Is repetition the sincerest form of flattery?

Two cities, two Fashion Weeks, two Denis Gagnon shows, twice the Rudsak, two Zink launches. Life repeats itself.

Are two Fashion Weeks (now three if you include Vancouver) necessary in this country? One? Definitely. Two? We come across as Jacob Two-Two trying to get noticed.

I never thought in my life that I would prefer sitting in the back row of a fashion show, but at Montreal Fashion Week, all I wanted to do was slink away. The two fragmented Fashion Weeks left me with a sense of desperation and fatigue. It’s time to set aside our differences and get back together.

Toronto could use some of Montreal’s scrappy coolness while Montreal needs Toronto’s sophistication and experience. Together, the two design cultures could make a great team and score a goal for Canadians in the international fashion game.

Why not switch cities each season and host one grand event? There’s no way international editors will look at us if we’re as fragile and fragmented as we appear. We’re tagged on to the end of seasons and buyers never have the time for our designers. It’s no surprise that Canadian fashion just isn’t working if we don’t put in the time to accept our differences and work together. Until that happens, it will be hard to return to a Fashion Week in Montreal.

Perhaps I should submit this article next week, in case anyone missed it the first time.

Lucinda’s List: Top Ten Montreal Trends

1. Black is back.
2. Hockey is utterly unfashionable. I don’t know who let them off the rink, but hockey players do not belong at fashion shows.
3. Youth is out. Too many young models meant too many runway trip-ups.
4. Skin is in. As in leather.
5. The Devil is in the details. Or rather, everything is in the details. This is where Canadian designers can compete against large discount chains.
6. Hold tight! As seen on Toronto catwalks, legs will be wrapped in colour next Fall.
7. Opposites still attract. Yes, we saw more opposition in outfits…again.
8. Hats are where it’s at. Covering your head will be vital when heading out the door next season because you never know what storms will be brewing outside.
9. Blue steel. Zoolander-esque looks were all over the Montreal runways, so prepare your best glazed-gaze now.
10. Ruffle those feathers. Yes, Montreal runways were definitely ruffled.