Posts from ‘Montreal artist’
Collette Van Harren is back in Montreal!
Welcome home Collette. It is great to have you back.
Come check out Collette’s knit vests and ponchos in custom colours as well as her unique knit necklaces (shown above). These necklaces are made with one continuous knit piece. They are a stylish addition to any wardrobe ( I know I have one in my own). They are especially great for new or expecting moms as the one piece nature of the necklace makes for a safer neck adornment for concerned mothers who don’t want their child potentially chewing off some hazardous beads while nuzzling your neck.
What we are doing is real. It really impacts the community and sometimes that community is my husband (owner and chef of Restaurant Aux Vivres) and sometimes it’s my little brother Nick (artist, photographer and co-owner of Big Dog Screen printing). As an entrepreneur I feel more politically empowered than I ever did as a feminist, activist, or animal rights worker (yes, I have done all of those things). I have the decision making power of every cent I spend. I choose to buy locally made fabric. I choose to buy organic locally made fabric. I choose locally made thread, zippers and buttons too. Yes, it is more expensive than imported equivalents, but I can guarantee it is better quality and it comes with soul. When I switched to local thread, all of my machines started running better and needed to be re-threaded less often. The amount of people that those decisions affect are a ripple of local workers, salespeople and small businesses.
Oh, and I also only do business with people I like!
Let the good vibes flow.
Here is a little peek into the screen printing studio of my little brother Nick. Studio Big Dog printed the patches for my scout costumes at Circus Smirkus. His partner Carlos illustrated them.
This is not a unique Montreal story. Many of the artists and designers we have in the boutique are living from their art with the help of local shop-owners. We are a city of creative people.
My little brother is celebrating his birthday today. I love you Nick.
Studio Big Dog
5333 Casgrain, #416
Montreal, QC
Canada H2T 1X3,
Tel: 514 358 7007
contact@studiobigdog.com
Hand made in Montreal, Laura Fafard Bags.
Made from vintage recycled ties in eco friendly high fashion style.
Store your most precious valuables and tote them around town wherever you go. These bags are so hip in their deconstructed shaping. Crafty high art! I love the vintage button details.
I love the sentimentality of vintage prints. This bag is so sweet. I like it’s femininity. It would fit so nicely into a warm toned late summer, early fall, wardrobe. Carry it with you for a walk up the mountain or a trip out of town to pick some apples.
This one is bright and cheery and needs to go with you to a breakfast brunch “resto rendez vous” on the weekend.
Bags are my favorite accessories these days. You get lots of bang for your accessory money when you buy a bag. It takes up lots more space than some of the other finishing touches we reach for when completing our looks. Bags really impact your overall look and fashion expression when you are walking down the street.
Plus you can carry stuff in it. Bonus!
Donna truly is a jack of all trades! Shown here modeling her beautiful cami’s (which she sews, cuts, chooses the fabric for, delivers to stores and manages the inventory for – phew!), this lady truly is a powerhouse if I ever did see one!
Donna’s cami’s are essential to the KL boutique for both their beauty as well as their simplicity.
You see, most of the KL creations have multiple adornments, bold patterns and intriguing cuts when it comes to their style – to which the perfect classic or racerback cami comes in to save the day! Tank tops have become the wardrobe basic, making them perfect layering pieces and colorful pops to any outfit – simple or extravagant!
We have the cami’s in-store for the small price of $26 (made completely by Donna the one-woman-wonder, here in Montreal folks) in a rainbow of beautiful colors for you to match with your favorite dresses, pair of jeans or KL party skirt!
It’s summertime! Stock up on DB tanks!
xox
It has not even been three months since the KL teams involvement in the Bougez pour Haiti benefit, hosted by Montreal Gazette journalist Sue Montgomery, and already the proceeds have been applied to the Decamuss Business School in Port au Prince! Both the Katrin Leblond Boutique as well as Erin the store’s manager contributed via raffle prizes (a worth of over $500) to make this event a huge success!
New computers have been set up, teachers as well as rent have been paid, and the school’s damages from the horrible earthquake are all in the process of being repaired. The school is officially up-and-running teaching English, computer, and accounting classes. Although the aftershock of the earthquake still remains, students are increasingly enrolling in the schools programs with the dream of finding a suitable job when all is said and done.
Many students are studying there on either half or full scholarships, while few have the means to put themselves through the program themselves. Sues project for the future is student sponsorship – contributing individually to a students future (while they at the same time pay a portion to stay invested in what they are doing). Both Sue as well as Nickel Nicolas (the school’s director) have estimated the price of approximately $250 per person (every course and subject determines different tuition prices), so if you are interested in sponsoring a Haitian student’s studies don’t hesitate!
