Swap n' Shop on May 29th

Bigger and better than ever, a date has been set for the next Montreal S.W.A.P.!

Brought to by the awesome folks of The S.W.A.P. Team, this massive clothing swap will go down at Musee Juste Pour Rire on May 29th.

They've changed up the format this year and it's going to be very exciting: a one day event starting at 2pm and going to 3am, DJs, a fashion show (styled by yours truly!), on-site fashion consultations from Ludique, and a V.I.P. lounge for those swapping haute couture labels!

This year, due to overwhelming demand and limited space, you pay for your entrance (a nominal donation to the non-profit) by buying your ticket beforehand here. The Couture Salon is extra but well worth it if you have some luxury brands hanging at the back of your closet to trade in for some same-caliber duds.

How does the S.W.A.P. work?
You donate clothes and get 1 ticket for every piece of clothing (must be in good condition, no stains and rips!) and you can trade in every ticket for a new piece of clothing you find at the swap.

How do you donate your clothes?
It's so easy - email clothingpickups-MTL@theswapteam.org and they'll pick it up for you!

For way more in-depth information about the swap, check out http://theswapteam.org/happenings/take-off-your-clothes-montreal.

Don't miss out!

All hail the sale: AU CŒUR DE LA MODE

If you missed the Braderie, here's yet another amazing sale of many local designer labels. AU CŒUR DE LA MODE is a Quebec fashion sale that raises money for the Farha Foundation. The proceeds of AU CŒUR DE LA MODE assists the Farha Foundation to continue to help the more than 20,000 men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS in Quebec.

Click here for deets and here for a full list of designers.

Springin' Lightly

I think it's safe to say that all Montrealers are yearning for warm breezes, sun and a respite from winter. It's looking like the weekend just may bring us that and so here's my spring fashion roundup. My eyeballs are thirsty for colour, florals and DRESSES. Mmmm.....

All of these goodies are made right here in la belle province by our incredible talent.

Kimono Nudo by Simone's Rose.

Bailey by Valerie Dumaine.

Diana by Jennifer Glasgow.

Carolina Wren by Birds of North America.

Aurore by Jennifer Glasgow.

Tiffany by Simone's Rose.

Rock Wren by Birds of North America.

Fauna by Valerie Dumaine.

Dream Team: The Perfect Bag Arrives

Once upon a time, I had a dream. A dream of a purse that could rearrange itself into a variety of bags - laptop, clutch, purse, shoulder and messenger. This dream bag would be a classic black, made of soft leather that was easy on my conscience, and hardware that would stand the test of time. Best of all, it would be hot-to-trot and go with anything I wear.
The bag of my dreams (and yours) has arrived. With a Conscience. The 007 is made from upcycled leather, has plenty of inside and outside pockets, interchangeable fringe and strap accessories, and Mini-me (a detachable clutch).


The creation of a dream bag takes a dream team. In this case, The S.W.A.P. Team, Montreal Couture and local recycled leather accessories designer Deborah Adams (about whom I haven't stopped raving on this blog) joined forces to crowd-source and design the perfect bag, a portion of which will go to supporting the SWAP and Montreal Couture's not-for-profit endeavours."So how do I get my hands on one?!", you ask? Simply sign up for the SWAP's newsletter here to ensure you receive your invite to the exclusive online pre-sale. Only the number ordered will be made to reduce waste. The price has not yet been released but is guaranteed to be less than the retail average with a higher quality production (being the owner of multiple Deborah Adams bags and belts, I can personally guarantee it!).


Ok, stop drooling and go sign up - I don't want to hear "I wish I'd gotten one" when you run into me, 007 and Mini-me on the boulevard.

All hail the studio sale! Jennifer Glasgow this Friday/Saturday

I'm so excited I can hardly write this post: Jennifer Glasgow is having a studio sale to make way for her new Spring/Summer collection. This Friday from 5 - 9pm and Saturday from noon to 5 at

5643 clark #114.

