A true celebration of creativity, Sid Lee Collective is the embodiment of our Montreal roots and culture. It is a living organism that beats to our values. Our shop creates the perfect stage for young Montrealers and Canadian design talent who may not otherwise be seen beyond Canadian borders. Collaborators are selected primarily for the stories they bring with them, as you will see in this magazine.

1. The Creative
Emporium
Meet the creators collaborating with the Sid Lee Collective store and gallery in Amsterdam.

2. The Creative
Emporium
Meet the creators collaborating with the Sid Lee Collective store and gallery in Amsterdam.
SID LEE COLLECTIVE - 4
ADIEU - 10
AQUAOVO - 14
PEARLS BEFORE SWINE - 18
FURNI - 22
KRANE - 24
TEAM MACHO - 26
RENATA MORALES - 34
CASTOR - 40
COMPLEXGEOMETRIES - 44
PHILIPPE MALOUIN - 48
NOM DE LA SECTION
- 3 -

3. CREATI- A true celebration of creativity,
Sid Lee Collective is the embodi-
VITY
ment of our Montreal roots and
culture. It is a living organism
that beats to our values.
EMPO- Our shop creates the perfect stage
for young Montrealers and
RIUM
Canadian design talent who may
not otherwise be seen beyond
Canadian borders. Collaborators
are selected primarily for the
stories they bring with them,
as you will see in this magazine.
Sid Lee COLLECTIVE Sid Lee COLLECTIVE
- 4 - - 5 -

4. Onetop Sid loves Turbo vols. 1 & 2
CLOTHING MUSIC
Sid Lee Collective created a series of posters to honour the fact Turbo Recordings is a label dedicated to releasing only the highest quality
that Montreal was named a UNESCO City of Design 2007. electronic music. Based in Montreal, Canada, Turbo has quickly become
Onetop and Sid Lee planned a collection of t-shirts featuring designs an internationally recognized brand with their trademark mix of
inspired from these posters. A total of 40 different models were created. uncompromising music and cutting-edge artwork.
Sid Lee COLLECTIVE Sid Lee COLLECTIVE
- 6 - - 7 -

5. Sit! by Sid Sid’s kitchen
FURNITURE KITCHENWARE
Sid Lee Collective and Perez hook up to create a furniture collection An experiment in kitchenware creativity, this collection emphasizes
that is both naughty and nice. the artistic and authentic sides of our culinary culture.
Sid Lee COLLECTIVE Sid Lee COLLECTIVE
- 8 - - 9 -

6. ADIEU
Never Can Say
Goodbye
ADIEU ADIEU
- 10 - - 11 -

7. Melinda Santillan-Moreno is all over the map. Montreal at the boutique Reborn, then at the
Never in the same place twice, the young Mexi- 2007 edition of the event Souk @ SAT.
can-Canadian artist scours the planet, both Adieu’s cotton t-shirts have quite a vintage
physically and virtually. Voyages, like so many of look. The recipe? Top secret!” she lets out with
the encounters that shine through in Adieu, her a laugh. “Each t-shirt is unique. The degree of
playfully and rebelliously printed collection of vintage and the print composition are different
translucent t-shirts. Melinda pushes boundaries, every time, eaning that no two people will ever
both terrestrial and artistic, combining genres have the same shirt. It’s kind of what I’m after in
with a rare naivety. fashion, its uniqueness.”
It was while pursuing her studies at Melinda doesn’t wait for things to come
Vancouver’s Emily Carr College of Arts that to her; she makes them happen herself. And
Melinda discovered screen printing, a process Melinda Santillan-Moreno’s art isn’t just limited
that enabled her to play around with her creations, to fashion, either. “The Internet allows me to
depending on her given inspiration. Her black meet people that really influence my work. My
ink drawings (the 28-year-old artist favours projects become international without me even
working in black and white and admits: “Colours having to leave the country.”
intimidate me”) are therefore superimposed on Art is really is everywhere for Melinda, but
pictures or wording to create compositions that mostly in the most unexpected of places. She comes
are surprisingly colourful! The beauty of screen across it around corners, in Mexico’s gold-coloured
printing? The combinations are endless—and so signage, in old class pictures or even just by people-
are the t-shirts! watching. “Clothing is made unique by those who
Much like their globetrotter creator, Melinda’s wear it, too!” she underlines.
first t-shirts were originally distributed in Japan! And you, what colour will you give your
The Adieu collection grew and was presented in Adieu?
ADIEU ADIEU
- 12 - - 13 -

