A love of experimentation inspires the wardrobe of DesignTO’s Michael Madjus | Canada Voices

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Michael Madjus, and I am the head of marketing at DesignTO. I am also a maker with a background in industrial design, and I have worked in the fashion world in styling and retail buying. Today I’m at Bonne Choice in Toronto’s west end. It’s hosting the exhibition, La Dolce Design: Celebrating Italian Design, from Vintage Icons to Modern Masters, during this month’s festival.

How do you put together an outfit?

I always think of the line, “Dress for the theatre that is your life.” That’s not to say that dressing is like putting on costumes, but the idea of using articles of clothing to express how you want to feel and what your character is in that moment.

How would you describe your style?

My style can shift and change based on my mood or the context. It’s also accessible. I like to mix high and low and I don’t shop based on labels and brand names. I also sew and alter my pieces. And I’m not afraid to be overdressed or underdressed, but if there’s a dress code like “jackets required,” I will wear a cropped blazer or a blazer that has frayed edges.

Who’s inspiring you right now?

As a queer Filipino person, I am often in spaces that are predominantly white, cis-male-centric, and I want to come into those rooms wearing something different. I’m really into what the designer Willy Chavarria is doing, subverting the norm with an aesthetic that has elegance and elements of streetwear, but also workwear.

What are you wearing?

The cropped jacket is by Fear of God, and I bought it from Ssense. The pleated baggy pants are from Gap. My tank top is a basic black Gildan ribbed style – I’m a huge fan of a ribbed tank top. I’ll always lament the arrival of the cold weather when I can no longer wear them. The bracelets and earrings are by Cuchara – it’s a Filipino, women-owned Toronto brand. Some of the other jewellery pieces were given to me by my mother; she had all these silver pieces that she no longer wears because she likes to wear gold now. The boots are from Zara and the beanie I got at Dollarama. People think it’s always much more expensive than it was.

How does working in design inform your approach to fashion?

I work in a field where there’s not one specific style or type of design that’s created, and DesignTO is an opportunity where people can experiment. We have architects who are working in lighting, artists working in furniture. That idea of experimentation and play definitely affects the way that I like to dress.

Would we be able to guess the style of your home by what you’re wearing?

If I had to choose some words to describe the space, they’re organic and modern. Plants are a big part of my life, and I’d say I’m a micro-collector of art. I also often take pieces that have been discarded and refurbish them, and there’s a mix of new, designer and vintage pieces. I don’t necessarily think there’s an aesthetic connection that ties my clothing into the way that I develop my living space, but it goes back to the idea of being able to see potential in things.

This interview has been condensed and edited.

As part of the 2026 DesignTO festival, The Globe and Mail style and art contributor Odessa Paloma Parker will host The Collected Home: How to Live with the Best of Design, at Bonne Choice on Jan. 29. Bonne Choice’s Carlo Colacci, designer Clarisa Llaneza and Absolutely Fabrics founder Kaelen Haworth will discuss how to assemble a cache of housewares that capture your sense of style, and share their take on the contemporary pieces destined to be future icons. For free tickets and more info, visit designto.org.