Last week was Montreal’s PRIDE week and I went out nearly every night to celebrate as an LGBTQ+ ally because I believe there is still a lot of work to be done to support and protect this community. Even my moving to Montreal was partly motivated by the city’s inclusiveness. You can be quite Queer without fear in Montreal and I am absolutely here for that! During PRIDE week, many brands and businesses try to capitalize on the LGBTQ+ dollar, some more authentically and whole-heartedly, while others simply add rainbows to their logos on social media or plaster their storefronts with them in an unabashed attempt to lure the community in, only to quietly remove them the day after PRIDE. One business that did things differently this year was Holt Renfrew Ogilvy – the luxury department store has long been an ally to the Queer community, knowing quite well that many of its employees and clients are part of it. Instead of trying to lure more customers in to shop during PRIDE with their marketing dollars, the brand hosted its first Pride Glam Social to celebrate Montreal’s PRIDE with its most diverse and fidèle clientèle.

Holt’s PRIDE GLAM SOCIAL was co-hosted with the original social gal, Jennifer Campbell of Diary of a Social Gal and catered by Société Traiteur. The evening was completely free and anyone could attend, one simply had to RSVP. (The event was announced via Holt Renfrew Ogilvy’s social channels and through their and Diary’s mailing lists).

The host and entertainment of the evening was my favourite drag queen, Rainbow Drag (we’d met once before at a Christmas Drag Brunch). I just love her energy (and style)!Snapped between performances. What do they say about great minds? Well great Queens dress alike! (This was NOT planned, but dare I say…Nailed it!)Held in the historical Tudor Hall on the 5th floor of Holts, there were multiple stations set up around the hall, including two decadent candy bars, two glam touch-up stations, with make up artists from both Guerlain and Dior Beauty. PRIDE cocktails were served by Société Traiteur and there was a CHANDON Garden Spritz cart where this lovely lady served up festive orange-flavoured spritzes.

Thanks for having me, Holt Renfrew Ogilvy! I already look forward to next year’s HOLTS PRIDE celebration.

Visit Holt Renfrew Ogilvy here:
Holt Renfrew Ogilvy
1307 Saint-Catherine Street West, Montreal, Quebec
Instagram: @holtrenfrewogilvy

Photos copyright © Dan Peres @SnapMTL

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