Organized by the Association professionnelle des designers de mode du Québec (APDMQ), Sessions mode de Montréal presented two runway shows a year featuring the collections of Quebec designers. The event was held seven times, from 1995 to when the Association folded in 1998.
Created for retailers and the press, the initiative aimed to promote local talent and support its marketing efforts, both inside and outside Quebec.
Over the years, the fashion shows were presented at locations like the Monument-National theatre, the Ritz-Carlton hotel, Complex Desjardins and Bonsecours Market. At its height, Sessions mode de Montréal presented shows for some 15 designers, all of whom had to pay a participation fee of around $5000. The event was largely financed by the Quebec Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Science and Technology and Canada Economic Development.
In September 1997, the APDMQ created the Montréal Design Mode awards, with designers Lino Catalano and Christian Chenail as the inaugural winners. In March 1998, at the last edition of Sessions mode de Montréal, Lino Catalano and Christian Chenail won again, along with Hilary Radley and Hélène Barbeau.
Sources
« Lauréats des Sessions mode Montréal », Le Devoir, 17 avril 1998, (récupéré dans BAnQ)
« Les designers pourraient perdre leur association professionnelle : Les Session mode de l’automne n’auront pas lieu », Le Devoir, 13 novembre 1998, (récupéré dans BAnQ)
« Les Sessions de Montréal : L’événement réussit tant bien que mal à susciter un intérêt pour la mode et à promouvoir les griffes québécoises », Le Devoir, 13 mars 1998, (récupéré dans BAnQ)
« Les 10 points forts », La Presse, 18 septembre 1996, (récupéré dans Eureka)
« Montréal en train de manquer le bateau », La Presse, 1 avril 1998, (récupéré dans Eureka)
Publication date
01/10/2004
Writing
Dicomode
Revision
Madeleine Goubau, Contributor