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I am so proud of my new knowledge about Canada, thanks to this month's book, "The Imposter Bride". Canadian author, Nancy Richler, introduced a part of Canada and Canadian history to me that I did not even know existed. You can read my review of this book in last week's Good Shopper Blog. I also have a book winner to announce at the end of this post!

Nancy Richler was born in Montreal, moved around for school, headed to Colorado and then,  in the mid-1980s, back to Canada. She says that she did not begin writing fiction until moving to Vancouver in 1988. She is now back in Montreal, and though "The Imposter Bride" actually takes place in Montreal, she was still living in Vancouver when she wrote it. She mentions on her website that writing "The Imposter Bride" helped to distill her memories and impressions of the Montreal of her childhood. I am so happy to have had a chance to interview Nancy and share it with you!

Good Shopper Blog: I admit, when I think of Montreal, I do not think about the large Jewish community that gathered there, post-Second World War. Do you find that you often surprise people with this history?
Nancy Richler: I'm glad to hear you learned something new about Montreal and its Jewish community from reading my book. That's one of the great pleasures of fiction for me. It can open a window onto a world I didn't know about before. Until the late seventies, Montreal was the pre-eminent Jewish community in Canada. It was already a large and lively community before the Second World war, and then the large influx of Holocaust survivors in the late forties and early fifties added another layer of cultural richness as well as a psychological complexity that I tried to capture in this book.

GSB: The layers and layers of this book - between Ruth's journey through growing up without a mother, to Lily's travels and Ida Pearl's story ... how did you weave it all together? It read beautifully.
NR: It took many years for all the layers to weave together. I started writing this book in 2004, but there were so many strands and levels to it that I had to be patient and allow it all to percolate. Finally, after about 6 years and many, many revisions, I was able to integrate the various layers and themes into a cohesive story.

GSB: I've read that The Imposter Bride includes settings from your own childhood growing up in Montreal. In fact, your own paternal grandmother immigrated to Canada for the purpose of marriage and, like Lily, was rejected on arrival. Are any of the actual characters in The Imposter Bride based on your family members or people that they had described?
NR: My characters all have aspects of people I've known but there's no one character that represents anyone real. (Although, family members and friends are all calling me now to tell me that they're sure I modeled a particular character on them!).

GSB: I found so many themes running through the pages, from loss and abandonment, to racism, poverty and Jewish history, to name just a few! When first planning the book, what was the main theme you wanted to share with the reader?
NR: I always start my writing with a character and situation that interest me. The themes then arise from the lives and situations I'm depicting rather than the other way around. In this case, the themes that you mentioned arose from the particular events that my characters experienced, from the historical and cultural settings in which they were living their lives.

GSB: What advice can you give hopeful Canadian authors, especially those that may have some very interesting family history to tell?
NR: My advice is to sit down and start writing, even if you only have an hour a day to devote to that writing. There's always a hunger for interesting stories, so if you can put in the time and work to tell your stories well, you'll eventually find a readership for your work.

I thank Nancy so much again for the opportunity to interview her. It was such a great experience!

Time to get ready for our next book from HarperCollins Canada,  "Forgotten", by Canadian author, Catherine McKenzie.

"Emma Tupper is a dedicated lawyer with a bright future. But when she takes a month-long leave of absence to go on an African vacation, she ends up facing unexpected consequences".

What a fantastic premise! For now, congratulations to "The Imposter Bride" winner, Kim Barrett! You will be receiving a copy of the novel "The Imposter Bride". Let us know what you think! I would love to discuss it with you!

To win a copy of our next book, "Forgotten", please answer the question at the end of our review, which will be published on Monday, May 21, 2012. The winner will be announced the following week. Good luck and thanks so much to everyone for participating! Don't forget to Like us at the Buy Canadian First Book Club on Facebook ! 

:: Books and images courtesy of HarperCollins Canada.

All of my cats have been found treasures in Manitoba, although my dog found me in Wyoming. I have a habit of gathering strays. My latest little vagabond is my Mr. Mitty Kleeberger (after the Canadian lumberjack of rugby Adam Kleeberger ). He was howling in the halls of my apartment block on a rainy October night. I opened my door and gathered him up, I was rewarded with kitty smooches and great big cuddles from a wee little kitten. I knew I was going to keep him from that moment.

 

Bringing a new pet home isn't a decision one should take lightly. You have to begin by assessing if you are considering the right pet for your family. Some considerations are your family's schedule, activity levels and budget. Do you have a large yard and do you have children? These questions can help you decide the best pet that will fit your family's lifestyle.

