Further to its alliance with WHO'S NEXT, Montreal Fashion Week is making it possible for 12 homegrown designers to cross the Atlantic and meet with Europe's foremost buyers.  This economic mission will take place within the framework of the high-profile WHO'S NEXT show, the international fashion event to be held in Paris from September 4 to 7.  This initiative has been made possible thanks to Sensation Mode, an organization committed to forging alliances with the world's leading fashion events. This mission also benefits from the support of partners such as Quebec's Minist
re du D
veloppement
conomique, de l'Innovation et de l'Exportation (MDEIE - Department of Economic Development, Innovation, and Export Trade), the General Delegation of Quebec in Paris and the Office franco-qu
b
cois pour la jeunesse (Franco-Quebec Youth Bureau).

Last February, WHO'S NEXT and Sensation Mode concluded a novel partnership and, in the process, sealed an exchange program for emerging creative talent.  In fact, the 14^th edition of Montreal Fashion Week (March 2008) provided a dozen French designers with the program's first opportunity to showcase their talents and introduce their collections in North America via this outstanding Canadian fashion springboard.

The designers

Come September, twelve Quebec designers will get to show their own know-how: a va de soi, Collection Iris Setlakwe, Dom Rebel Threads, ve Gravel, Kitchen Orange, Myco Anna, Nueva, Report Collection, RUDSAK, Second, Tavn & Mitto as well as Touch of me. Once again, Sensation Mode has demonstrated its virtuosity and involvement in the promotion of fashion designers. Our participation in the WHO's NEXT show is definitely a major opportunity for us to show the international community what we can do and make our fashions known throughout the world, according to Payam Tavan and Mike Mitto for the Tavn & Mitto label. For Alexandre Abitan of Report Collection This is a unique chance for our brand to enjoy a higher profile in Europe since the WHO'S NEXT trade exhibition in Paris is a not-to-be-missed industry event!  Additional information on participants is attached. 

Forging ties

From the outset, WHO'S NEXT has showcased international creations, which account for approximately 50% of its offering.  Thanks to the collaboration of Sensation Mode, we have the opportunity of welcoming 12 Quebec labels which, in our view, offer highly promising potential on the European market.  So, welcome to these newcomers! We can now look forward to wonderful encounters at the upcoming WHO's NEXT! states the exhibition's General Director, Xavier Clergerie. 

The quality and positioning of WHO'S NEXT make this event a must for our designers.  Sensation Mode is thrilled with this alliance, which favours the growth of our designers creative talent and know-how.  This exchange ensures our presence on the international stage and not only allows, among others, the exchange of ideas among creators, but favours exports as well.  This is an opportunity for circulating, reaching out, and showing what we are capable of

adds Jean-Fran
ois Daviau, co-president of Sensation Mode.

Partners

The presence of Quebec designers has been rendered possible through the support of the Minist
re du d
veloppement
conomique, de l
Innovation et Exportation (MDEIE - Department of Economic Development, Innovation, and Export Trade), the General Delegation of Quebec in Paris and the Office franco-qu
b
cois pour la jeunesse (OFQJ  - Franco-Quebec Youth Bureau).

About WHO's NEXT

Created in 1994, the WHO's NEXT
International Fashion Show in Paris welcomed more than 50,000 visitors and buyers to its January 2008 edition, allowing them to discover the 2008-2009 fall-winter collections of more than 1,100 different brands in five different spheres of fashion and design.  This event is held at the Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre (50,000 m²).

About Sensation Mode

Sensation Mode produces the Fashion and Design Festivals, the Fashion Theater and Montreal Fashion Weeks. Over the years, Sensation Mode's stagings, which provide a window on the creativity and know-how of designers, have earned kudos, nationally and internationally, for their artistry.  

PRESENTATION OF THE 12 QUEBEC DESIGNERS

Participants at Who's Next 

a va de soi

Since 1972, a va de soi has taken the time to blend matter and know-how into knits
the time to choose the right fibres from the most noble materials soft or warm wools from far-away lands, rare Egyptian cottons that bear the stamp of the land from which they were grown'the time to meet with the world's most renowned master weavers, the Italians who give body, elegance, and colour to the raw materials
the time to do things right, to be attentive to the minute details that give simplicity its unique quality.

Website: www.cavadesoi.com

Collection Iris Setlakwe 

A sleek look: a classic revisited

Iris Setlakwe has a true fascination for detailed yet unfailingly simple styles.  Inspired by Grace Kelly and Jackie Kennedy, she plays the retro card by favouring highly feminine fabrics such as cottons, silks and linens.  Skilfully overlaid, shades of ivory, white and beige work with the freshness of coral to create a decidedly contemporary look.  Discover these fashions now! 

