The fourth annual Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards—a.k.a. the 2017 CAFAs—were the biggest yet, as noted by none other than The New York Times, which pointed out that this year’s star-studded attendance list (including made-it-big Canadian designers Jason Wu, Tanya Taylor and Erdem) “reflects the way in which Canadian fashion has been working to leverage the spike in global attention the country has attracted since the election of its mediagenic young prime minister, Justin Trudeau.” (Thanks, JT!)
The gala, hosted by hilarious babe—and FLARE writer—Jessi Cruickshank was held on Friday at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York. Winners were selected by a 29-person jury, including FLARE’s own Cameron Williamson and other legit Canadian fashion forces such as Suzanne Rogers, Joe Zee and Somsack Sikhounmuong (the newly-promoted chief design officer of J.Crew).
Here, the highlights reel:
Womenswear Designer of the Year: Beaufille (helmed by designer sisters Parris and Chloé Gordon, whom we honoured in last year’s #60under30 list)
Menswear Designer of the Year: The Feral
The Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent (Fashion): Maram
The Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent (Accessories): Daniel Christian Tang
Accessory Designer of the Year: Jenny Bird
International Canadian Designer of the Year: Erdem
Model of the Year: Meghan Collision
Sephora Fresh Face of the Year Award: Emm Arruda
Digital Fashion Influencers of the Year: Sam and Cailli Beckerman of Beckerman Blog
International Syle Icon: Iris Apfel
For a full list of winners, visit the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards site. And check out all of the glorious red carpet looks right this way ——–>
Related:
Meet the New Wave of Canadian Fashion
7 Reasons Why Iris Apfel is #LifeGoals
How to Land a Fashion Job: Career Advice from Tanya Taylor
