8:00
This show was divided into groups, thank god. Had the blue, green, and dusty gray patchwork graphic tees come down the runway any longer than they did I would have been seriously tempted to vacate my front row seat and walk out.
Thankfully, the next—longer—portion of the show was more inspiring, with patchwork suits and knits, reminiscent of preloved coming down the runway. The pieces were a little more bohemian than those of preloved, but there are some very nice, creative pieces, like a white sweater dress paired with an over-sized patchwork knit scarf.
For some reason, these models dressed in colourful, cozy-up-at-the-ski-lodge knits were carrying military paraphernalia as accessories. Like whips, swords, a bow, a helmet, a shield; the themes conflict, but the weaponry does stop the show from getting monotonous.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Montreal Fashion Week: DINH BA DESIGN
7:00
The first thing I notice when I try to find my seat is the plastic runway. The second thing I notice is that there is no swag. Disappointing.
I had gotten used to the glossy dark-wood runway of Toronto fashion week, and this seems particularly unusual because the plastic isn’t even smooth. I’m surprised the models don’t trip. My concerns are addressed as soon as the lights dim and the show begins; the plastic cover is pulled away, revealing a white runway.
From this first collection I see that Montreal fashion is distinct from Toronto fashion. Not many of the elements I saw in show after show in Toronto are visible.
The suits are edgy, but distinctly feminine. The first few pieces are done up in a silver tweed, with a wide, black, buckled belt cinched at the waist. The collection starts strong, with the same silver tweed fabric done in dresses and skirts, mixed with voluminous, gathered black shrugs and collars. The show begins to disintegrate from here, with the incorporation of tribal graphic prints and the same suits as before done up in a silvery-pink tweed. Some things were just meant to be pink.
The first thing I notice when I try to find my seat is the plastic runway. The second thing I notice is that there is no swag. Disappointing.
I had gotten used to the glossy dark-wood runway of Toronto fashion week, and this seems particularly unusual because the plastic isn’t even smooth. I’m surprised the models don’t trip. My concerns are addressed as soon as the lights dim and the show begins; the plastic cover is pulled away, revealing a white runway.
From this first collection I see that Montreal fashion is distinct from Toronto fashion. Not many of the elements I saw in show after show in Toronto are visible.
The suits are edgy, but distinctly feminine. The first few pieces are done up in a silver tweed, with a wide, black, buckled belt cinched at the waist. The collection starts strong, with the same silver tweed fabric done in dresses and skirts, mixed with voluminous, gathered black shrugs and collars. The show begins to disintegrate from here, with the incorporation of tribal graphic prints and the same suits as before done up in a silvery-pink tweed. Some things were just meant to be pink.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Part-time teachers vote to strike
Part-time strike update
by Karen Fournier
Concordia part-time teachers voted to begin striking Monday. Maria Peluso, president of the part-time faculty association, announced today at a press conference that 25 classes will be cancelled starting next week. The number of cancelled classes will increase progressively.
Concordia University has just announced the strike will not affect students’ winter term. They are still expected to attend classes.
“If the professor does not appear for the course, it is nonetheless the student’s responsibility to turn in any work due for the course to the department office responsible for the course immediately,” reads a statement issued by Concordia University.
Concordia’s 900 part-time faculty members teach 40 per cent of classes. They are asking for better wages and improved job security. They have been without a contract for six years.
The Concordia Student Union and other student associations have vowed to support the part-time teachers’ negotiations.
- Karen Fournier.
by Karen Fournier
Concordia part-time teachers voted to begin striking Monday. Maria Peluso, president of the part-time faculty association, announced today at a press conference that 25 classes will be cancelled starting next week. The number of cancelled classes will increase progressively.
Concordia University has just announced the strike will not affect students’ winter term. They are still expected to attend classes.
“If the professor does not appear for the course, it is nonetheless the student’s responsibility to turn in any work due for the course to the department office responsible for the course immediately,” reads a statement issued by Concordia University.
Concordia’s 900 part-time faculty members teach 40 per cent of classes. They are asking for better wages and improved job security. They have been without a contract for six years.
The Concordia Student Union and other student associations have vowed to support the part-time teachers’ negotiations.
- Karen Fournier.
Monday, March 24, 2008
L'Oreal Fashion Week: Evan & Dean
3:00
In the press release for Evan & Dean it states that the designers, Raymond Boutet and Lyle Reimer, “create architectural garments ideal for the young professional woman looking to add serious edge to her wardrobe.” As cute a design and life couple these two make, I have to disagree. The clothes are tacky, some are ill-fitting even on the model, and they seem to have taken their 70s and 80s inspiration too far, styling their models with brown-orange contour make-up smeared from cheekbone to temple.
Model selection was also a contributing factor to the retro effect. As the man next to me accurately remarked of one model, “she’s an old lady.” Old models plus old clothes plus old make-up makes for a stale show.
