We are currently working on our first fall men’s capsule

Based in Montreal, Judith & Charles is a Canadian company run by its eponymous husband-and-wife founders. Each Judith & Charles collection reflects a fusion of both feminine and masculine sensibilities. As the label designs and manufactures 80 per cent of its collection locally, Judith & Charles has full control over its production and is able to further enhance its strongest assets: fit and quality. In a chat with Fibre2Fashion, Creative Director Frederic Joncas talks about the latest collection, slow fashion, trends and future plans.

Fibre2Fashion: What aspects of being a creative director do you find the most difficult, and which qualities do you believe are essential for success?

Frederic Joncas:

As a design director, I often find myself to be the one who has to take the final decision. I am the contact person for a lot of people, which means that I have to deal with many problems and find solutions for them on a regular basis. The creative process takes time, and it can be difficult to take a decision when you only have a short amount of time to analyse the situation. To be able to manage that aspect, people in my shoes need to keep their instincts sharp and surround themselves with a good team.

F2F: Where do you get your creative nutrition from? Which types of styles do you follow?

FJ:

A big part of my job involves analysing trends by looking at all the shows, keeping an eye on trend reports, looking at magazines, and being alert on social media to see how trends are evolving.

F2F: Please describe your latest collection in detail. What kind of styles, silhouettes, colours, etc have you used to create it?

FJ:

F2F: What makes your label unique amongst the plethora of brands that work with tailored pieces?

FJ:

From research to design and production, each season we source high grade fabrics and trims nationally and internationally in order to create a deliberate fusion, which reflects the shared vision and creative process of Judith & Charles. Subtle and nuanced, with a mindful interpretation of market trends, each collection reflects colours, prints, and cuts true to Judith & Charles’ signature style.

F2F: What is your take on slow fashion? How do you make your creations sustainable?

FJ:

The instinct to design and produce our line locally has proven to be more than just feeling the satisfaction of being homegrown. It makes good environmental sense, an issue we all benefit from. Judith & Charles is a modern and responsible business, continuously finding new innovative ways to cut waste by utilising offcuts and end pieces in new designs and accessories.

F2F: How would you define the fashion industry of Canada? How has it evolved over the past five years?

FJ:

With globalisation, the Canadian fashion industry has experienced multiple challenges over the years. Several companies have decided to relocate their production overseas to be more competitive. The aging workforce is also one of the main issues that Canadian businesses are facing.

F2F: Which are some of the key tailored pieces that every woman should own?

FJ:

Our 4 seasons workwear collection offers all the essential pieces a woman should have in her wardrobe. The main piece is our structured black blazer. The fitted silhouette and the sharp shoulders give the wearer the confidence she deserves. Our tuxedo dress is also one of our most iconic styles. This dress has been part of our collections since several years and our customers love it for its versatility and comfort.

F2F: What do you think will be the top five fashion trends for 2023?

FJ:

Our top five trends for 2023 will be colourful tonal outfits, blazers, wide-leg pants, evening wear influences, and utility details.

F2F: What are your future plans for the label. How are you planning to scale it?

FJ:

With our expertise in tailoring, we believe that men’s fashion is a market that can be interesting for Judith & Charles. We are currently working on our first fall men’s capsule. This collection will offer elevated essentials, providing tailored garments and comfortable fits made with high-quality fabrics for an everyday wardrobe.