Home and away

Aloha!

At this point you’re getting to know me and my obsessions: funky fashion, France (its cakes, luxe, createurs and ironic humeur) and of course, sun and sea. So when I heard that the Bay was launching a new style department, Maison B., which carries hot brands like Tara Jarmon, Andy Thé-Anh and Ça va de Soi, I immediately cancelled my yearly shopping trip to Paris (but not my Grenada escapade!). We definitely need more cool brands like these (and soon, with the new TNT store in Westmount, we’ll be splurging on amazing stuff from my favorite French designers, too, but it’s a secret scoop).

For more local designers at wallet-friendly prices, I’ll be heading to La Braderie de la Mode Québécoise at the Bonsecours Market (from April 17 to 20) where more than fifty brands (Marie Saint Pierre, Rudsak, etc.) will be giving us ze good deals.

And of course, the hot subject: Montreal Fashion Week. Great organization, great venue, many good names, but not enough content for a fashion snob like me. I loved Marie Saint Pierre’s super-soft architectural collection, Helmer’s romantic dresses and some of Myco Anna’s eco-friendly patchworks, but I really missed old favorites like Denis Gagnon (who’s launching a collection of bags for Fullum & Holt this fall!), Renata Morales and Philippe Dubuc, who is busy planning the opening of his European store.

I’ll be looking out for more great talents to share with you, but meanwhile, I’m getting a hot Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil bikini at Lyla, a pair of Dolce gladiators from Holt Renfrew, and, budget allowing, a Dries Van Noten choker from Mona Moore. Only then will I be ready for my summer of Caribbean island-hopping.