FASHION Magazine

See the photos from the Renata Morales dinner »

Last week in Montreal, I attended an exclusive dinner at Centre PHI to fête the up-coming exhibition The 8-day Week curated by Renata Morales, a multidisciplinary artist who designs clothing as well creates as various artworks.

Guests were seated at a single 40-person dining table decked out in gold sequins and personalized Moët & Chandon bottles of sparkling wine. Besides Morales herself and fashion icon Denis Gagnon (the two are part of an eclectic group selling select items in an avant-garde pop-up shop), featured artist Joe Becker was present. He unveiled three of his paintings, amongst them was Not everybody can sh*t rainbows, as well as a Kurt Cobain portrait imagined just moments after his suicide.” Leave the little kiddies at home.

Showcasing Morales’ love for underground music, guests received a compilation of artists who will be performing during the event. The handpicked line-up is clearly a showcase of Morales’ eccentric universe. Mark your calendars for shows by such acts as U.S. Girls, Petra Glynt, Prison Garde and Young Paris.

The unique style of designer Renata Morales has earned her props from art-loving fashion circles, including Grammy-winning Canadian band Arcade Fire. Here, she shares her favourite shops and the story behind Denis Gagnon’s infamous eyewear.

You’ve moved from prêt-à-porter to designing exclusively for private clients?
“That’s what I enjoy doing. It’s more elaborate stuff, where all the work is really ornate. I’ve also done costumes for [Oscar-nominated film director] Denis Villeneuve’s short, Next Floor.”

How cool is it working with Arcade Fire?
“I work with them because we’re friends. It’s not costume-oriented, except those Tron suits they wore on SNL.”

Though we’ve long loved Renata Morales (renatamorales.com), the Montreal designer came screaming back into our consciousness last October with her Spring 2009 show–full of ethereal dresses made of candy floss and the feathers of imaginary birds (we assume). The frocks in Morales’ Fall 2009 collection were inspired macro photographs of moths and rendered with feathers, sequins and knit metal mesh. The tough edge and handmade, demi-couture details make Rodarte an easy comparison, though Morales always seems to take it one step creepier. More images after the jump.