As a fashion-obsessed U0 in my first year in Montreal, it was only natural for me to pounce on the opportunity to score a ticket to Montreal’s annual Fashion Week. Upon browsing the website, I was ecstatic to find that not all of their shows were exclusive, and that some were available for general admission. The ticket prices weren’t through the roof either—tickets ranged from $15 to $25 (plus taxes and fees), depending on the designer. The line-up featured mostly unknown designers, but Martin Lim’s collection preview caught my eye. Well-known or not, the fashionista within me squealed with joy as I purchased my ticket.
Showtime was approaching, and I hurried out to catch a taxi—there’s no such thing as being fashionably late to a runway show! The venue was at Montreal’s Arsenal, a converted shipyard built in 1846 that now showcases contemporary art on the west side of the island along the canal. The Arsenal whisked me out of the cold, unwelcoming Montreal winter and into a world of style and glamour. Pieces of art adorned the walls, chic furniture filled the room, and impeccably dressed guests chatted along an open-concept bar at the back of the venue. Martin Lim’s show was to be held in the Main Hall, and the queue for the much-anticipated collection was buzzing with excitement.
I was lucky to secure a seat in the third row even with general admission. Electronic, trance-like music opened the runway show, and soon, models filled the stage—at first two by two, then, one by one. The collection began with a flourish of eclectic pieces, and foreshadowed the fringe fest to come; fringe, as well as silk cords and flaps, adorned countless pieces in cool, refined shades from grey-mauve to vivid cerulean. For footwear, each model sported the same chunky wedge wrapped in grey fabric, providing an element of consistency among the wide and creative range of clothing.
The minimalist clothing and barely-there makeup on the models stood in stark opposition against their extravagantly styled hair. As a finishing touch of femininity, Martin Lim’s signature free-flowing layered evening dresses appeared near the end of the show, showcasing the designer’s great attention to detail. I particularly liked the high-low evening dress in black and cerulean silk chiffon, with a low back tastefully cut in a V.
Martin Lim’s Fall 2013 show comprised of a modernist, chic rendition of style. Lim refers to the fringe as a look back in time, referring to the flapper fashion trend of the roaring ‘20s that has been bordering the attention of many designers for a few seasons recently. The ambiance of the show was one to remember, and the image of a smoky runway bathed in a wide array of cool colours lingered in the minds of its audience. The promising work of these young up and comers keeps the fashion crowds waiting for his next collection—what will Martin Lim offer for Spring/Summer 2014? Here’s to another queue of anticipation and excitement for the upcoming season. Living in such a vibrant city certainly has its perks, fashion or otherwise, so get out there and take advantage of it.
Photos from Karen Chen and urbanexpressions.ca
