Vivek Shraya does all the things: sings, writes, talks, makes movies, makes shirts and can take a flattering picture of you. We’ve been collaborating for several years and I’m also lucky enough to call him my friend, ma boo. He’ll likely be taking most of the photos of me but this time he’s letting us ogle him and give us insight into his style. Read on.
(All photos by Karen Campos)
How does being a person of colour inform your style?
Indian culture is all about excess: everything all at once. Every colour belongs together. Every part of the body can be adorned. Growing up surrounded by an aesthetic of excess has allowed me to be more adventurous with my style.
Do you find that there are perks to being a person of colour when it comes to fashion?
Brown people can rock yellow. What a gift!
What clothing makes you feel most comfortable in your body?
Any pants/jeans with stretch.
Is there a memorable style phase you had as a kid/teen/other?
Inside out Club Monaco sweatshirt. I tried pairing this with inside out sweatpants but it was unappreciated.
Not so memorable: my country/western phase. I had three cowboy hats. One was red.
Do you have any style role models in your family (past or present)?
My mom was my #1 style icon growing up. She had a walk-in closet full of dresses and saris in every colour, texture and pattern, and a giant metal toolkit which she had refashioned into a jewelry holder. I would spend hours in her closet, even when I was on the phone, rubbing the fabrics, mentally ranking my favourites of her outfits, or squeezing my hands through her bangles. It was truly one of the most magical places in the world.
From her, I learnt how fashion can be transformative. Before an event, she would be in a multitasking frenzy with rollers in her hair—running up and down the stairs, checking on the dish she was planning to take, ironing our clothes. But when she would finally emerge from her bedroom after stepping into the night’s attire, she was not only breathtaking but a whole different person: calm, regal and indestructible.
How has living in certain cities, including but not limited to your current one, impacted the way you dress?
You would think a brown boy in a small and very white city would stand out but I found the opposite to be true. Growing up in Edmonton, I felt I had to work harder to be seen, so it was there that I was my most experimental. Every fashion idea was a good idea, even wearing an onion bag as a hat, a winter scarf as a belt or unplugged headphones around my neck. I even carried apples as “an accessory” for a while.
When I moved to Toronto in 2003, it was the year of trucker hats. I felt suffocated by a city that tries so hard and the posturing, and defeated by my inability to make genuine connections with people here. I surrendered to anonymity and started wearing baggy athletic wear.
Ten years later, I have to say I love living in a city with so many people of colour, queer people and queer people of colour because it has allowed me to be the truest self I have ever been. Not being the only queer person on the street means I can wear skinny jeans and not worry about my safety.
Must-have accessories:
Earrings. Chunky gold watch.
Famous last words:
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
THE GOODS:
Leopard shirt: Top Man (London, UK),
Green pants: Diesel (London, UK)
Blue pants: Diesel (Asos.com)
Grey leather jacket: Top Man (New York, New York)
Destiny’s Child Sleeveless Shirt: Self-designed with Karen Campos, custom printed at Logo Magik (Toronto, ON)
Lakshmi T-Shirt: Custom printed at Logo Magik (Toronto, ON)
Earring: Top Man (London, UK)
Gold Watch: Diesel (Amazon.com)
Black shoes: Swear (London, UK)
