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Montreal Fashion Week looking for international exposure for designers
MONTREAL - Fashion can certainly be seductive and that’s a distinct label Quebec designers are comfortable wearing as they look for international exposure.
Montreal Fashion Week opened on Tuesday with creations from more than 20 Quebec designers for spring and summer 2008. With global competition, this event is trying to position the designers internationally, said Chantal Durivage, co-chair of fashion week, which ends Thursday.
Montreal already considers itself the fashion capital of Canada and is looking beyond its domestic reputation.
“So what we’re showing is a style that our neighbours on either side of us don’t have in their wardrobes,” Durivage said in an interview.
She believes that Montreal’s French and English cultures, a North American and European influence and multiculturalism all play a part.
“It’s something that influences our designers. It’s very seductive definitely, yes, of course,” she said. “There’s this little flavour, you know, it’s distinct and people love it.”
Among the Quebec labels at the show are: Morales, Rush Couture, M Siamo, Helmer, Marie Saint Pierre and Collection Iris, all known locally and trying to increase international exposure.