8. AQUA-
OVO’S
WHITE
WATER
Noémie
&
Manuel Desrochers
HAVE THEIR SIGHTS SET ON WATER!
With their company AQUAOVO, which offers an original
and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional water dispensers,
these two young Quebecois entrepreneurs are attempting to make water
number one again in people’s everyday lives.
AQUAOVO AQUAOVO
- 14 - - 15 -

9. “AQUAOVO
Manuel spent three years conduc- friendly as it is esthetically pleasing—
ting research before he finally laid the the OVOPUR is even featured in
OVOPUR, a new-age water distribution several Montreal-based art galleries.
and filtration system that consumes Beyond style, AQUAOVO products
MAKES IT THEIR
no electricity. With curves in all the are all stamped with an environmen-
right places, the egg-shaped dispenser tal conscience. AQUAOVO makes it
reproduces water’s natural cycle as their duty to use as little plastic pos-
closely as possible, using gravity to sible—OVOPUR filters are recyclable
DUTY TO USE AS
filter tap water. It’s a nature-inspired, and its parts handmade. The company
eco-design approach for the young also develops a line of environmentally
artist, whose creative process is greatly friendly accessories and always uses
influenced by Mother Nature. “Ob- noble and durable materials such as
LITTLE PLASTIC
serve, understand and imitate nature,” porcelain, glass and metal.
says Manuel quoting Austrian natura- A keen independent learner,
list and inventor Victor Schauberger Manuel speaks of water with a purely
(1885-1958), who spoke of water as the poetic passion: “People need more
POSSIBLE—
“Earth’s blood.” than to just live, they need to nourish
Cutting-edge, the OVOPUR draws themselves, and water happens to be a
inspiration from age-old knowledge, very essential nutrient.”
and adapts it to the 21st century to of- The OVOPUR is therefore much
OVOPUR FILTERS
fer citizens water of a better quality. more than just a water filter: “It’s a
“Back 2,000 years ago, the Romans global, sensual and playful experience,
and Greeks already used egg-shaped a way to live water to its every drop.”
amphora to conserve water and wine,” An experience that could fore-
ARE RECYCLABLE
states Manuel. As humble as they come, ver change the way we taste the subs-
the creators were able to come up with tance…
a product that is as environmentally
AND ITS PARTS
HANDMADE.”
AQUAOVO AQUAOVO
- 16 - - 17 -

10. ONCE UPON A TIME…
PEARLS BEFORE
SWINE
“Do not give what is holy
to dogs, and do not throw
your pearls before swine,
or they will trample them
under their feet, and turn
and tear you to pieces.”
Mathieu 7 : 6
PEARLS BEFORE SWINE PEARLS BEFORE SWINE
- 18 - - 19 -