 

Be sure to prepare your new pet's supplies, such as a brand new collar and leash like these leather dog collars  from Buy Canadian First member Roots, prior to bringing her home. Have other necessities prepared such as grooming tools, treats and pet foods like these Canadian-made varieties from Buy Canadian fisrt members Acana , Oven-baked tradition  and Orijen . Finally, for comfort, your new pet may enjoy a great new nap hut from our member Cascades Boutique . 

 

Having a pet is a delight! Please be sure to have your pets spayed or neutered!

What kind of pet do you have at home? 

 Image source: Andrea Willowcat, Buy Canadian First members Roots and Cascade boutique

 

 

Karyn Climans: My name is Karyn Climans and I am the owner/creator of Tail Wags Helmet Covers . My husband Jeff and I have 2 wonderful sons: Josh is 21 years old and Daniel is 19. We have 2 dogs: a German Sheppard named Lucaya and a Golden Retriever puppy (11 months old) named Harley. My favourite colours are green (it represents nature) and tangerine orange (it’s a sunny colour).

GSB: What compelled you to start this business? How long have you been at it and where is it located? How many employees do you have?

KC: Following a serious ski accident in which my ski helmet saved my life, I wanted to create a product that would make it FUN for kids and adults to wear their safety helmets. I started my business in the basement of my Toronto home just over 6 years ago. Today, Tail Wags employs several part time seamstresses, a bookkeeper, graphic artist and photographer. In addition, as required, I hire high school students on an hourly basis to help tag and package the helmet covers.

GSB: How has the response been?

KC: If you told me 6 years ago that Tail Wags would grow into a company selling products internationally, I would never have believed you! The remarkable growth of my company is something of which I am very proud.

GSB: Why is being identified as a Canadian company important to you?

KC: Being involved in the design and creation of my helmet covers, every step of the way, is important to me. My brand is built on quality, so monitoring the production process closely is a priority. Finally, made in Canada products lead to more jobs for Canadians and, in this economy, that’s essential.

GSB: What advice would you give to a budding Canadian entrepreneur?

KC: Being an entrepreneur is a 24/7 job but the rewards are worth it. Although the first 3 to 5 years are the toughest, if you’ve got a good idea and you are passionate about what you’re doing, stick to it! Your hard work will pay off.

GSB: Is there something you can tell us about that we might be surprised to know about you?

KC: I never dreamed of being an entrepreneur because I always assumed I’d work for someone else as a teacher or lawyer, however, now, I can’t imagine working for anyone else. I love the freedom and challenge of running my own business!

 

Thanks for sharing some of your fascinating entrepreneurial experience, Karyn! Here's how to enter to win the Tail Wags Helmet Cover of your choice:

• "Like" the Tail Wags facebook page 
• Tell Buy Canadian First on our Facebook page  what design you like the best. (Check them all out at www.tail-wags.com!).

Welcome to the April edition of the Buy Canadian First Book Club! Don't forget to "Like" the Buy Canadian First Book Club on Facebook, where we discuss the books and authors and choose what we will read next. You can also find out who won today's giveaway, next Monday, when we share our interview with this week's author, Nancy Richler!

Born in Montreal, Nancy began writing fiction when she moved to Vancouver in 1988. Her first novel, "Throwaway Angels", was published in 1996. Her second book, "Your Mouth is Lovely", opens with a birth accompanied by a death (something that also happened in Nancy's own life). Her third book, and our read this month, is "The Imposter Bride", set in the post war, Jewish community of Montreal, the setting of Nancy's childhood.

 

"The Imposter Bride" is a beautiful weave of many stories that start with Lily Azerov, a young woman who arrives in post-war Montreal and who is not who she says she is. We follow the story of her life through her daughter, mother-in-law, sister-in-laws, a cousin of the real Lily Azerov and we hear what "Lily" has to say for herself, as well.

I absolutely loved this book and learned so much in the process of reading it. It introduced me to so much history, such as the large Jewish community that gathered post Second World War, the horrors that people were living through at that time, the idea of arranged marriages and many other Jewish traditions. It was informative, interesting and led to further research of my own to learn more.

Nancy did an amazing job of presenting a thought-provoking story. She brought so many characters to the table and did a fantastic job of giving them all their own voice.  Even though I finished the book over a week ago and am on to my next read, I can still picture her characters so clearly in my mind. This is a story that will stay with me and I would love to discuss it with all of you!

