FASHION Diaries

FASHION Diaries

All posts under ‘Denis Gagnon’


Fashion » At the shows

Montreal: Behind the scenes at Denis Gagnon with model Dana Drori

Model Dana Drori walks at Denis Gagnon's fall show at Montreal Fashion Week

At Denis Gagnon’s fall show, I chatted with Dana Drori, 21, one of the models who helped bring the Montreal fashion designer’s vision down the catwalk. (When not working the runway, Drori is an English Literature major at McGill University). Here is her unique perspective on what was undoubtedly the show of the season. [See our review of the show]

What was the atmosphere like backstage before the show?
“I think the hype was mostly perfectionist stress, getting the hair perfect and stable, and making sure all the girls had nude lips. But it was a pretty positive atmosphere, which was good for me because I get nervous before shows. During the first show one dress got completely tangled and Denis had to come and try to untangle it under time pressure. Ryan (the model) was just standing there naked ready to dash to her place in line as soon as she was ready, but the dress was too knotted and she missed her place, which wasn’t a big deal in the end. By the second show (the one open to the public) Ryan’s dresser had the whole fringe thing figured out and everything went smoothly.” Read the rest of this entry »


Fashion

Montreal: Sculpted zippers, butter-soft leathers and far-out fringe at Denis Gagnon

DENIS GAGNON Fall 2010. Courtesy photo

My first fashion intake at Le Marché Bonsecours – the main stage venue for Montreal Fashion Week – was local lady Marie Saint Pierre’s futuristic collection of body conscious jersey dresses. Other highlights that ensued included Helmer’s rainbow couture patchwork, Barilà’s rock band divas, and J.U.D.E.’s modern take on the 1960s—a show designer Judith Desjardins dedicated to the late Alexander McQueen.

By fashion week’s finale, it was back to the future with Denis Gagnon. After his impromptu second show last season (added last minute due to overwhelming attendance), it was a surprise to no one that the city’s fetish designer had two consecutive slots planned this time around: one at 8 p.m. for media and friends and a second at 9 p.m. that was open to the public.

With all the shows running behind schedule, come 9 p.m. on Denis Day, show number one was still waiting in the wings as Gagnon groupies lined up outside in a fidgety, albeit stylish, tizzy. Eventually, the Fashion Week police opened the floodgates and the masses poured in to take their places by the runway. Read the rest of this entry »


Fashion » At the shows

Toronto: Holts’ opening party shows off top Canadian talent

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A group of Canadian designers presented a handful of looks from their spring collections at last night's Holt Renfrew media cocktail party. Photography by Angela Y. Martin

Last night, Toronto’s fashion crowd gathered for the first official party of LG Fashion Week: the Holt Renfrew Media Cocktail. The bash is always a hot ticket, and in recent seasons, Holts has offered up a mini runway show to showcase the Canadian talent they’re featuring in their World Design Lab. This season, the group was, what the company’s VP of fashion direction, Barbara Atkin, referred to as “our own group of seven.” The presentation was a chance to take a peek at looks from designers who show in other cities, as with Jeremy Laing and Denis Gagnon, or who don’t do shows at all, as is the case with Mikhael Kale, Lida Baday and Smythe. Kale’s pieces were a space-age pastiche of skins, prints and fringe, while Baday showed a trio of simple, well-crafted pieces in black and white. And we never get tired of seeing what Denis Gagnon can do with leather. Also on the ticket were a handful of looks from Greta Constantine, who showed their full collection last week, and Pink Tartan, who’s up tomorrow night.

Check out the gallery of looks after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »


Fashion » At the shows » Fashion » Montreal à la mode

Montreal Fashion Week highlights

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A look from Denis Gagnon's Spring 2010 collection on the runway at Montreal Fashion Week. Photography by Jimmy Hamelin

The Marché Bonsecours overflowed with Montreal’s fashion crowd who teetered in high-heels over St-Paul Street’s cobblestones to take in three days of Montreal Fashion Week.

On day one, Andy Thê-Anh’s “cocktail” presentation unraveled more like a schmoozy happy hour social than a spring and summer preview. Latecomers tiptoed to catch glimpses of the central stage that doubled as a mini-runway while P&G Beauty reps (in coral mini-togas) served skincare samples on trays like canapés. Known for his sophistication and architectural details, Thê-Anh’s show sparkled (even from a distance) with various shades and intensities of blue paired with neutral white and black.

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Fashion

Denis Gagnon does DIY Aldo

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Denis Gagnon presented his Spring 2010 collection yesterday at Montreal Fashion Week (more to come on that soon). The starting point for the line was zippers, a theme blown out on the custom-designed Aldo footwear that Gagnon created with stylist YSO. (Gallery after the jump.) Read the rest of this entry »


Fashion » At the shows » Parties and Celebrities

Toronto: Holt Renfrew Media Cocktail

A model wears a design by Greta Constantine at the Holt Renfrew media cocktail.

A model wears a design by Greta Constantine at the Holt Renfrew media cocktail. Photography by Jess Baumung

On Monday night, Holt Renfrew hosted their media/VIP cocktail party, always the kickoff to Toronto Fashion Week. The gotta-get-an-invite party has long been held in the first floor handbag section, but this season, they moved the festivities up to the new third-floor contemporary space. The other change was a mini runway presentation featuring five Canadian labels: Mikhael Kale, Philip Sparks, Greta Constantine, Jeremy Laing and Denis Gagnon. Check out all of our party snaps!


Fashion » At the shows

David Dixon and Barbie Fall 2009

Photography by Jess Baumung

DAVID DIXON Fall 2009. Photography by Jess Baumung

Rev up your air-kissers: Fashion Week officially got underway with the Holt Renfrew media cocktail party.  Upon arrival we took the escalators up to the newly-facelifted third floor–contemporary never looked so chic.  The walls have literally been brought down to reveal an au courant open-concept floor plan that highlights many of the lust-worthy labels that even those struck by this downward dog economy still covet.
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FASHION Reporters

Montreal: Le tout de Fashion Week parties at Fullum & Holt

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A great ending to Montreal Fashion Week: Denis Gagnon’s runway show and after-party at the Fullum & Holt factory last Thursday! After regaining consciousness from the hypnotic and impressive fashion show (read all about it on Shirine’s blog), people woke up slowly to tunes mixed by Thomas Von Party while greeting friends and acquaintances on the temporary catwalk that crossed the factory.

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Fashion » At the shows » Fashion » Montreal à la mode

Montreal: Denis Gagnon Fall 2009

DENIS GAGNON Fall 2009. Photography by Jimmy Hamelin/Sensation Mode

DENIS GAGNON Fall 2009. Photography by Jimmy Hamelin/Sensation Mode

Euphoric, apocalyptic, and deliciously luxurious: Last night’s Denis Gagnon show was the highlight of Fashion Week.

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FASHION Reporters

Montreal: Fall 2009 Fashion Week preview

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MARIE SAINT PIERRE Spring 2009. Photography by Agnieskzka

The hell with cold! I’m putting on my four-inch heels, my chapka and my fringe skirt for Montreal Fashion Week (March 2 to 5, semainemodemontreal.ca), returning to Marché Bonsecours with a line-up that’s more daring and exciting than ever.

Read the rest of this entry »


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