11. “It was like discovering
a treasure chest. It didn’t
contain pearls or gold,
but the symbolic value
of these objects
was priceless.”
In the beginning, there were pearls… Pearls Before salvage a damaged vinyl record. The imperfec- imperfect pearls, which most jewellers tended forged by hand at the start of the century is given
Swine is the fascinating story of Himo Martin, tion proved to be esthetically pleasing, inspiring to discard. “Things don’t have to be perfect to new life under the traits of a ring set with pearls.
a nomadic spirit (he spent the first few years of even. His next step: a jewellery collection made be magnificent; sometimes it’s precisely those Himo was even able to salvage scraps of metal
his life cruising the highways of the United States from recycled records, most of them found off the imperfections that make a pearl rare.” from the site of his family home, stricken by fire
with his family, after their home was ravaged by beaten path. The name Pearls Before Swine is also filled almost 30 years ago. “It was like discovering a
fire in 1980) whose story is laden with coincidences It was also unexpectedly that pearls came with symbolism: do not give things of beauty to treasure chest. It didn’t contain pearls or gold, but
that shaped his fiercely environmentalist crea- into Himo’s life, after his studies at Vancouver’s those who will not be able to appreciate them. the symbolic value of these objects was priceless.”
tive genius. “The environment, or environments, Liberal Arts Langara College. To do a friend a “When the art form we’re working on is anti-con- For his collaboration with Sid Lee Collective,
inspire me; I try to recreate them, to inject them favour, he began distributing Japanese-cultured formist in nature, not everyone is going to jump Himo has the history of Montreal in mind. And so
into my work,” confides the jeweller. Akoya pearls in Canada. Himo then let himself be out of their seats. It speaks to people who truly each jewel will not only tell its own story, but also
Behind each of his Pearls Before Swine jewels inspired by these grains, breaking the taboo want to experience it.” that of Montreal and, inevitably, its creator.
you can find a trace of this captivating story. of the perfect pearl. “People have a very classic By way of jewels that are both raw and refined, As we can clearly see, Pearls Before Swine
Having inherited an environmental conscience image of pearls; they see them as symbols of Himo questions the value of objects. He’s known is a story: the story of Himo Martin, pearls,
from his hippie family, Himo made his debut in purity, of class,” he states. Wanting to do away with for recreating metallic pieces he comes upon Montreal… By wearing these jewels, the story
the world of jewellery-making when he tried to this symbol of perfection, he chose to work with randomly, and transforming them into art: a nail becomes ours as well.
PEARLS BEFORE SWINE PEARLS BEFORE SWINE
- 20 - - 21 -

12. At a time when multifunction cell who studied carpentry, is in charge of
phone/PDA/mp3 players have inunda- the technical aspects of the creative
ted department store shelves, the guys process, where as Mike is primarily
at FURNI have chosen to go against responsible for the artistic aspects of the
the tide and return to the basics. “At design. “FURNI is inspired by retro
FURNI
FURNI, we believe less is more. Our art. We’re lucky because the city of
objects definitely have a function, but Montreal came of age during the 70’s:
it’s just one basic function. A FURNI the metro, the curves, the primary
watch, for example, will tell you colours… We just have to open our
the time,” declares Mike Giles with a eyes and inspiration is there!”
sly grin. As skateboard enthusiasts, the
Back As a result, FURNI offers a guys at FURNI give their products a
to collection of objects in a minimalist personal touch by naming them after
basics style, designed from start to finish by professional skateboarders from the
Montrealers Devin Barrette and Mike 80’s (GATOR SE, KNOX, ALBA
Giles. Watches, alarm clocks, magazine MA). “We’re trying to show that FUR-
racks, bathroom accessories: FURNI NI is personal and tangible. Big chains
products all share a simple functional like IKEA have democratized design,
aesthetic with a resolutely retro touch. making it affordable. But because they
Ironically, FURNI got its start produce in industrial quantities, they
when Mike and Devin found themsel- have to sacrifice quality. Not FURNI!”
ves without jobs…but not without the When you make a purchase, you’re
will to work! They therefore began to then given a code that allows you to see
produce custom-built furnishings for photos on the FURNI website (furni-
individual clients. But they both drea- creations.com) of the pair hard at work.
med of someday creating their own It is not simply the style that
line of products. After some decisive captivates quite a few customers, but
trials (notably in 2006 at the Canadian also the idea of going back to basics.
Design Exhibition in New York), the “With today’s technology, certain
guys at FURNI experimented with products have functions that the
their first collection. Two years and customer will never use, to the extent
2,000 deliveries later, you could say the that instruction booklets sometimes
experiment proved to be a success. resemble telephone books.”
This success is tied to the comple- Rest assured, with FURNI pro-
mentary skills of both partners: Devin, ducts, there will only be one…
FURNI FURNI
- 22 - - 23 -

