{What’s on?} From Quebec
Last evening, I attended the grand opening of a pop-up gallery (a little shop of sorts) in Nolita on Bond Street. This three-week show has been organized by the Quebec government to showcase a wide range of innovative products and design ideas that are all From Quebec.
There were various designers at the show – so many of these would make wonderful original holiday gifts or stocking stuffers. As you see above, they are showing items from jewelry to furniture, ceramic art to wall art, designers who sell the frivolous to those making serious political statements. There were even hand-painted bicycle bells. BTW: I took a shine to the one with Lady Liberty’s silhouette, go figure!
The gauzy, unstructured knitwear and mesh clothing from Complex Geometries certainly caught my eye. I had immediate visions of layering the pieces -all in different textures- a look that is totally up my alley. I am seriously thinking about popping back by to purchase a piece . Actually, I’ll get two – for the proper layering effect, of course.
It was also terribly fun to see my all time favorite leather goods manufacturer there ~ M0851. I started carrying their large zip wallet sometime in 1996 and it is still in my handbag today. You remember when I talked about my favorite postman bag on Caitlin Flemming’s blog, right? Yep, it’s the same company and they are From Quebec.
You all know me by now… so it may come as no surprise that my very favorite part of the opening happened to be what was going on at the food table. Jonathan Becker, (the food products business development advisor for the Gouvernement du Québec) suggested I try Le Cendrillon. It is a goat cheese from Quebec that recently won the award for the BEST cheese in the world. At the event I was told it won in 2010, but after further research it was actually voted best in 2009. Whatever the case, eating that cheese -holy smokes!- the only way I can describe it is an out of body experience. I’ll be dreaming of that cheese until I have the opportunity to have it again.
I can not promise that the cheese will be at the show over the next three weeks. From what I understand, that was a special edition for gallery opening. However, I understand that it is available at one of my very favorite cheese monger’s in the City, The Garden of Eden. You bet I will be asking for some the next time I am at the market.

Posted by Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo / ABCD Recommends and Design and Uncategorized and What's on?
















Jonathan Legate on 30 Sep 2010 at 10:36 am
Twitter: @jonathanlegate
I’ve had that cheese…….. YUM!
Oh Canada!
xo
JL
Michelle from Holley & Gill on 30 Sep 2010 at 10:51 am
Twitter: @holleyandgill
So wish I would have been there for this, missed it by a week. Thanks for sharing!
Cynthia @ exuberanthome.com on 30 Sep 2010 at 10:53 am
Twitter: @exuberanthome
Spent another vacation in Quebec this past August – one of my favorite places in the world. LOVE Canada!!
Chantale on 30 Sep 2010 at 11:16 am
Twitter: @ChantaleP
What a great feature on your blog! And thanks for taking us around for a tour.. I wish I could see this in person in NYC.. however, lucky for me.. I’m from Québec! : )
Deborah Merriam on 30 Sep 2010 at 11:29 am
Twitter: @ecoDomestica
Beautifully curated photos – as always – of a beautifully curated exhibit! Makes me long to visit NYC again. Or maybe Montreal, more to the point.
Amy, I’m pretty sure that fabulous handpainted bicycle bell is by Dring Dring (dringdring.ca). Miss Liberty is probably a limited edition just for the show. Bells are an absolutely essential bit of safety gear, just like lights for after dark – it’s actually illegal to ride without one in many municipalities (including mine). Tell the Mr they’ve been putting them on bicycles since the early 1900s. Then buy one when you pop back in to buy those deliciously gauzy knits.
Also, that knotted bench? Swooning…
martin on 30 Sep 2010 at 11:37 am
Twitter: @martinldesign
Vivre le Québec libre…
bel article, great post….
ABCD on 30 Sep 2010 at 12:02 pm
Twitter: @abcddesigns
Deborah,
Every time I ask for a kickstand, a bell, and a basket on my bike ~ the Mr. tells me that the kid of bikes we ride don’t call for such accessories. We’re on road bike (think Tour de France race bikes) Anywhoo.. I might just put a bell on for kicks!
As for the photo compliments, thank you – I appreciate them! And yes, that bench is incredible=much better in real life!
Thanks for commenting today!
ABCD
ABCD on 30 Sep 2010 at 12:02 pm
Twitter: @abcddesigns
Thanks for coming by Martin!
~enjoy the day.
ABCD
ABCD on 30 Sep 2010 at 12:03 pm
Twitter: @abcddesigns
Chantale,
But of course you’re from Quebec! Lucky gal, surrounded by all that awesome design, I should have known!
Thanks for commenting on ABCD Design today.
xoABCD
ABCD on 30 Sep 2010 at 12:04 pm
Twitter: @abcddesigns
Luckily Michelle, you get to live it everyday!
Thanks for commenting and for RTing me on Twitter today. xoABCD
Suzanne Cummings on 30 Sep 2010 at 12:33 pm
Twitter: @SuzanneCummings
Amy,
Another fabulous post. So wish I could experience From Quebec. Maybe they’ll just stay put? I love everything you highlighted (mad for that bench). Thanks for sharing.
xosc
Robyn on 30 Sep 2010 at 12:51 pm
Twitter: @imperfectnest
Such a great event. I wish we had more things like that in Dallas or I could just plan a trip to NYC. Hmm… may have to work that out.
Uncle Beefy on 30 Sep 2010 at 1:10 pm
Twitter: @unclebeefy
Mmm, mmm, mmm! Love the whole thing! The pop up! The concept! The NYC! The Quebec! The products! The CHEESE! Joyousness to feast my eyes on!
Bruce Barone on 30 Sep 2010 at 1:27 pm
Twitter: @brucebarone
Makes me miss New York City (And Canada!)!
I, too, love the graphics on the maple syrup can.
saer {craven maven} on 30 Sep 2010 at 2:03 pm
Twitter: @cravenmavenblog
Love – I am go glad to see a write up of the show, I really want to check it out..now sooner rather than later. That maple syrup packaging is BRILLIANT I definitely want to pick some up!
make my day on 30 Sep 2010 at 11:39 pm
Twitter: @makemydayproduc
I’m a sucker for enticing labels. le cendrillon nailed it I reckon. and ofcourse according to you they nailed the tatse! again.. wish i was in NYC but that;’s where you come in…thanks heaps! cheers kari
ABCD on 01 Oct 2010 at 10:12 am
Twitter: @abcddesigns
My pleasure Kari! I’ll make my best attempt at keeping you on the pulse of NYC!
xoABCD
Debbie - Pink Pig on 01 Oct 2010 at 1:54 pm
Twitter: @pinkpigwestport.com
I know that area well in Manhattan as i lived there for 28 years. Everything looks amazing amazing…We are not far from the Canadian Border here in the Adirondacks and it looks like i need to take a road trip!
Jenny on 03 Oct 2010 at 11:02 am
Twitter: @SpryOnTheWall
Wow, fantastic!
La petite histoire de la conserve « Les filles de l'érable on 04 Oct 2010 at 2:07 pm
[...] de sirop d’érable du Québec est en vedette dans une exposition à New York : « From Quebec in New York City » [...]