Sugar, Sugar Sammy.
The comedian known for this wicked humour on the Quebec language landscape is sweet as pie when I arrive early at Café Orange, his neighbourhood diner in N.D.G., and he’s wolfing down a large plate of eggs between interviews.
He’s cool, casual and friendly, wearing a high-low fashion mix: Zara T-shirt, Diesel jeans, Burberry hoodie and Timberland work boots.
Eva Friede and Sugar Sammy at Café Orange in N.D.G. Sorry ladies, I did not ask about his cologne. PHOTO EVA BLUE
Born Samir Khullar, Sugar Sammy has been nothing short of sensation, selling more than 360,000 tickets for his You’re Gonna Rire and En français SVP shows, picking up multiple Quebec Olivier awards, starring in a TV series Ces gars-là with buddy Simon-Olivier Fecteau, performing at Just for Laughs for seven editions …. And the list goes on.
But on Monday, he heads to Paris for a month to take on the French toffs, as it were, test the audience and gather material for an extended run starting next September.
Which begs a tiny fashion question: will it be Saint Laurent or Zegna? Or will it be homegrown Quebec fashion?
“Because I am going to be so rebellious on stage, and because I’m going to be so hard hitting – here my outfit on stage is a blazer, T-shirt and jeans – over there, I’m going leather jacket. You know, that rebellious James Dean, Elvis, Brando look.”
In fact, Montreal leather specialist M0851 is designing ultra-thin leather jackets for the performer – “to make sure that it breathes and I don’t sweat my butt off on stage.”
Sugar Sammy at the M0851 atelier. The Montreal leather specialist is custom designing a jacket – similar to the one pictured at left – for the comedian for his Paris gigs. COURTESY M0851
Sugar Sammy at his local diner, Café Orange in N.D.G. PHOTO EVA BLUE
Sugar Sammy and the slim suit: a very nice match. COURTESY SUGAR SAMMY
Sugar Sammy models in a shoot for 192 Magazine. His two signature looks: rebel and dandy.
And a bigger question: what’s the shtick, the tension, for his Paris act?
“It’s the difference between North Americans and Parisians, and the outsider’s point of view on what I think is happening in France right now.”
Sammy, of course, grew up in multicultural Côte des Neiges and will make fun of anyone and everyone from everywhere.
“There are so many racial and political tensions (in France), and who better to give a social commentary than someone who comes from Montreal who sort of lived it in a smaller way – and goes out and says, ‘Here’s what I see from the outside. You guys better fix this. Because it’s not going to go well.’”
Sugar Sammy is pretty much a fashion guy – “a little bit, I give it some thought” – but being a guy, he says, “I don’t let it run my life.”
What he likes: it allows you to distinguish yourself, he says, adding his style is casual chic, sophisticated and understated. “Simple, with a touch of wow.”
We had fashion questions:
Saint Laurent or Zegna?
“Saint Laurent, when I can afford it.”
Philippe Dubuc or Frank & Oak?
“Frank & Oak – that’s when I do my casual chic.”
Blazer or leather bomber?
“Ooh, both.”
T-shirt or shirt?
“Both again.”
What’s your take on the local fashion scene?
“Whether it’s local or not, for me it’s what fits me the best, and the quality has to be there. Yeah, I will support local designers as long as their work is as good the international brands.”
Who do you wear?
“For the casual stuff, I like Frank & Oak.
“You know who makes amazing jackets – leather, winter coats? M0851. That’s my store. I have coats from them from years ago, and they still look great and they still look relevant.
“It’s quality, it’s timeless, it’s elegant.
“I’m classic, but I like big name brands mixed with lower name brands,’’ he said, pointing to his mix of Zara and Burberry that day.
Many local fashion designers and companies are struggling. Any thoughts on how to improve the situation?
“Business is tough – the music industry is struggling, a lot of people say the comedy industry is struggling. People say it’s tough to sell tickets.
“I think quality always survives and rises to the top. Be loyal to your brand and who you are. “Even in tough times, you can’t panic. You have to stay on brand, as they say.”
What’s your go-to suiting for galas?
“For galas, I always look to big name designers. It fits me the best – the quality.
Last year, I got Canali for Les Gémeaux. For Grand Prix, I got Corneliani, a great Italian brand. For Gala Artis, I had a Zegna tuxedo.”
Earlier, you said Saint Laurent was your choice.
“I couldn’t find a Saint Laurent tux in time.
“I like the slim fit. I’m a tall guy, broad shoulders, slimmer waist.
“I like when it flatters my silhouette,’’ he says, cracking up. “That’s such a feminine term.”
Can you give me a Paris joke?
“As soon as I walk on stage, I go, ‘I’m really happy to be here in France. You’re my favourite Arab country.’
“That’s my opener. So right there, you get this guy is coming here to talk about this and he’s not going to hold back.
“The best thing about comedy is you’ve got to address the elephant in the room. That’s my job as a comedian. I can’t be afraid to do it. Everybody else is afraid.
“This is because you have to grow as an artist.
“You’ve got to evolve. I done four years here – I think we’re going to hit 380,000, 4000,000 (tickets sold). Everybody who can has seen my show.
“I’ve got to come back with something new and different. You have to reinvent yourself. You’ve got to keep it fresh.”