13. Krane is much more than a definition: since 2004, it’s
also a clothing label that offers men’s clothes and unites
the styles of yesterday and today, with details borrowed
from industrial design. Sturdy, tailored elegance and
finished by hand. “The goal is to make Krane a (life)
style that speaks to men who appreciate cultural
diversity and richness in their daily lives.”
The man behind Krane is designer Ken Chow, born
in China but raised near Toronto. When Chow was
eight, a teacher noticed his artistic talent and suggested
to his parents that he take painting classes. At first inte-
rested in visual art, Ken Chow branched off into (high)
fashion to study men’s design at the Fashion Institute
of Technology in New York, before interning with
Marc Jacobs and Alexandre Plokhov (Cloak), no less!
A love of art, design and culture in general comes
KRANE
through in every one of the designer’s creations. “I love
art, music, film, architecture … Krane is a mix of many
artistic disciplines that interact in a fashion context.”
The art of “wa” also influences Ken’s work, as
witnessed by the military aesthetic of his vintage bags
(the Siebel messenger bag, the Krivak duffle bag).
A RARE BIRD “I developed this attraction [for the military aesthetic]
as a child, when I entered an art contest for Remem-
brance Day.” In the hands of Ken Chow, unarmed
Crane: soldiers become fashion icons, with their uniforms
revamped for a practical chic. With waxed cotton,
leather and magnetic closures, the contemporary
Both a bird
styling of Krane bags and coats (often finished by
hand) appeals to young urban professionals.
Ken Chow also draws inspiration from architec-
ture, particularly that of I. M. Pei (whose accomplish-
and an ments include the Louvre pyramid in Paris). “Pei is a
free spirit who thinks outside the box.” In this vein,
Krane’s calfskin leather zipper tie plays with bounda-
industrial
ries, pushing the accessory outside of its traditional
context and moving the tie out of the boardroom.
As it does in Asian symbolism, Krane definitely
machine.
seems to promise long life.
In Asia, the
crane is a
symbol of life
and longevity.
KRANE KRANE
- 24 - - 25 -

14. TEAM
MACHO A FIVE-DIMENSIONAL UNIVERSE
“You unlock the door
with the key of imagination.”
THE TWILIGHT ZONE
TEAM MACHO TEAM MACHO
- 26 - - 27 -

15. Put your preconceived notions of art and its
rules aside and immerse yourself in the drawings
of Team Macho; it promises to be a highly
colourful adventure.
Team Macho was born of a frustration,
particularly that of four Illustration students at
Toronto’s Sheridan College. Discouraged by the
lack of artistic sensibility in education and in their
profession in general (“Illustration is often seen as
a second-rate art form”), they decided in 2004 to
break free from rules. And ever since then, Lauchie
Reid, Christopher Buchan, Stephen Appleby-Barr
and Nicholas Aoki ( Jacob Whibley would join the
team later) have been combining their efforts and
talents to create artwork in which styles, imagina-
tions and visions are in constant communication.
“Each member creates what he wants. Our styles
often come together in a chaotic way, but cohesion
always seems to prevail in the end product.”
A touch of each Macho can therefore be
seen in every one of their drawings. Improvisa-
tion plays a vital role in the joint creative process,
the result being eye-opening: juxtaposed styles
producing colourful works with a resolutely sar-
castic tone (think Mao Guys, Hello Spyderman,
etc.). Visual manifestos that leave no spectator
indifferent and even push them to self-reflection,
urging them to decode the visual story hidden
behind each scenario. “The end result is reliant
upon each spectator’s personal and unique inter-
pretation and so the image is never decoded in
the same way twice.”
Trained in illustration for commercial
purposes, the Machos often inject their works
with messages (images) that satirize the monetary
and commercial aspect of the advertising medium.
Published in 2007, Fancy Action Now regroups
visual gems like Baby Dyke, Angel Haters or even
Lighting Factory, which was created on a lined
sheet of paper.
After their Friends 4 Life (2005) and Team
Macho is a Though Man (2006) exhibitions
in Toronto, these macho icons are hitting in
Amsterdam in grand style, for their joint project
with Sid Lee Collective. Lauchie, Christopher,
Stephen, Nicholas and Jacob hope to push the
boundaries of their universe even further, this
time by way of thematic and original installations.
Team Macho’s artistic universe is sure
to take spectators on a journey way past the
fourth dimension.
TEAM MACHO TEAM MACHO
- 28 - - 29 -

16. TEAM MACHO TEAM MACHO
- 30 - - 31 -

17. “Impro-
visation
plays a
vital role
in the
joint
creative
process.”
TEAM MACHO TEAM MACHO
- 32 - - 33 -

