FASHION Magazine

View the influencer profiles »

We spoke to 12 Canadian women who are making their marks not only across our country but also around the world. From the young photographer Petra Collins who despite only being 19 has gained international acclaim for her work, to Farah Mohamed, who at a young age fled her birth country to seek refuge in Canada, the ladies featured here have found success across many broad spectrums. Familiar face Caroline Issa is regularly spotted in our street style snaps and mentions here how she gave up a high paying job to instead fulfill her love of fashion by working in that industry instead. Whether it is in activism, writing, singing or art, these women have a strong passion for what they do and can inspire others to do the same. From all ages and all walks of life, these 12 Canadian women have talent and vision that knows no bounds.

Or jump to: DJ SHADYAKISS |BENNI LEIGH | JULIA DAULT | FARAH MOHAMED | CAROLINE ISSA | KAREN AZOULAY | ESI EDUGYAN | ANITA MAJUMDAR | LEANNE SHAPTON | SEMI CHELLAS | PETRA COLLINS | SIMONE OSBORNE

Heralded as the art party of the year by those who know (you don’t ball till you Power Ball, I’ve been told), the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery’s annual fundraising bash, Power Ball, has upped the ante this year by adding Toronto’s very own golden designing boy Jeremy Laing to its committee of cool-kid co-chairs. Alongside Jessica Rose (others on the committee include Gabe Gonda and Trinity Jackman), Laing was charged with conceiving this year’s theme, Thirteenth Floor (“It’s the 13th Power Ball, so we decided to embrace the odd and unlucky,” he says). His other task was to program artists, DJs and events for the night. “We landed some great projects for the party, including an installation and performance by New York–based Karen Azoulay, as well as a party room installation by Assume Vivid Astro Focus, an internationally regarded art collective based in France, Brazil and New York,” says Laing. “Think massive digital projections, custom lasers, huge inflatables and a limited-edition party mask with refractive lenses to be handed out at the stroke of midnight.”

Also in Laing’s co-chair description: Dressing this first-time Power Baller (yours truly) in one of his designs. Along with my boy Lewis Mirrett, I stopped by Laing’s studio yesterday for a bit of a pre-party dress-up. My first time being “dressed” for a party, I only had to try on a few numbers before I knew which was to be mine (for one night only).

What did I choose? Peep the dress-up session after the jump! »

This year’s Power Ball takes place next Thursday, on June 16. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit powerplant.org.