LaSalle College hosts Signature 2025 fashion show, showcasing tomorrow’s designers
Posted May 13, 2025 9:00 pm.
Last Updated May 14, 2025 7:49 am.
Lights, cameras, and amazing fashion—LaSalle College’s Signature 2025 fashion show took center stage.
On May 13, 2025, the Grand Quai Pavilion in Montreal was filled with over 2,000 fashion lovers who came to see the creative and sustainable designs of LaSalle’s graduating students.
The night was a celebration of fresh ideas and new talent, as the next generation of designers took their first steps into the fashion world, featuring three evening shows.
A full house and major fashion energy
Signature 2025 sold out quickly, and it’s clear why.
The venue was alive with excitement from industry insiders, students, alumni, and fashion fans who came to see what the future of Canadian fashion holds.
Éléonore Lagacé, singer and actress, returned as the event’s spokesperson for the second year. She shared her enthusiasm, saying, “It’s an honour to be the event spokesperson for a second year. It’s one of my favorite events in Montreal because you get to see the creativity from young talent here and from around the world. It’s completely crazy.”
She added, “The level of talent is amazing. It’s like these designs could be by Gucci or Versace, and they’re by students my age—it’s mind-blowing.”
Fashion with purpose: Sustainability leads the way
The fashion on display wasn’t just bold and innovative—it was also deeply sustainable.
More than 90 per cent of the accessories seen on the runway were made from upcycled materials, and many student collections focused on environmental impact.
The SGNTR pop-up boutique returned this year, featuring upcycled, one-of-a-kind items. A highlight was the collaboration with iconic 1980s brand Parachute, where students reworked archive pieces under the mentorship of co-founder Nicola Pelly.
“It’s something that comes from the students,” said Andrew McNally, dean of fashion at LaSalle College. “Like clearly as a design school we have to be at the forefront of what’s happening for what the industry requires. But the students are very much… it is something that they’re very passionate about.”
For Tiana Kim, a 2025 LaSalle College graduate and participating designer, sustainability is essential.
“I think we all know that sustainable fashion is kind of the only way that we could really help solve the crisis that we’ve created in the fashion industry,” she said.
“Just trying to consume less, produce less and start working with recycled material is the best thing that we could do for our planet,” she added.
Ella Dubblestein, also a 2025 LaSalle College graduate, agreed: “Sustainability is a huge part of my life. I design with sustainability in mind every time, especially the generation we live in. It’s hard to ignore sustainability now.”
Remembering Valérie Dumaine
The show also paid tribute to Montreal designer and LaSalle College graduate Valérie Dumaine, who passed away earlier this year. Known for her commitment to ethical fashion, Dumaine’s influence was felt throughout the evening.
“We lost, the fashion community lost, Valérie Dumaine in February,” said McNally.
He said he worked closely with Dumaine’s husband, Eric Fillion, to find a meaningful way to honour her legacy.
“I discussed with her husband and it was like I would like to celebrate her legacy and he was like, we’re exactly on the same page,” McNally said.
The event featured a sale of Dumaine’s archived pieces—something many in the local fashion scene had been hoping for.
“We are selling some of her archive pieces because there was a demand from the community that was like, ‘Oh, I would have liked to buy,’” he said. “So we’re giving that opportunity. The sale, the profits from the sale are going to her foundation.”
A new bursary in Dumaine’s name was also announced.
“Eric Fillion, her husband, is offering a thousand-dollar bursary to a student whose practice is aligned with what Valérie did in her practice,” McNally said. “It’s the first time, but it will be a repeated bursary every year.”
He added that the tribute was not just emotional, but also a powerful reminder to students about the values that matter.
“Not only are we talking about social development and upcycling and ethical fashion,” McNally said, “but it also demonstrates to the students that they are doing something good and that it’s in sync with the industry.”
Showcasing growth, not just garments
While the designs were impressive, for many students, the night meant more than just showing clothes.
“It feels insane. It honestly doesn’t feel real quite honestly,” said Kim.
“I’ve been waiting for this for three years now and now watching everything go down and backstage and then finally walking the runway with the models and my fellow classmates. It’s incredible and sad at the same time because that means I’m graduating and I’m done studying here.”
She added, “It’s more not only about the clothing but how we’ve grown as students and what we’ve learned and how each project is better and better and how our designs have gone stronger, our sewing has gone stronger.”
Dubblestein said the night marked a turning point.
“To me, it’s a big milestone. It’s not just a fashion show. It’s throwing myself into the industry, officially,” she said.
When asked if she felt ready, she replied, “I feel I’m ready. I think I’ve been set up to succeed.”
Celebrating creativity across disciplines
Costume design students had their own special spotlight with two exciting projects. The first was a collaboration with Cirque du Soleil, where students designed costumes using leftover fabrics from the world-renowned performance company.
Another collaboration with the McCord Stewart Museum focused on reimagining the lavish costume balls of the late 1800s and early 1900s. These works will be on display at the museum starting May 26.
Tressages: A blend of cultures and creation
One of the most moving moments of the evening was the debut of Tressages, a cultural collaboration between LaSalle, legendary designer Jean-Claude Poitras, and 11 Indigenous artists. The project, developed with KWE!, fused heritage, art, and innovative fashion into an unforgettable runway moment.
More than just a show
At its core, Signature 2025 was more than just a fashion show—it was a celebration of creativity and collaboration.
McNally shared, “It’s really a celebration of the industry as a whole.”
Lagacé left the students with an empowering message: “Never stop creating. Creation is the best way to express yourself.”
