On and off the streets, Montréal flaunts its flair for fashion design all year long. Long known as the official "Headquarters of the Canadian Rag Trade," Montréal now has a new fashion district on rue de la Montagne near the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, where high profile, prize-winning designers like Marie Saint-Pierre, Karen Perry and Nadya Toto have installed themselves in fabulous showrooms and other designers are flocking to sign leases.
Marie Saint-Pierre, winner of a Griffe d'Or Laureate and a bronze medal at the Mecene Award contest in Los Angeles, was the first Québec designer to be accepted to New York City's Salon La Coterie. In 1993, the American TV show Front Runner chose her as one of the three most interesting personalities in Montréal and did a special coverage of her.
Nadya Toto's thousand-square-foot boutique called L'espace has three levels linked by a silver staircase. The striking architecture and minimalist decor designed by Michel Prete serve to highlight the apparel and accessories showcased like objets d'art. "I wanted to create a remarkable space with a soothing ambiance blending Japanese austerity with Occidental mellowness," Nadya Toto explains. L'Espace has carefully-designed lighting with miniature halogen projectors, beige velour columns, murals, a marble and marquetry floor, an old stone fountain and a video screen at the entrance flashing images of designers collections.
No comments:
Post a Comment