Exhibitionists·Video

From sci-fi to the runway, UNTTLD take their cue from the dystopian future

José Manuel St-Jacques and Simon Bélanger's collections garner both surprise and praise from critics who see their work as progressive and unconventional.

José Manuel St-Jacques and Simon Bélanger's collections garner both surprise and praise

(CBC Arts)

UNTTLD is a fashion label from Montreal that's been making a big splash, both in Canada and internationally. José Manuel St-Jacques and Simon Bélanger are its masterminds, designing their clothing for strong and empowered women. The garments themselves tend to be elegantly mysterious, driven by the two designers' love of science fiction, historical aesthetics and even black magic. As a result, UNTTLD's collections have garnered both surprise and praise from critics who view the label's work as progressive and unconventional.

When people wear UNTTLD, we want them, the first thing and foremost, to feel powerful.- José Manuel St-Jacques

In this video, you'll meet the two artists and they'll take you through some of the ideas and outfits that have kept them inspired.

Watch the video:

Partners on and off the runway, St-Jacques and Bélanger have drawn on both their personal and professional bonds to make the UNTTLD dream happen. "We spend 24/7 together, so we never really punch out or punch in," says St-Jacques. "It's fun to have an equal with whom you can discuss ideas so that you're not alone trying to make sense of it all."

"Not a lot of people have this in life — to find somebody with whom you can share so much," adds Bélanger. "At the end of the day we are actually doing what we love in life, so it's not like work."

(CBC Arts)
(CBC Arts)
(CBC Arts)

You can follow UNTTLD here.

Watch CBC Arts: Exhibitionists on Friday nights at 11:30pm (12am NT) and Sundays at 3:30pm (4pm NT) on CBC Television.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Luke Correia-Damude is a Toronto based producer, writer and musician. He regularly works and collaborates with the production company ISTOICA. When Luke is not producing video content he spends his time performing and writing with the band Future Peers.