The Power of Style

by Christian Allaire

Overview

Style is not just the clothes on our backs—it is self-expression, representation, and transformation.

As a fashion-obsessed Ojibwe teen, Christian Allaire rarely saw anyone that looked like him in the magazines or movies he looked to for inspiration. Now the Fashion and Style Writer for Vogue, he is
working to change that—because clothes are never just clothes. Men’s heels are a statement of pride in the face of LGTBQ+ discrimination, while ribbon shirts honor Indigenous ancestors and keep culture alive. Allaire takes the reader through boldly designed chapters to discuss additional topics like cosplay, make up, hijabs, and hair, probing the connections between fashion and history, culture, politics, and social justice.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781773214917
Publisher:	Annick Press, Limited
Publication date:	04/27/2021
Pages:	100
Sales rank:	702,628
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)
Lexile:	1070L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Christian Allaire is an Ojibwe writer who grew up on the Nipissing First Nation reserve in Ontario,
Canada. His writing has appeared in Elle, Flare, and of course, Vogue, among other outlets. He is based in New York City.

Table of Contents

Introduction

1. Sewing Tradition: Through making (and wearing!) ribbonwork, the Indigenous community is keeping their culture’s unique traditions alive.
2. Level-Up: Today’s cosplayers are disrupting the art form, promoting self-confidence, acceptance, and body positivity along the way.
3. Standing Tall: By rocking high heels, men are walking tall—using footwear to advocate for the acceptance of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community.
4. Head-Strong: Muslim women are embracing hijabs—but they’re doing so on their
   own terms. They’re celebrating their culture by embracing modest
   fashion in new, unexpected, and very stylish ways.
5. Mighty Makeup: Makeup can be used as a tool for creativity. But it’s not only about getting
   glam: beauty junkies are channeling their cultures into their looks, using
   their face as a canvas for self-expression and pride.

Editorial Reviews

2021-02-23
A celebration of clothing, cultural pride, and fashion activists.

Have you ever wondered why we don’t usually see high heels in men’s sizes? Do you remember when darker shades of makeup finally became easier to find? Are you curious about Muslim fashionistas? This book is for anyone who wants to explore the ways in which clothes, hairstyles, makeup, hats, and other sartorial decisions communicate who we are to the world. A person’s style can be powerful, as it enables the wearer to make a statement, giving them the opportunity to express cultural confidence, body positivity, and self-acceptance. Allaire (Ojibwe), a Vogue fashion and style writer from the Nipissing First Nation Reserve in Ontario, celebrates the way diversity is changing the world of fashion. Beginning with an introduction about the importance of representation, the author transports his readers to a place of pride. His writing questions norms and encourages young people to resist the status quo and not allow others to limit their creative expression. With sections dedicated to natural Black hair, gender nonconformity, cosplayers, Indigenous designers, and more, he brings fashion colorfully to life with photographs and history lessons. The book is made stronger by personal touches, for example passages about the ribbon shirt made by his mother and aunts that honored his Ojibwe culture and ancestors.

A vibrant read about the connections between fashion, culture, and social justice. (index, further reading, photo credits) (Nonfiction. 12-18)

Kirkus Reviews