See the Future of Style at Montreal Fashion Week

Photo from last year’s Montreal Fashion Week by Kat Sark.

Today through Sunday, Sept. 8 marks the 23rd edition of Montreal Fashion Week. Most of the festival’s programming takes place at Arsenal, a former Old Port shipyard repurposed as an impressive new gallery and exhibition space.

While the week’s events began last night with an exclusive invite-only presentation of Eve Gravel’s new collection, the festival officially launches today, Sept. 4, with a VIP and press-only cocktail party that you’re probably not invited to, you fucking plebe.

However, most of the week’s events are open to the general public, including runway shows unveiling new collections by Denis Gagnon, Martin Lim, Travis Taddeo, UNTTLD, Anastasia Lomonova, Mélissa Nepton and many more. Tickets cost $15 for presentations in the gallery, $25 to see single runway shows and events on the main stage, or $75 for a day pass.

The Arsenal space also hosts several art shows, including a photo exhibit celebrating Eve Gravel’s 10-year anniversary by Maude Arsenault and LYN, a minimalist installation by haute crochet artist Jocelyn Picard.

Thursday, Sept. 4, Montreal Fashion Week is staging several free events geared more toward up-and-coming and amateur designers. Parsons (NY) design professor Marie-Geneviève Cyr will be giving a free presentation (in French) on the craftier end of Montreal’s design scene at 3:30 p.m., followed by Exhibit 23 at 4:30 p.m., a group showing of a number of up-and-coming designers. The exhibit is set up as a series of presentations, collections displayed by static models, and participants include atelier b., Tamé, and La Raffinerie, among others.

The must-do event of the week is Montreal’s first edition of Anna Wintour’s baby, Fashion’s Night Out. Get dolled up and head to the Old Port for champers and shopping as ten high-end boutiques throw open their doors and stage special surprise events. Thursday between 6–11 p.m. on St-Paul and St-Pierre streets. ■

Most events take place at the Arsenal Art Complex (2020 William), and tickets are available here. See the festival’s program for details.

Be sure to check in with CULT MTL daily, as our fashion columnist Kat Sark will be providing updates and photos of the week’s events.