On a brisk Saturday afternoon in Yorkville, Montreal designer and Mercedes-Benz Start Up competitor Travis Taddeo held a trunk show at UPC Boutique. Not one for designing simple basic menswear, his Midnight Misdemeanour line is full of pieces that are versatile enough to go from nap time to club time. Some fashion skeptics assume these pieces are nothing more than overpriced sleepwear, but they aren't. Taddeo’s new collection for the season is a hip version of modern functionality at its best.
 
So what better way to celebrate Taddeo’s new direction than to have a model that embodies his hip mantra sport his threads? I asked Sharad Mohan, who writes the Freshly Educated Men blog to pose, braving nipple-hardening breezes, gawking onlookers and the critical eye of photographer Mikey Sin. We had Mohan strut, crouch in tall grass and finally seek approval from the designer himself. Afterwards I took a moment with Taddeo to understand this season’s direction, all while Robin Kay, of the Fashion Design Council of Canada, shopped in the background.
 
Max MacDonald: This collection is rather soft and leisurely. Why go in this direction?
 
Travis Taddeo: I got the idea from the many people who wait up for their partners and fall asleep in the process, then suddenly get a call at 10pm inviting them to go out. This collection is for the type of guy who loves naughty midnight-friendly clothes. I envisioned people wearing pyjamas and fur coat to go out.
 
What fabrics did you use for these pieces?
 
I used silks and double-knit jerseys. I really thought of soft fabrics this collection.
 
When we released our coverage of your spring/summer 2012 collection, there was a bit of a Twitter controversy over your feathered top. Can you tell me why you chose feathers?
 
Wow, I didn’t know that. Honestly, I chose them because I like them. At the end the day, I saw them and I loved it and got the inspiration. When you fall in love you fall in love.































 
A bold pose
Poncho: $1,500
Impersonation sweater: $185
Leggings: $100































Strutting his stuff in Yorkville
Black turtleneck: $130
Unisex leggings: $100
 































Seeking Taddeo’s approval
Impersonation sweater: $185
Leggings: $100
 
All pieces are available at UPC Boutique, 128 1/2 Yorkville Ave, upcboutique.com