Galerie Noel Guyomarc'h - Unique Jewelry in Montreal

Type 'unique + jewelry + montreal' into Google search, and I expect to see one of my talented jeweler friends' websites like Harakiri, Pearls Before Swine, or Thierry Huard's line to pop up. No such luck. However, if you are looking for a unique and artistic piece of jewelry while shopping in Montreal, the under-the-radar place I send my pals and styling clients to for quality, design-conscious, handmade jewelry from around the globe is Galerie Noel Guyomarc'h Bijoux d'Art.  Already a fave among Montréal ladies with good taste and cash to burn, this shop front gets bypassed very easily I'm afraid, because of its wordy name and its low-key signage on the exterior.

Although the word 'curate' is thrown around too loosely these days (in place of where one should say 'filter' instead), and especially in hybrid artistic/commercial settings, this gallery-meets-shop is one case where the fact that it is actually curated is appreciated. Owner Noel, chooses lines based upon instinct, and appreciation of fine craftsmanship. In most cases, he is the sole Canadian vendor of many international designers' work. Noel also holds exhibitions in the shop much in the same way one would hold an art opening but in this case, you actually get to handle the wares! The other factor to make this store exceptional is that Noel himself is incredibly kind and helpful, a rarity on Laurier West - the boutique street where his shop can be found.

This is not a shop for the trend-oriented: so don't come here for the goth-meets-hiphop-meets-rock-punk accessory of the season. There is nothing here to satisfy your craving for Pamela Love'ischt nor Urban Outfitters-waspiness. This is jewelry for art lovers and fashion-forward femme fatales. Jewelry for women who fit in nowhere but are comfortable everywhere.

My next acquisition from the store will be from London-based Karola Torkos - be still my hearty heart!

** UPDATE: the store has relocated to 4836 Bd St Laurent **

Montreal Fashion Week - SS 10 - DENIS GAGNON

Montreal Fashion Week wrapped up last night with its most anticipated show - Denis Gagnon. Body con, slick, Balmain-esque silhouettes. It was refreshing to see pale pastels in the mix, given that the designer's religion has been black-on-black for the last several collections. The bold, chunky, mishapen bracelets worn by the models were provided by my favorite Montreal jewelery designer, the very talented Harakiri. As expected, all attendees looked like they had paid great attention to what they themselves wore to the show. The sharpest-dressed gentleman there was photographer, Sylvain Blais, in his white suit and black bow-tie in the front row. I wore an obscenely large-shouldered vintage fur myself, and got my photo taken by a few magazine photographers present at the event. If I happen to come across any snapshots of it online, I promise to share! Photo credit: Gazette Montreal.

Birthday brightening

I have this fun, unnecessarily narcissistic, completely self-indulgent ritual where, a couple of weeks prior to my birthday, I begin to make a mental list of what I'm going to get myself as gifts for my special day. Some things have been nixed from the list, including over-the-knee boots, a Vanessa Bruno bag, and a beater bike to replace my rusted one... (these things I'll save for another month or so down the road). There are, as usual, some books on the list including new fiction, philosophy, and a social economics gem. I'm also looking forward to getting myself a special piece from Harakiri, as well as some (overpriced!) fashion industry magazines to mull over for midnight soaks in the tub. Books, mags, jewelery? A good way to commemorate knocking off another year of my twenties.

I just picked up a couple pairs of platforms as early bday gifts to myself: a sturdy pair of caramel brown leather knockouts from Frye and these purple beauties from Charlotte Ronson:
They look fabulous with my tri-colored, knee high Prada socks. I'm in Vancouver right now - land of dour faces affected by the dark skies of late - where it has snowed, sleeted and perpetuated Gotham skies for the last month - not exactly the weather to start donning these slingbacks. HOWEVER, soon I get on a plane myself, to return to the happy homestead of Montréal where I'll be rockin' both pairs of my new shoes with a wild outfit every day, including on my birthday. Shows, shoots, styling sojourns with clients... can't wait! A trip to NYC is in the mix too. Fun city: HERE I COME.