Posts from ‘Montreal Fashion Week’

Jul
13

Check out this two page colourful spread!

This is a new mag about Montreal and the creative people that fill this city.

Thank you M!

PS:  Some of these styles are still available in the boutique.

Top left bending back (Bibi with red tulle $120, Red Pop Cardigan wool $74)

Bottom Left page (Poppy sexy dress XS only $99)

Top Right page (Katharina Dress XS, S, L, XL $149)

Right Page middle with butterfly hair clip (Goddess Dress $220)

Right Page bottom right (Party skirt cotton print $220, Silk Bustier $158)

May
27
  1. Alright everyone… it’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for… the Athena dresses are OFFICIALLY in-store!  This runway highlight (and equally talked-about statement piece amongst Montreal Fashion Week attendees), will absolutely be flying off the racks with the beautiful weather we have been having as of late!  Priced at $325 in an abundance of fresh and classic colors (turquoise, black, fuschia and grey) and in sizes XS to XL…wait too long and they will be gone  – you have been warned!!!

    Gorgeous draped jersey cotton embellished with hand appliqued frills makes for an all around amazing summer look.  Wear it casually poolside,  dress it up for a special event or rock it on an urban level with a funky/flirtatious handbag and wedges!  This dress will take you high and low and become your new best friend :) .

    I just know this will be the next signature KL dress… this one is history in the making (and you can hold me to it)!

    xox

Mar
24

Fashion shows are vibrant, beautiful and fun recreations of the designers all-so vivid imagination.  What I always find intriguing is the entire thought process of building a collection.  How did someone get from point A to B?  What inspired them?  How were palettes and color combos dreamt up?  Here are Katrin’s Spring/Summer 2010 collection palettes of what inspired some of your favorite runway looks… from imagination all the way to reality.  Proof that dreams and fantasy realize every day in all shapes and sizes :)

Enjoy!

Hope your week is getting better and better as the days unravel…

xox

Mar
19

Little Miss Aya, something of a mascot to the KL Boutique spotted here in the Crest photo booth during the 18th edition of Semaine de la Mode!  Work it girrrrrrl, work it!  A future KL catwalk model in the making…

… and of course I had to include one of THE coolest paper doll cutouts I have ever seen (one of Kat’s picks) – Alice in Wonderland paper puppet kit!  Created by Brian Gubicza, (an American illustrator) for every little boy and girl around the world that refuses to let a small part of them grow up :)   Never never land is really just a state of mind…

Have a beautiful Friday and weekend filled to the brim with magical little girls, fantastical wonderlands and flower accessories!

xox

Mar
12

It is always fun to hear what different members of the press have to say after a big event or show… but sometimes it is even nicer to experience a bit more of an intimate look into what goes on behind the lights, cameras and action…

There is an unbelievable amount of preparation involved in pulling off a fifteen minute fashion show.  Months of planning, booking, creating and finalizing for the thrill of entertainment and being able to visually vocalize an idea and mood :)   It is such a beautifully frivolous yet completely necessary endeavor.  Inviting and treating the very people you dress – the very people who are the brand, to indulge in the new picture board of perfection you have dreamt up and realized!  How could anything be more satisfying?!?

These beautiful black and whites were shot by Kat’s younger brother, Nick Leblond, who’s backstage experience was everything he seems to have captured in his shots – peaceful.  He described the models (some of which Kat has used in her previous Sensation Mode show) to be at ease and confident, assured and ready.  None of the regular anxiety feel or rushed paranoia that some shows can create.  The most beautiful thing that Kat recalled to me in an e-mail the day after the show was what she said to each and every one of the models before they walked out on stage…

“I keep re-living the line up and how great the girls looked back stage.  They were so stunning.  So generous.  Before every one of them went out,  I looked her in the eyes, took her hands and told her: You are beautiful.  Go slow.  Breathe.  Smile.  Enjoy.  You are a queen”.

The lineup!

