ssense

If you, like I, spend loads of precious time compulsively browsing sites like net-a-porter and mytheresa for the next best deal in fashion, chances are you've acquainted yourself with Canada's best online retailer, ssense. The Montreal based website, ssense.com, features a killer array of designers and edgy branding, serving fashionable frontrunners with looks from both Alexanders (McQueen and Wang) and other household names like YSL, Balmain, Chloe, Marni, Marc Jacobs, and Givenchy. Looking to try the trend of pronounced prints for the summer? Then check out their line-up from Suno, Matthew Williamson, DvF, and Thakoon. Prefer a more modern sensibility? Then look to their New York and Parisian brands like iro, Maison Martin Margiela, Opening Ceremony, and Rag and Bone.

Ahhhh, but the dilemma of online shopping. While many e-commerce convertees cite its convenience, I, as a working girl who will - without exception - miss all three UPS delivery attempts any time I order something online, find it worse to have to arrange to pick up my package at the nearest postal outlet, bring it home, and try on my newly purchased item with the risk of it looking horrible (and yes, this has happened). What if it was final sale? When am I going to find the time to send it back? All these questions race through my mind at dizzying speed and precludes me from clicking any "proceed to checkout" button, anywhere. Lucky for me, ssense has provided us locals with the perfect solution. As Montrealer's, we have the luxury of requesting any online item to be sent to their Old Montreal outpost, a space just on the corner of Rue St. Paul and St. Sulpice which houses a small selection of their online inventory. Brilliant!

The store, with women on the ground floor and mens below, is streamlined and slick, carrying an amazing selection of bright Proenza Schouler PS1 bags, Givenchy totes and t-shirts, and, my personal favourite, Lanvin. Ohhhh Lanvin. Just the other day I scored the most simple, elegant, featherweight, black cotton Lanvin dress here...on sale for an incredible price...which will serve me well through the sizzling temperatures we're currently spiking this summer. Alber Elbaz, you are a genius...Ah, but I digress! I have nothing more to say other than I highly recommend you visit, website first and store second, to see if there is anything you want to try to brighten up your wardrobe. Enjoy!

SSENSE   |   90 Rue Saint Paul Ouest   |   Montréal, QC H2Y 3S5   |

(514) 289-1906

www.ssense.com

Boutique David Lesage

Stylist-turned-boutique-owner David Lesage has amassed an impressive collection of elegant, lady-like labels (think Robert Rodriguez, Schumacher, and Tara Jarmon) with a hit of cheerful, youthful brands (like Tibi, By Malene Birger) at his intimate, second floor shop in Cours Mont-Royal. Since opening in 2009, the minimalist boutique has been on our sartorial radar, with its gorgeous, wood-filled interior envisioned by Lesage in homage to his childhood. He details; “I love wood. When I was young, my house…everything was exposed wood, from the floors to the ceiling to the walls. I love [its] warmth!”

We sat down and spoke to David, who gave us an insider’s view as to not only how we want to dress, but how we, as women, want to feel in the clothes we wear. After all, Montreal women turn to him for his guidance – some even calling ahead of time to setup a personal, salon-like shopping experience with head-to-toe looks that they can easily incorporate into their wardrobes. He hints that fabrics, silhouette and quality are key, noting how, at his boutique, “nothing is over the top or too trendy, but everything is trendy enough, and fabrics are great. Silk Charmeuse, silk chiffon, silk crepe de chine, cashmere, egyptian cotton, linen/silk, cotton/silk, and cotton/cashmere are my favorite. I wanted to offer classic clothes with a twist, at a great price. Of course it's not for everyone, but it's not super expensive either. I call it ‘affordable luxury’.” 

You’ll find the same mentality applies to his handbags, shoes, and jewelry, the latter of which is made exclusively for the store from Montreal based jewelry designer Rene Leblanc. At his spring preview event, I fell in love with a deco-inspired black, gold and crystal drop stone necklace, snapping it up within moments of settling my gaze in its direction. It is quite simply beautiful and, despite its short existence in my wardrobe, has garnered a huge number of compliments for its unique look and character. Its pieces like that which you’ll buy at this store, amongst the many that you’ll be coveting. I must also mention that the boutique just acquired another favourite, The Laundress, a New York based brand that features a range of fine linen care products for your delicates, wools, and cashmere. I love and use their “crease release” and “fabric fresh” products often, and am happy that there is finally a place in Montreal to restock once I’m low.

