Press release
For immediate distribution
July 31 to August 3, 2013 in the heart of downtown Montreal
Fashion & Design Festival Back for a Vibrant 13th Edition
Montreal, June 13, 2013 – Today, the Fashion & Design Festival (FDF) outdoor casting call took place at
Place Ville Marie’s Esplanade and drew in over 300 professional models. At the event, the FDF revealed
its programming and announced that Maybelline New York will be joining as an official beauty partner
for the Festival. The FDF is pleased to welcome such a prestigious brand and major asset to this event
that, for four days and nights, will transform McGill College Avenue into a mecca of beauty, design,
music and shopping for over 550,000 festival-goers.
“For the 13th edition, we have brought together various movers and shakers from all horizons," said
Chantal Durivage, Co-President of Groupe Sensation Mode, the group behind the festival. "With
Maybelline as our new beauty partner, internationally renowned artist Jean-Charles de Castelbajac as
honorary chair, Geneviève Borne as our spokesperson, the participation of over 60 artists and designers,
and hundreds of clothing lines, the FDF 2013 promises to make a huge splash.”
Spectacular programming
The FDF has become an exceptional gathering that brings together an astonishing number of concepts.
Over 50 runway shows and presentations will take place throughout the event including: fashion, music,
inspiring collections, colourful collectives, special events, playful and original designs… all in a festive
downtown ambiance that is very unique in North America.
The FDF promises to be a dazzling event thanks in part to the multidisciplinary stamp put on it by the
legendary Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, who will host a number of extraordinary activities, including
Fantômes, a fabulous artistic performance – part runway show and part performance – featuring models
and dancers wearing eye-catching caftans performing to live music from Parisian DJ Mr Nô and his VJ
Florian. Also on the program from the French creator, is the exhibition Main gauche, a book signing
session for Des anges dans la ville, an urban art performance and the Cool heure et happy culture
conference.
Other ground-breaking events from five complementary worlds include the following:
Fashion world
 The incredible High Heel Race, as entertaining as it is acrobatic, during which some 50 participants
perched on shoes of dizzying heights will perform extraordinary feats of balance to raise money for
the non-profit organization Le Chaînon. Let’s not forget that the first edition was won by... a man!

For the first time this year, a vintage fashion show to mark Le Chaînon’s 80th birthday will take place.
A number of stars involved with Le Chaînon will strut around in – fittingly – used clothes in support
of the organization.

The FDF will host an unusual runway show called Mutations, a first production for FDF spokesperson
Geneviève Borne.

Another first: the À la Grace Kelly runway show, presented by Casino de Montréal. Ten finalists will
wear their finest attire inspired by the legendary American actress as part of the McCord Museum’s
Facebook competition.

The Highlight on MFW F/W 13 runway show, presented in collaboration with Clin d’œil magazine,
will also bring together a number of celebrities.

Equally fascinating, the Diverse Body Image runway show will showcase models with a variety of
body types.

D.Y.D.H. Productions will give an overview of the Quebec fashion scene and host a colourful runway
show to pay tribute to gay, lesbian and transgender diversity.

Also back this year is 5 bloggers, 5 looks, a show in which five Montreal bloggers will each present a
selection that reflects their individuality, character and style.
Beauty world
 In partnership with Redken, Maybelline New York will present the Open Backstage and the Beauty
Bar, which will offer visitors free makeup and hairstyling touch-ups.
Design world
 This year the On Public Benches design competition will return, to invite Montreal designers to take
a fresh look at a symbol that is emblematic of the city of Montreal: the park bench. Five offerings
chosen by a selection committee will be presented on site, and festival-goers will have the
opportunity to vote for the bench they would like to see in their city though Instagram using the
hashtag #bancspublic.

This year, the INBOX Design containers will offer festival-goers a light-hearted and colourful
experience giving them an opportunity to play with the most striking innovations in industrial
design. Under the artistic direction of Julien Vallée and Eve Duhamel (Royal Bandit), INBOX Design
will showcase Canadian design objects in settings inspired by play.
Shopping world
 Some ten boutiques in downtown Montreal will be offering fashion advice, gifts, beauty touch-ups
and discounts.

Pop-up boutiques between Sainte-Catherine and Cathcart Streets will be set up and will offer a
golden opportunity to make some exclusive discoveries, from Quebec designers in particular.
Music world
 In collaboration with ELLE QUÉBEC, Ice Cream, Sweet Lemonade will bring together three designers
(Pedram Karimi, Barilà and UNTTLD) and three emerging Montreal musical groups (UN, Beverlay and
Jef Barbara) on a sunny afternoon.

The marriage between fashion and music will also be celebrated at a runway show featuring the
performance and the music of Random Recipe.

Festival-goers will also have the opportunity to discover Rock ‘N’ Couture, presented in collaboration
with Lisbon Lux Records, featuring Le Couleur, Ryan and DJs Heidy Pinet and French Fox, and
Quebec stars who will play every evening in the DJ booth from 5 to 6 p.m.
About the Fashion & Design Festival
The Fashion & Design Festival is an annual celebration of creativity held in downtown Montréal. This
unique event offers a varied program featuring fashion shows, multidisciplinary shows, live art
installations, musical performances and real-time design. Over four days and four nights, close to
50 shows will be presented, featuring renowned Canadian designers and leading names in international
fashion. Makeup artists, hairdressers, stylists, models and musicians will all contribute to the ambience.
A authentic platform of fashion, design, music and shopping trends, this event, created and produced by
Groupe Sensation Mode, is the biggest of its kind in North America. Please visit
www.festivalmodedesign.com for more information.
About Groupe Sensation Mode (GSM)
Following a decade marked by a myriad of activities, Groupe Sensation Mode continues to produce and
present major fashion events in Canada and around the world. Known for its prestigious annual events
such as Montreal Fashion Week and the Fashion & Design Festival, GSM has also created unique
concepts such as the Fashion Theatre (on stages in Berlin, Tokyo, New York and London) and the
Fashion & Opera Runway Show in Los Angeles. For the past 12 years, the innovative events organized by
Groupe Sensation Mode have served as a brand, featuring the creativity and talent of designers. Thanks
to partnerships established in a number of fashion capitals including Paris, Berlin and Tokyo, Groupe
Sensation Mode is proud of its leadership position among the top.
- 30 Information
Valérie Marcoux / Diana Gavrila
Torchia Communications
514 288-8290, ext. 214 / 222
valerie@torchiacom.com / diana@torchiacom.com