My wife recently attended the launch party of the newest issue of Fusia magazine, which stands for Female – Fusion – Asia. (www.fusia.ca) This Canadian magazine, pioneered by the innovative and talented Meera, is a fresh perspective on South Asian Women’s culture and fashion and it is produced right here in Toronto.

One of Fusia’s beautiful, glossy covers.

At the launch party of the most recent issue, the spectacular, gutsy actor Lisa Ray was in attendance and the crowd came together to celebrate both the magazine and Lisa Ray’s inspiring contributions to it. Amidst incredible performances by singers and messages from the magazine’s creative team, Lisa spoke about her battle with cancer and overcoming it – a story full of hope. She has long been a visible face of South Asian women’s style, and her choice to pursue inclusive, challenging roles, like the leads in I Can’t Think Straight and The World Unseen, makes her a role-model for those of us who have been yearning for more diverse representation of culture and sexuality in our media. Check out her interview on SheWired (http://www.shewired.com/box-office/lisa-ray-playing-it-gay-twice).

The magazine is exceedingly well put together and betrays none of its humble roots as a labour of love, produced as a passion project by a full-time working mom.

With all this said, imagine my surprise as I perused the issue, brought home by my wife, Allia, and found that our friends’ jewelery line was featured, and by extension, so was my face (bottom right).

YYZ Imports and yours truly. http://www.yyzimports.ca/

By her own report, Allia says the night was dazzling, sleek and intimate, filling The Berkeley with beautifully dressed, impeccably-styled women – exactly the kind of crowd to inspire and be inspired by Fusia Magazine. 

Lisa Ray, on stage at The Berkeley

Opulent interior and pre-crowd venue.

Jess and Bern of YYZimports celebrate!