18. CLOTHING, PAINTING,
MUSIC, THEATRE, RENATA
MORALES HAS COLLABO-
RATED ON A THOUSAND
AND ONE PROJECTS,
INCLUDING SOME
FOR THE LIKES OF
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL
AND CANNES.
MORALES
Art Deco
RENATA MORALES RENATA MORALES
- 34 - - 35 -

19. It’s tough to categorize Renata
Morales under one profession. Clo-
hit Montreal runways. Many more
would follow… But it wasn’t always
“PAINTING IS MY ALLY.
thing, painting, music, theatre… smooth sailing for Renata Morales. WHEN I CREATE CLOTHING,
Renata Morales has collaborated on
a thousand and one projects, inclu-
“My first designs were horrible!”
Kind of hard to believe when you
AN EXPRESSION BECOMES
ding some for the likes of Cirque du look at her ultra-feminine, simply MORE ACCESSIBLE
Soleil and Cannes (the latter for
Denis Villeneuve’s latest short, Next
flawless dresses.
Different art forms coexist
THANKS TO PAINTING.”
Door, which won the Grand Prize in Renata Morales’ universe, and
at the International Critics’ Week the artist exhibits her canvasses at
in Cannes 2008). “I love working several art galleries. She, who signs
with different people and different her clothing pieces as one would
mediums,” says the multitalented sign a painting, reveals: “Painting is
creator. my ally. When I create clothing, an
A born artist, the 34-year-old expression becomes more accessible
native of Mexico (but a Montrealer thanks to painting.”
at heart!), travels a lot. Her eyes light Renata Morales can’t get enough
up when she speaks of Tokyo, which of working with her hands. It’s all
she visited for the first time last year. in the details: shapes, fabrics, com-
“Tokyo is a carnival for all your senses. binations. A meticulousness which
So much fun.” Travelling is a source results in textured dresses, stamped
of inspiration for her, like art in its with purity. “I’m much more of a
every form. decorator, a sculptor of clothing, than
When Renata Morales arrived certain designers who tend to work
in Montreal 20 years ago, she studied more as architects.” The dresses pre-
plastic arts at Lionel-Groulx College. pared for Sid Lee Collective are fai-
“I always had that in me: art, pain- thful to this very appealing image.
ting, a love for music; and I’d always Designer, painter, decorator,
wanted to make clothing.” It was in sculptor… Renata Morales is a bit
Montreal in 1999 that she opened of every one of these. And with her,
her first clothing boutique; the fol- art and fashion have never been
lowing year, her first fashion shows so tight.
RENATA MORALES RENATA MORALES
- 36 - - 37 -

20. RENATA MORALES RENATA MORALES
- 38 - - 39 -

21. CASTOR
ROCKING DESIGN!
“At first, we wanted
to be rock stars.
Unfortunately,
I don’t have any
musical talent.”
CASTOR CASTOR
- 40 - - 41 -

22. A true rocker at heart, Brian Richer instead chose The Castor slogan: Make **it Look Good.
to shake up the world of design with his Castor “We try to combine humour and skill when desi-
Design project. The end product is worthy of the gning.” This philosophy guides their work and
greatest of rock icons: lamps made of recycled neon often leads them to design with recycled or rough
tubes, a shipping container converted into a sauna, materials. “Our style is very low-fi. The object’s
and Oddfellows, a restaurant and bar-come-event function must never be forgotten in favour of
venue that’s opening soon in Toronto. aesthetics. When you think about it, recycling
The “design beaver” (castor means “beaver” neon tubes to make a lamp is almost absurd … but
in French) is barely two years old, but already check out the end result!”
its uncompromising work is bearing fruit. It has The result appeals to connoisseurs of singu-
to be said: Brian Richer’s ingenuity takes design lar design who definitely don’t take themselves
beyond its traditional scope. “I don’t theorize seriously. Castor’s unique products are already
too much about my creative process. I don’t have distributed in Toronto, New York, Miami, and
a plan, I just go where the work takes me.” Talk now Amsterdam. Brian is the first to be surprised
about a jam session! by Castor Design’s success. “I made the first lamp
After working for eight years as a stone for my house ten years ago, and today people are
carver, Brian felt like trying something different buying them.” Clearly, the beavers should try to
and decided to make a go of the Castor Design come to terms with success, because it doesn’t
experience in 2006. “I’d been designing objects seem anywhere close to letting up: Castor Design
for myself for a long time, but I’d never marketed has been approached to participate in the next
them.” With his confederate, Kei Ng, an architect Venice Biennale. Here’s to drinking to the beavers’
by training and owner of Toronto’s Kei restaurant, success at Oddfellows!
Brian dove headfirst into the wonderful world of
the do-it-yourselfer, just like the firm’s namesake.
CASTOR CASTOR
- 42 - - 43 -