The girls were drop dead gorgeous and did an incredible job… I love the fact that these ladies really are the strong women they projected on the catwalk.  I love even more the fact that the confidence they injected to their walks and struts are not an act.  These girls ain’t faking a thing… they truly are the KL goddesses Kat designs for :)

xox

Mar
04

So last night at the Bonsecours Market Katrin blew us all away with a smashing show filled with color, vivid patterns, contortionists, acrobats and positive vibes of acceptance and love!  One of the only Montreal designers this year to showcase both a fall/winter collection as well as Cruise!  The world of Katrin Leblond saw many new additions – bikinis, customized shoes, handbags and an incredible avant garde art statement piece.  What about those manslaves?!  Two of them holding up the acrobatic vixen… just proves further the power of feminine energy induced into the performance :)

Look who it is!  Anna, one of the girls from the Boutique walked the Sensation Mode runways in full fabulous character… embodying the style and confidence that epitomises the KL brand.  If you liked what you saw, be sure to drop by the Boutique and let her know!

Now the bikinis I flat out loved.  Super flattering, super textured and a super refreshing escape from all the somber black, grays and neutrals we’ve been seeing all week in the fall/winter collections!  I could picture myself wearing one of these in the South of France or Spain with a picnik and glass of red wine tucked away in my beach basket… *sigh*

This turquoise Grecian dress was a crowd pleaser… so many people tweeted it as their favorite and pointed it out to me in conversation.  It is one of those effortlessly wearable summer/vacation items that we all need in our closets… color, detailing and not too tight!  This piece will most definitely sell out as soon as it hits the KL racks.

Now this lady was something special.  Contorting her body every which way (in heels might I add), she actually did a couple of back flips mid runway and proceeded to walk down the catwalk on all fours upside down (I know… crazy right?!?).  She really caught people off guard as she blended seamlessly into the show as a model before starting her elegant displays of bendable talent and strength for the world to see.  She was, to put it simply and to the point – incredibly amazing.  The thing I loved most about incorporating all the circus elements into the show was that it is not a theme for Katrin.  These are the people who her designs cater to (and quite a large portion might I add).  Performers, comedians, actresses and singers flock to her boutique every DAY for ensembles that will capture their personalities and deem their acts unforgettable.  The rest of Kat’s clientele are REAL women.  Women with curves, women who want clothing to flatter and function their lifestyles.  Strong and intelligent characters who want to shine every single day and be noticed.  Women with flair.  The models in the show really represented that to me.  The eighty year old lady who came out at one point looking like the fairy godmother, the plus size woman who looked ravishing in the long skirt and hooded jacket… and of course all the beautiful size sixes and eights that graced the runway!  Any trend or style can be pulled off when you are 5′ 10″ and a size 2… dressing different body shapes yields a completely different challenge.  I think Kat really continues to ace that test and “keep it real” in the most creatively unreal way… lol!

Flirtation will get you everywhere!

And the statement piece!!!  A caged bodice with makeshift fleurette pasties of sorts and ankle length sheer skirt… you don’t see the back in this picture but the caged frame was laced up like a bustier with ribbon… oh the extravagance!  Glad to see some fashion that was purely for the dreamers :)

So congrats to Katrin on the show being a grand success and also to the audience who brought an amazing energy to the Marche Bonsecours!

We were thrilled to have and meet you all!

xox

P.S. A big thank you to the Lab Creatif for posting these pictures… stay tuned… a more detailed review of the KL show to come :)

Mar
03

The entire KL team is buzzing with excitement and anticipation of this evenings Sensation Mode presentation!  Get to know these familiar faces because you will be seeing them scattered all around the Bonsecours Market… they are the unique love fueled team headed by the divine Katrin Leblond who make the KL universe go round :)   We are loud, proud and some kick ass confident women!  On behalf of the whole team, I would like to thank Katrin for creating an everyday environment where employees feel like a family and team… where our individual personalities are encouraged and nurtured and appreciated for their strengths.  Where wackiness is endearing, ideas and dreams possible and beauty endless.  I love working with you all and am SO proud to be part of the crew again!!!

So come say hi, don’t be shy… meet the very people who craft your favorite KL ensembles, make the Boutique such a warm and inviting place and keep you informed on KL happenings :)   WE want to meet YOU and hear your voice!

The show is gonna kick ASS (and I have a sixth sense about these things…)!

