South Asians With Style: Vol. 4 — The Return
About this Event
Style is not just what you wear. It is how you move, how you tell your story, and how you build.
For 13 years, SAPNA has set the benchmark for South Asian edutainment in Toronto. We bring culture, ambition, and authentic storytelling together in spaces where real connections happen. This fall, we return with the fourth edition of our signature series: South Asians With Style Part 4.
Hosted at the intimate IDK Lounge on Ossington, this edition goes beneath the surface to explore the true creative journey. We are gathering trailblazers from across screen, fashion, finance, and creative entrepreneurship to talk about carving out space, leveraging personal brand equity, and building longevity without compromising identity.
No generic panels or surface-level fluff. Just honest dialogue, actionable insight, and an electric room of Toronto's sharpest creatives, entrepreneurs, and professionals.
The Experience
- The Edutainment Panel: A curated, high-impact conversation diving into creative risk, executive presence, building a distinctive personal aesthetic, and turning vision into business reality.
- The Signature Mixer: Immediately following the stage conversation, the room turns into an energetic social mixer. Connect directly with panellists, founders, designers, and fellow tastemakers over drinks in one of the West End's standout neighbourhood spaces.
Meet the Speakers
Rafia Iqbal (@therafiaiqbal)
Pakistani-born and Toronto-based, Rafia is a powerhouse actress, model, and producer making serious noise across film and television. You've seen her on screen as Hyperion in Amazon Prime's hit series The Boys, alongside stunt and body doubling for Claudia Doumit (The Boys) and Ritu Arya (The Umbrella Academy). Between her performances in award-winning projects like A Night with Nathan and Leveled, and upcoming lead roles in Into Grey, Mister Mischief, and the fantasy epic Realm of the Waterfall, Rafia brings real grit, craft, and Hollywood-level experience to our stage. On the panel, she'll dive into the real creative journey, carving out space on screen, and what personal style and presence look like in high-stakes industries.
Michael Dehal (@michaeldehal)
Style is not just what you wear on the weekend. It is how you command the room when the stakes are at their highest. As a Senior Portfolio Manager at Dehal Investment Partners (Raymond James) with over 25 years in the game, Michael has steered wealth strategies and discretionary portfolios for top executives, high-net-worth families, and cross-border clients. Beyond the boardroom, he is one of Canada's most trusted market commentators, regularly breaking down complex economic shifts on BNN Bloomberg, CNBC, Reuters, and in The Globe and Mail. An accomplished endurance athlete, Michael has already conquered three World Marathon Majors on his mission to complete all seven. On the panel, he'll break down executive presence, elite discipline, and how authentic personal style functions as serious social capital in corporate and creative environments.
More speakers, including voices from luxury design and creative direction, will be announced soon. Follow @SAPNAtoronto on Instagram for speaker drops and updates.
Event Agenda
- 6:30 PM | Doors Open & Welcome Mix: Arrive early, grab a drink at the bar, and break the ice with fellow attendees.
- 7:30 PM | South Asians With Style: The Panel Discussion: An unfiltered stage discussion covering identity, the creative hustle, and personal branding in competitive industries.
- 8:30 PM until Late | The Social Mixer: Mingling and high-value networking with Toronto's creative community.
The Venue
IDK Lounge (172 Ossington Avenue, Toronto)
Set in the heart of the Ossington strip, IDK Lounge offers the perfect moody, stylish backdrop for an evening of conversation and nightlife connection.
Capacity at IDK Lounge is strictly limited to preserve an intimate room experience. Secure your ticket early to guarantee entry.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
CAD 9.31 to CAD 33.28