Contest Giveaway:

Here's a chance to win your own copy of Nancy Richler's book, "The Imposter Bride" and read along with us! The winner will be announced here when we share my interview with Nancy Richler, next week. Just answer the following question in the comment section below to qualify. Comments are moderated, so don't panic if your comment doesn't show up right away! Good luck!

Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for providing the giveaway copy. Follow HarperCollins Canada on twitter , on Facebook, and check out their website The Savvy Reader, for more bookish fun.

What period of history do you like to read about?

:: images courtesy of HarperCollins Canada.

The arrival of Spring appears to be taking its dear, sweet time on the Canadian "Wet" Coast, so I decided to make it happen sooner rather than later. But... with a twist. I love the look of lush green plants but don’t always like the care involved. So I selected a couple of my favorite faux plants and created a Spring mantel. Creating a Spring-themed mantel is fun and easy! Try the following tricks when creating: 

Tell a story - Spring says, "Plants and outdoors",  to me, so adding the window encourages a ‘look outdoors!‘ kinda vibe. Galvanized goods, chippy textures, a garden tool and plants all emphasise  the great outdoors, too

Balance - the window keeps your focus centre-stage, while hugging the centre components.

Play - start with one item that you love and build on that. Keep plunking and playing. You’ll know when it’s time to stop and enjoy. And don't be shy... anything goes!

Now it’s time to light that fireplace, get nice and warm and enjoy the first signs of Spring right inside my own home... while pretending it isn’t raining, of course.

Have you changed out your own mantel decorations for Spring yet? 

Photos are courtesy of Funky Junk Interiors. You can view this full tutorial here.

I had a chance to go to one of the coolest places in Winnipeg Manitoba  today! I went to Arts Junktion ! Arts Junktion is a community-run, not-for-profit centre, distributing reusable items to artists, educators and the general public, free of charge. Local businesses and the public donate reusable items. Today, for my very first visit, I gathered buttons, seedpods and shells, tile sample boards for drawing tables, a box of figurines, fabric and two and a half meter cardboard tubes. I can't wait to see what new life the kids at the day care centre where I work bring to these reclaimed items. It seems fitting that I visited Arts Junktion this Earth Month.

 

Earth Day has been celebrated since 1969 and went global in 1990. In 2009, the United Nations made April 22nd International Mother Earth Day. I am sad to say that in my oblivion of work, schoolwork and busy young children, Earth Day almost slipped my mind this year. Fortunately, with the help of Earthday.ca , I can engage my family in Earth Day activities that we will strive to keep going year round. Earthday.ca is a resource for parents, students, children and teachers to learn and promote caring for our planet. The page that interested me right from the start is the ‘Take It Up for Earth Day' . It is a challenge, to all, to change only four things to minimize our impact on the Earth: eat, drink, care and move.

Eat - Prepare and eat plant-based meals at home. Did you know that livestock produces 18% of all greenhouse gases globally? That is more than global transportation! So walk away from that steak and try some rice from Buy Canadian First member, Shoal Lake Wild Rice . Pair it up with a legume and you'll have a complete protein!

Drink - Canadians are one of the highest users of water on the planet. Become water-wise and drink tap water.

Care - Think of all the products you use in one day to care for your body: shampoo, conditioner, cosmetics, creams, deodorants, hair gel... and the list continues. Try Buy Canadian First member Druide  and their "green" shampoo then try to substitute the rest of your cosmetics for greener ones. 

 

 Move - unplug yourself from the TV or computer and enjoy the outdoors.

 

What are you and your family doing for Earth Day?

 

image credits: Andrea, Buy Canadian First members Shoal Lake and Druide

We're off to Toronto for another visit with Canada AM! Although I visit with them every morning through the magic of television (and now Twitter!), it’s always so awesome to be right there on-set!

In honour of Mother Earth, we are featuring some great Canadian-made products which are good for the environment. That’s a double-bonus in my books!

You can watch the segment here, and here’s a recap of what we were showing today:

Canned tuna & salmon from Raincoast Trading in B.C. A fourth-generation family-owned fishing business dedicated to sustainability in all they do: from fishing to processing and packaging. Truly outstanding products and company.

Environmentally-responsible gardening products from Green Earth (Premier Tech) in Ontario. Safe to use, they are formulated with ingredients derived from botanical, mineral and animal source. So now you can have a beautiful and healthy garden!

Natural laundry care & house hold cleaners from NatureClean in Ontario. A third-generation family business dedicated to healthier living every day. Sporting a new look this Spring, their products are good for people and for the planet!

