOK, INFUSING THE COLLECTION WITH A TRUE WEARABILITY AND AN HONEST SENSE OF NOW.

JENNI KAYNE, FALL 09

THE TREND BEGS THE QUESTION, HOWEVER, WASN'T ANYBODY READING NEWSPAPERS WHILE DESIGNING? HISTORICALLY, A RECESSION, OR DEPRESSION DEPENDING ON WHO YOU ARE LISTENING TO, TRANSLATES INTO FASHIONS TRENDING TOWARDS DEMURE AND UTILITARIAN. SILHOUETTES ARE CUT CLOSE TO THE BODY, AND THE EMPHASIS LIES ON SUITS AND ALL-USE PIECES. IS THIS A DELIBERATE BACKLASH TO MEDIA DRIVEN GLOOM AND DOOM? WILL IT TRANSLATE TO RETAIL DOLLARS? ONLY TIME WILL TELL, AS THE SAYING GOES.

I'M INTERESTED TO SEE WHAT WILL COME OUT OF THE UPCOMING MONTREAL AND TORONTO FASHION WEEKS. MORE OF THE SAME OR WILL CANADIAN DESIGNERS HAVE A DIFFERENT TAKE ON THE WORLD ECONOMY?

MONTREAL-MINDED

ALEXI HOBBS PRINT, $100, AVAILABLE @ MONTREAL STATE OF MIND WEBSTORE

WHAT STARTED AS A BLOG FOR THE MONTREAL DESIGN SCENE AND ALL ITS MANY FACETS, HAS NOW EVOLVED INTO AN EXCLUSIVELY, AND EXCLUSIVE, ONLINE STORE. LAUNCHED A MERE 6 WEEKS AGO, THE MONTREAL STATE OF MIND ONLINE SHOP, MTLDESIGNERS.COM, IS DEVOTED TO THE CITY'S INDEPENDENT DESIGNERS OF ALL GENRES. FROM FASHION TO DESIGN OBJECTS, MANY OF THE PIECES ARE DESIGNED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE SITE, AND ALL ARE OF LIMITED RUNS. A QUICK BROWSE FINDS SOME OF THE CITY'S MORE RECOGNIZABLE NAMES, LIKE VALERIE DUMAINE AND ANASTASIA LOMONOVA, BOTH OF WHOM I'M ANXIOUSLY AWAITING SPRING COLLECTIONS FROM, ALONG SIDE SOME NICE SURPRISES.

VERONA TUNIC BY VALERIE DUMAINE, $95

THIS GEOMETRIC PRINT TUNIC FROM DUMAINE IS THE PERFECT TRANSITION PIECE FROM WINTER INTO SPRING--EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED TO GET YOU THROUGH THE NEXT FEW MONTREAL MONTHS. PAIR IT WITH A TURTLENECK AND OPAQUE TIGHTS OR THROW A JACKET OVER IT, LIKE THE VENDETTA.

VENDETTA JACKET BY VALERIE DUMAINE, $149

I PARTICULARLY LOVE THE SGT. PEPPER DETAILING. I'LL BE WEARING THIS FAUX-LEATHER JACKET RIGHT THROUGH TO SUMMER.

FOR MORE CASUAL DAYS, THROW THE VENDETTA ATOP THIS OH-SO PERFECTLY REVEALING PRINTED TANK FROM URBAN PIGEON.

SILKSCREEN LAVENDAR TANK BY URBAN PIGEON, $35

THIS TANK, LIKE ALL THEIR PIECES, WAS HAND PRINTED IN THEIR LOCAL STUDIO.

I BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF ACCESSORIZING--THERE'S NO BETTER WEAPON IN YOUR ARSENAL. AND THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR JUST ONE MORE. CONSIDER THE FLORA RING BY MYNTA.

FLORA RING BY MYNTA, $78

WITH ITS ORGANIC DESIGN AND GALVANIZED STEEL, THIS UNISEX RING IS THE PERFECT BALANCE OF TOUGH AND SWEET.

IN A FASHIONABLY MONTREAL MOMENT

AS SEEN ON THE BUS TRAVELING DOWNTOWN. FASHION-LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT...OR WAS IT SIMPLY LUST? EITHER WAY, I MISSED MY STOP GETTING THESE PICTURES.I COULDN'T RESIST SNAPPING THIS PICTURE WITH MY CAMERA PHONE. I WAS JUST SITTING THERE, WHEN THESE BEIGE SUEDE WITH CHOCOLATE LEATHER TRIM BEAUTIES APPEARED IN FRONT OF ME. NOTE THE HIDDEN WEDGE AND THE RIDING BOOT DETAILS. I ADMIRE HER FASHION COMMITMENT FOR BRAVING A MONTREAL WINTER DAY AND RISKING THESE LOVELIES.

FASHIONABLY MONTREAL

I'VE STUDIED AND WORKED IN FASHION, BOTH IN AND OUT OF THIS CITY, FOR NEARLY A DECADE NOW. IT IS MY HONEST OPINION THAT MONTREAL IS ONE OF THE BEST CITY'S FOR FASHION, AND ONE THAT IS SO RARELY RECOGNIZED AS SUCH. IT USED TO BE, BACK IN ITS HEYDAY. AND IT SHOULD BE ONCE AGAIN. I WOULD LIKE TO BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF THAT MOVEMENT.

THERE IS SUCH A WEALTH OF TALENT HERE--YOUNG AND NOT-SO YOUNG, EMERGING AND MAINSTAYS. FASHIONABLY MONTREAL IS A VEHICLE FOR DISCOVERING ALL OF THIS, COVERING EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD OF FASHION FROM THE COLLECTIONS TO THE PHOTOGRAPHY CAPTURING IT.

SOME OF IT YOU MIGHT RECOGNIZE AND SOME OF IT, HOPEFULLY A GOOD DEAL OF IT, YOU WON'T. I HOPE TO SURPRISE YOU AT TIMES, OPEN YOUR EYES TO YOUR OWN CITY, AND INSPIRE YOU TO BREAK YOUR CHAIN STORE HABITS (AS FABULOUS AS SOME OF THEM MIGHT BE). OUR DEAR CITY IS BRIMMING WITH FASHION, IN EVERY LITTLE CORNER. I HOPE YOU ENJOY OUR JOURNEY.

FASHIONABLY YOURS MONTREAL,

ANDREA