Contact Sue asap at montgomery.sue@gmail.com
In any case, another Bougez pour Haiti will be taking place this November to raise more funds for this cause. Sue has mentioned that the prizes as well as the event will both be larger scale and just as much dancing fun as the last!
Education is the most important thing we can give Haiti’s future, donate generously!
xox
The romance and poetry of roses is deep in our culture and our consciousness. It seems, dreams lay deep in the center of each one, under the folds of petals. Roses are like this incredible heady, intoxicating, offering and at the same time they seem, as if, they hold a mystery. Nature overwhelms when it comes to roses. Sent and colour overdose.
With roses, the artist plays on a palette of nature’s beauty.
After much searching, Katrin found real roses perfectly captured in resin.
These are possibly some of the most beautiful jewelery pieces I have yet to come across!!!
Designed in part by our very own Katrin Leblond and assembled exclusively by Sophie Lin Tran, these real roses have been coated with resin to immortalize their natural beauty!
Hung on sterling silver and 14K gold chains, embellished with real crystals and jewels… what’s not to love? These gorgeous statement pieces hit all the right feminine notes!
The weekend is almost here – hang in there and enjoy the beautiful day!
Don’t forget to spoil dad this Sunday for father’s day!
xox
Imagine the romance of dinner under a chandelier in a beautiful dinning hall or a secret garden. Imagine whispering with twinkling mischievousness to your companion. Imagine the music of tinkling fine china. This is the world I am transported to when I see the earrings and necklaces made by Shopie Lin Tran. A moment were the sweetest and most vulnerable parts of yourself are truly powerful.
Subtly express yourself. Combine sophistication, glamor and innocence. Sophie Lin Tran studies nursing here in Montreal. She dreams of offering palliative care or Pediatrics. She will nurse your Jewelery blues away (her creations above). Sophie Lin Tran is a lovely person and we think she is awesome both for her work and for who she is as a person. Sophie enlists her brother who she loves sooooo much to help her with sales on her jewelry line. Even when she is exhausted from her work study schedule she always has a smile. Sophie creates beautiful intricate, delicate, sweet accessories for the lucky few that snap them up before they are gone. Crystals, gold, sterling, quality materials are her inspirations…. She loves nature and colours and it shows in her work. We love Sophie!!!!!!!
When the magic of the garden wains and the city streets call out their own noisy poetry. When you want to imagine yourself wandering along a street filled with Paris shops or pedaling over cobblestone. Reach for a Melissa Bolduc creation available in all is subtle architectural fashion.
Melissa Bolduc’s (Melow) pieces are now in our shop. This wrap top (above) is available in teal and lilac and black! The jacket below is in linen and is available in aubergine, black and plum for a great price at $135. I love the arcitechtural dimentions to Melissa’s designs. These jackets are so comfortable and easy care. The more you wash them the better they get. The linen “melts like butter” as Kat would say.
Come and check them out!!!
Have a beautiful Thursday!
Bisous!
xox
Father’s day is this Sunday!!! Are you ready for it?
The KL boutique has these beautiful hand made (completely recycled from head to toe) men’s ties that are made in part by the stores manager Erin ($25-$35 ea. or two for $50)! Tell her a bit about your dad and she will pull the perfect match for his personality 
Also in shop that dads love (well, maybe more like everyone…) are our Eat Shop guides ($14.95)! A little pocket book that will help you maneuver around Montreal and experience some of the best shopping and dining the city has to offer… just make sure dad see’s it and you’re not always out “borrowing” it after…
Top it all off with a fabulous hand made card from the Jackie Basset collection ($2.50 – $5.50) and you have a great, original and fun poppa’s day gift!
Spoil dad, but especially with love and appreciation 
xox
Good morning world! Today here in the 514 the rain rules… and all I can think of is staying inside all warm and cuddled! The store’s Maillagogo sweaters are great for this, coming in an assortment of colors (exclusive ones at that) hand-picked by Erin, the KL stores manager, and made with love and care by the Maillagogo team here in Montreal .
Pair your cozies with some of the amazing new Elisabeth Johnston jewelery (below) and warm up to a nice cup of tea! I love rain days… an excuse to stay in and take life a little slower .
Enjoy the rain day
xox
The Katrin Leblond team welcomes you to the Montreal 2010 Formula 1 race weekend! Amongst all the hype and commotion we invite you to discover our wonderland for a little “break” from both the crowd and the parties!
Step into our world of color, creation and imagination… you will find the perfect ensemble to stand out from the crowd and allow your personality to shine!
Come visit us and allow yourself the souvenir of a great race weekend alongside a beautifully hand made Montreal wardrobe!
xox
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