Natural body care is what The Great Canadian Soap Company from PEI is all about. This unique company is farm-based and raises its own goats to supply the pure and natural goats milk which goes in many of their products. They welcome visitors, and that's a place I can't wait to go! Watch this video and you"ll understand why!  

And last but definitely not least: children’s playhouse and car made of recycled material from Cascades Boutique in Quebec. These adorable items are part of a larger line of fun cardboard playthings for kids but also for pets! And of course, they are fully recyclable!

Oh, and in case you’re curious, I’m wearing Lundstrom made in Toronto!

Thanks again to the entire Canada AM team, as well as to fellow-Montreal Todd Van Der Heyden! 

P.S. If you have not yet entered our Earth Day giveaway, hurry! Entries are accepted until Friday April 20th at 5:00 PM ET. Up for grabs is a gift pack full of Canadian-made eco-friendly products with a total value of over $550! The contest is here.

Good luck!

Images courtesy of CTV and Buy Canadian First members

I love to take my boys out for walks, or as we call them, adventures! I think we are coming up on some fabulous Canadian made weather, perfect for getting outdoors and exploring. One of the many benefits of living in Canada is that every Spring, we get to witness the rebirth of plants, wild life and Nature at its finest.



Since the boys' first Spring and on, we've gone out on our adventures in the wagon. Perfect for not only holding the boys in, but also extra snacks, a couple of toys, blankets, drinks and more. There is an amazing, deluxe children's wooden wagon combo from Buy Canadian First member Millside. It supports up to 500 lbs. and 10” x 4” pneumatic tires make for comfortable rides and easy pulling. A full length, red steel-framed canopy keeps the sun off and full surround deluxe side and floor pads help keep occupants cool in summer. Who could pass up that beautiful canopy?



We all know April showers bring May flowers. This past weekend, Mother Nature sure was working on showering those flowers around my place. Made for wet days and splashing in puddles while you walk, check out Buy Canadian First member Rallye Footwear. The made-in-Canada, waterproof PVC shell with printed polyester sock lining comes in a wide array of designs for boys, girls, Moms and Dads.

A must for me on every walk, if we don't have the wagon with us, is a big bag.  You all know how many supplies kids need if you step more than five feet from the door. A big bag is great for bringing everything with you but the kitchen sink and Buy Canadian First member CGHart makes a really cool shoulder bag with inside pocket. The strong, wrinkle and stain-resistant polymesh fabric is available in five colors. The colors won't fade in the wash. Ideal for juice boxes, toys for the park, extra shoes, hats, sun screen, sweaters and everything in between.

We are looking forward to heading out for a few walks this week to see flowers bloom, see the butterflies, the geese at the ponds, all of Nature. Where do you get your walk in, around the block, at the dog park, on the beach?

Images courtesy of Buy Canadian First members Millside, Rallye, and CGHart.

Each year, in Canada and around the world, April 22nd is dedicated to honouring our planet and focussing on ways we can lessen our environmental impact.

I’ve never considered myself a tree-hugger, in any sense of the word. But we do recycle (at home and at the office) and use our city’s composting program. We also have a small (organic) vegetable patch in the backyard where we grow mainly tomatoes and fresh basil (yum!). But as I was preparing to write this post, I’ve been thinking that maybe I am kinder to Mother Earth that I originally thought...How, you ask? By buying Canadian!

1)    Every time I purchase a product made in Canada, I do my part to lower my carbon footprint. 9 times out of 10, a product made here will travel a much shorter distance to reach me than one made overseas. Less pollution is created by using less fossil fuel to bring the product to market.

2)    I know that Canadian manufacturing facilities are highly regulated in terms of allowable emissions and waste management. Not so in many other countries.

3)    A product made in Canada will not contain harmful components such as BPA, lead, melamine, etc. It keeps me, my family and my environment safe!

