About Odessa
Odessa Paloma Parker is a cultural journalist, entrepreneur, educator, community leader, tastemaker and lifelong Torontonian living in High Park.
She has held positions as both the Fashion and Art Editor at The Globe and Mail Style Magazine, and in 2022, she founded Opaloma, a stylish cultural platform featuring stories from Toronto and beyond. She is a co-author of the first edition of Louis Vuitton's City Guide Toronto, and her journalistic expertise has been acknowledged by an Honourable Mention for the 2021 National Magazine Award for “Best Column”. Odessa was also in the innovative role of Head of Content for a trio of cannabis brands in the year leading up to adult-use legalization in Canada.
In addition to supporting artists through her professional and volunteer work, Odessa is passionate about promoting local talent and businesses within the city she has called home her whole life. Over a decade ago she founded Vintage Crawl Toronto, a city-wide shopping event, and she began her journalistic career by launching the independent, locally focused magazine, Plaid.
Odessa is also a DJ and her event clients include Chanel, Bata Shoe Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario, and she has run various regularly scheduled dance nights across Toronto since the mid-2000s.
The experience of growing up and living in Scarborough until her early 20s gave Odessa a unique insight into the specific needs of this area of Toronto, and she will run on a platform that confirms she’s a candidate with Scarborough in her heart and thoughts.
My Experience
I might not be a typical candidate for Mayor of Toronto, but I believe that my experience and accomplishments are applicable and useful in that role. Since graduating from the University of Toronto with a double major in English and Semiotics, I’ve had a thrillingly varied career driven by curiosity, passion and a desire to communicate the most interesting and innovative ideas I come across.
Cultural Journalist
As an internationally respected news journalist, I have interviewed the most unique and innovative creatives here in Toronto and around the world. I’ve learned about their process, their wins and their challenges; I’ve also gleaned how municipal support can transform and support a cultural sector and therefore, a city.
While working at FASHION Magazine, I was nominated for a National Magazine award for a column about fashion collectors and their closets, highlighting the incredible scope of design on offer locally.
Throughout my career, I have covered stories ranging from the un-sustainability of the sportswear merch industry and designers who make clothing that can photosynthesize to creatives in The North who tan the hide with which they make accessories. I will apply this attention to knowledge-sharing and communal connection if elected.
Educator
I have created and taught educational content for both Centennial College and Toronto Metropolitan University. I also developed the Fashion Business and Management program at Centennial College – a unique program that focused on educating students about a creative career beyond design.
Community Leader
From a young age, I understood the importance of mentorship and volunteering, and in the last year I have worked with two incredible students from U of T when they interned for Opaloma. I have also recently volunteered with the Neighbour2Neighbour programming in my condo building, leading activities that specifically endeavour to connect seniors who are aging in place.
I have made a commitment to inspiring and delighting local residents with the riches our city has to offer! For example, I founded Vintage Crawl Toronto, a city-wide shopping event, and I have co-chaired fundraising events for the Canadian Opera Company and Gardiner Museum.
Lifelong Torontonian
Both of my parents’ families immigrated to Toronto, and I was born a first-generation Canadian. I grew up in Scarborough in the Wexford/Maryvale area – I actually lived in Scarborough until after I had graduated from university.
Over the years, I have called the following neighbourhoods home: Yonge/Eglinton, Yonge/St. Clair, Queen/Ossington and now, High Park.
Entrepreneur
I have worked as a freelancer for many years and know about the fragile economy Torontonians live within. I also know the level of passion, diplomacy and dedication it requires to work as an entrepreneur in this city.
I was pleased to co-author the Louis Vuitton City Guide Toronto, which was released in 2024; one of my chapters focused on arts & culture, and the other on interior design. And more recently, I contributed both an edit of top vintage stores in Toronto, as well as an essay called “My City”, for the travel platform Roadbook.
From running an independent magazine to DJing for clients including Chanel, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and BATA Shoe Museum, I have engaged with communities across the city and understand the dynamics of Toronto’s unique economy.
Tastemaker
Throughout my career I have been tapped as a thoughtleader in the design industry, and I have juried on both the British Fashion Awards and Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards. And I have represented Canadian and Toronto-based fashion around the world at global fashion weeks, appearing on Best Dressed lists for Vogue, Hello! and Toronto Life Magazine among others.