Q: I would like to wear a fascinator to a wedding I’m going to in August. I’m wondering if you have any information regarding where to look for one. I’ve seem a few at the Bay at Fairview but they are larger than what I’d like and rather pricey. Some place in the West Island area would be great but that feels like I’m asking for the sky.

A: Here is an interview I once did on that subject. Please note that I haven’t checked to see if any of these have moved, so Call First:

Q1: Our “Princess”, Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge has brought the word fascinators into our lexicon, what are they?

A fascinator is a headpiece, often a bit frivolous or delicate that you could wear instead of a hat. It is often constructed with feathers, flowers or beads. You attach them to your hair by a comb, headband or a clip as they are often worn at a steep angle or vertically – kind of a sideways hat.

Q2: Why or when would you wear one?

There are occasions where you might want to – or in England be required to – wear a hat. There, head gear is really popular at premium horse-racing events. They might be worn at weddings or with fairly formal attire. Brides may choose to wear them as an alternative to a bridal veil. If you ever attend the Easter Parade in NYC, everyone wears a hat.

Q3: Where can you buy fascinators in Montreal?

Ophelie Hats are created by Quebec designer Corine A. Serruya. You can find a hat (or fascinator) for all tastes as they run the gamut from elegant to modern or vintage, sometimes all at the same time. The hats are sold both in Europe and North America, including Urban Outfitters in the US and Topshop in London. Here in Montreal, you can find them at Simons, Ogilvy and Espace Pepin – and at her atelier.

Location: 3868 boul. St-Laurent (across from Schwartz’s)
Tel: 514-341-8624
www.opheliehats.com

Lucie Gregoire, is one of the few milliners in the city who can create a made-to-measure hat (or fascinator) for you. You can select from some ready-to-wear creations at her studio, and you can add a personal touch such as jewelry, ribbons, feathers or buttons. You’ll find hats for special occasions like weddings for sure, but also for the beach, travel and some fantasy ones too.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to make hats, she offers students, professionals, amateurs and hat enthusiasts training courses on headgear. Some of the collection of hats, turbans and scarves meet the needs of women who have experienced hair loss following chemotherapy treatments.

Location: 2205 Parthenais, Room 307
Tel: 514-279-8856
www.luciegregoiremodist.ca

Also you can sometimes find hats and fascinators at: Ogilvy, Holts, Simons, Forever 21, Urban Outfitters or even at Aldo shops in accessories.

Q4: Okay Smart Shopper, you must know this, where can you buy them for less?

Nicole & Co. has been around for 26 years in the field of hats so they have kept up with the fashions and now offer 1000’s of fascinators.

You can shop wholesale for mostly dressy style hats (gray flannel cloche, gavroche, peau de soie, organza and silk, velvet, lace, mink) or bring in your own fabric for them to make one to match an outfit. Some casual berets, straw foldables, scarves, cashmere caps, dressy headbands and shawls are also around.

Location: 9200 Park Ave, suite 407
Tel: 514-383-5599
Hours: by appointment Mon-Thurs 9-5, Fri 9-4, sometimes Sun
www.nicole-co.ca

Q: We are sourcing inexpensive pashmina shawls . A are you able to recommend a wholesaler we can contact?

A: This is a good possibility. Not far from you is Gem Entrepot, 72F Brunswick Blvd., DDO.  “This wholesale business has two halves. On the left side is where it started out, selling wrapping paper (bridal, Xmas, baby), bows, waxed, cellophane and parchment paper, zip lock and fabric gift bags. On the right side it segued into pashmina shawls, purses, jewelry, hair accessories and scarves. Bonbonnieres and fund-raising campaign products are available.

Mens and ladies leather gloves $12
Select scarves 2/$10
Infinity scarves – Buy one, get one half off
Parchment baking paper sheets 500/$25
Wax or parchment paper rolls $2
Wrapping paper for all occasion starting at $1
Assorted zipper bags starting at $3/100 units
Nitrile protective exam gloves $9/100
Personal therapeutic massage machine $135

Location: 72F Brunswick Blvd., DDO
corner: boul. des Sources
Tel: 514-685-4218
Hours: Mon-Thurs 10-3
www.gementrepot.net

At this bankruptcy sale you could score classic fur coats but more importantly this one has some for fashion trend followers, with sporty, funky furs and even some in pretty colors.

Expect beaver, mink, shearling in coats, jackets, hats, shawls, scarves, and handbags at prices that are 80%-90% off retail.

Location: 5438 Royalmount
corner: Roydon
Tel: 514-739-3355
Hours: Daily 10-5

Q1: Our “Princess”, Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge has brought the word fascinators into our lexicon, what are they?

A fascinator is a headpiece, often a bit frivolous or delicate that you could wear instead of a hat. It is often constructed with feathers, flowers or beads. You attach them to your hair by a comb, headband or a clip as they are often worn at a steep angle or vertically – kind of a sideways hat.

Q2: Why or when would you wear one?

There are occasions where you might want to – or in England be required to – wear a hat. There, head gear is really popular at premium horse-racing events. They might be worn at weddings or  with fairly formal attire. Brides may choose to wear them as an alternative to a bridal veil. If you ever attend the Easter Parade in NYC, everyone wears a hat.

