Inspired by the passing of legendary fashion editor Andre Leon Talley, Too Much Fashion emerged as a heartfelt tribute to Black creatives. The exhibit’s name, borrowed from one of Talley’s signature phrases, captures his bold spirit. Behind the vision are artist Ilene Sova and writer Byron Armstrong, who joined forces to bring this exhibit to life.
The exhibit ran from August 1 to August 30, 2025, and left an indelible mark on many visitors. Showcasing works by diverse Black creative artists, it brought together artists whose work embraces the visual language of fashion.
Too Much Fashion pays tribute to Black fashion both as an aesthetic and an act of resistance. Several Black artists showcased their work in it, including notable names such as Janice Reid, Adetona Omokanye, Benny Bing, Ehiko Odeh, Kriss Munsya, Gordon Shadrach, Kachelle Knowles, and Veronica Dorsett, among many others.
How Did the Exhibit Come About
Being a couple, both Ilene Sova and Byron Armstrong can relate to the challenges of child rearing. Although they have a busy schedule, they still manage to visit art galleries together, especially when they travel to other countries to check out the local art scene.
One thing they noticed was that there were several art exhibits focusing on Black trauma. Nevertheless, they wanted to create something different. They wanted to create a show that celebrated Black creativity and honored the need to be resilient and overcome barriers. They said that creating an exhibit like that felt relatable on many levels.
As cultural creatives, they were always thinking about the intersection of art and real-life themes relevant to people. The exhibit Too Much Fashion leans into the very strengths of both curators; Ilene, an artist-educator, and Byron, an arts and culture writer.
Soon afterward, United Contemporary, the art gallery, moved into the same building where Byron’s studio is located. Having known both the owner and the director of the gallery, they pitched the exhibit idea to them, and they immediately agreed to partner.
What Too Much Fashion Is All About
Being one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, Toronto has a unique cultural heritage. Both Ilene and Byron wanted to convey that somehow in their exhibit, so they chose Black artists from various backgrounds from the Caribbean, Africa, and Canada. They looked for artists whose work not only shows great representation but also makes sense cohesively while mixing disciplines.
The artists they chose produced works in painting, collage, and photography. This brought a sense of diversity to the art show. Being a unique show as it is, Too Much Fashion’s goal was to curate a show that did not necessarily cater only to art academics or cultural workers. The goal of the exhibit was to highlight the theme of resilience and breaking down barriers. To that end, many works of art spoke to that through various themes. It highlighted the intersection of fashion and art across the Black diaspora.
Many works of art brought together pieces that tell fashion’s story, not only as clothing or ornamentation, but also portraying fashion as a means of storytelling, cultural assertion, and survival. A few pieces of art showcased Black clothing, hair, and photography in different mediums.
Gordon Shadrach’s piece Resolution, for example, depicted him as a contemporary Black man. “As an artist, I was always looking for ways of exploring Blackness in contemporary art, and there were gaps historically in what we saw in museums and galleries,” Shadrach said. He hopes his piece Resolution will pay homage to Black fashion, reminding people that Black creatives are not outliers.
Initiatives like Too Much Fashion and other Black art galleries play a vital role in safeguarding Black cultural heritage. They not only uplift Black artists but also nurture cultural preservation and economic empowerment within the Black community.
David Messiha | Staff Writer