Toronto will be well-represented at this year’s Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA). The organization released their list of nominees for 18 awards on Thursday, and we know who to root for at the awards ceremony on Oct. 14 this year!
CAFA was created in order to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Canadian talent within the fashion industry. This year marks the organization’s ninth award ceremony. Categories include womenswear, menswear, sustainable designers, design students and even models.
In the womenswear designer category, Hilary MacMillan stands as the lone Torontonian. MacMillan was a runner-up last year who made a bigger splash in 2023 for her lifestyle brand which ranges from extra small to quadruple extra large, and her perfectly-timed Barbie collection earned her a reputation for being one of the industry’s most on-trend and creative designers.
Torontonians dominated the sustainable brand category โ jewelry giant Mejuri and streetwear specialists Kotn both received a nomination. Both brands boast eco-friendly business practices ranging from how they source their products to the way their products are packaged.
The only Torontonian up for the outwear brand of the year award is HISO, a luxury brand that focuses on cutting-edge designs and Canadian winter adaptability.ย
Half of the stylist of the year nominees are from the city. Bobby Bowen and Nadia Pizzimenti both take different approach to styling campaigns, as Bowen is well-known for his street influence while Pizzimenti lands on the chic side of fashion the spectrum.
Adidem Asterisks and Dorian Who headline the emerging talent in fashion award. Dorian Who is a local designer that works out of her parents luxury rug store, exposing herself and curating her designs around intricate swatches. Adidem Asterisks is a more contemporary label focused on blending streetwear into the luxury world.ย
Dorian Who is also up for the digital fashion creator award alongside fellow Torontonians Sara Camposarcone and Sasha Exeter.ย
With four nominees from Toronto in the emerging talent for accessories category, it’s clear accessorizing is where Torontonians excel. Life Liveth, Loโbat, Omi Woods and Steff Eleoff are on a meteoric trajectory and the category is our best chance of taking the award home to the 6ix.ย
For the full list of nominees, click here.
Tickets are now on sale for the CAFA gala on Oct. 14 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel for the fashion lovers out there, if you’re willing to shell out $750.
