Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards announce their 2023 finalists

The Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA) recently unveiled the official 2023 nominees recognizing leading and emerging talent currently shaping the Canadian and global fashion industry.

A 10th anniversary for the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards

CAFA was launched in 2013 to celebrate outstanding achievement and emerging talent in the Canadian fashion industry. Often referred to as “Canada’s most fashionable night”, CAFA brings together the Canadian fashion industry’s top artists, influencers, and business leaders from across the country and around the world. Over the last ten years, special past guests and award recipients have included Imran Amed, Aurora James, Kim Cattrall, Iris Apfel, Erdem, Joe Zee, Jason Wu, Karlie Kloss, Elle Macpherson, Meghan Markle, Coco Rocha, Dean and Dan Caten, Viktor & Rolf, amongst others.

In its 10th Anniversary year, CAFA will not only be reflecting on the achievements and milestones of the past, but will also be looking toward the future of Canadian fashion, staying true to its mission of growing a stronger appreciation of Canadian talent at home and abroad and fostering the next generation.

 “I wish to congratulate all of the 2023 nominees on this recognition of their talent, hard work, and undeniable influence. I also wish to extend my heartfelt appreciation to all those who have supported CAFA over the last 10 years—our 10-year anniversary is a very special milestone. As I reflect on the last 10 years, I’m so proud of the incredible community we’ve built and the opportunities, connections, and meaningful change we’ve helped to create in our industry and beyond,” shares CAFA co-founder and President, Vicky Milner. 

 With the exception of special honourees which are bestowed, award categories are self-nominating, and each year, a distinguished nominating committee consisting of industry experts from a range of disciplines put forward names for consideration and vote on final nominees based on specified criteria. 

 The gala and ongoing programming are made possible by CAFA’s generous sponsors, including leading sponsors NARS Cosmetics and Snapchat, along with Hudson’s Bay, Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Holt Renfrew, Disruptive Edge, Mercedes-Benz Canada, Porter Airlines, Fairmont Royal York, Palettera, and The Kit and Toronto Star. A new addition to CAFA sponsorship this year is the popular visual communications app, Snapchat. The platform, with 397 million daily active users globally is at the forefront of revolutionizing the luxury fashion and beauty experience for consumers and brands using AR technology. With an interest in providing a creative platform for Canadian creators of all varieties and a vision for a future where fashion and beauty try-on is accessible, easy and additive for consumers and industry alike, Snapchat will bring a unique experience to gala attendees. “We are thrilled to partner with CAFA to celebrate the talent, diversity and creativity that Canadian creators bring to the runway and the broader fashion and beauty ecosystem across the globe,” said Matt McGowan, General Manager, Canada and Snap Inc. “Recognizing that technology and fashion intersect more now than ever before, we are excited to showcase how augmented reality can enhance the fashion and beauty try-on experience at one of the largest fashion events in the country.”

On behalf of returning sponsor, NARS Cosmetics, Leah Thelen, Vice President, NARS Cosmetics Canada said, “We are thrilled to support the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards, as the official beauty sponsor. NARS Cosmetics, celebrating 30 years of rule-breaking beauty next year, is a luxury beauty brand with fashion being the core pillar and part of the brand’s DNA. Founded by makeup artist François Nars in 1994, it embraces individuality and inspires self-expression and creativity by bringing high-fashion, high-style, and a forward-thinking attitude to beauty.”

Below is the full list of 2023 finalists.

The Womenswear Designer of the Year Award will be presented to an outstanding Canadian womenswear designer who has made a significant creative impact in the fashion industry. The nominees are:

• Eliza Faulkner
• Hilary MacMillan
• LAMARQUE
• RVNG COUTURE
• Silk Laundry

The Menswear Designer of the Year Award will be presented to an outstanding Canadian menswear designer who has made a significant creative impact in the fashion industry. The nominees are:

• École de Pensée
• Frank And Oak
• Raised by Wolves
• SECTION 35

The Award for Emerging Talent, Fashion will be presented to an innovative Canadian designer who is emerging as a true creative force in fashion design. The nominees are:

• 3-Dimensional
• Adidem Asterisks*
• Dorian Who
• Golshaah
• Ouma
• Ste. Marg. Scot.

