On October 19, the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA) lit up Toronto once again, bringing together the fashion world’s finest for its 11th annual awards gala. From top artists and influencers to business leaders from across Canada and beyond, the night celebrated the 2024 winners and honourees in true style. Hosted by the fabulous Brooke Lynn Hytes—Canada’s very own drag superstar and TV personality—the event took place at the iconic Fairmont Royal York Hotel, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening.
This year, CAFA Co-Founder and President Vicky Milner announced the launch of the Indigenous Fashion Award, an initiative aimed at celebrating the talent, creativity, and storytelling of Indigenous designers and artisans. “We are committed to honoring diverse styles and expressions that uphold artistic legacies while pushing the boundaries of contemporary fashion,” Milner shared. The award aims to engage Indigenous creators and foster mentorship and collaboration within a vibrant ecosystem that respects tradition while embracing innovation.
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The 2024 Gala also highlighted two remarkable organizations: Shelter Movers, a volunteer-driven charity that provides free moving and storage services for individuals and families escaping abuse, and End Violence Everywhere (EVE), founded by artist Cait Alexander, which offers advocacy services for survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault, helping them navigate recovery and advocate for legislative reform.
At this year’s CAFA Awards, the NARS Beauty Lounge offered guests a taste of bold glamour to celebrate the brand’s 30th anniversary. Attendees, tried on their perfect Explicit shades, sampling iconic Blush, snapping fun pics in the Explicit photo booth, and diving into the NARS digital game. Meanwhile, Harry Rosen treated guests to an immersive luxury lounge showcasing high-fashion pieces from their FW24 collection, blending fashion, art, and luxury for unforgettable photo ops and custom illustrations. Amazon Canada introduced the Amazon Atelier, a modern twist on a traditional atelier that celebrated the craftsmanship of Canada’s emerging talent and featured curated Amazon Fashion pieces. Guests could capture their style moments in a dedicated photo studio while experiencing Amazon’s commitment to supporting Canadian designers. The gala was made possible by the generous sponsorship of NARS Cosmetics, Yorkdale Shopping Centre, and others, with new additions this year including Amazon Canada, Dyson, and LaSalle College Montréal, which presented the 2024 NewGen List.
Here are your CAFA 2024 winners
2024 Vanguard Award went to Linda Evangelista
Montréal-born designer Erdem Moralioglu presented the 2024 Vanguard Award to the iconic Linda Evangelista. With over 700 magazine covers and countless runway appearances, Linda’s career has shaped the fashion world. Beyond her legendary status, she’s a two-time breast cancer survivor and advocates for AIDS/HIV research, racial equality, body positivity, and LGBTQ+ rights, continuing to inspire with her activism.
2024 Changemaker Award went to Ben Barry
Braille fashion designer Alexa Jovanovic and TFI CEO Susan Langdon presented Ben Barry, Dean of Fashion at Parsons, with the 2024 Changemaker Award. Barry has transformed fashion education by embedding access, equity, and justice into the curriculum at Parsons and previously at Toronto Metropolitan University. His work focuses on inclusion for disabled, fat, trans, and queer individuals, creating fashion programs and designs that promote equity. Ben also co-launched the Parsons Disabled Fashion Student Program to increase accessibility in fashion education, earning him a spot on Vogue Business’ “100 Innovators” list.
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2024 Changemaker Award Justice Faith and Nia Faith (in absentia)
Canadian singer and TV host Keshia Chanté presented Justice and Nia Faith (in absentia) with a 2024 Changemaker Award for co-founding Révolutionnaire and The Rév Shop. Their movement empowers youth to create positive change, and their inclusive fashion line celebrates all skin tones. Recognized as Forbes 30 Under 30 honorees and among Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential Women, their work has been featured in major outlets like Forbes, Elle, and CBC.
2024 Outstanding Achievement Award went to Roots
Suzanne Boyd presented the 2024 Outstanding Achievement Award to Roots, the iconic outdoor lifestyle brand known for its sweats and leather goods. Roots President and CEO Meghan Roach accepted the award, celebrating the brand’s 51-year legacy of quality, craftsmanship, and a deep connection to nature. Founded in 1973, Roots continues to honour its Canadian heritage while embracing innovation and a forward-looking vision for the future.
The Womenswear Designer of the Year Award went to Beaufille
The Menswear Designer of the Year Award went to Spencer Badu
The Award for Emerging Talent, Fashion went to Jontay Kahm
The Award for Emerging Talent, Accessories went to Steff Eleoff
The Accessory Designer of the Year Award went to Maguire
The Outerwear Brand of the Year Award went to Nobis
The Fashion Design Student Award went to Tia Kureshi
The Image Maker of the Year Award went to Richard Bernardin
The Stylist of the Year Award went to Amber Watkins
The Fresh Face of the Year Award went to Dalton Dubois
The Model of the Year Award went to Mathieu Simoneau
The Fashion Impact Award went to Vanja Vasic, Fashion Art Toronto
The Digital Fashion Creator of the Year Award went to Mei Pang
The Sustainability Award went to Kotn
The Makeup Artist of the Year Award went to Sabrina Rinaldi
The Hair Artist of the Year Award went to Kristjan Hayden