Q3: Where can you buy fascinators in Montreal?

Ophelie Hats are created by Quebec designer Corine A. Serruya. You can find a hat (or fascinator) for all tastes as they run the gamut from elegant to modern or vintage, sometimes all at the same time. The hats are sold both in Europe and North America, including Urban Outfitters in the US and Topshop in London. Here in Montreal, you can find them at Simons, Ogilvy and Espace Pepin – and at her atelier.

Location: 4800 Jean Talon O #415
Tel: 514-341-8624
www.opheliehats.com

Lucie Gregoire, is one of the few milliners in the city who can create a made-to-measure hat (or fascinator) for you. You can select from some ready-to-wear creations at her studio, and you can add a personal touch such as jewelry, ribbons, feathers or buttons. You’ll find hats for special occasions like weddings for sure, but also for the beach, travel and some fantasy ones too.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to make hats, she offers students, professionals, amateurs and hat enthusiasts  training courses on headgear. Some of the collection of hats, turbans and scarves meet the needs of women who have experienced hair loss following chemotherapy treatments.

Location: 2205 Parthenais, Room 307
Tel: 514-279-8856
www.luciegregoiremodist.ca

Also you can sometimes find hats and fascinators at: Ogilvy, Holts, Simons, Forever 21, Urban Outfitters or even at Aldo shops in accessories.

Q4:  Okay Smart Shopper, you must know this, where can you buy them for less?

Nicole & Co. has been around for 26 years in the field of hats so they have kept up with the fashions and now offer 1000’s of fascinators.

You can shop wholesale for mostly dressy style hats (gray flannel cloche, gavroche, peau de soie, organza and silk, velvet, lace, mink) or bring in your own fabric for them to make one to match an outfit. Some casual berets, straw foldables, scarves, cashmere caps, dressy headbands and shawls are also around.

Location:  9200 Park Ave, suite 407
Tel: 514-383-5599
Hours: by appointment Mon-Thurs 9-5, Fri 9-4, sometimes Sun
www.nicole-co.ca

Q1: Since both men and women are more conscious of the sun’s rays on our skin we are seeing  more people wearing caps and hats in the summer.

With hats it’s more of a personal look than a fashion style, it has to fit with your facial structure. I think I’m seeing more men wearing hats these days. Perhaps they are seeing more male musicians and stars wearing more hats – especially those small brimmed small crowned trilby styles. Panama hats are popular in the summer and caps of course.

Q2: Where would they find those?

Henri Henri has been open for 78 years – the last of a dying breed. Hopefully, the fashion of men nattily dressed with their hats cocked to one side (Rhett Butler, where are you?) will come back again. If so, this hatter is ready. In business since 1932, he’s the only one left with a full range of western hats, berets, Panamas, caps and fedoras  in both the royal & sovereign qualities and all the rest (Borsalino, Mayser, Stetson, Akubra, Jonathan Richards, Pannizza). Canes, umbrellas, bowties, ascots and re-blocking and cleaning can all be found here. Come on in, buy one and start the trend!

Location: 189 St Catherine est
Corner: Hotel de Ville
Phone: 514-288-0109
Hours: Mon-Thurs 10-6, Fri 10-9, Sat & Sun 10-5
www.henrihenri.ca

Q3: I understand that store has a famous past.

With hockey in its final lap, it’s appropriate to talk about where the “hat trick” got started. In order to promote the store, the original owners offered any hockey player who scored 3 goals in a game a free hat. Many Canadiens took advantage Gordie Howe, Stan Mikita, Bobbie Hull, The Rocket. There’s a 2′ X 3′ photo of these legends wearing their hats inside the store.

M. Henri was a clever marketer He was also the first to print hockey schedules (his ad on it of course) and would pass out 15,000 copies at the first game. Big companies loved the concept and took his idea. Henri Henri was not his real name. Ozarius Henri was not very memorable and realized Henri Henri was much catchier.

Q4: Okay women, also wear hats, where can they shop?

Not only do women don hats for the summer sun, I also get questions about wearing hats for weddings and formal affairs.

Nicole & Co has been around for 24 years in the field of hats. You can shop wholesale here for mostly dressy styles (gray flannel cloche, gavroche, peau de soie, organza and silk, velvet, lace, mink) or bring in your own fabric for them to make one to match an outfit. Some casual berets, straw foldables, scarves, cashmere caps, dressy headbands and shawls are also around.

Phone: 514-383-5599
Hours: by appointment Mon-Thurs 9-5, Fri 9-4, sometimes Sun
www.nicole-co.com

C’hat’peau, La Griffe is a little atelier where you can find a collection of mainly everyday hats made from wool, felt, velvet, cashmere, straw and cotton. Some are soft and foldable and others are wowy for special occasions. The owner helps you reflect your own personality through your hat; If you are classic she will lead you to the classic styles, if you are small, you should avoid the big brim styles but she also knows that sometimes yo will want to look like a movie star and just splurge with a “look at me” creation. Prices range from $45-$250.

Phone: 514- 288-5254
Hours: by appointment
Note: Haven’t been up there in awhile and she hasn’t called me back for this interview. If anyone goes or knows more, please e-mail me.