The Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards 2016 – Calling for Fashion Innovators!

The Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards 2016

Calling for Fashion Innovators!

Celebrating Canadian fashion industry, the 3^rd annual Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA) is closing in, scheduled to take place on April 15, 2015 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel Toronto. Recognizing rising and established stars, CAFA remains steadfast in its mandate to generate a stronger appreciation and market for Canadian fashion talent both in Canada and around the world.

CAFA 2016 is really focusing on self and peer nomination and recognition. As I’ve been urging my talented colleagues to apply for the Emerging Talent in Fashion and Accessories categories, CAFA has established two more self-nominating categories this year: The Fashion Innovation Award - To be presented to a company that is innovating how we experience, consume or interact with fashion through technology. This can include companies who are doing innovative fashion apps, wearable technology or great e-commerce platforms, and The Fashion Impact Award - To be presented to a Canadian designer or brand that has made a significant social or philanthropic impact in the Canadian and/or international community.  Though the application deadline for The Fashion Impact Award has passed, the Fashion Innovation Award is still accepting applicants and candidates until 5:00pm EST, October 23^rd. I know many of you who have been developing wearable technologies such as the participants from MAKE Fashion would be the perfect candidates for this award. APPLY NOW via this link: http://www.cafawards.ca/submissionSelfNominating.php#innovation

Winners of the Emerging Talents in Fashion & Accessories categories will receive $10,000, mentorship by industry leaders, and gain national and international exposure and recognition.

Other newly added categories this year, The Fresh Face of the Year Award calls for modeling agencies to send in their best fresh faces to the executive committee. Similarly, the process for the Fashion Design Student Award calls on schools to apply on behalf of the students they would like to nominate. Headed by Vicky Milner and Brittney Kuczynski, the CAFA gala has stood out as one of the most dazzling events of the season. Last year’s notable attendees included Vanguard award winner and host Joe Zee, presenters Fashion Police’s Brad Goreski, actress Elisha Cuthbert, models Coco Rocha and Chantelle Winnie with a special video appearance from Olivia Palermo. CAFA has awarded fashion powerhouses including Dean and Dan Caten of DSquared2, Erdem Moralioglu of Erdem, Marie Saint Pierre and Phillippe Dubuc as well as up and coming Canadian designers Sid Neigum and Chloe and Parris Gordon of Beaufille who won the Swarovski Awards for Emerging Talent, for Fashion and Accessories respectively.

Vicky Milner, managing director, CAFA, adds, “We want to recognize and reward the hard work of our peers. With the addition of four new self-nominating categories, we want CAFA to include a diverse a group of Canadian designers and professionals. Making the nominations more accessible will help raise awareness for our remarkable home-grown talent and generate broader international recognition for Canadian fashion industry leaders.”

“Canada has a thriving and innovative fashion scene,” says Brittney Kuczynski, founding director, CAFA. “With consumer’s relentless desire for great and new product in the vastly evolving global retail landscape; our goal is to help foster the next generation of Canadian, international designers. We look forward to showcasing how culturally important the fashion industry is to Canada at our upcoming event”.

Below is the full list of award categories which will be presented at the 2016 CAFA Gala:

The Womenswear Designer of the Year Award

To be presented to an outstanding Canadian womenswear designer who has made a significant creative impact in the Canadian fashion industry.

The Menswear Designer of the Year Award

To be presented to an outstanding Canadian menswear designer who has made a significant creative impact in the Canadian fashion industry.

The Award for Emerging Talent, Fashion

To be presented to an innovative Canadian designer who is emerging as a true creative force in

Canadian fashion.

The Award for Emerging Talent, Accessories

To be presented to an innovative Canadian designer who is emerging as a true creative force in Canadian fashion accessory design.

The Accessory Designer of the Year Award

To be presented to an outstanding Canadian fashion accessory designer who has made a significant creative impact in the Canadian fashion industry.

The Image Maker Award

To be presented to an outstanding Canadian fashion photographer or filmmaker who has made a significant impact within the Canadian fashion industry.

The International Canadian Designer of the Year Award

To be presented to a Canadian designer who has achieved International success and brought attention to Canadian talent on the world stage.

The Stylist of the Year Award

To be presented to an outstanding Canadian fashion stylist who has made a significant impact within the Canadian fashion industry.

The Blogger of the Year Award to be

presented to a Canadian fashion blogger or website that demonstrates creativity, excellence, and range in online fashion critique, reporting, and photography.

The Model of the Year Award

To be presented to an outstanding Canadian model who has made a significant impact within the Canadian fashion industry.

The Fresh Face of the Year Award

To be presented to an emerging Canadian model who the industry recognizes as one of Canada’s newest and brightest Fresh Face.

The Fashion Innovation Award

To be presented to a company that is innovating how we experience, consume or interact with fashion through technology.

The Fashion Impact Award

To be presented to a Canadian designer or brand that has made a significant social or philanthropic impact in the Canadian and/or international community.

The Fashion Design Student Award

To be presented to an exceptional recent fashion design student graduate from a Canadian fashion design program.

The Outstanding Achievement Award

Awarded by CAFA to a deserving Canadian designer or brand who has contributed significantly to the Canadian fashion industry.

The Vanguard Award

Awarded by CAFA to recognize and celebrate the career achievements of an international trailblazer who has had a profound effect on the fashion industry. Nominees will be announced at a special ceremony in January and the CAFA jury will select winners through confidential vote starting in February 2016.

Do the things you love with passion; Learn from those you admire; Strive to become an expert at what you do xx

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