Website: www.collectioniris.com

Dom Rebel Threads

Founded in the fall of 2003 by Justin Svatina and Don Nguyen, Dom Rebel Threads is an independent menswear label based in Montreal, Canada, that specializes in hand-finished vintage t-shirts. The name Dom Rebel stems from its Latin roots, Dominus Rebellis, or "Master of Rebellion". All Dom Rebel styles are made in limited editions and sold in restricted quantities in order to maintain the uniqueness of every design.

Website: www.domrebel.com

ve Gravel

While in terms of fabrics, the designer has clearly opted for the eclectic, the combination of boyishness and femme fatale that is so characteristic of ve Gravel silhouettes makes her collections eminently wearable.  Omnipresent, overlays and asymmetry work together to lend each item a sensible quality.  From the outset
this is the designer's 12^th collection the label's popularity has grown relentlessly.  Today, ve Gravel's fashions are available from some forty sales outlets in Canada.  Just 28 years old,
ve Gravel is considered one of Quebec's most promising designers.      

Website: www.evegraveldesign.com

Kitchen Orange

Kitchen Orange was founded in Montreal by Gill Zagury.  Since its inception, it has gained recognition from fashion-forward women throughout North America and Japan. The design team plays with dramatic shapes and futuristic lines, often inspired by architecture. Kitchen Orange is a driving force in the thriving Montreal fashion scene. 

Website: www.kitchenorange.com

Myco Anna     

Since its inception in 1995, the fashion design house Myco Anna has provided concrete manifestos on the state of our planet through every item it produces. Each is made, either wholly or in part, of recycled and equitably traded materials. Beyond the choice of raw materials used, Myco Anna is committed to keeping both product manufacturing and management of the business local and equitable. Myco Anna label can be found in 80 points of sale across Canada, United States, Europe and Japan

Website: www.mycoanna.com

Nueva

From the time it was first launched in 2002, Nueva has met with tremendous success on the Canadian and US markets.  Since then, the collection has also been sold in Europe, Scandinavia, Russia and Australia with the same success.  The rich variety of floral and ethnic prints, the fluidity of the fabrics and the femininity of the lines harmonize to create head-turning styles.  Exuding freshness, Nueva is a fashion line for women intent on distinguishing themselves.  

Website: www.nueva.ca

Report Collection 

It was in 1999 that Report Collection made its mark within the men's fashion industry and continues to experience international growth since its inception. Targeted for the style conscious man who seeks fashion and quality combined into one, Report Collection brings affordable luxury to the fashion market and is setting the tone for a new direction in menswear. The spirit and concept behind the brand is to create a multi-diversified wardrobe that allows the man to constantly be up to date with fashion all while enjoying detail, fit and comfort!

Website: www.reportcollection.com

RUDSAK

A young, exciting company from Montreal that first opened its doors in the mid 90's, the RUDSAK label has grown quickly becoming Canada's leading leather fashion brand. The collection's outerwear, handbags, accessories and footwear line consists of timeless, city
inspired looks for both men and women. The brand's solid reputation for superior quality and innovative style is the reason behind its success.  RUDSAK is experiencing an exciting time in its history with 11 corporate stores and a strong wholesale business in Canada and the U.S.  The brand plans to further expand its collection to the European market.

Website: www.rudsak.com

Second

Second is a well established Canadian premium denim company. With Innovative ideas, extensive research and 100% Canadian production brings groundbreaking fashions to the Second collection season after season. World renown for its Yoga Jean, named for it flexibility and superior comfort, Second now proudly boasts a 40% organic product line. The name may be Second but they are always first.

Website: www.secondclothing.com

Tav
n & Mitto

Know for their impeccable attention to detail, Tav
n & Mitto offers refined creations filled with a new sense of luxury.  Their glamorous evening wear and tailoring has contributed to their success. Femininity, elegance and sensuality with a European edge are the keys to what separates their designs from the rest. 

Website: www.tavan-mitto.com

Touch of me

In 2002 Julie Magnan creates the brand Touch of me, diffused through Canada and France. Inspired by her studies of styling in Paris and influenced by its Montreal roots, her supple flexible and timeless creations reveal the Woman to herself, without forms imposed by the Society. Her dynamic Design studio borne in 2000 elaborates concepts of custom made knitwear collection for numerous brands and major stores.

Website: www.touchofme.com