The 2024 Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA) brought together top fashion figures from across Canada and around the world. Held at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York Hotel, the 11th annual gala recognized exceptional achievements in the fashion industry. Hosted by Toronto native and drag artist Brooke Lynn Hytes, the event highlighted both established icons and emerging talents, celebrating Canadian contributions to global fashion.
Among the night’s biggest honours was the Vanguard Award, presented to Canadian supermodel Linda Evangelista. Evangelista has been a fashion icon for decades, appearing on over 700 magazine covers and walking runways for some of the world’s most celebrated designers. Her career has set a benchmark for beauty, style, and activism. Erdem Moralioglu, the London-based, Canadian-born fashion designer, presented Evangelista with the award, recognizing her work not only as a supermodel but also as an advocate for breast cancer awareness, AIDS/HIV research, and LGBTQ+ rights.
Celebrating Canadian Fashion’s Influence and Innovation
In addition to Evangelista’s recognition, the 2024 CAFA gala honored Ben Barry with the Changemaker Award. Barry, Dean of Fashion at Parsons School of Design in New York, has led efforts to make fashion education more inclusive. His work integrates equity and justice into the curriculum at Parsons, a vision he began developing while chairing fashion at Toronto Metropolitan University. Barry’s influence extends to the disabled community, where he co-launched the Parsons Disabled Fashion Student Program, ensuring greater representation and opportunities for disabled students within the fashion industry.
Justice Faith and Nia Faith, co-founders of Révolutionnaire and The Rév Shop, were also recognized for their contributions. The sisters received a Changemaker Award for their activism and apparel line that empowers individuals to celebrate diversity and skin tone inclusivity. The duo’s impact, particularly on young people, has been far-reaching, with their work being highlighted in major publications like Forbes and Essence.
Roots Receives Outstanding Achievement Award
Another highlight of the night was the Outstanding Achievement Award, presented to Roots, the Toronto-founded brand synonymous with Canadian culture. Celebrating its 51st year, Roots has maintained its reputation for high-quality outdoor lifestyle apparel and leather goods. Meghan Roach, President and CEO of Roots, accepted the award, emphasizing the company’s commitment to innovation while remaining true to its heritage. Roots’ sweats, leather goods, and commitment to craftsmanship have earned it a loyal global following, and its influence continues to grow under Roach’s leadership.
The gala also saw the introduction of a new honour, the Indigenous Fashion Award, which CAFA Co-Founder and President Vicky Milner unveiled. This initiative aims to celebrate Indigenous designers and artisans, whose storytelling and craftsmanship enrich Canada’s fashion landscape. Milner highlighted that the award would foster mentorship and collaboration within Indigenous communities, creating more opportunities for Indigenous fashion talent.
Impact Beyond Fashion
CAFA’s commitment to philanthropy was also evident during the gala. Two organizations, Shelter Movers and End Violence Everywhere (EVE), were spotlighted for their work with survivors of violence. Shelter Movers, a national organization founded by Marc Hull-Jacquin, provides free moving and storage services to individuals fleeing abuse. Meanwhile, EVE, founded by Canadian artist and activist Cait Alexander, offers advocacy services for survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault, both in Canada and the USA. The organizations exemplify how the fashion industry can contribute to broader social causes, emphasizing support for vulnerable communities.
The 2024 CAFA Gala also featured immersive experiences from key sponsors. NARS Cosmetics, celebrating its 30th anniversary, created a glamorous NARS Beauty Lounge for attendees. Guests could explore the brand’s products and capture memorable moments in an exclusive photo booth. Harry Rosen, the renowned luxury menswear retailer, offered an immersive experience showcasing its Fall/Winter 2024 collection, blending high fashion with art.
Amazon Canada’s activation, the Amazon Atelier, further showcased the intersection of technology and fashion. The Amazon Atelier, inspired by the Fashion Design Student Award nominees, highlighted emerging talent while underlining Amazon’s growing support for Canadian fashion. The space invited guests to explore modern craftsmanship and create their own fashion-forward photo moments.
As the night came to a close, CAFA celebrated its winners across multiple categories, including Beaufille for Womenswear Designer of the Year, Spencer Badu for Menswear Designer of the Year, and Nobis for Outerwear Brand of the Year. Emerging talent was also recognized, with Jontay Kahm and Steff Eleoff receiving awards for their work in fashion and accessory design, respectively.
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