23. COMPLEXGEOMETRIES
THE COMPLEX LANGUAGE OF CLOTHING
THINK TWICE ABOUT WHAT YOU PUT ON!
That’s what Clayton Evans proposes with his complexgeometries collection, which invites
consumers to look at clothing differently, maybe even interact with it.
“BEFORE WEARING A SWEATER FROM THE COLLECTION,
YOU SHOULD KNOW HOW TO WEAR IT.”
COMPLEXGEOMETRIES COMPLEXGEOMETRIES
- 44 - - 45 -

24. Bearing asymmetric and uneven cuts, and details treal’s biosphere is an example). Since then,
that go beyond the ordinary, clothing from the Clayton Evans has had a more global vision of
complexgeometries collection encourages consu- clothing, which incorporates not only style but also
CLAYTON EVANS’ STUDIO IS A LAB
WHERE HIS IDEAS ARE EXPERI-
MENTED ON CLOTHING. AT THE
ROOT OF HIS CREATIONS IS HIS
DESIRE TO BALANCE BACKGROUND
AND FORM, STYLE AND MEANING.
mers to reflect on what they’re wearing. “The meaning. And that’s how complexgeometries
pieces are modifiable, so each person can adapt came to be. The collection, which first raised
them to their personality.” For the Alberta-born eybrows in Asia and Europe, will hit the Uni-
designer, clothing serves a much greater purpose ted States this fall. Complexgeometries offers
than just style. “It’s probably the most important men’s and women’s lines, as well as a unisex one.
form of nonverbal communication. What you The organic-textured cotton and silk clothing
wear and how you wear it speaks volumes of you.” is often created from a single piece of fabric.
In 2002, Clayton Evans moved to Montreal, Complexgeometries’ dresses, shirts and tunics
following his studies at the Alberta College of all have something unique, as they mirror those
Art and Design. Shortly after, he discovered the who don them. “Fashion isn’t static; it changes
man who would transform the way he looked and renews itself constantly. My pieces do, too.”
at clothing, American architect and visionary With complexgeometries, taking the time
Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983, Buckminster Ful- to properly dress yourself can take on a whole
ler invented the geodesic dome, of which Mon- new meaning.
COMPLEXGEOMETRIES COMPLEXGEOMETRIES
- 46 - - 47 -

25. “The only
way to survive
is by having
a personal
touch.”
“I came to London to enjoy the fantastic quality
of life this city has to offer!” jokes Québécois desi-
gner Philippe Malouin. A recent graduate of De-
sign Academy Eindhoven in the Netherlands, the
25-year-old designer has just opened the doors of
his first London studio. “It seems everything gra-
vitates to London, whether it be music, fashion,
art or design: it’s where trends in the artistic
world appear.”
Philippe
MALOUIN
Before London, Philippe Malouin spent his
time between Canada, France and the Netherlands.
He’s a globe-trotting designer, always seeking to
push the boundaries of design “by design”.
His hybrid creations, like the Grace Table (an
inflatable table), the Hanger Chair or the Monarc
Bag, perfectly blend different design schools.
A CREATIVE MIX Thus, the highly industrial approach of the Uni-
versity of Montreal meets the more classic style
of Paris’ École Nationale de Création Industrielle
(where he also studied) and the more conceptual,
experimental philosophy of Design Academy
Eindhoven. A textbook case of design fusion,
between industrial and limited edition!
Philippe Malouin’s artistic development is
closely linked to his personal evolution, with a
mix of influences in which François Azambourg
(Hermès), Frank Tjepkema (Tjep) and Tom Dixon
have equal importance. “At the very beginning,
I tried to imitate what the great designers were
doing. But I soon learned that, in this profession, the
only way to survive is by having a personal touch.”
There’s no doubt that today Philippe
Malouin truly has a style of his own. The center-
piece of his work is the Hanger Chair, a piece that
restores the glory of collapsible furniture, the kind
you pull out of the closet on nights when special
guests drop by. A mix of folding chair and hanger,
the Hanger Chair plays a double game: both prac-
tical and aesthetically pleasing, it makes you want
to invite a crowd over.
Time to break out the Hanger Chair!
PHILIPPE MALOUIN PHILIPPE MALOUIN
- 48 - - 49 -

