MATIÈRE NOIRE presented their Fall / Winter 14 collection at World Master Card Fashion Week. For your viewing pleasure, I’ve included pictures of the collection as well as a sample from the interview I did with Matière Noire‘s designer, Cécile Raizonville. But first, here is a little bit of information about this young brand.
Raizonville is a French-born, Barcelona trained and Montreal based emerging designer. Upon her arrival in America, she worked for the eco-friendly brand Bodkin in New York before launching her own line in Montreal. It’s in 2012, that the female designer moved to Montreal and leaped into the world of entrepreneurship. Last year, Matière Noire won the Mercedes-Benz Start Up competition which took place in Toronto. Thanks to Mercedes-Benz, Raizonville and her team received the support, resources and connections every designer needs to be successful. They also had the opportunity to present their FW14 collection on the coveted World Master Card Fashion Week runway.
Matière Noire is a brand unlike any other. They value curiosity, diversity and manufacture all their products in Canada. Here is what she showed.
F.W.A.C.: What was the inspiration behind this collection?
C.R.: I wanted to give the brand an identity because it is our first time having a big show in Toronto. The identity is mixed between masculine and feminine looks. For example, all the tops are really straight, and the bottoms are more feminine and wide. The color scheme is inspired by Melancholia the movie about Lars Von Tier. I used lots of blues and for the details I used a mixture of things. For example, I used an Inuit tattoo applied on a knit and embroidered it on a belt as well. The leather is woven by hand in Quebec. Basically, I try to be modern all the while showing artisanal work.
F.W.A.C.: Do you still work with Petites Mains?
C.R.: Yes, I’m still collaborating with them but only for finishing and things like that. We are looking to expand the production and work with them some more since we have a great collaboration with them.
F.W.A.C.: Since you won the competition, what’s been the biggest change in your life?
C.R.: We’ve had a lot of opportunities: I got to meet with the competition’s judges and get advice. We’ve been given the strength to reinforce the brand. I’ve had the opportunity to work with different people and build my team. So the brand is growing.
F.W.A.C.: What’s the best advice you could give to someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?
C.R.: Have fun and believe in what you do. Be confident because sometimes doubt will try to settle in.
Stay Conscious & Chic!
Photo Credits: Paul Ross for OPIQUE / Top Of The Runway for Fashion With A Conscience.