AN URBAN CELEBRATION
The Fashion & Design Festival by Groupe Sensation Mode
unveils the programming of its 18th edition – August 20 to 25
#FMDMTL
Montréal (Québec), July 23, 2018 – In a few weeks, the iconic Fashion & Design Festival will come of age with the opening of its 18th edition. The biggest outdoor fashion and design event in North America, the festival will take over the Quartier des Spectacles for six days and six nights of non-stop festivities.
A major annual celebration of creativity in the heart of downtown Montreal courtesy of Groupe Sensation Mode, this latest edition features an eclectic mix of programming that includes fashion shows, multidisciplinary performances, live creative sessions, concerts, design showcases, pop-up shops and urban dance events, all unfolding in a cheerful and jovial atmosphere.
Here are the highlights of an anniversary program that will transform the Place des Festivals into a true creative lab where delightful discoveries and inspired encounters await.
INDOOR EVENTS | FMD TALKS _ August 20, 21 and 24
Wilder Building
Tickets starting from $25
Once again this year, the public will have the opportunity to attend inspiring conferences with renowned guests during the FMD TALKS.
An exciting new conference has been added to the FMD Talks entitled Montreal: A History of Fashion. Eva Friede, journalist and former fashion editor for the Montreal Gazette, will welcome Herschel Segal, founder of Le Château and an important figure in the industry who will share his depth of experience with conference attendees. Tickets on sale starting today.
As part of the conference series, hosted by Stéphane Le Duc, the festival will also welcome acclaimed international figures like Robert Lepage, Caroline Issa, François Demachy and Vincent Leret. For its part, the Business Lunch series, hosted by Jacques Nantel and Debbie Zakaib, will feature conversations with Sofia Sokoloff, Elisabeth Rioux, Andréanne Marquis, as well as Marie Saint-Pierre and Jean-Christophe Bedos.
OUTDOOR EVENTS _ August 22 to 25
Place des Festivals in the Quartier des Spectacles
Free
The Fashion & Design Festival’s outdoor programming, though rich in content, is totally free! And if you’re on the lookout for an urban multidisciplinary experience, there’s a little something for everyone.
Open-air fashion shows
Once again this year, the FMD will set up its ever popular catwalk at the Place des Festivals, where festivalgoers can enjoy both fashion shows and creative performances. On the agenda: 20+ fashion shows featuring Canadian designers and major brands, all designed to offer a sneak peek at upcoming trends and a ton of inspiration:
Musical discoveries guaranteed
The Fashion & Design Festival Pop-Up Tour by Cominar
LE FMD AROUND THE CITY
Partner activities
Starting today
The Fashion & Design experience will also take place in several partner venues like the McCord Museum, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal and the Cinéma du Parc.
SQUAD FMD18 _ Exciting new element
The Fashion & Design Festival unveils its Brigade FMD18, an exciting new element that naturally aligns with the spirit of the event. For several years, the FMD has welcomed passionate and engaged spokespeople. This year is no exception with the arrival of four personalities well known for their involvement in different cultural spheres. Starting today, Lolitta Dandoy (_fashion), Stéphane Le Duc (_conferences), Cherry Lena (_music) and Alexandra “Spicey” Landé (_dance), will showcase different aspects of the festival.
FOR FULL PROGRAMMING AND A DETAILED SCHEDULE, CLICK HERE
FMD thanks their partners
The Fashion & Design Festival thanks the Gouvernement du Québec, the Ville de Montréal, Canadian Heritage and Tourisme Montréal, as well as the contribution of several important partners like Cominar, the Loews Hôtel Vogue, Place Ville-Marie, the Montreal Eaton Centre and Place Montreal Trust.
About the Fashion & Design Festival
The Fashion & Design Festival celebrates creativity and diversity in the heart of downtown Montreal. Founded, produced and overseen by Groupe Sensation Mode, this unique gathering offers free events featuring urban art, fashion, design and music, as well as conferences with internationally acclaimed personalities. Every year, emerging artists, Canadian designers, retailers and international icons share their art and vision with the public. A true urban platform, this event is the biggest outdoor happening of its kind in North America, with more than 550,000 festivalgoers expected this year.
About Groupe Sensation Mode (GSM)
Groupe Sensation Mode has established itself as a creative laboratory where large-scale events are conceived, produced and presented.
Well-known for its successful productions such as the Fashion & Design Festival and Montreal Fashion Week, Groupe Sensation Mode brings together emerging artists, established designers, retailers and personalities from the fashion, art and design industries. The Group has developed several innovative concepts, such as Fashion Theatre on stages in Berlin, Tokyo, New York and London, as well as the Fashion & Opera Runway Show in Los Angeles and now URBANI_T, an open air playground in Toronto.
Since its inception in 2000, Groupe Sensation Mode has provided a showcase for design creativity and talent, increased the array of events offered and set up impressive partnerships in the fashion capitals of Paris, Berlin and Tokyo. Groupe Sensation Mode is considered a fashion and design leader in North America.
Media relations:
Roy & Turner Communication
Chloé Rossi | crossi@roy-turner.com | 514 652-6478
Isabelle Longtin | ilongtin@roy-turner.com | 514 266-3295
Myriam Comtois | mcomtois@roy-turner.com | 514 462-1383