26. Naked processing methods used by Naked and Famous
combine old-school techniques with cutting-edge
and
technology to produce unique top-quality denim.
And Brandon knows the rag trade! His family
has been in the Montreal clothing business for
Famous
three generations, and Naked and Famous is
headquartered in the city’s garment district. So
it was a longstanding passion that led him to
develop unusual fabrics for his premium jeans,
like blends of denim and silk, or even denim and
DRESSED FOR SUCCESS cashmere, a nearly rigid 21-ounce denim, and
many others. For jeans lovers who care about
The Naked and Famous logo speaks for itself: a the environment, Naked and Famous has even
pop art topless woman purrs at the customer to designed a “green jean” that features organic
buy… clothing! But not just any clothing: jeans cotton, natural indigo dye, and green stitching.
made from the highest quality denim, imported Naked and Famous, launched in early 2008,
from Japan. And Naked and Famous needs no is still young. But the fashion industry from
celebrity endorsers to convince us to buy: just try New York to Montreal took note of its arrival, and
on a pair and you’ll be sold! it must be said they find its product fascinating:
The genius behind Naked and Famous is premium jeans made in Canada at extremely
that of Brandon Svarc. This young man’s eyes attractive prices. “At Naked and Famous, we
light up behind his dark glasses when he talks don’t spend money on eye candy!” There’s no
about denim. “I’m sort of a jeans nerd”, he con- distressing of fabric, no trendy embroideries or
fesses jokingly. That’s no surprise, since all his embellishments, nothing superf luous. “Doing
jeans use selvedge denim, woven in Japan (for the away with these costly steps means that the cus-
uninitiated, the words “selvedge” or “salvage” come tomer pays only the actual cost of a quality jean,
from “self-edge” and refer to the denim fabric’s not for an image that basically has nothing to do
finished edge. This old-style weaving technique, with the product.” A simple, modern cut that covers
which ensures stability and quality, has nearly up the naked bits with the best quality denim
disappeared today, replaced by more cost-efficient anywhere: isn’t that what dressing for success is
processes). Svarc, a 26-year-old Montrealer, all about? Naked and Famous gets it. And we’re
has always been obsessed with excellence. The betting that it won’t take long before you do, too!
NAKED AND FAMOUS NOM DE LA SECTION
- 50 - - 51 -

27. Mireille Boucher’s world teems the surreal imagery of Hans Ruedi
with life! While her organic and Giger, the Swiss artist and designer
captivating Harakiri jewellery may whose work appears in the film
contain allusions of mortality, it’s Alien. The influence is clearly there.
far from death. Instead, each A good bit of imagination is
design hints at a mysteriously fan- needed to guess what lurks within
tastic back story. There are pieces the detail of a Harakiri piece, such
with an austere feel or fascinating as Gothic-influenced necklaces fea-
depth, and others brimming with turing a finely worked mouse skull
questions—rhetorical, of course! or delicately intertwined bird legs.
Harakiri
OFTEN INSPIRED
BY NATURE,
HARAKIRI JEWELLERY
A PAEAN TO LIFE HAS A SOMEWHAT
SPIRITUAL SIDE.
From all appearances, Mireille While Harakiri pieces may have a
Boucher wasn’t predestined to hard, skeletal side, they are infused
become a jewellery designer. Not with delicacy and softness, a contrast
even a little? Well, it’s more that the in the image of their creator.
art of jewellery design came to her Mireille’s references to harakiri
when she was hardly expecting it. aren’t morbid, but musical (from
“A co-worker was wearing a magnif- the Nina Hagen song Atomic Flash
icent ring”, Mireille recalls. “I was Deluxe), although she also sees a cer-
stunned to learn that she had made tain poetry in the obviously bloody
it herself!” This bit of happenstance practice. “In feudal times, it was
would lead her far, well beyond believed that the entrails revealed a
her jewellery-making studies in person’s true nature. So ritual dis-
Montreal. In 2003, Harakiri was embowelment may have been seen
born, with an innate predilection as way to profess one’s real feelings.”
for out of the ordinary design. “One There is no doubt whatsoever
of my first pieces was a little cast as to Mireille’s sincerity. Her genu-
bone, embedded with diamonds.” ineness is appreciated and recog-
Often inspired by nature, nized by her peers. She worked on
Harakiri jewellery has a somewhat designer Denis Gagnon’s recent
spiritual side. “There was a rumour shows, and has a thousand and one
at one point that my designs were other ideas in mind: “I’m working
endowed with certain powers”, the now with moulded resin to create
35-year-old designer says. “I love the high-end pieces, because that’s the
idea of jewellery with magical power.” niche I belong in.”
Each Harakiri piece is unique, And now with Amsterdam, the
and all are fashioned from the finest world is opening up to Mireille
materials—like gold or silver—with and Harakiri. A world of dark and
brushed, oxidized, or unpolished fin- light, and a world of the contrasts
ishes. Mireille’s designs are flowing that coexist so beautifully in her
and mechanical, sometimes evoking Harakiri jewellery.
HARAKIRI HARAKIRI
- 52 - - 53 -

