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Fashion magazine challenges ethnocentric views with book launch

A Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) affiliated magazine recognized creatives redefining fashion culture

A few copies of the book are on a graffiti table, with four diverse models on the front page.
Numerous copies of book eight are on display for students to read thought-provoking articles on the experiences of people from marginalized communities. (TMU J-SCHOOL/Aliya Karimjee)

On April 6, StyleCircle magazine held its eighth book launch party to shed light on creatives of colour who create their path and breaks down barriers in the fashion industry. 

The book’s theme, to “give them their flowers,” represents the underrepresented in book issues.  

The event’s ambiance reflected a calm and open-minded fashion space.

Julianna Brady, co-director of events and a second-year professional communications student, explained that the venue had to be open and welcoming, inviting everyone to discuss some fashion challenges they may have faced.   

“The location [of the Drake Hotel] was in the city, and there were many accessible forms of transportation, and the chic vibe also matches the book’s colours,” said Brady.

A bouquet of colourful flowers demonstrated the event’s floral theme.
The colourful flowers reflected the theme of giving them their flowers. (TMU J-SCHOOL/Aliya Karimjee)

StyleCircle created the event to celebrate local creatives and diversity and have a lasting impact on the community. 

Lauryn Ricketts, a first-year creative industries student following the fashion module who attended the event, explained how this event had impacted her fashion experience as a person of colour.

“The concept was really cool: embracing diversity in the making, and it was nice to see how other people live their lives in fashion,” said Ricketts. 

Attendees networked with the people around them through food, drinks, and taking Polaroid pictures. They learnt how everyone takes part in redefining the fashion industry.

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“The lack of representation is definitely one of the biggest difficulties that individuals of marginalized communities need to face, said Swetha Sutharsan, a second-year fashion studies student and creative director of StyleCircle. 

She elaborated that due to lacking representation, the people in the industry have a lot of pressure to set a standard that can be restricting and almost feel like a burden. 

“The ethnocentric viewpoint of the industry is probably one of the biggest challenges encompassing many others. The idea that we need to stick to one way of doing things is damaging and does not allow other viewpoints to evolve,” said Sutharsan. 

She added that she also got to embrace her South Asian heritage through partaking in her first editorial photoshoot in this book. 

Four South Asian women are participating in a photoshoot for the magazine.
Sutharsan is on the left, proudly embracing her South Asian heritage in a photo shoot for the eighth book. (Image via StyleCircle print book eight)

With the launch of this book, StyleCircle breaks down barriers with contributors writing about creatives or from their own experiences. 

“People should feel seen, represented, and have found a piece of the book that resonates with them. The book should also unify different members of the fashion industry in Toronto,” said Imani Dominique, a fourth-year creative industries student and Editor-in-Chief of StyleCircle. 

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