With vibrant images and accessible text throughout, this book provides readers with a contemporary glimpse into the world of inclusive fashion. Ojibwe author Christian Allaire draws on his personal experiences as an Indigenous person who has felt a lack of representation within mainstream fashion, and offers readers a book that celebrates culture and diversity. Organized into six sections, topics range from Indigenous ribbon work to hijab styling and feature models, influencers, and designers who are embracing and amplifying self-expression and pride. Ideal for upper elementary and high school environments, this book is suitable for students who are learning about identity and self-expression, as well as visual/fine arts.

100 pp., 8 × 10", colour photographs and illustrations • Index

Christian Allaire (Ojibwe)

Source: Association of Book Publishers of BC - Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools (2021-2022)

CHRISTIAN ALLAIRE is an Ojibwe, French and Italian writer who grew up on the Nipissing First Nation reserve in Northern Ontario. He is currently a senior fashion and style writer for Vogue, where he works to bring Indigenous design and stories to the forefront of fashion. Allaire is based in Brooklyn, New York.

Christian Allaire's profile page

• Joint winner, Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices List
• Joint winner, Bank Street College of Education’s Book of the Year List
• Short-listed, Next Generation Indie Book Award finalist
• Winner, Norma Fleck Award, Canadian Children
• Joint winner, Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, YALSA
• Joint winner, Texas Topaz Reading List
• Nominated, Rocky Mountain Book Award
• Joint winner, Booklist Editors’ Choice
• Nominated, Yellow Cedar Award
• Joint winner, Best Bets Book List, OLA
• Short-listed, Cybils Awards
• Commended, Eureka Nonfiction Award Honoree, California Reading Association
• Joint winner, Best of 2021 List, Canadian Children’s Book Centre
• Joint winner, Top 10 Arts Books for Youth, Booklist

“An offer to preteens and teens that seek to find their bodies, identities, and experiences reflected in the world of fashion and a contribution to non-fiction on fashion that expands its contours.”

Canadian Children’s Book News, 08/13/21

“A celebration of humanity.”

Black Goddess Reviews, 04/26/21

“Though it tackles heavy topics like cultural appropriation and the importance of representation, The Power of Style is resolutely celebratory.”

Vogue, 04/22/21

“A vibrant read about the connections between fashion, culture, and social justice.”

Kirkus Reviews, 02/23/21

“A gorgeous and enticing book about fashion that will broaden definitions and embraces inclusion.”

Waking Brain Cells, 06/10/21

“Ultimately a book about empowerment. It champions diversity and self-acceptance through style and encourages readers to discover new ways of expressing themselves.”

Quill & Quire, 05/21

“Dazzling and empowering . . . Fab drag queens, genderqueer and BIPOC YouTubers demoing makeup, plus-size and gender-bending cosplayers, men wearing high heels and fem fashion—they’re all here, a proud and dazzling explosion of confetti transforming the landscape.”

Booklist, *starred review, 03/02/21

“Edifying and uplifting.”

BlackBook, 05/11/21

“A visually stunning celebration of self-expression, self-acceptance, and cultural pride.”

Chatelaine Magazine, 04/21

“The book to appeal to a wide age range. It is important that readers of all ages be given the opportunity to learn that there are others who have had the same or similar experiences of feeling that they were different from their peers because of the way that they looked or dressed. Highly Recommended.”

CM Reviews, 02/12/21