Fashion Mission: Bienvenue a Montreal

Montreal was the first city I ever visited in Canada, and like most people, I instantly fell in love. With a Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit as a good excuse to squeeze in an end-of-summer visit, I grabbed a pal and took a morning Via Rail train from Toronto for a weekend fashion excursion. 

I highly recommend staying Old Montreal, particularly the Place d'Armes Hotel & Suites. Owned and operated by the Antonopoulos Group, the same family behind Le Petit Hotel, Hotel Nelligan and a string of other impressively-run properties. Expect old world charm with all the modern luxuries, from the rooms to the rooftop patio's legendary mojitos.

Trekking through Old Montreal

Plus you cannot beat the Place d'Armes Hotel's proximity to everything. Designer Denis Gagnon opened his new boutique just down the street last May, so I popped in for a visit. Tucked downstairs in an old heritage building, the space showcases Gagnon's personality and his spring 2011 collection - you remember, the one with the stripes and the fringe? (The dressing rooms sport full length ombré fringe curtains.) There are also shoes from his ALDO collaboration and a few pieces from other designers like Montrealer Travis Taddeo.

Just down the street is one of my top shopping stops in Old Montreal - Espace Pepin. The large boutique serves as a workshop and showroom for multidisciplinary artist Lysanne Pepin, but also features apparel, accessories and home decor items by other designers that suit Pepin's aesthetic. 

Espace Pepin

Espace Pepin

Having worked up an appetite shopping, I stop into Marché de La Villette for a bite. Situated across the street from Espace Pepin, the old world charm extends from the décor to the staff. And unlike the heavily touted Olive & Gourmando (also across the street), you don't have to queue up for this deliciousness.

With a full belly it's off to the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit at the Musee des Beaux Arts. 

Wearing a Jean Paul Gaultier dress to see Jean Paul Gaultier. C'est bon, no?