Marie Saint Pierre is the doyen of Montreal avante garde fashion.  Playing with textures,ruffles, ribbons, ruching and layering she creates wearable art.  For her fall collection she simplified the detailing and focused on voluminous shapes and tulip skirts with a forties tailoring.  Puffed sleeves abound and spiky tuffs and ruffles cascades the front of two jersey dresses, big scarves coocoon around necks or swing out in an oversized bow and a coat’s front swings  out beautifully in a bell like voluminous draped shape.  This is a memorable, sophisticated and beautiful collection for Marie Saint Pierre.   I spoke to her the other week and this is what she said…

EM: Occupation and Position

FASHION DESIGNER PRESIDENT MARIE SAINT PIERRE DESIGN INC.

EM: Can you tell us a little more about Marie Saint Pierre’s concept?

Marie Saint Pierre’s clothing are about balance between aesthetic and fonction. Movement is at the essence of my collections. I want to make beautiful but also intelligent clothing. All pieces must be as versatile and multi functional as possible.

EM: What neighborhood do you closely identify with? What makes your community unique?

My favorite neighborhood is old Montreal. It is the oldest part of Montreal but it is also by the water and the port where everything began in Montreal. Over the years it has become the place for good restaurant, boutique hotels and lounging places. It is close by where I live so it is an extension of my space. Montreal is unique because it is full of contrasts, yet very young. Ugly next to beauty,extremely cold in the winter versus very hot and humid in the summer, the temperature plays an important role in our lifestyle.

EM: How is it designing in a Canadian context/market?

The canadian market is very small and fragmented, but it is a good place to start a business. Althought, it is almost imperative to export if you want to survive.

EM: What inspires you?

I get inspired but so many things…But in essence it is the way I look at everything that surrounds me that is the most influencial in my work. I have fortunately learn very early in my life that there is infinite possibilities as how you can see something, weather it is static or in movement, seen from the heights or look at from the bottom or the side. These angles are a source of emotions and they change your perceptions. Fabrics are also an important source of inspiration.

EM: What is the greatest item you’ve found in a local garage sale?

God I did get so many things out garage sales or simply in someones garbage, but the greatest item I have in my country house is a huge chandeler ( 6 feet high by 6 feet circomference) that was found by my father at the end of a road when a church decided to do some renovations and threw away this amazing piece.

EM: Where are your favorite local spots to eat?

These days I go to the restaurant LE LOCAL in old Montreal. I like the food, the sevice and the casuelness of it.

EM: What bands are at the top of your playlist at this very moment?

I listen to french music right now, it goes in phases, but I am also found of my old lounge compilation from Thievery Corporation.

EM: What is your favorite bedside read?

I READ KIDS BOOK, bedtime is with my kids and i is dedicated to them since I am very busy.

EM: What is your favorite place to visit when you travel abroad?

I love travelling and I really do not have a favorite place, each city or destination brings something different. But if I must point out one place that I look for when I travel is a champagne bar…

EM: Lastly, what kind of projects do you have coming up?

I am at a point in my carrer where I have to focus on the next ten years and decide what is going to be the next steps, there is a lot of opportunity for us to devellop new markets and expand our notoriety, maybe opening some flag stores in cities like New York, LA, Moscow, Shangai or Paris.

http://www.mariesaintpierre.com/