Défilé de Mode- Fashion show

le mercredi 3 mars, 18 :00h, Wednesday March 3rd, 6pm

Marché Bonsecours, 350 Rue Saint-Paul Est, Vieux Port

Venez au paradis. C’est un appel à toutes les femmes : déesses, ensorceleuses, prêtresses : adorez et soyez adorées. Découvrez-vous à nouveau. Exultez! Venez à la rencontre de la Grande Reine Hiémale, inclinez-vous devant l’ Exo-Vierge, soyez envoûtées par la puissance de la Vieille-Sage, et imaginez vous avec l’air de toutes les nymphes…

Come to paradise. Calling all women: goddesses, witches, and priestesses, worship and be worshipped. Tumble into yourself. Be uplifted. Meet the High Queen of Winter, bow before the Un-Virgin, experience the power of the Crone, and discover yourself in the allure of all the vixens…

Mar
03

Just in time for a little itty bitty extra sneak peek into the KL Fashion Show preparation universe I give you three more of these divine custom shoes!  A few facts you should know about tonight’s show…

Katrin searched high and low for size six and eight models!  Seeing as none of the Montreal Agencies had enough girls that size, she hired individually from nearly every modeling agency in town…

…one of our models we are particularly excited to have as well (but we won’t blow her cover… surprises are best left anticipated).

Also, because the Katrin Leblond morale is all about feeling good in your own skin (and shoes), every custom pair of shoes you see here are the models own!  Kat asked everyone to bring in an old pair of heels that they felt comfortable struttin’ their stuff in that she could transform into artistic masterpieces.  All I can say is that those lucky models are going home with the first ever pairs of KL footwear!  Does that not make you want to dig deep into your closet and recreate an old favorite (or at least wish Kat would continue her shoe adorning talents)?!

Can’t wait to see you all at the show tonight at six (please get there closer to five thirty to allow seating to run smoothly)!  More details about time and location on the Facebook Event Wall

Boy we are all in for a treat!

I’m so excited… just can’t wait…

xox

P.S.  Thank you to all who mentioned the slow loading pictures of the previous shoe post – I will be fixing that shortly and compressing the pictures from now on for maximum upload speed!  Bear with me :)

Mar
01

Attention!  Attention!  This just in… an exclusive KL sneak peek at just a few of the custom made shoes to be seen in the fashion show this Wednesday at Marche Bonsecours (more details and how to RSVP on the Facebook Event Page).  Gorgeous shots taken from Kat’s studio… I swear when I opened my e-mail and saw these for the first time my jaw dropped!  How is it that every time I check out the boutique or take a glimpse inside of the KL teams mind I am glorified each time more than the last?!?  Truly inspiring to witness a fountain of never ending creativity and youthful design!

All I’m sayin’ is that I hope these footwear creations don’t end at Fashion Week… imagine a whole line of custom KL shoes to match your perfectly crafted ensemble…

Happy Monday world and Happy official first day of the 18th Edition of Montreal Fashion Week!

xox

Feb
27

I LOVE these Rob Ryan silkscreen prints (one of Katrin’s many hidden gems in the art world)… all made by hand from original ink drawings by a little team of artists all the way across the pond in London… Rob is known for his paper cutout pieces, laser cutting techniques and screen prints.  How beautifully divine and precise!

What a beautiful little shopfront… love the blast of turquoise ;)

Now this, I flat out love.  Who knew that Rob Ryan collaborated with uber unique jewelery designer Tatty Divine?!?  For those who aren’t in the know, Katrin’s boutique has been known to carry their individual and rare necklaces… T-Rex dinosaurs, swinging acrobats… with Tatty anything can inspire a wearable piece of art!

Alongside his extensive prints, Rob has done some amazing commissioned work – my personal favorite being the cover of British Elle Magazine for London fashion week!  You see, lifestyle, art, fashion… it’s all relative and interconnected…. each one influencing the next.

Visit his shop and take a look around!

If you haven’t already, join the KL team on Facebook and become a fan!  Tweet with us and make sure you RSVP for next week’s showing at the 18th Edition of Montreal Fashion Week (Wednesday the 3rd of March 2010 at 6pm)!  Send your name to katrin@katrinleblond.com to be put on the guestlist – hurry though, spaces are limited and filling up fast!

Tomorrow the KL team will be celebrating the beautiful store manager Erin’s birthday!  Hip hip – Heray!  Pictures to come (I promise)!

Have a beautiful weekend – see you back on Monday!

xox

Visit the Boutique!

Katrin Leblond Design 4647 Blvd. St-Laurent Montréal, Québec, H2T 1R2 CANADA

Visit the Official Site!