VILLE DE MONTRÉAL PUTS THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE 19TH MONTRÉAL FASHION WEEK

MONTREAL, Sept. 27 /CNW Telbec/ - The Mayor of Montréal, Gérald Tremblay, today announced that Montréal will be awarding $50,000 in financial support to the 19th Montréal Fashion Week, presented in association with P&G Beauty & Grooming.

Fashion Week, which is held twice a year by the Groupe Sensation Mode, features a series of activities aimed at promoting the creativity and talent of local designers with key players of the fashion industry as well as representatives of the local and international press to stimulate the Montréal fashion market. This year the spotlight will be on several emerging and influential designers, including Denis Gagnon, Dimitri Chris, Yves Jean Lacasse, Ève Gravel, Helmer, Marie Saint Pierre, Christian Chenail, Valérie Dumaine, Annie 50 and Barilà.

"Fashion Week reflects the vitality of the fashion industry in Montréal. We are proud to support an event that focuses on the talent of our designers and promotes their skills on the local and international scenes," said the Mayor of Montréal, Gérald Tremblay.

The city established the Bureau de la mode de Montréal, which received in 2009 financial support from the gouvernement du Québec valued at $2.4 million over three years to promote Montréal as a fashion design centre by highlighting local know-how, creative talent and the ability to innovate.

"Twice a year, professional buyers, local designers, journalists and exhibitors gather at the Marché Bonsecours, where business opportunities abound. This is an opportunity for Montréal to enhance visibility and its reputation by holding a promotional event that helps the clothing fashion and design industry to remain competitive on the international scene," said the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy as well as Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Laurent Lessard.

Montréal, the fashion city

The administration sees the fashion industry as an important economic lever for Montréal, and is thankful to the Bureau de la mode de Montréal for developing original tools to promote our city's fashion image on the national and international scenes. The Bureau already has several achievements to its credit, including the first version of the Fashion Map that can be used to locate Montréal fashion designers at www.montrealcartedemode.com and pins that identify designer boutiques in Montréal. Banners with the attention-grabbing slogan "La mode se porte bien" have also been posted along the main fashion axes in the extended downtown area.

These tools now include the brand new http://ModeMontreal.TV portal, which focuses on Montréal fashion designers and retailers. The site features the Portaits de créateurs series with original video capsules, which invite Internet users to enter the world of fashion design and learn about their creative process. By clicking on Fashion Map, a Google map will appear with Montréal fashion locations where one can choose a tour of several boutiques listed under a theme. Clicking on STREET STYLE unveils the Montréal eclectic style with scenes taken from real life in the boroughs. The site also includes a blog, fashion calendar and interactive tools for social media fans.

The Montréal administration invites the public to take part in the 19th Montréal Fashion Week and show their support to local retailers and to wear with pride the unique creations of local fashion designers. Fashion is doing well in Montréal!

For further information: François Goneau, Relations avec les médias, Ville de Montréal, 514 868-5859; Source: Darren Becker, Cabinet du maire et du comité exécutif, 514 872-6412; Sylvain Bourassa, Attaché de presse, Cabinet du ministre des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l'Occupation du territoire, 418 691-2050