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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:

  • Alton Gray, Arti Gogna, Complexe Desjardins, Dynamite, La Vie en Rose, Vincent d’Amérique, Ardène and Wonderbra will put on major fashion shows for the public.
  • The next generation will be represented by students from Collège LaSalle, the École de mode du Cégep Marie-Victorin and the Youth Fusion program, whose designs will all have their moment in the spotlight.
  • A true showcase of local talent, 12 Canadian designers—Marie-Ève Aubry, Yung_Alexander, Ève Gravel, Master Bougaricci, Autre Riche Gendrless, Sage Paul, Robert Atelier, Agence Luna, Kata Fashion Company, Beurd, Guillaum Chaigne and Bonvilain—will unveil their latest collections.
  • The RELUXE fashion show, an initiative of the Fondation Le Chaînon, will feature personalities from the art and business worlds clad in luxurious second-hand clothing and accessories.
  • Éditorial Mode & Design, Mode Mobile: an initiative made possible by the Gouvernement du Québec, where a group of models will make their way from downtown Montreal to the festival catwalk. Follow the parade!
  • Ton Barbier will showcase the best of local men’s fashion with his show, Gentleman Urbain.
  • Ethik Éco-Design Hub and their partners will put on an eco-conscious fashion day that will feature a conference, a mega clothing swap and a fashion show.
  • A fashion show will highlight Josiane Stratis’ inspiring idea : to offer clothes from her favorite designers in a wide range of sizes.

Musical discoveries guaranteed

  • Evenings will draw to a close on the main stage with talented artists like La Voix 6 participant, Cherry Lena, rapper, producer and beat-maker, Marie-Gold, and Montreal rapper, Nate Husser.
  • For festivalgoers who want to revisit 90’s classics, the Phi Centre will put on a 90’s karaoke night hosted by Tranna Wintour and Thomas Leblanc.
  • Guest DJs like Heidy Pinet, Forrest, Tōkinoise and Tommy Kruise will be on site every day to get the party started.
  • During the Apéros Musicaux Rouge fm & Virgin radio, celebrity hosts from the radio stations will cue up crowd favourites.
  • This edition will also set the stage for a big dance competition: Rencontre Fresh à mort | Fresh 2 Death Battle with Alexandra “Spicey” Landé. A festival first! Every day, waacking and hip-hop dancers will face off to secure a spot in the grand finale.

The Fashion & Design Festival Pop-Up Tour by Cominar

    • Every day, more than 40 pop-up shops and food trucks will open their doors, offering a special showcase for local artisans and designers and a unique shopping experience for festivalgoers.

 

  • Visitors can also take in various exhibitions and installations at any time during the festival, including the creative exhibition Collage by Collège LaSalle or the folding workshop inspired by the McCord Museum’s exhibition, Balenciaga, Master of Couture. They can also enjoy art performances presented by SOiR, discover works of urban art or just sit back in a stylish “placottoirs” lounge space.

 

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