The Award for Emerging Talent, Accessories will be presented to an innovative Canadian designer who is emerging as a true creative force in fashion accessory design. The nominees are:

• Life Liveth
• Lo’bat
• Lunar Rain
• Lunetterie Generale
• Omi Woods
• Steff Eleoff

The Accessory Designer of the Year Award will be presented to an outstanding Canadian fashion accessory designer who has made a significant creative impact in the fashion industry. The nominees are:

• Biko
• David Dunkley Fine Millinery
• Dean Davidson
• Lambert
• Vitaly

The Outerwear Brand of the Year Award will be presented to an outstanding Canadian outerwear brand who has made a significant impact in the fashion industry. The nominees are:

• FREED
• HiSO
• Quartz Co.
• Rudsak

The Fashion Innovation Award will be presented to a Canadian company or individual that is innovating how we experience, consume or interact with fashion through technology. The nominees are:

• BlackCart
• Blanka
• Cash Labs
• Olbrich Knitwear

The Fashion Design Student Award will be presented to an exceptional Canadian fashion design student who has recently graduated from a fashion design program. The nominees are:

• Allison Dunne
• Eunice Chow
• Jacqueline Bradica
• Sam Huang
• Serena Li
• Will Crosson

The Image Maker of the Year Award will be presented to an outstanding Canadian fashion photographer or filmmaker who has made a significant impact within the fashion industry. The nominees are:

• Evaan Kheraj
• Garrett Naccarato
• Nick Merzetti
• Renata Kaveh
• Richard Bernardin

The Stylist of the Year Award will be presented to an outstanding Canadian fashion stylist who has made a significant impact within the fashion industry. The nominees are:

• Bobby Bowen
• Florence O. Durand
• Leila Bani
• Nadia Pizzimenti
• Olivia Leblanc

The Fresh Face of the Year Award will be presented to an emerging Canadian model who the industry recognizes as one of Canada’s newest and brightest fresh faces. The nominees are:

• Coco Labbee
• Heather Diamond Strongarm
• Kate McNamara
• Nyawurh Chuol
• Ryan Park

The Model of the Year Award will be presented to an outstanding Canadian model who has made a significant impact within the fashion industry. The nominees are:

• Alexis Carrington
• Angaer Adrop
• Diane Chiu
• Lauren Chan

The Fashion Impact Award will be presented to a Canadian designer or brand that has made a significant social or philanthropic impact in the Canadian and/or international community. The nominees are:

• Aille Design
• Fashion Art Toronto
• LIGNES DE FUITE
• Manitobah
• Mejuri
• KOTN

The Digital Fashion Creator Award will be presented to a Canadian fashion blogger or website that demonstrates creativity, excellence, and range in online fashion critique, reporting, and photography. The nominees are:

• Carla Rockmore
• Dorian Who
• Liv Judd
• Sara Camposarcone
• Sasha Exeter

The Sustainability Award will be presented to a Canadian designer, brand or individual taking action and inspiring change in the fashion industry towards a more sustainable future. The nominees are:

• Adhere To
• KOTN
• Londre
• Mejuri
• Quartz Co.
• Triarchy

The Makeup Artist of the Year Award will be presented to an innovative Canadian makeup artist who is a true creative force in the fashion and beauty industry. The nominees are:

• Aniya Nandy
• Caroline Levin
• Julie Cusson
• Nate Palacios
• Sabrina Rinaldi
• Simone Otis

The Hair Artist of the Year Award will be presented to an innovative Canadian hair artist who is a true creative force in the fashion and beauty industry. The nominees are: 

• Andrew Ly
• Adrian Carew
• Kirsten Klontz
• Kristjan Hayden
• Ryan McGovern
• Stephane Scotto Di Cesare

The winners will be announced at the Red Carpet Gala on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto. Tickets for the 2023 gala and post-gala are now available for purchase online at CAFAwards.ca.

Source : Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards