My Time in Toronto: Celebrating Canadian Fashion Internationally and Home
London is the birthplace of my fashion career. A sojourn in London and London Fashion Week last year would prove to be one of the most pivotal moments of my life. I felt seen and welcomed in ways I never expected - but always dreamt of. It would lead to me working in Paris and New York Fashion Week in less than a year.
London, with all of its warts, is the birthplace of my fashion career. However, Toronto is the incubator.
What do I mean by that?
I frequently call Toronto a city in adolescence. You see great potential, and the city is starting to come into its own. Stretch marks are definitely showing, but hey, the city is making international news. For great things like:
Mayor Olivia Chow wearing a fabulous feathered ensemble at our beloved Caribbean Festival (Caribana)
Toronto is the most diverse city in the world. Statistically speaking. I have opened my world tenfold by moving here. I am truly grateful for that. Before I moved here from Vancouver, my friend out west said, “Toronto will be your launch pad into the world”. With my work in London, Paris, New York in under a year - she was completely right.
Now the bad stuff
That’s the thing. In my time here, I feel like some of my greatest accomplishments have all been outside Toronto. Toronto has connected me to some pretty incredible things, but from home, it just doesn't have a big enough fashion scene for me to flourish here.
Here’s an example. I was boosting my fashion Instagram posts last year and seeing which audience I should use. When I targeted Canada and Toronto - nothing. When I targeted London and Europe, I got scouted to Paris Fashion Week.
In Toronto, fashion professionals are constantly telling me, “kid, you need to move to a bigger city!” It feels sticky. I am trying to build a life where I can work in fashion and be content, which I believe is possible. How can I get there when I feel no one here will give me a proper chance?
A city in adolescence is still growing. You see the potential, but you also know that it's just not ready.
Canadian Fashion is Still Just as Talented
OK, I got that off my chest. It can be an uncomfortable truth. But it’s my truth. I frankly feel more celebrated in London, Paris, and New York than in Canada. I have great support from my Canadian friends, but it feels like I can’t really get ahead. I’m not saying you can’t make it in fashion here in Canada. I am saying this is my experience, one that is echoed by a lot of people. It would probably take a lot more time for me if I stayed, and over there I feel like my career is accelerating.
There’s a lot I look forward to in Canadian fashion. I value our artistry, passion, and zeal. The Canadian fashion artists I know make me a better person. I would implore everyone around the world to give Canadian fashioners the time of day. Our diversity makes us great people. While my time here is coming to an end, I’ll champion Canadian talent around the world. As a moody character said from a certain author, whom I may not mention, “Always”.
Some Canadian Fashion Talent You Should be Aware of in the Most Brief Ways Possible
Eduardo Ramos, Vancouver fashion designer - Just showed at NYFW and MFW. He’s so bloody brilliant and really knows how to match the city he works in.
Stef Mouchie, Toronto fashion designer - we killed NYFW. You really are a great designer.
Shelli Oh, Toronto fashion designer - just incredible. Your designs are abstract and breathtaking. Camp yet sophisticated.
Mayer Official, Toronto fashion designer - love his stance on masculine clothes. Super fun. If you’ve watched Drag Race, you’ve seen Mayer Official!
Liam Colbourne, Toronto fashion show producer - invited me to my first ever fashion show in Toronto. Super helpful. Kind. He wants to help fashion artists here succeed.
Zeina Esmail, Toronto stylist - invited me over to meet her at her fabulous store. Showed me a lot of kindness. Calgarians are kind, and just as talented.
Sebastian Blagdon, Toronto fashion designer - working with him and his exquisite hats made the shows I styled at PFW and NYFW really pop. I think he’s Philip Treacy level. I think everyone needs to watch out for him. Paris, prépare-toi!
L'Uomo Strano, Toronto fashion designer, One of the most talented people I know. He invited me into his home right after London. He was kind, generous, and so nurturing. I owe a lot to him.
Minaj Bakh, Toronto model and magnate - such an impressive chameleon! She’s hot, she’s kind, and she’s generous. Minaj motherf*cking Bakh everyone!
If I forgot anyone, I’m so sorry. I just can’t keep typing all of them. But they are numerous, and they are mighty. My hats are off to each and every one of you. I encourage all Canadians to really nurture their artists they like. That means:
Advocating for government policy that supports the arts,
Sharing us with people you know,
Spending money on our work.
Acceptance isn’t Going to Pay the Fashion Bills, Celebration Is.
While I lived in Canada, out west, I felt tolerated, and out east, I felt accepted. But in London and Paris, I feel celebrated. That’s the key word here. Celebration means money, support, and a space to nurture. It means people are fairly compensated. It means people are given a chance. A chance to grow and nurture our skills. I don’t feel like I really have that chance here compared to when I’m in the big fashion capitals. Every time I go to London, Paris, and New York, something gaggy happens. I feel like all three are vying for my attention. For which I am truly grateful and flattered ;) .
London is the birthplace of my fashion career, and it’s also where I’ll become Canada’s next great ambassador. Come on this journey with me. I’ll forever put you first. I’ll advocate for people to check out and buy Canadian fashion. I’ll take you places you can only dream of.
So join me. Find your own London in life. It doesn’t have to be London, but it does have to be where you feel celebrated.
