After announcing that the September edition of MFW would be integrated with the Fashion & Design Festival (FDF) to create Canada’s largest fashion and design event, Groupe Sensation Mode has met with a number of key industry stakeholders, restructured and embarked on an extensive strategic planning initiative to complete this project.

A team supported by a highly skilled Board of Directors

In addition to recruiting a research and development team to provide an interactive web platform for designers and retailers participating in its events, GSM is now supported by MFW’s new Board of Directors, which consists of seven leading figures from the worlds of business, fashion and culture:

- Jean-Pierre Desrosiers, partner and strategic advisor at Fasken Martineau (Board president)
- Jeannot Painchaud, president and artistic director at Cirque Éloize
- Jean-Claude Poitras, multidisciplinary designer, communicator and columnist for Le Devoir newspaper
- Philippe Turp, lawyer and consultant
- Debbie Zakaib, columnist and blogger for Clin d'œil magazine and event and marketing consultant
- Jean-Pierre Daviau, Co-Founder of Groupe Sensation Mode
- Chantal Durivage, Co-Founder of Groupe Sensation Mode

The core mission of the Board is to support GSM's commitment in taking its events to the next level, as well as rallying the fashion industry behind promising projects, ensuring good governance and helping to promote Montreal’s fashion and design talent.

“We are happy to have the support of seasoned pros who share our passion for innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship,” said Jean-François Daviau, Co-Founder and President of Groupe Sensation Mode. “For us, the formation of this Board represents a critical step in reformatting our Montreal fashion events.”

A world-class fashion and design event

Next year will mark a major turning point for fashion events in Montreal. The 2014 Fashion & Design Festival will be completely revamped; collection launches will be incorporated with the outdoor public event on McGill College Avenue, but will keep their exclusive aspect by being presented separately under a tent at Place Ville Marie.

For the first time, the FDF and MFW will be fused into one mega global event held on the new dates of August 20 to 23 — right in the middle of the “Back to School” promotional period. Programming for the 2014 show will be announced in March.

“It all started with a dream,” said Daviau. “By bringing together two of our major productions, our goal is to offer Montrealers a one-of-a-kind event and our designers, international exposure. With this unique global platform, designers have the chance to meet 500,000 visitors, 50 FDF retailers and interact directly with customers.”

Click here to read more

Groupe Sensation Mode