There will be some inventory from the last three seasons, and some samples that have never seen the light of day. Don't miss it!

Facebook link here.

Majolie

For a while now, I have been madly in love with the quebec-knit line, Majolie. Creation of the gorgeous and talented Lysanne Latulippe, Majolie provided us with luscious, unique and devastatingly feminine knitwear. Made in Quebec no less! Alas, this collection is on pause for the time being while Lysanne works with some our other local fashion heroes.


Instead of mourning the loss, take advantage of the sales. I was at General 54 and all the pieces I've featured here are in stock and on sale.



I picked up this tied-at-the-neck herringbone sweater, in white and black. It was 50% off! There's one last one left, in medium so get 'em while you can!

Here's hoping this isn't the last we see of Majolie!

(p.s. the General is just down the street from Jennifer Glasgow's studio - see the previous post about her studio sale and kill two birds with one stone!)

All hail the sale: Birds of North America

Birds of North America, one of my favourite Montreal labels, is having an 40% sale on what's left of the Fall/Winter '09 inventory.

It's an online sale only - check it out here: www.shopbirdsofnorthamerica.com/sale



P.S. General 54 is open for Nuit Blanche! Check out the deets here.

Random Round Up

A random round-up of what's on my fashion mind this week.

I was interviewed for this great article on Montreal's Craft culture by Aaron Vansintjan. Check out - well articulated.

If you've admired this skirt I've been wearing, get it NOW - on sale for $39! So easy to wear. Comfy, soft and easy to combine with a variety of tops and leggings.

[While you're on Michelle's etsy shop, check out the new S/S collection. Delicious. I also picked up a pair of her luxe leggings which paired fantastically with my Denis Gagnon over the weekend.]


Upcoming Chatte Bottee sale at HQ on the 25th. Vintage boots n' shoes. Don't miss it!

All hail the sale: Preloved!

It's preloved's Annual Warehouse Sale! Preloved makes stylish new duds from recycled and used garments.

10$, 20$, 30$, 40$ Maximum price 50$!

4 Days Only:

Thursday January 21st 12-9pm
Friday January 22nd 12-9pm
Saturday January 23rd 11-6pm
Sunday January 24th 12-6pm

4832 Blvd Saint Laurent

Bodacious Bras

I recently visited Secrets from your Sister, a bra-fitting boutique in Toronto, Ontario. There I learned the truth behind a well-fitting bra (see bottom of post for a summary of what I learned!) and that we can apply conscious consumption to what's underneath our clothes.



I asked the very helpful staff about Made-in-Canada lingerie, and they showed me Grenier, pride of our own belle ville de Montreal since 1860! The collection covers all the bases - from plus sizes to wireless to teddies to control tops and bottoms - all reasonably priced and proudly made in Canada.



I also picked up a couple bottles of Soak, the Made-in-Canada no-rinse handwashing soap for your delicates (as seen on Dragon's Den!). I've been using it for 3 weeks - so far, so good!



Bra-fitting tips!

1. Cup sizes are relative to the rib size. So a 32 D is not the same cup size as a 38 D (it's smaller).
2. If your bra rides up in the back, it's not the straps, it's the rib size - it's too large.
3. When trying bras on, try it on the loosest hook so that over the years you can tighten it.
4. Handwash your bras, don't throw 'em in the machine! They will last many years this way.
5. Wash them every 1 - 3 wears.
6. Most of us'll "pudge" out of any bra - don't judge the fitting by it.

All hail the sales!

January is a great time to get some good deals. It's rare that boutiques carrying a lot of Made-In-Canada designs have major sales, but there are some jems this month.

I'd highly recommend popping by Jeans Jeans Jeans - I was in there helping a friend pick out a pair of made-in-Montreal Second Yoga Skinny jeans, and found a rack of Guido & Mary, Lois and Seconds at half-price. Plus, the second pair is seventy-five perfect off! And that's off Jeans Jeans Jeans' regular prices, which are below suggested retail.