So buying Canadian is good for the environment! That calls for a celebration, no? Absolutely! Join us in celebrating Earth Day and you could win an awesome prize pack chock-full of healthy & eco-friendly products made in Canada! Included are:

1)    Natural memory foam Comfort Pillow made in Quebec, from Essentia. (value: $129)

2)    Organic wild rice products from Manitoba (rice, rice flour, rice flour linguine), from Naosap Harvest (value: $ 24.50)

3)    Natural liquid laundry detergent, shampoo & conditioner made in Ontario, from NatureClean (value: $30)

4)    Arm-bag made from recycled store banners in Quebec, from Eco-Handbags (value: $45.99)

5)    Eco-friendly "Green Earth" garden products made in Ontario, from Premier Tech (value: $80)

6)    Natural lip balms made in Ontario, from Fitlips (value:$24)

7)    Vouchers for organic non-dairy SoNice products made in B.C., from Earth’s Own (value: $30)

8)    Natural health products to reduce joint pain made in Ontario, from St.Francis Herb Farm (value: $60)

9)    Biodegradable garden waste bags made in Quebec, from Cascades (value: $16.50)

10)    Natural skin care products made in P.E.I., from The Great Canadian Soap Company (value: $30)

 

11)    Sustainable canned fish products processed in B.C., from Raincoast Trading (value:

12)    Natural mascara and lipstick made in Manitoba, from Pure Anada (value: $26)

 

13)    Gardener’s Dream Lotion made in B.C., from Aroma Crystal (value: $39.99)

 

14)    Majesta paper products made in N.B., from Majesta (value: $20.00)

15) Reusable produce bags made in Quebec, from Credo Bags (value: $25)

 

Total value: over $ 550.00 !!!

To enter the giveaway, do as many of the 3 following things as possible, as they each count for one entry. The more the merrier (and luckier)!

•    Leave us a comment below telling us what you do to help protect Mother Earth (Comments are moderated, so don't panic if your comment doesn't show up right away!);

•    Follow us on Twitter and mention the following: @BuyCndianFirst loves @EarthDayCanada #madeincanada;

•    Like us on Facebook.

The giveaway ends on Friday, April 20th at 5:00 PM ET. We will pick one name at random from all entries and the winner will be announced on Sunday, April 22nd.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. CONGRATS TO OUR WINNER: ANNE, FROM VICTORIA, B.C.

Good luck!

Images courtesy of BuyCanadian First members

Do you dread rehanging up your clothes in a closet as much as I do? If so, do I ever have a treat for you today! One of my all time passions is working with Canadian-found pallet wood for two reasons. It’s price efficient (aka free!) AND... it’s oh so rustically beautiful. :)



Being that I’m not ‘fond’ of hanging up my clothes (that IS what the bed and floor are for, no?), I desired a wardrobe wall made out of pallet wood. Not only is it a cool feature wall, it’s been truly the answer to my... clothing covered floor. Here’s how I did it!

1. Find your reclaimed lumber of choice.

Old fence boards or  pallets or even new ones, if you so desire! Random boards will do for this design.

2. Sand the wood well, then screw it onto your wall.

Screwing into studs didn't prove to be necessary; it held well. I went for an old style slat and plaster look, so I prepainted the wall white, then purposely left gaps between the slats. Not many boards required cutting when staggered vertically.

 

3. Screw in a mish mash of things that hook.

For a playful take, don’t overlook random finds such as an upside down hanger. Can you tell I’m not a very serious decorator? :)

 Have fun with it!

    

4. Go to town and fill up that wall!

This has proven to be a most useful feature in my own bedroom, however it would also totally rock in a kid’s room or even bathroom. How about a front entry? Once you have your own wardrobe wall, you’ll WANT to hang up your clothes just for the fun of it. :)



So... what do you think? Crazy, cool or both? What changes do you think would happen with a wardrobe wall in your own home?

Please use reclaimed lumber at your own risk. Tips on using it safely can be found in my own article HERE.

Photos are courtesy of Funky Junk Interiors and the full tutorial can be found HERE.

I got my driver's licence on October 5, 2011. It took a few tries of being tested on the streets of Winnipeg, Manitoba  but I finally got it done. My son, on the other hand, passed his driver's test the year before me and took a few opportunities to point out this fact. I scoffed, but was actually so very proud of him.

We share the car, my son and I, but he drives it about 100% more than I do. He fills the tank, gets the oil changed and even had the brakes checked and repaired before I even knew there was a problem. But despite all this, I still have one complaint; the monstrous sub-woofer that fills my whole trunk! If I wanted to have a winter survival kit packed in a tote or crate from Buy Canadian First member Storex , I would have to place it between his sisters' car seats! The great thing about Storex storage containers is that they are PVC free, made from 25%-100% post consumer waste and are recyclable!

 

Our Oldsmobile is always in top shape. As I mentioned, my son keeps up the maintenance on it and he also keeps it very clean. Every time I use the car or we are out together, I can't help but notice how good it looks and how nice it smells. Which is why I am going to buy him a bottle of Buy Canadian First member Go Clean Waterless car wash . Each bottle holds 10 applications, saving 500 litres of water per application and 5000 per bottle. If that's not amazing enough, proceeds of each bottle go to the African Well Fund.  

