Sarain Fox, Zannah Redd, John Deng (George Pimentel photo)
The 11th annual Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA) was held this past weekend at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto, hosted by Canada’s Drag Race’s Brooke Lynn Heights. Highlights included Erdem Moralioglu presenting this year’s Vanguard Award to Linda Evangelista and the announcement of a new Indigenous Fashion Award to be created next year.
The CAFA Awards, which celebrate the achievements and pioneers of Canada’s fashion industry, are usually visually pleasing, and this year was no exception. After all, this is a gathering of fashion experts and creators who push the limits of all styles.
Introducing the 11 best-dressed guests of the 2024 CAFA Red Carpet.
zanna red
(Photo by George Pimentel)
Model and content creator Zannah Redd stood out in a dress and accompanying cape by Toronto-based fashion label Greta Constantine. After debating between two similar pink and black dresses, she chose this one. “It felt very feminine and powerful.”
victoria san gabriel
(Photo by George Pimentel)
Victoria San Gabriel appeared on the red carpet with her best friend, fashion designer Jontay Calm, who won the Emerging Talent Award in Fashion Design, wearing a bewitching red feather custom-made dress created by Calm.
“This is an unreleased dress and it’s called ‘Infrared,'” she said. “It’s similar to his other purple feather gown, ‘Ultra Violet,’ which is essentially inspired by Indigenous regalia.”
Kathy Cao
(Photo by George Pimentel)
Digital creator Kao wore a dramatic bustle skirt and corset from emerging Toronto fashion label Wuthering Delight, as well as jewelry from Vitaly. Burgun Boulia Puteeva styled an unconventional and eye-catching look.
Deirdre Marinelli
(Photo by George Pimentel)
Marinelli, a fashion magazine publisher, wore Charles Roux with an envelope clutch and pops of silver jewelry. The texture and contrast of the tight draped bodysuit and gloves added visual interest to the all-black look.
Sonia Mangat
(Photo by George Pimentel)
Entertainment reporter Sonia Mangat turned heads in an asymmetrical peach tulle dress. “I’m wearing Virgil Abloh’s Off-White, one of his last collections before he passed away,” she said. “I know he’s not a Canadian designer, but I think he’s someone that all designers draw inspiration from.”
john den
(Photo by George Pimentel)
Vancouver-based model John Deng, nominated for this year’s Fresh Face Award, wore head-to-toe black, accessorizing it with statement silver jewelry from Montreal-based LLY Atelier.
He describes his self-styled outfit, a smart ensemble of an Indochino blazer, Arizia pants, and a Zara top and shoes, as “created from inspiration I saw on Pinterest.”
Renee Tse
(Photo by George Pimentel)
The Toronto-based Fashion Market editor picks up entirely Canadian labels, including jewelry by Kara Yo, handbags by Ai, and a dreamy white dress by Beijing-born, Vancouver-based designer Oh Ma. Worn at CAFA.
Tse said she wants to support Asian-Canadian designers and aims for a “very fluffy, princess-y, fairy-like look” that is different from what she normally wears.
caroline vreeland
(Photo by George Pimentel)
The Montreal-based singer wore a floor-length crushed velvet corset and skirt by Canadian label Desatita by Mohit. The dramatic, exaggerated shape of the lace-up corset makes this ensemble stand out.
Janice Fricker
(Photo by George Pimentel)
A creative designer, Fricker wore a stunning strapless dress by Canadian designer Charles Roux, who also styled her accessories.
“We just put everything together and created magic,” she said. “The inspiration is something that’s kind of peppy, funky, chic, sexy and just out of the ordinary.”
liv judd
(George Pimentel photo)
All-black looks were popular on Saturday night, and Toronto-based content creator (and friend of mine) Liv Judd looked stunning in a custom leather gown and gloves by Montreal-based Lamarck. Ta. Judd was nominated for the Digital Fashion Creator of the Year award.
Sarain Fox
(George Pimentel photo)
Fox, a multihyphenate storyteller, activist, and artist, created her own dress by adding her only child’s handicrafts and blue hummingbird beadwork to her Canada goose puffer. And she styled her look with Elias Jade Not Afraid earrings.
“I have worked with [Canada] “I’ve been using Goose for years, and I love the combination of fashion and function,” Fox said. “I like the idea of something that’s an experience of survival in the North, but also a delicate moment of fashion. It’s like the definition of who it is.”I’m an Indigenous person. ”