28. Coe
&
Waito
TWO NATURAL WOMEN
COE&WAITO COE&WAITO
- 54 - - 55 -

29. Coe&Waito is a serenade to nature sung by Coe&Waito was born, featuring aesthetic
Alissa Coe and Carly Waito, two young and functional pieces inspired by the natural
designers who have united their voices and environment. “Sometimes our point of reference
their passion for ceramics and industrial design. is a specific detail from the natural world,
With a pure, modern aesthetic and immac- sometimes it is a vague impression or feeling
ulate white colour, their whimsical creations we want to create,” the artists explain. The
inspire a sense of peace and tranquillity. work is, in essence, a harmonious marriage of
Deciding to collaborate was a “natural” industrial design and decorative art, of Alissa’s
decision for Alissa and Carly, who met while ingenuity and Carly’s imagination.
studying industrial design at the Ontario Japanese and Scandinavian techniques
College of Art & Design. “Before we knew inspire their sleek and elegant pieces, which
each other, we would find ourselves arriving offer a glimpse of the sublime. Porcelain vases
to class, having made eerily similar projects,” with coral-like details mingle with delicate
recalls the pair. After falling in love with ceramic pinecones, muted lamps, and a stunning
ceramics, these young women dedicated their installation of ethereal jellyfish, which has
hearts and souls to working with this “versatile been displayed at numerous Canadian galleries.
material that offers infinite possibilities.” “We try to create things that have an element
Their partnership did not end with their of preciousness about them, in hopes that they
study program. On the contrary, newly will be cherished and saved for a long time.”
graduated Alissa and Carly launched their One thing is for sure: the Coe&Waito
own collection in 2004. collection will touch you… naturally!
COE&WAITO COE&WAITO
- 56 - - 57 -

30. SPECIAL THANKS
Sid Lee would like to thank:
writer Fabienne Vinet
And all participating creators:
complexgeometries.com
teammacho.com
castordesign.ca
furnicreations.com
aquaovo.com
kranedesign.com
renatamorales.com
pearlsbeforeswine.ca
philippemalouin.com
CONTACT INFORMATION
Ateliers: Montreal
75 Queen Street, Suite 1400
Montreal, Quebec
H3C 2N6
Canada
Phone: +1 514-282-2200
Amsterdam
Gerard Doustraat 72
1072 VV Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Phone: +31 (0) 206 623030
Paris
12 rue du Sentier
75 002 Paris
France
Phone: +33 (1) 44 88 83 90
Toronto
55 Mill Street
Building 5 , Suite 500
Toronto, Ontario
M5A 3C4
Canada
Phone: +1 416 - 421-4200
Austin
Suite D-102
3601 South Congress
Austin, Texas 78704
United States
Phone: +1 512 - 444-3533
Websites: sidlee.com
sidleearchitecture.com
jimmylee.tv

31. Another fanzine