Another great sale is going down at La Gaillarde in St Henri. It's on until the 24th of this month.


I've had my eye on a young designer, THIRD EYE by Dessaivre, whose eco up-cycled creations are carried there. Her work is romantic with an edge of dark, using lots of creams and black and lace.

S.W.A.P.'s 2010 Challenge

By know you've probably heard about H&M slashing & dumping new clothes instead of donating them to charity.

There have been some interesting reactions, such as H&M and Wal-Mart saying they will ensure it will never happen again.

Another is The S.W.A.P. Team's 2010 challenge to swap instead of shop, shop local when buying clothes, and downsizing, amongst other things. Read the full challenge here and sign up in the comments!

Happy New Year!

Dear readers,

I hope 2010 brings you goodness, grace and style galore.

I am making a resolution to only make vintage, second-hand or Made-In-Canada fashion purchases this year, in addition to clothes swapping. Wanna join me?


A new initiative from the city of Montreal will make it easier to buy local fashion while supporting local retailers. Montrealfashionmap.com is an interactive map that encourages supporting the local fashion scene. There's still a bunch missing, but designers can send their info to the Ville de Montreal to be added.

[Not convinced that second hand shopping is worth the work? Here's a glance at my New Year's Eve dress - I've worn it ever New Year's eve since 2005. It's a hand-sequined haute couture body-hugging mini, complete with snaps to hold in your bra straps (!)... I got for $5 at Value Village.]

Happy New Year,

Rachel

All Hail The Sale: Style Cutters

I'm doing one last show this holiday season and I'm really stoked about it - three fashion designers, two jewellery designers, two handbag designers and a reclaimed wooden toy maker will descend upon Blizzarts, our favourite plateau watering hole.

More than just shopping - enjoy cocktails, desserts, music and old films.

We will be there all day, from 12h - 19h. Come by, say hi, and gift your loved ones or yourself with local creations!

Featured Designer: Simone's Rose

One of the best things about doing the Holiday Craft Fair circuit is meeting and bonding with other designers. I had the great pleasure of hanging out with the wonderfully effervescent Michelle Maynard of Simone's Rose, a Pyxus Passion Project.

When I first met Michelle at Smart Design Mart I tried to limit myself to one piece, the first being this fantastic Amour Houndstooth high-waisted skirt (as seen on me here at the Billie Boutique Blogger's night. Paired with a Pretty Raccoon fringe shirt).

But I spent the week dreaming about the Hailey dress, and so when I saw Michelle at Puces Pop/Rusty Plum I had to try it on. It fit like a glove and it was mine!

This is the dress you'll be seeing me in at a holiday party near you. Paired with my new booties, of course.


Just look at the gorgeous pleating of the sleeve...


Simone's Rose is a brand new line, built upon years of experience creating custom clothing and designing in the commercial fashion industry. Michelle's taste in cut and fabric are impeccable and the quality of the workmanship is undeniably high. Check out her Etsy shop, facebook page or make an appointment to stop by her Mile-End studio. You'll be happy you did!

General 54's Fall/Winter line-up

I stopped in at General 54 recently, one of my favourite Montreal boutiques carrying Canadian-made goodies. They had painted and redecorated and it looked so great in there, I had to snap some pics of some of the great fall fashions they have in stock.


Like this ski-meets-tailored fashion top from co-owner Jennifer Glasgow's line:

Or this gorgeous grey top, also from Glasgow.


This Ramonalisa top is both slouchy and fitted in all the right places.

This gorgeous silkcreened linen dress is from the very-last-ever Nokomis collection.


This sumptuous sweater is brought to you by Anastasia Lomonova.

A gorgeous up-cycled creation from the one-and-only Supayana.

Nothing screams fall more than this red tartan blouse from Grob.


There was also much Birds of North America that I have been drooling over - but photos didn't turn out :(.