This month, we invited the very talented Sage Paul, an urban Denesuliné tskwe based in Toronto and a member of English River First Nation, to be our guest editor. A co-founder and artistic director of Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto, Paul is also an award-winning artist and designer and an inspirational force in the industry who offers an essential voice that is a privilege to listen to. Happy reading!

– Sophie Banford, publisher

sophie banford signature

“It has been an honour to guest-edit the October issue of ELLE Canada—I am grateful to the whole team for inviting me into the world of magazine journalism. While planning this issue, I considered not only the content but also how you, as unique individual readers, would engage with it—and what might inspire, intrigue and offer insight. Recognizing the influence of ELLE Canada, I wanted to seize the opportunity to highlight voices that deserve your attention. My aim was not just to appeal to you but also to present something new by featuring emerging talent alongside industry icons and focusing on questions and themes that go beyond their accolades. I sought to understand how these incredible individuals see themselves in the world and how their choices reflect meaningful connections.

“This issue introduces some impressive up-and-comers who are making waves in their industries, such as model Heather Diamond Strongarm, actor Darla Contois, designer Rebecca Baker-Grenier and writer, producer and director Stacey Aglok MacDonald. I’m also thrilled to pull back the curtain and explore land-based storytelling with powerhouse Tantoo Cardinal and the outstanding rise of activist and model Quannah Chasinghorse. I’m eager to share insights on sustainable approaches to fashion, like how Dusty LeGrande, with his brand, Mobilize, primarily upcycles his collections and collaborates with his children. And I had the opportunity to delve into a less-talked-about topic, the compelling world of fashion performance, through interviews with designer Michel Dumont and supermodel Coco Rocha.

“As a child, I was taught to use the phrase “all my relations” as a reminder that everything is living and everything has a spirit. It is a manifesto of sorts, acknowledging that everything is interconnected and that our choices and actions should be in reciprocation of this connection. This philosophy has been at the heart of my approach to guest-editing this month’s issue of ELLE Canada. I hope you find it both enjoyable and thought-provoking.”

– Sage Paul

Heather Diamond Strongarm is wearing a top by LÙCHEN. Publisher Sophie Banford. Editor-in-chief Joanna Fox. Guest editor Sage Paul. Talent Heather Diamond Strongarm (Anita Norris Models). Photographer D. Picard. Creative director & stylist Olivia Leblanc. Styling collaborator Laurence Morisset. Makeup artist Maïna Militza (FolioManagement, using Dior Beauty products). Hairstylist Steven Turpin (using Oribe products). Editorial producer Pénélope Lemay. Set designer Julia Johnson (furniture by Le Centerpiece). Digital tech Yanive Lafrance. Lighting techs Maxime Guay and Tom Berthelot. Styling assistant Maxime Vallières. Location Les Studios Vision

The October 2024 issue of ELLE Canada is now available on newsstands and Apple News+.

Photography, Andréanne Gauthier (S. Banford) & Nadya Kwandibens, Red Works Photography (S. Paul); stylist, Laura Malisan; makeup artist, virginie Vandelac (S. Banford). S. Banford is wearing a blouse by Theory (at Holt Renfrew) and her own jeans and jewellery.

Read more: 

Our Publisher, Sophie Banford, On Gaining Perspective From Powerful Women
Our Publisher, Sophie Banford on the Future of Magazines and the Importance of Print
Our Publisher, Sophie Banford on the Importance of Uplifting One Another

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