In the press release for Evan & Dean it states that the designers, Raymond Boutet and Lyle Reimer, “create architectural garments ideal for the young professional woman looking to add serious edge to her wardrobe.” As cute a design and life couple these two make, I have to disagree. The clothes are tacky, some are ill-fitting even on the model, and they seem to have taken their 70s and 80s inspiration too far, styling their models with brown-orange contour make-up smeared from cheekbone to temple.
Model selection was also a contributing factor to the retro effect. As the man next to me accurately remarked of one model, “she’s an old lady.” Old models plus old clothes plus old make-up makes for a stale show.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
L'Oreal Fashion Week: preloved
2:00
I’m sitting in the back of this show nervously eyeing the mittens and cookies resting on the vacant front row seats. I’m lamenting my unimportance, underscored by my back row placement, as I sit on the edge of my chair, waiting for the announcement: “please move down into the front rows,” that accompanies shows that don’t fill up. The announcement comes, and I make it to the front row, to the cookies, but someone has already snagged the mittens from my chair. My jealousy of those with mittens only deepens as the show starts and I see the most beautiful and innovative clothing I’ve seen yet this week come down the runway.
Preloved is a Toronto based clothing line that recycles fabrics from old clothes to make new suits, knit-ware, jumpers, and jackets. Though this line incorporates trends from last fall—preppy, ski-lodge inspired knit-ware; opaque tights in bright colours; and school-girl-style jumpers—the recycling aspect of the design process results in imaginative layers and unexpected embellishments.
Preloved, is by far my favourite collection so far, and has redeemed fashion week for me when I was beginning to think the best part of the whole event was free stuff.
I’m sitting in the back of this show nervously eyeing the mittens and cookies resting on the vacant front row seats. I’m lamenting my unimportance, underscored by my back row placement, as I sit on the edge of my chair, waiting for the announcement: “please move down into the front rows,” that accompanies shows that don’t fill up. The announcement comes, and I make it to the front row, to the cookies, but someone has already snagged the mittens from my chair. My jealousy of those with mittens only deepens as the show starts and I see the most beautiful and innovative clothing I’ve seen yet this week come down the runway.
Preloved is a Toronto based clothing line that recycles fabrics from old clothes to make new suits, knit-ware, jumpers, and jackets. Though this line incorporates trends from last fall—preppy, ski-lodge inspired knit-ware; opaque tights in bright colours; and school-girl-style jumpers—the recycling aspect of the design process results in imaginative layers and unexpected embellishments.
Preloved, is by far my favourite collection so far, and has redeemed fashion week for me when I was beginning to think the best part of the whole event was free stuff.
L'Oreal Fashion Week: LEWD
1:00
The first fashion show of the day, and poorly attended, probably because of the early afternoon start time—some fashionistas actually have jobs. It could also be because LEWD delivers a lack-luster collection, sending grey sparkly sweatshirts and striped leggings down the runway, as if designing what everyone is already wearing makes you deserve your own show. The clothes are all things I did not need to leave Montreal in order to see.
The clothing line is Quebec based, and it looks like the designers picked up clothes right off the streets of Montreal. I suppose there is something to be said for wear-ability when it comes to fashion—and Canadian fashion is notoriously practical—but this line offers nothing new, except the incorporation of bows into the backs of the dresses and shirts. These are the first of many bow embellishments to come.
The first fashion show of the day, and poorly attended, probably because of the early afternoon start time—some fashionistas actually have jobs. It could also be because LEWD delivers a lack-luster collection, sending grey sparkly sweatshirts and striped leggings down the runway, as if designing what everyone is already wearing makes you deserve your own show. The clothes are all things I did not need to leave Montreal in order to see.
The clothing line is Quebec based, and it looks like the designers picked up clothes right off the streets of Montreal. I suppose there is something to be said for wear-ability when it comes to fashion—and Canadian fashion is notoriously practical—but this line offers nothing new, except the incorporation of bows into the backs of the dresses and shirts. These are the first of many bow embellishments to come.
L'Oreal Fashion Week: Press Conference
Tuesday March 18
My day starts with a press conference—my first ever—featuring the Mayor of Toronto, David Miller; the head of the Italian Chamber of Commerce, and the Fashion Design Council of Canada (FDCC). They announce a new program to help further fashion design in Canada—bursaries for promising Toronto design students to study at design institutions in Milan. In addition to the bursaries, the city of Milan will provide approximately 12,600 dollars to the chosen graduates to cover their living expenses while in Milan.
These bursaries could have a very positive impact on fashion design in Canada, a point stressed in my mind as I discover later in the day that I’m a traitor to Canadian fashion—more on that later.
My day starts with a press conference—my first ever—featuring the Mayor of Toronto, David Miller; the head of the Italian Chamber of Commerce, and the Fashion Design Council of Canada (FDCC). They announce a new program to help further fashion design in Canada—bursaries for promising Toronto design students to study at design institutions in Milan. In addition to the bursaries, the city of Milan will provide approximately 12,600 dollars to the chosen graduates to cover their living expenses while in Milan.
These bursaries could have a very positive impact on fashion design in Canada, a point stressed in my mind as I discover later in the day that I’m a traitor to Canadian fashion—more on that later.
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