When I ask, “Who is the David Lesage woman?” he responds; “She is confident, she is classic, but not boring…she is a working woman, but she is also family oriented. She loves the arts, fine food, great restaurants…she is aware and educated. She likes fashion, but fashion is not her definition.” 

Sounds like us…or at least, the kind of women we want to be. 

Boutique David Lesage   |   Top floor, les Cours Mont-Royal   |   1455 Rue Peel   |   Montreal, QC, H3A 1T5   | 

(514) 564-4400

www.davidlesage.com

Want Apothecary

Westmount recently welcomed the Want Apothecary, a concept store that opened its doors to Sherbrooke Ouest last spring. Owned by Dexter and Byron Peart, the fashionable twins you may have seen while perusing GQ and the sartorialist, the store is so classic its cool, featuring a well curated collection of quality brands and grooming products, not to mention their own terrifically elegant accessories line, WANT les essentiels de la vie. 

Despite racks filled with modern labels like Acne, Nudie jeans, Filippa K and Maison Katsune, the store has a distinctly traditional feel, recapturing the essence and retail experience of a bygone era with aged herringbone floors, custom-designed dark oak tables and Roll & Hill smoked bulb chandeliers. The pharmacy style finishings make for a perfect setting to display body-care products from AESOP and Ursa Major Skincare, and fine scented candles from French brand Astier de Villatte.

The best in store, however, goes to the duo's own WANT les essentiels de la vie, a line of undeniably timeless travel and leather goods that combine both traditional design elements with modern day functional sensibility. The Trudeau bag, for example, is handcrafted in Italy and will house your macbook, iPhone, and documents with room to spare. I recently scored one up at a sample sale and have been in love with its masculine aesthetic and incredible functionality. I also recently picked up their black Naritta zipped iPad case for my father's birthday, and I can't tell you how cute it was to see him all proud, zipping open the soft leather case and wiping down the screen with the accompanying cleaning cloth so that he can read the news on his favourite new gadget. Now I can't stop dreaming about their O'Hare Tote Bag for work. Ahhh, a line that appeals to multiple generations... I love.

The WANT Apothecary   |   4960 Rue Sherbrooke W   |   Westmount (Montreal), QC   |   H3Z 1H3   |

(514) 484-3555

www.facebook.com/wantapothecary

Boutique Tozzi

I'm not sure what has been happening to Crescent street as of late but I will say that I am liking every bit of it; Alessi, Nespresso, Shan swimwear, and now the unveiling of Joey Tozzi's new menswear boutique, Tozzi, has the street on a stylish upswing. 

The supercool, streamlined shop, designed by architect Gabriel Kakon, showcases scandinavian staples (Filippa K, J lindberg, Acne) and amazing accessories, with sunglasses from YSL, Carrera and Marc Jacobs, and footwear from Box fresh, creative recreation, and J shoes.

Tozzi also showcases a cool line-up of local brands; here you'll find graphic, supersoft tees from Montreal based Roussel and Hip & Bone, as well as denim by Naked & Famous, a line that imports fabric from Japan before manufacturing the collection in Quebec city's oldest shirt factory. How cool is that? These designers alone make this new Crescent street gem worthy of a visit. 

Boutique Tozzi   |   2115 Crescent Street   |   Montreal, QC, H3G 2C1   |

(514) 285-2444

www.boutiquetozzi.com

Maskarad

This cute shop, situated on the corner of Mont Royal and St. Urbain, will transform you to another era. Outfitted with vintage velvets, furs, hats and costume jewelry, as well as new clothing from vintage inspired lines, I love shopping here for unique, one-of-a kind merchandise with classic appeal. It was here that I discovered Yosi Samra flats, of which I am now obsessed (they are superbly comfortable!), and purchased one of my favourite antique jewelry pieces, an art deco silver and pearl statement ring. 

If you're strolling down Mont Royal on your way to the park, or if you've just finished right across the street at Beauty's, I highly recommend stopping in at this one-of-a kind shop. Regardless of whether you buy, the soft Ella Fitzgerald meets cabaret music playing in the background will set the stage for browsing through what feels like your chic grandmother's closet; glass cases full of brooches, long beaded necklaces, statement earrings and other glittery treasures are what await you at Maskarad.

Maskarad   |   103 Mont-Royal O.   |    Montreal, QC   |   H2T 2S9   |

(514) 844-7676