The Montreal Fashion and Design Festival is one of the city's hottest events. Since its debut in 2001, every summer, up to half a million visitors attend the series of free outdoor runway shows and spectacles.
The festival truly unites music, beauty, design, art and shopping. This year's festival is expected to have huge performances, and several Montreal boutiques will be providing fashion advice and discounts in celebration of the festival.
Events will commence on Monday July 29 and will run until Saturday August 3. Each day of the week is filled with fashion shows, musical performances and other activities from morning to night.
Since the week of festivities is packed with so many things to do and see, we've created a guide, highlighting the biggest events of the festival that you won't want to miss!
(1) High Heel Race
When: Wednesday, July 31 at 12:30 pm
Where: Corner of De Maisonneuve and Mcgill College
The high heel race encourages participants to run in heels of at least 3 inches for Le Chainon, a Montreal women's shelter. Participants can register in teams and several prizes are to be won.
(2) Lasalle College Fashion Show
When: Wednesday, July 31 at 5:30 pm
Where: Esplanade Fashion stage
Watch models strut their stuff on the runway with pieces designed and made by talented Lasalle College students.
(3) 5 Bloggeers, 5 Looks
When: Wednesday, July 31 at 6:15 pm
Where: Esplande Fashion Stage
This fashion show will exhibit the hottest trends for this Fall 2013- reinterpreted by 5 different style bloggers. The bloggers will include:
Aurélie Letizia- Lili is Brunette
Marie-Pier Lessard- Carnets Mode
Gaelle Leroyer- Blog Mode
Stéphanie Godard- Modern Antoinette
Carolane Stratis et Josiane Stratis- Ton Petit Look
(4) Complexe Les Ailes
When: Thursday August 1 at 12:45 pm
Where: Main Stage
Followed by an urban art performance by Jean Charles de Castelbajac, this is the official fashion show of Complexe Les Ailes, which will present retailers' picks for this Fall's most popular trends.
(5) Rock n Couture
When: Thursday August 1 at 7:30 pm
Where: Main Stage
International model and rising music maven, Ryan Martel will be manning the electronics on the stage, in collaboration with Lisbon Lux Records.
Check out some of her music HERE
(6) Forever 21
When: Friday August 2 at 9:00 pm
Where: Main Stage
A fashion show led by Forever 21, showcasing their newest collection and trends.
(7) Ice Cream, Sweet Lemonade- Barila
When: Saturday August 3 at 3:00 pm
Where: Esplanade Fashion Stage
A fashion show in collaboration with ELLE Magazine.
Along side these exciting spectacles and fashion shows, several fashion outlets, in collaboration with the Fashion and Design Festival will be offering special discounts and sales, including:
Jacob- Thursday August 1 (5:00 pm- 10:00 pm)
Forever 21- Thursday August 1 (6:00 pm- 8:00 pm)
Suzy Shier- Thursday August 1 (5:00 pm- 9:00 pm)
Garage- Friday August 2 (5:00 pm- 9:00 pm)
Dynamite- Friday August 2 (5:00 pm- 9:00 pm)
Guess- Saturday August 3 (2:00 pm- 6:00 pm)
Marciano- Saturday August 3 (2:00 pm- 6:00 pm)
The Fashion and Design Festival includes many more events, shows and activities, learn more about the upcoming excitement HERE
