DIY COUTURE COACH FOR The SWAP Team

SWAPPing is the new shopping this Saturday & Sunday July 28th & 29th at Place Des Arts

I've been involved with the SWAP team for the past 5 years & some, I've always been on the design side of the swap so it was only natural for me to transform into their official DIY Couture Coach, the go-to person for all things, sewing,tailoring & upcycling.
 What does that mean?
You can contact me by email at nicole@theswapteam.org for any suggestions or questions regarding Upcycling,altering or re-styling your newly SWAPPED clothes.
It means you have direct contact with an experienced Fashion Designer(13 years) & Professional Seamstress/Tailor (23 years) to ask all of those questions to.
It's all about taking collaborative exchange & always making it stronger & more connected.
I will have a table at the next event on Saturday 28th (only), so after you've swapped all you precious pieces come by & chat with me.
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J'ai été impliqué avec l'équipe de SWAP pour les 5 dernières années et certains, j'ai toujours été du côté de conception de l'échange et il était donc naturel pour moi de traduire dans leur entraîneur officiel de bricolage Couture, le go-to personne pour toutes choses, la couture, la confection et upcycling.
  Qu'est-ce que ça veut dire?
Vous pouvez me contacter par courriel à nicole@theswapteam.org pour toutes suggestions ou des questions concernant Upcycling, modifier ou re-styling vos vêtements nouvellement échangés.
Cela signifie que vous avez un contact direct avec un créateur de mode expérimenté (13 ans) & Professional Couturière / Tailleur (23 ans) de demander à toutes ces questions à.
C'est une question de la prise d'échanges collaboratifs et toujours le rendant plus fort et plus connecté.
Je vais avoir une table lors du prochain événement le samedi 28 (seulement), donc après que vous avez échangé tous les morceaux que vous venez en précieux et chatter avec moi.

My student, Jessica's stunning skirt

Thanks to Ian Woo, I have these magical & alluring photos of my student Jessica. 
This was an impromptu shoot at the SWAP HQ/living quarters (Aleece Germano) with the famous library & vintage furniture...dare I say velvety royal-like loveseats...Let's not forget the camel coloured skirt creation by Jessica herself! Such a strong collaboration between the model/student & photographer!
I'd also like to add that Jessica, by day works for McGill & in the past was a journalist. She took these classes to try to make her own wardrobe.Being a first timer at sewing & design she was determined to see this project through and picked up the techniques with such a calmness & ease.

The S.W.A.P team blog post with me!

01 . 06 . 2011
by Tiffany Elton



A long time fashion designer, artist and now sewing teacher, Nicole has been involved in a number of Upcycling & Recycling workshops for the City of Montreal as well as collaborating with the non-profit organization The S.W.A.P team and is the designer/owner for the clothing line Fairyesque.

Now based on her whimsical flare for fashion, Nicole brings us beautiful hair accessories & brooches for her collection “Blue-eyed Coquette” available at shops around Montreal.
She has a great personal style – this lady can usually be seen riding her bike around Montreal in pretty skirts with just the right amount of crinoline, and beautiful accessories … I had to S.W.A.P. style with her:

1) What are your best ever thrift-ed or swapped find(s)?

Oh, I would say a pair of cowgirl boots from The S.W.A.P Team.


2) Where did you find them and how much did you spend?

I found them at a S.W.A.P Team event. I swapped for them, so I paid nothing!

3) Who is (are) your style inspirations and why?

Donna Summers in the 70’s, Goldfrapp and Anna friel’s costumes in “Pushing daisies”. Wonderful!

4) What finds are you still hunting for?

I am still looking for Turquoise leather belts and bags, intricate feminine top designs (that are not t-shirts). Not easy to find, but I will for sure some day!

To visit the S.W.A.P team site go to www.swapteam.org