Worn Fashion Journal wants more diversity in fashion publications

Worn Fashion Journal wants more diversity in fashion publications

Worn Fashion Journal is hosting a panel at the Canadian Magazines Tent at Queen’s Park for The Word on the Street to discuss the responsibility of fashion magazines to uphold diversity in their publications. Worn editors Serah-Marie McMahon and Gwen Stegelmann join a panel of stylish locals to promote the idea that magazines need to engage different viewpoints and ideas that are outside the mainstream fashion industry’s purview. We’re intrigued by Worn’s pre-fashion week optimism with this venture, especially since the panel features industry insiders, fashion educators and expert journalists. Sadly, feminist fashion blogger Tavi Gevinson will not be in attendance.

Anita Clarke, founder of Toronto fashion blog I want—I got, starts the panel off—Clarke could be considered the panel’s expert on fashion marketing, public relations and social media, given her honest candor about everything in the world of fashion, including the wording of press releases and representations of women of colour. Elizabeth St. Phillips, a producer and journalist, joins Clarke on the panel and brings knowledge from her recent NFB documentary The Colour of Beauty—The film follows Renee Thompson, a black model, as she tries to find work in New York City and examines the racism she encounters. Iris Simpson—who has worked as a buyer for Holt Renfrew, Yves St Laurent and Creeds—rounds out the group, bringing her expertise as an educator at Ryerson University in fashion styling to the table.  The group will discuss the important implications of equal representation across cultures, including subculture, gender identification, sexuality, size, race and age. Considering their expertise, we’re sure the discussion will be lively and thought-provoking.

Find out more about the event here.