Here today, LGFW tomorrow.

By Kortney L. Shapiro
Photo credit: Miranda Whist

It’s MTL Fashion Week. After picking up press passes, I proceeded into Marché Bonsecours, in the heart of Old Montreal. Culture kids flooded the showroom, with waitresses in frothy dresses holding trays of complimentary cosmetics (PS: Lip stain? All gain – no pain). Members of the media were given privy access to the media lounge, in which we sipped espresso while uploading photos onto MacBooks that were provided. Within moments, models began to appear on a revolving stage in the middle of the crowd, showcasing designer Andy Thê-Anh’s Spring 2010 collection.

The ladies rocked strong side parts and structured separates: their outfits evocative of a male fantasy of a cross between Madonna circa-1984 and Barbarella. Cone bras and bold-shouldered sylphs spun round and round the stage. Leave it to a Montreal designer to take the “clichés” out of a potentially blasé show and turn it into a spinning circus of curious charm.

While sitting front row at Montreal’s own Christian Chenail’s MUSE show, Grace Jones’ “I Need a Man” came pummeling through the speakers as the plastic wrap was peeled back. “Soulevez vos pieds! Soulevez vos pieds!” shouted the men in black tight shirts. The whispering crowd quickly turned into a cool hush. Although a number of the designers seemed perhaps too simple and lacking in that characteristic Montreal “edge”, MUSE Par Christian Chenail was a delight for the eyes. I looked beside me and noticed Mr. Baxter getting camera-happy and snapping away at all the interesting pieces.

After pretending to enjoy my frothy lame-excuse-for-a-cocktail, I opted to look for a dirty martini somewhere. While hunting, I stumbled upon yet another tray of thickening mascara and couldn’t help but wonder: couldn’t P&G up the ante next season and perhaps shell out some designer duds instead? Oh, say, pair of those kick ass shoes Andy’s models were sporting? My lashes are voluminous enough.

Just sayin’.