cafa awards nominees 2023
George Pimentel

And the 2023 CAFA Nominees Are…

Canadian fashion's best and brightest are set to be honoured. Here's the full list

The nominees for the 2023 Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards (CAFA) are here!

This year’s nominees—revealed exclusively below—represent the most exciting design and fashion talent in the country. They range in discipline from designers, stylists and models to hair and makeup artists and content creators, and all of them are set to be celebrated on Canadian fashion’s most glamorous night on October 14.

“Every year I am very excited to announce the nominees so that even more people can discover the incredible artistry and talent we have in our industry,” says Vicky Milner, CAFA co-founder and president. “This year is our 10th year anniversary and it has been very special to look back at all of the great people that have not only been nominees or winners but also those who have attended, presented, performed and supported us throughout the years. The community is so dynamic and there is talent everywhere.”

Previous CAFA winners and special guests include a who’s who of fashion, both Canadian and international: Aurora James, Erdem Moralioglu and Coco Rocha among them. This year’s nominees include Eliza Faulkner, Hilary MacMillan and Frank and Oak for the designer of the year categories, while Lauren Chan and Alexis Carrington are among those competing for model of the year. Influencers Sasha Exeter and Carla Rockmore are among the nominees for content creation, while Kotn and Mejuri are both nominated for The Sustainability Award.

Milner says she’s been struck by the innovative spirit of the nominees, who are selected by a panel of industry experts. “It has been wonderful to see so many designers pushing the boundaries of creativity this year. In particular, it has been interesting to see how creatives and brands have innovated through the use of new technologies,” says Milner, who notes that eco-conscious design has also become a strong theme. “It has also been great to see more brands adopting more sustainable practices. It is more of a priority and more often than not, a part of the DNA of the brand.”

In fact, as CAFA celebrates a decade of honouring Canadian creatives, it’s putting “the intersection of fashion and tech” at the forefront of the gala award ceremony, which is sponsored by NARS Cosmetics and Snapchat, as well as The Kit and the Toronto Star, among many other supporters.

 It’s set to be a special night. “At this year’s gala, we are excited to not just look back at the last 10 years and celebrate how far we have come, but also look to the future of our industry and what the next 10 years will bring,” says Milner. “We are very intent on putting on an event that represents our country, industry and community, in terms of diversity, heritage and the unique point of view that we as Canadians bring to the global stage.”

Without further ado, here are the 2023 CAFA nominees.

The Womenswear Designer of the Year Award

Eliza Faulkner

Hilary MacMillan

LAMARQUE

RVNG COUTURE

Silk Laundry

 

The Menswear Designer of the Year Award

École de Pensée

Frank And Oak

Raised by Wolves

SECTION 35

 

The Award for Emerging Talent, Fashion

3-Dimensional

Adidem Asterisks*

Dorian Who

Golshaah

Ouma

Ste. Marg. Scot.

 

The Accessory Designer of the Year Award

Biko

David Dunkley Fine Millinery

Dean Davidson

Lambert

Vitaly

 

The Award for Emerging Talent, Accessories

cafa nominees

Life Liveth

Lo’bat

Lunar Rain

Lunetterie Generale

Omi Woods

Steff Eleoff

 

The Outerwear Brand of the Year Award

FREED

HiSO

Quartz Co.

Rudsak

 

The Fashion Innovation Award

cafa 2023 nominees

BlackCart

Blanka

Cash Labs

Olbrich Knitwear

 

The Fashion Design Student Award

Allison Dunne

Eunice Chow

Jacqueline Bradica

Sam Huang

Serena Li

Will Crosson

 

The Image Maker of the Year Award

cafa 2023

Evaan Kheraj

Garrett Naccarato

Nick Merzetti

Renata Kaveh

Richard Bernardin

 

The Stylist of the Year Award

Bobby Bowen

Florence O. Durand

Leila Bani

Nadia Pizzimenti

Olivia Leblanc

 

The Digital Fashion Creator Award

Carla Rockmore

Dorian Who

Liv Judd

Sara Camposarcone

Sasha Exeter

 

The Fashion Impact Award

Aille Design

Fashion Art Toronto

LIGNES DE FUITE

Manitobah

Mejuri

KOTN

 

The Sustainability Award

Adhere To

KOTN

Londre

Mejuri

Quartz Co.

Triarchy

 

The Model of the Year Award

Alexis Carrington

Angaer Adrop

Diane Chiu

Lauren Chan

 

The Fresh Face of the Year Award

Coco Labbee

Heather Diamond Strongarm

Kate McNamara

Nyawurh Chuol

Ryan Park

 

The Makeup Artist of the Year Award

Aniya Nandy

Caroline Levin

Julie Cusson

Nate Palacios

Sabrina Rinaldi

Simone Otis

 

The Hair Artist of the Year Award

Andrew Ly

Adrian Carew

Kirsten Klontz

Kristjan Hayden

Ryan McGovern

Stephane Scotto Di Cesare

 

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