 

One thing that does fit in the trunk are shopping and produce bags and we take them along everywhere, just in case we need bags for anything from sundries to pebble collections from walking across a gravel parking lot. While we have collected several cloth shopping bags along the way, our favourites are from Buy Canadian first member Credo bags . They have everything one would need from produce and bulk bags to market bags and canvas totes. They store perfectly in the iddy biddy spaces left in my trunk. 

 

I know that I may grumble and poke fun about my missing trunk but I also know that I am quite a lucky mom to have a brilliant son who takes care of our shared possession so diligently. In June, he will go away to school and I will reclaim my trunk and all the car privileges and duties. Sadly, it also means no more shopping trips to the superstore together, cranking the tunes along the way or the thumping of his sub woofer that I can hear two minutes before he arrives. So, until June, the subwoofer will remain in the trunk and I will pencil in my car time around his busy schedule and the whole while, I will be enjoying every moment.

Who takes care of the car in your family?

 image credits: Buy Canadian First members: Storex, Go Clean and Credo Bags

It's that time of year again, when hundreds of shows and events start up across the country, featuring Canadian-made products, made at home. There are so many awesome Canadians that make beautiful items at home and you would not believe the quality and workmanship on such a huge range of products.  From art, babies toys, clothes and jewellery, to paper goods, food and candles, there is something for absolutely everyone.

One show I'm really looking forward to is the Made By Hand Show on April 21st at the International Centre in Mississauga. They are featuring over one hundred and fifty vendors in thirty thousand square feet. Across the rest of Canada, there's the One of A Kind Show in Vancouver, The Moose Show in Toronto, the Atlantic Craft Trade Show in Halifax, the Festival of Crafts in Calgary, and the Butterdome Spring Craft Sale in Edmonton, just to name a few!

Here's a look at some of my favourite Canadian-made vendors and some examples of the amazing products you might see at these shows!



Buy Canadian First member Burnish and Brush makes gorgeous collages on canvas that are individually made and perfect for a child's room.



A to Z Illusions was created by award-winning, freelance photographer, David Matthews. He photographs natural occurrences of letters in the alphabet and sells a wide range of products including framed words, posters, cards and magnets.



Snunggle Bug creates beautiful, fun and snuggly, handcrafted items for babies, including blankets, stuffies, bibs and baby bags.

Buy Canadian First member Tail Wags makes awesome helmet covers that help make safety fun whether biking, roller blading, skiing or snowboarding. The covers fit on every type of helmet and kids love them.

There are also fun activities for the entire family at many of these events, including face painting for kids, snacks, prizes to be won and swag bags at the door.

Are you heading to any shows this Spring?

 

:: images courtesy of Tail Wags, Snuggle Bugs, A to Z Illusions and Burnish and Brush. 

It was World Mastercard Fashion Week last month in Toronto and my friend, Pam, attended the runway shows for two Canadian designers! There were many Canadian-made designs on display during the week including Joe Fresh, Travis Taddeo, Ashtiani, CAITLIN POWER and the two my friend Pam saw on behalf of Did you know Canada?: RUDSAK and Soia & Kyo.

Soia & Kyo debuted in 2004. Montreal designer, Ilan Elfassy, is known for creating fabulous fitting clothes with exquisite detail and unique styling. His clothing has been featured in many popular international magazines and he has a celebrity following. He has said that he is inspired by “the ‘hipster urban traveler’" and this global feel is certainly present in his designs. During Fashion Week, Soia & Kyo modelled their Winter 2012 line of lush jackets with stunning details and edgy, urban men's wear. We were excited to be able to interview Ilan Elfassy before the show and you can read the interview with him on my Did you know Canada? blog.



During RUDSAK's show, Pam thought RUDSAK's catwalk was bold and brilliant - not shying away from luscious fur collars mixed with buttery leather in super cool black and neutrals. RUDSAK was founded in Montreal, Canada in 1994 by its visionary and creative leader, Evik Asatoorian. Evik Asatoorian says he embodies his collections with a remembrance of their native Canadian roots. His look is known as sleek, minimalist and city-inspired.

It's the Fashion Design Council of Canada that owns and produces Fashion Week, now in its 13th successful year. The bi-annual event has garnered international respect and is the second largest Fashion Week in North America!!

Who is your favourite Canadian designer??

Images courtesy RUDSAK and Pam Fontaine.