HORST - PHOTOGRAPHER OF STYLE

This exhibition at the Musée McCord here in Montreal is a Must see for everybody who appreciate style and aesthetic. . .
Horst was a creative soul and one of the twentied centery´s most famous photographers.

As I went through this exhibition, I really could relate  to almost every theme and picture I saw.
I couldn´t help thinking how eternal style and aesthetic are. . . to this day, nothing is new - everything has been done before. It´s just a matter of interpretation and consciousness.

Even some of the designs of the "ancient" couturiers would be as contemporary today. . .

The exhibition was very extensive and organised into themes and periods of his life, staged in black and white, except the big Magazine colour-photos, staged in a more minimalistic white enviroment.

 Photo´s by John Frantsen

I couldn´t help, but take a few photo´s without violating any copyrights, just to show you, what you´re missing if you don´t go.

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LEITMOTIFS

At last a new post here. . .
After moving to Montreal May 1., getting settled and painting our new appartment, I finally got time yesterday to go and see my first exhibition at Musée du costume et du textile du Quebec, at The Bonsecour market.

Always worth a visit, if you are into that kind of thing.

 All photos by John Frantsen

The exhibition Leitmotifs leads us through the most iconic patterns by presenting nearly 100 pieces from the museum’s collection alongside creations by several Québécois guest designers: Betina Lou, Coloré Design, Niapsou Design and Travis Taddeo.

"Whether floral, animal, geometric or figurative, the patterns that grace the surface of fabrics give them personality. Like textile leitmotifs, they reappear over the centuries as the art of printing evolves, pacing fashion through their use on garments and accessories."

Different textile motifs and technics, like Paysley, Chevron, Wax, Tartan, Ikat, Polka dot and Liberty were exsamples.

What surprised me the most though, was all the dresses from Canadian couturier, Arnold Scaasi, a few from Dior and a wrap-dress from Diane von Furstenberg.
Next to the Leitmotifs, it was very interesting to study the design/cuts and bold colours of those.

On top, the exhibition is also displaying hundreds of neckties. Take a look at it before OCTOBER 25, 2015.

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QUEBEC FASHION

There is always something going on at The Musée du costume et du textile du Québec, in short MCTQ. Maybe you remember my post from september last year about knitting.

Some exhibitions that I would like to take a look at, if I was there. The first one has been on display for a while, but continues to run until April 18 this year :

"CHIC & CHOC presents sixty garments and accessories chosen for their scintillating beads and sequins, from a Roaring Twenties flapper dress to a stunning Céline Dion concert gown created by Annie Horth.

This journey through the 20th century is a chance to admire glittering pieces by well-known designers, including Quebec fashion stars like Clairette, Lily Simon and Raoul-Jean Fouré. Guest designers Ariane Carle and Rush Couture will both honour us with an exceptional new piece, including one created for the exhibition.

While shining a light on the CHIC, the exhibition includes some wonderful surprises – CHOC´s." 

-And the other Exhibition just opened yesterday.

Remember also to take a look at their hidden reserves here.

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DE LA BELLE ÉPOQUE AU PRET-Á-PORTER - REVISITED

When I visited the Musee du Costume et du Textile Quebec in Montreal earlier last month, they had reinstalled the Exhibition DE LA BELLE ÉPOQUE AU PRET-Á-PORTER, that I saw a few years back at the Grand Bibliothéque. It was a nice surprise!

 Photos kindly borrowed from the  MCTQs website. 

Attention please! - just a reminder of my GIVE-AWAY. Still one week to go.

A ROYAL FASHION PROMOTION

Photo: EPA

We were in Montreal at the same time as an official visit of the Danish Crownprince and princess, including a Danish fashion delegation were visiting Toronto and Ottawa the 17-19 of september.

The official purpose was to strenghten the relations between Denmark and Canada, as well as the partnership between companies. The fokus was on health, food, architecture / construction and fashion / design.

Photo: Martin Høien, Billed Bladet

But as we were checking the Media during the week, we were surprised that we didn´t hear anything about it at all in Montreal. Afterwards I only found something on a few blogs and Daily Mail online.

Maybe more important things were going on in Canada or the preparations were not in order. I don´t know. But at least I hope it payed off somehow.

CRÉATEUR de COSTUME

Finally back home from Montreal and N.Y., I am able to post about a very interesting Costume exhibition I went to see last thursday at Université de Montréal.  

It was about a Créateur de Costume named François Barbeau, born 1935 in Montréal. Apart from being a costume designer, he has worked as a theatre director, artistic director and set designer as well.
Right after his graduation from the Cotnoir Caponi School for haute couture in 1952, he was hired and created costumes for local theatres.
Later on for the Théâtre Botanique in Brussels, the Théâtre Populaire in Strasbourg, the Comédie Française, as well as Cirque de Soleil and many dance- and ballet companies in North america. He has also worked on programs for television and film. -And even at 81, he is still going strong.

Because of copyrights, I was not able to take pictures myself. But I had a nice chat with the host, who was so kind to give me an e-mail address, so I could aquire the pressphotos, which is shown in this post.

The exhibition was of course displayed in a very dramatic way and the best thing was, I could actually touch the costumes, which made up for not taking pictures.
It is always very fascinating to get a closer look for a professional like my self, to see how the costumes are made.

The Janine dress worn by France Castel in the musical theatre «i» from Marc Drouin and François Dompierre, Théâtre musical du Québec, 1998.

Ninetta dresses worn by Louise Turcot in «l’Oiseau vert» of Carlo Goldoni, TNM, 1998.

 

 

Corsets for differents productions.

 

Fabric samples produced at the Laboratoire de recherche du Cirque du Soleil.

 

Pictures of costumes from «Dralion» (1999) and «Wintuk» (2007) shows of Cirque du Soleil and books research for the Dubai’s project (2009).

 

First drawing for the Dubai’s project (2009) at Cirque du Soleil.

I think this exhibition deserves to reach a bigger audience, even if it´s only in French. 
Especially if you are a student or a proffesional in a creative field. 
It is "a must see". -And watch out, you might even learn something. I was very inspired. 

Go there before December 7th.

Photocredits: Hugues Poirier  © Centre d'exposition de l'Université de Montréal, 2014

TOTALEMENT MAILLE !

By researching what was going on in the Montreal fashion exhibition scene at the moment, I fell over an intriguing Exhibition at Musee du Costume et du Textile Quebec at the Marché Bonsecours.

I went there today and was pleasently surprised by what I saw.

"Totalement maille! - takes a look back at Quebec fashion from the 70s showing more than 40 colourful and sensual garments by knit-designer and artist, Francine Vandelac.
Challenging past knitwear traditions, her surprising creations were aimed at a young, hip audience and boast a remarkably modern, sexy look."

It was amazing to discover how visionary and inventive knitting was done at that time. A great deal of the models looked very contemporary. The silhouettes, the yarn and colours - all very inspiring. I was very impressed and can only recommend it, even if you´re not into knitting.

Photos, John Frantsen

But hurry up, if you want to see it. It only runs until october 12.
Remember to visit the virtual exhibition "Fitting Fashions" and discover the hidden treasures of MCTQs Collection by clicking the link on top.