MFW in review

My MFW

Day 1: The models weren’t the only ones to do a quick change last Wednesday evening. In fact I was even changing in a car! After one of the most hectic weeks of my year, I flew down to Montreal back from Toronto last Wednesday, arriving just in time to get a glimpse of the last few shows presented for MFW. Yes Montreal Fashion Week. Don’t you just love saying that? 6:00pm, just a few minutes before the Ralph Leroy show, I was struggling to pull together an outfit. Luckily I had my giant vintage fur coat which of course helped my "taxi rushed" outfit a great deal. So I was late.. in this case I can call it fashionably late.

After finally making my way up to the main event, I was pleasantly surprised.The Marche Bonsecours (this years MFW host) looked completely different. Yet very simple. I loved the atmosphere because unlike most fashion weeks, it was laid back. Sort of a fashionably nonchalant ambiance.

As I entered the room, the hosts had directed me to the standing section, however I somehow managed to snatch a seat in the second row which I then thought was great. Soon enough I realized it wasn’t so great...I couldn’t see any of the model’s shoes! For someone who works in the shoe industry, like me, that was very upsetting. Live and learn.

The runway room was very simple and clean, just how I like it. No distractions. Let the clothes do the talking! In the case of MFW, its somewhat necessary to have a simple interior design for the runway since many designers are presenting in one place. So the concept has to fit for every designer to adapt.

As the lights dimmed, the room slowly died down and and Ralph Leroy’s name appeared in big lit up letters on the backdrop of the white runway. And so the show began.

Unfortunately, the best part of the show was the shoes which as I mentioned were very hard for me to see. As for the clothing, I think the colors were wrong and nothing fit the models quite right. I also thought it was an odd choice of models. They were all different sizes and shapes which created a lack of fluidity. The styling was poorly done since every accessory, whether the chunky wrings or man purses, clashed with the entire collection. Don’t get me wrong, the accessories were very nice. Regardless they just didn’t help enhance, or show off the collection. I will give Mr. Leroy a little credit though. The last part of his collection, much to my surprise, actually did look sharp with a series of men’s suits and long coats perfect for the stylish business mens of Montreal.

One show down, one more to go.

As the crowds stormed out of the room, I was led to a lovely, yet very crowded, cocktail lounge area. It was a medium sized space with a bar on either ends of the room. This is were all the networking, socializing, and “being seen” happens. But best of all free stuff! As a magazine-aholic, I hit the fashion press stand and selected a few issues of the latest fashion mags. I love this atmosphere. Although many seemed to complain about how over crowded it was, I quite enjoyed it. Theres so much happening and everyone is excited. I love it. What I liked most was that for that moment, everyone seemed proud to be a Montrealer. I was.

Next on the schedule was Myco Anna. I must admit I was not familiar with this designer.

This time knowing the lay of the land, I wasn’t going to accept anything other than front row. And thats exactly what I got. So, Kassie ( my MFW companion) and I sat quite contently in our front row seats which we had spotted and eyed up to the last few minutes in the hopes that no one would dispute us.

This collection wasn’t at all of my taste. Grant it, it was definitely out of the ordinary. Lots of colors with a little touch winter fairytale to it. Still,it felt as though I was back in the late 90’s. I have seen this all before (in the 90’s!). The hair and makeup was extravagant yet poorly done. Over all I was not impressed. Definitely not runway material. (The shoes weren’t so bad on the other hand!)

After this show I was done for the night. Absolutely exhausted, I went home feeling exited for the following day. Rudsak!

Day 2: I took a big breath as I entered the Marche Bonsecours Thursday night as I knew I was faced with a bigger challenge this time. Not only did need to get front row again, but I needed front row for a sold out show! Its was definitely going to be an interesting night.

The second I stepped in, I recognized a few old friends with whom I had organized many nightlife oriented events in the past. After realizing that they where part of the official sponsors of MFW, I knew it was fate for me to run into them again. In fact, my friend Josh who represents Hype energy drink in Montreal, and has always sponsored events for me, was one of the main sponsors. So, as I mingled i slowly made it down the chain of whose “list” I should be on. Once this information was finally revealed to me, I jumped in front of the line and was immediately handed two tickets! I handed one over to my friend and met up again with my old friends. We walked in with our heads held high and asked the hostess to direct us to the best seats. Without ever doubting are actual seat numbers, she brought us straight to the front row. Mission accomplished.

Now, this show was much more up to criterion. It set the bar high for any following designer, and was more suitable for the Montreal style. For this fall, Rudsak, known for its leather designs, impressed us with his dark monochrome silhouettes somewhat in theme with the somber economic times we are currently experiencing. With a new trade mark leather-like hood, he definitely had everyones eyes shopping. Additionally, the female models recurrently sported fur accents as well as sheer flowy dresses to contrast the rougher bicker look that was emphasized by ridding/motorcycle style leather boots. I must say those boots were fabulous. The men all paraded large great leather bags and even backpacks. It was more or less of a put together winter grunge look. And that is definitely a look that is very “couru” at the moment. The music also complemented the collection with a modern upbeat soundtrack. The room was kept very dark throughout the show to emphasize the general obscure feeling of the show. Evik Asatoorian can be proud! It was a great way for me to end my Montreal Fashion Week adventures.

I look forward to the future fashion week for Montreal to see how they will improve on this series of events as well as attract more press. Based on the conclusion of this year's MFW, the board has decided to invest more money and efforts on the marketing aspect rather then the designers. This is a great step for Montreal seeing as we need more press to help put Montreal on the map.

-Emma-