Odessa Paloma Parker is a writer, editor, stylist, educator, public speaker and brand/content strategist based in Toronto. She is the Art Editor at Globe Style Magazine, and a fashion/art columnist at OMG Blog. She is also the founder and editorial director of Opaloma, A Cultural Digest for the Groovy.
Opaloma celebrates creative expression in all its forms; the Opaloma newsletter, launched in 2022, has become a go-to resource for art appreciators, artists and arts workers interested in what’s new and notable in both local and international galleries and cultural institutions, restaurants and retail scenes.
Throughout her career – which has included masthead roles as Fashion News Director at FASHION Magazine, and Fashion Editor at The Globe and Mail/Globe Style Magazine – Odessa has interviewed some of the most beloved and exciting names in style and the arts, such as Dries Van Noten, Anna Sui, Richard Quinn, Zandra Rhodes, John Fluevog, Mary Katrantzou, Imran Amed, Carlos Nazario, Iggy Pop, Mariah Carey, Anne Low, and Nick Cave.
Odessa’s journalistic expertise has been acknowledged by a National Magazine Award nomination, and her styling has contributed to NMA award-winning photo shoots. She has served on the nominating committee for the British Fashion Awards for several years and provided commentary for outlets including the CBC’s The Current and CTV News.
Her career has been punctuated by a passion for promoting local talent and businesses within the city she has called home her whole life. Over a decade ago she co-founded Vintage Crawl Toronto, a city-wide shopping event, and she began her editorial career by launching the independent, locally focused magazine, Plaid. Odessa has also developed and taught undergraduate and Master's-level programs and courses for Centennial College and Toronto Metropolitan University. And for the year leading up to adult-use legalization, Odessa was the head of content for a trio of cannabis brands.
Odessa also goes by the moniker DJ Weird Dad, playing gigs including the Manolo Blahnik: The Art of Shoes exhibition opening party at Bata Shoe Museum, private client events for Chanel, and the opening party for the David Bowie Is…. exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario.
