MYLES SEXTON: NOVA SCOTIA / TORONTO

June 8th

How is the Myles Sexton of today different from the Myles Sexton a few years ago?

The Myles Sexton of today is honestly the person that I hoped and dreamed I could be about 7 years or more ago. Growing up in a small home town of Brooklyn, Nova Scotia it was never easy to be yourself or even trying to learn who you really are. When you live in a community that can be narrowminded at times it almost has its own style. So I didn’t see much of the outside world until I was old enough to make it there on my own. The internet was a huge impact on my life because it showed me that people are different and they are not all the same. They don’t all date women and wear american eagle. There is diversity in the world that I had no idea about. So as a child and teenager I was a very shy weak person. Then over the summer of grade 10 a few events took place in my life, and I started not caring anymore about what others might think of me and I started being who I am on the inside. The Myles of today has learned that confidence only comes from within. That you must make yourself happy before anyone else because at the end of the day you are all you really have. I learned that family is so important and that they will be there to support you even through the worst situations, so don’t distance yourself from them. I allowed the drive and passion that was built up inside me dying to explode while I stood behind the counter at Sobeys/Superstore ringing in items take over, and I grew into the man I am today. I say I’ve been like a mannequin, silent yet always changing.

How would you describe your style?

Honestly my style is really a bunch of inspiration. Fashion is a luxury I feel, and every piece I purchase are a part of my collection of art. Like its hard for me to just pick a lable because some days I might feel that I need to wear a suit and be quite dapper, and others I am rocking some skin-tight leather pants with a shirt with shoulder pads covered in studs. I love to mix and match everything, buying key peices then mixing them with vintage designer. It’s like when the new fashion meets vintage chic I suppose could be a word for it. I pull a lot of inspiration from a lot of people in my style also. For me acessories it’s a clash between karol largerfelt meets tribal warrior. I love rings, fring and feathers, lots of silver and gold. Long chanings with interesting pendants on the end, or pearls. Clothes are honestly a mix of boy meets girl. I love to play with androgney. My hair and make up fall into androgney also but with my hair I like to do what ever everyone is not doing.

Where is Atlantic Canada’s fashion & style community today?

The ACF community is really based in Halifax. Most of our designers live and work out of there. It really is the only place that things are really happening. In other provinces there are designers, but I guesss if there was a community it would be in Halifax. They also have their own Fashion week so it’s the comming together of all the provinces.

Where do you hope it will go?

The one thing lacking from the community is the acessabily to fabric and production. It’s harder for our designers to make it because there isn’t a large market for sales and producing their designers. I would hope to see the fashion community come together. I hope the fashion design council will be put back into place and then the community will really come together. It’s a bit behind in Nova Scotia, it’s not what it used to be. Despite being a port, Nvoa Scotia has lost its vibe for fashion. But I see it comming back alive through the creativity and hearts of our talented designers.

Why did you make the move to Toronto?

I reached a point in my life where I felt I wasn’t learning anymore. I felt that my work was appreciated but if I moved to a larger city it would burn like a mad fire and I could utilise my talent to the fullest! I needed inspiration so I packed my pages with a lipgloss in my pocket and moved to Toronto. I wanted to explore a bigger market and see what new things I could learn. Also finding more about who Myles Sexton really is. This is the first time I have been solo on my own and its been a huge change for me.

Was it the right decision? Would you encourage people to do the same?

I have no regrets and I think every moment happens to be for some odd reason. Whether it’s to teach me something or keep me driven. I love it here in Toronto and if anyone wants to see themselves grow as an artist I feel the move is important. I also don’t suggest moving to toronto right off the bat. Being in Nova Scotia is a great place for building your portfoilo and learning. You will get opportunity there that will take years to get there. If it wasn’t for Nova Scotia I wouldn’t have such a stronge resume that gets me the jobs I want.

Is modeling really what people make it seem to be? What are the difficulties you’ve faced that you might not have expected?

Modeling isn’t as easy as people think it might be. It’s not just standing and looking pretty thats fer’ sure. It’s a lot of learning and hard work. Learning how to move your body is more difficult than one might think. Just getting your own image down and over comming confidence issues is a huge one. But also learning the industry, seeing trends. What angles look good what doesn’t, how to light your face and body. Also just getting work is hard. there are so many NOs before there is a YES and sometimes people find that hard to accept.

How about life in general? What difficulties have you faced and how have these shaped where you’ve come today?

The journey to find inner confidence is a big one. Just knowing on the inside I should be proud to be who I am and not let others put you down was probably a big one. Due to my lack of confidence it sent me into depression and it really took away a year and a half of my life that I will never get back. Also is understanding that my parents love me no matter what and that I shouldn’t push them away when all they want to do is be there to help and support me. When I first “came out” I really pushed everyone I loved out of my life, and it was a huge mistake. It was the moment I let them back in that I felt as if life was much brighter once again.

Where would you say is make-up’s place in someone’s style today?

Like hair, I believe make up is an expression of one’s inner self or creativity. Make up is there to give you some tools to be creative but also feel beautiful. Make up was a huge part in my life for gaining confidence. My body is a canvas and the best way to express my art. I think anyone can wear it day to day but they should wear it for the right reasons. You should wear make up for yourself and how you like. NOT how society might tell you to.

How do you juggle photography, modeling, and make-up? Do you think you’re going to have to commit yourself to one at some point or are you planning to continue with all three?

Aha I tell people I like to feel as if I am on high risk for a heart attack because I love feeling super busy. Modeling, photography and make up are not just a job. They are my hobby and my life. They are what make me wake up in the morning with a smile on my face. They are the purest form of the passion running through my body. It’s not that hard to juggle all three since most of the time I am doing all three in one spot like at a photoshoot. I don’t think so. I go through phases where I will do one more than the others but mainly with modeling cuz make up, styling, hair and photography normally combine themselves into one when I am on set because I will do them all. I am like a beauty team built into one man wearing lipgloss.

What does it take for a person to become a brand? Do you have to become a brand to make it?

I mean I never realized I was a brand until someone really pointed it out to me. I just networked since I was about 14 taking photos of myself and promoting it online tehhe. I was just being creative with Facebook and youtube along with other internet websites. I was networking myself in the community and then I realised that I wasn’t just a make up artist – that I was a brand. I don’t think you need to become a brand to make it. It just helps you along the way. Every little things helps in the industry and if you have a following and something that makes you different than everyone else just gives the client even more reason to hire you. It’s why they put celebrities on the cover of magazines instead of models now (which upsets me but thats another story) the famous person is not just a model but a brand that sells to their following.

What is the Myles Sexton brand selling?

Not so much selling if I was making alot of money I would probably be still living in Nova Scotia and flying around the world to work ahah. I am more-so promoting what I do and who I am and what I stand behind. My beleifs and my creativity.

Who would you like to thank for helping to build the Myles Sexton brand?

Without my parents  I don’t think I would have made it this far. Also all my Friends who I love with all my heart. My friends come in so many forms from photographers to designers to make up artist or journalists. Everyone I have met has played a role in my life whether it’s good or bad. But there are a lot of people back in Nova Scotia that really helped keep me strong. The ladies at Sobeys and Superstore kept my drive alive while I was going nuts working on cash. The designers and photographers, and make up artsit that I have worked with in Nova Scotia. My first modeling agent really helped teach me about the industry and what’s right from wrong and I oddly enough I must thank Jeffree Star for existing on the earth. He was the first boy wearing make up I came across in childhood and he was a huge inspiration to me.