FASHION DISRUPTOR: THE MYLES SEXTON ERA
By: Janice Ronan
Scrolling through social media, you may have come across the candid platforms of Myles Sexton, International Model, Creative Director, Stylist, Makeup Artist, an impassioned Activist at the forefront of the HIV/AIDS (Sexton is HIV+) and Sobriety movement, TV Personality, Podcast Creator (Our Private Bits) and Queer Fashion Nomad - an icon in the making.
Transcending conventional labels, they have struck a chord with their viewership and have built a diverse and loyal fan base, with over 90K+ followers on Instagram and over 200K on Tik Tok.
Some things in life are just meant to be and the Myles Sexton era is undeniably one of them.
In the fashion, beauty and entertainment realm, where standards of beauty and conformity have always held sway, a combination of destiny and diligence has cast Myles as a powerful force for change. With a commitment to celebrating diversity and challenging established norms, Sexton is carving out a trailblazing path towards a more inclusive industry.
Born and raised in a quaint, coastal town of Nova Scotia in Canada, Sexton grew up surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Canadian Maritimes. Instilled with a deep connection and appreciation for nature’s wonders and an intense sense of community, Myles embarked on a life journey that most of us can only dream of.
For more than a decade, Myles has lent their unique charm to a host of household names including Canada Goose, Fenty Beauty, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Sephora, The Social, Cityline, The Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR), amongst many other notable brands. Their editorial wizardry has graced the pages of Vogue Italia, Elle, New York Times, and Fashion Magazine. Celebrities like Grace Jones, Maye Musk, Winnie Harlow, Nelly Furtado, Lights, and Emily Hanes of Metric have all been touched by Myle’s magic. Thus, making Sexton a positive, influential figure within the industry.
The ANNKM team had the privilege of delving deeper into the extraordinary journey of this icon. In our exclusive interview, we unravel the layers of Sexton's artistry, activism, and undeniable charisma.
- The Scoop on Myles -
Many LGBTQIA2S+ community members use humor to connect with others. You and your fiancé @tattooed_ty have mastered this and are such a joy to watch. What was your inspiration behind incorporating humor into your advocacy and fashion/styling videos?
M: “There are all forms of advocacy which I practice many different forms of, but especially in the current social media and political landscape, people are looking for a laugh, so it’s been fun to play with humor while also breaking binaries that have existed with fashion. Why not learn while you laugh?”
In your opinion, what are the most pressing issues facing the LGBTQIA2S+ community today, and what strategies can the average person employ to raise awareness and advocate for change in these areas?
M: “Currently there is so much misinformation out there on social media, and in the news about our community. From people thinking drag is grooming children, 2SLGBTQIA+ people allegedly all being pedophiles and the grand debate on what rights Trans people should have. Most people are not taking the time to educate themselves and just read a headline at face value. Stepping out of your comfort zone and learning about these issues from people within those communities is the biggest thing everyone can do right now to help combat hate and misinformation.”
How do you approach intersectionality when advocating for LGBTQIA2S+ rights? How do you ensure that the voices and experiences of individuals from diverse backgrounds are heard and represented in your advocacy efforts?
M: “We are such a diverse community, and I only represent such a small portion of it. A big thing I try and do is collaborate with many different people from our community on education videos and give them my platform to let their voices be heard to a larger audience.”
You are involved in so many amazing initiatives which you execute so flawlessly – how do you effectively manage your time and balance your commitments when you are involved in a range of activities, what is your secret? Can you share some strategies and tips that have helped you maintain productivity and focus?
M: “Moving my calendar over digitally on my phone honestly has been the biggest help. I can schedule myself down to the hour and set notifications based on how busy my schedule is during the day. Typically, the night before I will look at my following day’s schedule and figure out a game plan but having the digital guide really helps keep me organized. I schedule time as well to give back to myself too. It can’t be all work without some grounding time. Lastly, I can't give all the credit to my smartphone; I am lucky to have a fantastic manager who also helps me manage my schedule.”
You are genuinely open, honest, and sharing across your social and media platforms. What is something most people do not know about you?
M: “That I am an extremely introverted person! I really try to be energetic and uplifting online and when I meet people in public but after a period of time, I need to run away and back to my house on the lake tucked into the forest to recharge my batteries.”
The fashion industry is ever evolving. What do you envision for the future of inclusivity in fashion, and how do you plan to continue pushing boundaries and pioneering change in this field?
M: “The future of fashion is really remodeling the binaries we have created around fashion and curating collections in a way that empowers anyone to wear whatever might help them express their personal style. There also needs to be a huge focus on brands creating size inclusive products that don’t just go to XL. There is a huge group of people who deserve to feel fabulous and should be able to shop anywhere!”
You can catch Sexton at the tenth anniversary of Startup Fashion Week (SFW) as they will be a Keynote Speaker at the Business of Fashion Conference on October 26th in Toronto, Canada. In this ever-evolving journey, Myles effortlessly intertwines their artistic flair and advocacy, all with style and grace.
Image Source: MVE Management