Dion says she wants to create

MONTREAL — Céline Dion says she’s “very happy” these days and “not afraid to try things.”

The Quebec pop star attracted hordes of fans to a shoe store in downtown Montreal on Wednesday for the launch of a line of handbags and accessories.

Dion was asked about how some pop culture watchers have dubbed 2017 “the year of Céline Dion” and her recent forays into high fashion.

She made headlines in July after posing nude for a photo that appeared on the Instagram account of Vogue magazine.

The photo showed 49-year-old Dion sitting on a chair with her arms covering her breasts and her right leg crossed over her left, while a caption discussed the singer’s love of custom-made haute-couture clothing.

Dion said she emerged from a period of mourning following the death of her husband René Angélil in January 2016 with a burst of creativity.

“I’m enjoying myself. I went through a lot and I’m not the only one,” Dion said.

“But people who went through a lot they probably understand.

“I have projects, I have visions, I have focus, I want to create.

“I think at this time of my life, going back a few years back when it was so hard, it feels I can spread my wings.”

Dion has been touring in Europe this summer and returns to Las Vegas in September to resume her residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace.