" Those of you who were away from home over the holidays will know that it can be weird, but I was lucky enough that my new home of NYC meant that I was close enough to take my festive refuge in Montreal where some wonderful friends and family live - so I packed my typical full black attire, a warm coat and headed north...
The visit began with choosing a seat on an empty train; it's always a bit of a lottery as you can't choose your neighbour, they choose you. Unfortunately, I was chosen by an astrology-loving ageing hippy who looked (and smelled) like he took a wrong turn from Woodstock circa 1969 and is yet to find his way home. A mere five minutes into the epic journey he commenced proceedings with “you're a Gemini aren't you?” Dear God. This, mixed with the remains of a Christmas party the night before weighing heavy in my head and just three hours sleep, my mood threw itself off the high speed train and into oncoming traffic. I loathe New Age spew at the best of times – especially sitting next to it on an 11 hour train journey with a hangover. After a fairly invasive 'Planetary Reading' my personal train of British constitution was approaching Struggle City but somehow when I was almost fresh out of hope, we pulled into Montreal. Once out of the station it was clear that my British sheepskin coat was going to lose the arm-wrestle with the Canadian elements of -25, and I couldn't very well have come all this way to spend Christmas wrapped around a radiator. I needed thick layers, at least another four pairs of socks and a pair of hardcore gloves – and fast. My trusty capsule wardrobe was in mortal danger of falling at the first Canadian fashion hurdle.
Montreal is a lovely – albeit small – city which is full of life, warmth and style despite it's plummeting winter temperatures. It plays home to footwear giant and firm high street favourite - ALDO - which is probably Montreal's biggest and most successful international fashion exports. I visited the ALDO family last year to discuss the launch of their new creative project 'ALDO Rise' as yours-truly is responsible for their upcoming collaboration with my friend and totally amazing British Designer JW Anderson. If you haven't heard about this yet, the SS12 collection is incredible (without a designer price tag) and will be launching into UK stores in March. My advice is to get in there quickly, but we at Company.co.uk will remind you, so fear not...
Anyways, between discussing fabulous shoes and hanging out with my family and friends in the city, I met a certain 'Mr Montreal'. As the single girls among us know, we tend to need to layer up on protective clothing, it helps defend against life's occasional minus temperatures. Mr Montreal, like most cute guys in my experience, is a lovely boy but clearly needs to be approached with thoughtful protection - strip back and you're going to get very cold. Apparently Montreal men - just like my cute New York 'Yankee' - can be as warm as their summers yet as frosty as their native winters. But - like my arrival in Montreal - sometimes you choose not to take enough layers, even though you know you'll regret it.
This said, whatever our beliefs; the birth of Christ, that we are puppets in the hands of fate or even planetary movement dictating our future, it is clear that us women need to believe in one thing for sure – our true worth beneath our layers; but there's nothing wrong with keeping a few fabulous knits close to hand...just in case..."
Happy New Year Company Army! May 2012 be stylish, fabulous and blissfully happy for all of you.
