A vaguely European Metropolis, Montreal is nevertheless surrounded by Quebec, that crotchety province that hates the rest of Canada but still can't seem to get the respect of the mother country, France. When you ask young people about Montreal, the things that get brought up time and time again are low-culture high water marks like Vice, which got it's start there, the city's preponderance of skeevy strip joints with names like Le Supersex, the underworld power of the city's Hell's Angels bike gang, and the culinary delights of poutine, Quebec's answer to the much-maligned disco fries.

However, there is a lot to commend Montreal, from the charm of Old Montreal's narrow streets and boulangeries, the many parks, the gorgeous blocks of row houses in the Plateau, and the fact that you can get unpasteurized cheese and yoghurt at just about any self-respecting grocery in town.

Despite these tasteful and tasty reminders of Montreal's European heritage, the city's street style tends towards the eurotrash, with lots of fake fur, crop tops, and big wrap around shades on display. For the more discriminating shopper, there are always alternatives, but the recently opened Reborn makes finding great style in Montreal much much easier. Begun by video artist Gillaume Cardell and Brigitte Charton, Reborn occupies a tiny narrow space crammed with a carefully curated range of men's and women's clothes, jewelry, magazines and CD, ranging from virtual unknowns like Mended Veil and Denis Gagnon alongside international heavyweights like Surface To Air, Tsubi and Acne Jeans.

With a simple yet elegant aesthetic, Reborn stands in sharp contrast to the boxy cuts and generic styles on offer at your average high street retailer, which helps to explain the shop's success since opening last year. If you are looking for something truly unique to bring home on your next trip up north, skip the "Canada Kicks Ass" tee shirt and head over to Reborn.

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