5 minutes with Valérie Dumaine
Valérie Dumaine (valeriedumaine.com) has been outfitting Montreal’s style set since 2004. Known for her sleek, sophisticated separates, she carries this pared-down aesthetic into her own closet too. Here, she shares her spooky sources of inspiration.
How would you describe your style?
“Lately, my direction has been related to the fabric. I found a new company in Bangladesh that prints on silk; the prints are very abstract, but I try to work with that. The Tesla tunic reminds me of Poltergeist, when the TV turns into static. I like that it’s kind of creepy.”
What is the inspiration behind your fall 2011 collection?
“I was going for something very elegant, with more sober lines than usual, a minimalist Jil Sander look.”
What were your design inspirations for fall?
“It’s never about a specific inspiration or concept—I just do what feels right. There are often short visuals that run in my head, like mini film trailers on repeat. I think, to a certain degree, I wanted to do something that felt a bit slowed down.”
You lived in Berlin for some time. How did that experience shape you?
“I’ve always been influenced by [that part of] Europe—the Bauhaus and clean lines.”
What inspires you?
“During college, I was listening to industrial music and wearing black. These days I’m more into classic rock and metal.”
How do you unwind?
“My boyfriend and I watch a lot of horror movies.”
