Fashion Preview, state of the art of Montreal fashion

A few weeks ago, we took off for Montreal, a city full of surprises and excitement. It is the crossroads of Europe and the United States, a city with a special energy that attracts many French expatriates every year. Throughout this stay we were able to meet exciting designers in fashion but also in design.

Mode Avant-Première is in its fifth edition of Fashion Preview, the must-attend fashion event in Montreal, took place on April 5, 6 and 7, 2016. Fashion shows, designer meetings, parties, sales exhibitions, contests, Fashion Preview gives a showcase to Montreal’s uninhibited fashion.

It is within the framework of the Coeur des Sciences of the UQAM that we discovered the collections of an undeniable quality, proposed by about thirty designers of ready-to-wear and fashion accessories.

They were invited to imagine a universe of their own, on the theme of Nordicity, in order to share their vision of fashion and their next collection with the public, the buyers and the media present.

Here is the portrait of this bubbling new fashion scene.

Alexandre dit Sandy
A graduate of École Supérieure de mode de Montréal, Emilie Mathieu has been active in the Quebec design scene for the past ten years. Wishing to explore the theatrical side of clothing, she entered the world of costume at the Cirque du Soleil, a determining experience that allowed her to work with the material from different angles. It was during his graduate studies at the Istituto Marangoni in Milan that his desire to launch his own men’s fashion line was revealed. She then created Alexandre dit Sandy, a young design house that in a creative spirit combines technical and innovative fabrics with men’s fashion. For several years, innovative materials have been transforming our way of life, it’s the techno-fashion movement. The line is solidly tinted with the colors of Quebec and its four seasons. The expression of the heritage is everywhere inherent: « we preserve only the essential of this past of builders and pioneers of Quebec, and this without falling into the folklorist ». His name was inspired by one of his ancestors, a man of character who inspired him greatly.

Allcoveredfashion
Allcoveredfashion is a Quebec-based company founded in 2015 by designer Noémi Harvey. The label for the young modern woman advocates versatility, quality and authenticity. Designed and made in Quebec, the designs of the garments are inspired by art, architecture and textures. Allcovered is a new label reflecting the image of the modern young woman, combining simplicity, femininity and audacity.
Since she was a little girl, Noémi Harvey, founder and designer of Allcoveredfashion, has dreamed of a career in fashion. At the age of 14, she received her first sewing machine as a gift and the magic began to happen. Following her high school studies, she began a technical program in fashion design at the Campus Notre-Dame-de-Foy. She graduated in 2014, and with a head full of ambition, she began university studies in entrepreneurship and SME management. It is with passion and determination that she finally launched her company Allcovered at the age of 21.

Claudette Floyd
Based in Montreal, designer Claudette Floyd has been known as Rush Couture for many years. The new direction of the brand allows the name to be changed to Claudette, which brings the affirmation that the brand was missing. Claudette’s brand has been known for the simplicity and assertive elegance that is projected through her creations, even with the name change. Claudette Floyd has long been known for her exquisite fabrics, silk, chiffon, lace and jersey. This mix creates beautiful options for any occasion.
The brand
Claudette Floyd represents the Claudette brand by Claudette Floyd, a professional and unique brand that maintains the concept of being « feminine forever ». Whether sexy and romantic or simple and classic, Claudette brings a versatile brand that can appeal to any clientele.
The designer
Born in Jamaica and raised in Montreal, designer Claudette Floyd is known for both her cocktail dresses and elegant evening gowns. Claudette studied at LaSalle College, but it wasn’t just her studies that got her into fashion. Claudette was not only inspired by big brands like Saint-Laurent and Dior, but also by her mother who was a dressmaker.

College LaSalle Collective
In this exciting world of new possibilities and solutions, strict definitions are evolving to become more fluid, established boundaries are changing and borders are becoming non-existent. By transcending class, race, and gender, a more tolerant and less judgmental world is emerging in which cultural and geographic divisions are blurring and people are beginning to move forward together. This moment of transition to a utopian, classless and more uniform society is represented by a collective collection of one-size-fits-all clothing worn by a diverse group of models. Each of the elements were designed by different graduating students of LaSalle College. A very fine performance.
Project management and artistic direction: Milan Tanedjikov

Styling: Sinz Bal, Mikayla Di Grappa and Vanessa Antonacci

Visuals: Jennifer-Lynn Christie and Kaven Tremblay

Sound: Frankie Teardrop
About LaSalle College International School of Fashion, Arts and Design
LaSalle College International School of Fashion, Arts and Design is Canada’s leading fashion school. For more than 40 years, it has propelled young talent in design and fashion marketing on a national and international scale. LaSalle College has many renowned graduates such as Marie Saint- Pierre, Denis Gagnon, Mariouche Gagné, Annie Horth, Jérôme C. Rousseau, Travis Taddeo, Pedram Karimi, Frédéric and Mathieu Joncas and Thomas Tait.

Dominique Ouzilleau
Born in Montreal in 1967. Family heritage, 3rd generation manufacturer. Since 1984, Dominique Ouzilleau researches, experiments and creates unique techniques. He is one of the only designers to perfectly master all the steps of fur garment manufacturing. More than just a name, it continually reinvents the way we make things. Her first experiences with dressmaking date back to the age of 11. He launched his own label at the age of 24.
Now recognized in Quebec, the United States and Japan. He collaborates with major fashion houses such as Féraud, Christian Lacroix, Lagerfeld, Givenchy, Fendi, Torrente, Bally and many more.
His highly personal techniques and top-level expertise give designers the opportunity to explore new approaches to garment design.

Emi Jeen
Emi Jeen is an alternative pop singer-songwriter from Montreal, Canada.
In 2010, she was selected to join the international pop group Akasha/A.K.A and toured for 5 years in Malaysia, Thailand, Dubai, the USA and Morocco.
The group attracted the attention of Ubisoft, who gave them the opportunity to include their first single « Hot for me » on the Just Dance 4 game.
In 2015, Emi decided to pursue her solo career, and it was then that Emi Jeen was truly born. She will release her first EP, in spring 2016, produced by Pierre-Luc Cérat (Bran Van 3000) and Shane Murphy.
Emi Jeen loves fashion and as part of Fashion Preview, she teams up with three renowned Montreal designers, Elisa C-Rossow, Maison Cyma and Anomal Couture, then secretly lets you discover her new music. Welcome to the world of Emi Jeen.

Helmer
In its quest for technical knowledge and ever-higher standards, HELMER has never ceased to follow the most advanced training courses in cutting, design, textile design and all the arts and crafts at the service of Haute Couture. Driven by the desire to surpass himself and to go even further, he began as a tailor for men and throughout his career he followed technical and artistic training courses, including those at Lasalle College in Montreal and then, when he arrived in Paris, those at Esmod, the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture school and the Lesage School of Art Embroidery.
After 20 years in Paris working for the biggest names in Haute Couture, Ready-to-Wear Luxury and entertainment, while presenting his own collections, HELMER back in Quebec teaches casting at « Arts Libres » and presents in March, with the support of LABCREATIF, his new Montreal collection Fall-Winter-Cruise 2007-2008 entitled …The art and technique mastered …
Highly acclaimed by the press and critics, the craze is such that this collection, which was only meant to be a publicity stunt for his courses and his design office, becomes the buzz of the season.
Today, with the help of a small team, he is beginning to federate the most advanced know-how in Quebec. Step by step, with its Couture line, its ready-to-wear line, its brand new accessories line and the development of Costume de Scène, HELMER is building the foundations of a Haute Couture brand made in Canada.