Andrew Coimbra

Category: The Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent, Fashion

What you need to know: Coimbra founded his menswear label in 2015 after interning for Proenza Schouler in New York. He has since expanded his line to skew more unisex, and introduced womenswear pieces like asymmetrical skirts, backless jumpsuits and floor-grazing tearaway trousers. His clothes are understated yet edgy, and strike that elusive sweet spot between casual and special. The designer also just collaborated with fellow first-time CAFA nominee Biko on a pair of earrings. 


 

UNTTLD

Category: Womenswear Designer of the Year

What you need to know: Simon Bélanger and José Manuel St-Jacques, the Montreal-based duo behind UNTTLD, are no strangers to CAFA. The label took home the Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent, Fashion in 2016. Since then, the designers have continued to hone in on a signature look—think sophisticated, artful and feminine. At Toronto Fashion Week earlier this year, Bélanger told us that “2018 is the year we want to start really expanding outside the borders of Canada.” A nomination, and potential win, is a step in the right direction for this buzzy brand.

Look 1 Model: Dajana @elmerolsenmodels Photo: @georgepimentel1

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Markoo

Category: The Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent, Fashion

What you need to know: Run by Mona Koocheck and Tania Martins, this five-year-old brand is a first-time CAFA nominee. The clothes are slick, sexy and edgy, and the designers favour unusual textiles like high-shine synthetics that resemble patent leather and organic-looking linen. The line is stocked at several cool-girl boutiques like Toronto’s Ease and House of Holthus in Miami.

Angelene

Category: The Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent, Fashion

What you need to know: Central Saint Martins alum Angelene Fenuta quickly gained attention for her namesake label when she competed in TFI’s New Labels competition back in 2016. Her motto? Minimize consumption, maximize individuality. To that end, Fenuta makes pieces that are versatile and infinitely wearable. Her latest collection offers an artful take on volume, with maxi dresses, robe coats and voluminous trousers in a restrained palette of teal, cobalt and navy. 
 

Greta Constantine

Category: Womenswear Designer of the Year

What you need to know: Stephen Wong and Kirk Pickersgill took home a CAFA award for their eveningwear label in 2016. Now, thanks to increased celebrity approval—Malin Ackerman donned a Greta gown just four days ago—the brand’s profile continues to grow, especially outside of Canada. 

 

Marie Saint Pierre

Category: Womenswear Designer of the Year

What you need to know: You know an MSP piece when you see one—the designer is known for her deconstructed seams and hems, avant-garde ruffles and ingenious use of neoprene. The 30-year-old brand produces all of its wares in Montreal and even has a boutique in Miami’s Arts District. It’s the first time the brand has been nominated for the Womenswear category, but the designer took home a prize for Outstanding Achievement in 2015.

Slip me into Lavender #spring18

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Zvelle

Category: The Accessory Designer of the Year Award

What you need to know: Finally, Canada has a shoe label that’s all glam. Elle AyoubZadeh crafts her elegant mules, slides and heels in Brazil. What started as an online-only brand now has a brick-and-mortar presence. AyoubZadeh opened in Yorkdale on a pop-up basis, but thanks to continued demand, the shop has stayed open for nearly a year. 

Anais #Zvelle #coloratmycore

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Biko

Category: The Accessory Designer of the Year Award

What you need to know: Corrine Anestopoulos founded Biko in 2005. Since then, the line has evolved from super-boho pieces with a rock-’n’-roll edge to more refined, artful gold and silver toned jewellery with fluid lines and modular aspects. Anestopoulos frequently travels to Mexico for inspiration, and her pieces are stocked at dozens of boutiques across Canada and the rest of the world.

✨ All the JEWELS ✨

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Cuchara

Category: The Accessory Designer of the Year Award

What you need to know: Vancouver native Edi Canedo designs jewellery with a West Coast vibe. Her hoop earrings, charm necklaces and heavy chain bracelets evoke laid-back glam and she recently branched out to create a unisex accessory line called 12Twelve. “Toronto has seen recent success with many of its homegrown brands which is encouraging people to follow their creative drive whether it be fashion, music or art,” says Canedo of the strong crop of nominees this year. 

Hello Humpday The Icon Earrings available online now ✨

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Triarchy

Category: The Fashion Impact Award 

What you need to know: This Canada-via-L.A. brand is committed to reducing the amount of water it takes to produce a pair of jeans. Triarchy uses state-of-the art facilities in Mexico and California that recycle the water used to wash denim, and use chemical-free denim finishers. The brand’s higher-end Atelier range uses deadstock and vintage Levi’s to craft new styles that resemble a patchwork of different denim. This brand is proof that great denim doesn’t have to cost the planet. 

Peggy Sue Collection

Category: The Fashion Impact Award 

What you need to know: Peggy Sue Deaven-Smiltnieks has won numerous awards for her locally produced, artisanal label. The brand taps Ontario weavers, knitters and yarn producers to create it’s boho-luxe pieces all while reviving local textile mills and challenging the consumer to rethink how they shop. 

The Pin Project

Category: The Fashion Impact Award

What you need to know: Kicked off by celebrated jewellery designer Jenny Bird in partnership with Far + Wide Collective, this charitable initiative taps into the craft economy—the second-largest income opportunity in most developing countries. The pin was designed to be easy to manufacture by refugees and people living in displaces communities, and the proceeds from the sale of these simple, kite-shaped pins go directly to support the artisans that made them.

Sentaler

Category: Outwear Brand of the Year

What you need to know: Bojana Setnaler crafts her signature wrap coats out of alpaca sourced from the Peruvian Andes. Meghan Markle is a noted fan of the brand, and most recently donned a Sentaler coat to attend a Christmas church service with the Royal Family. Thanks to the “Meghan Effect” the brand hosted a London pop-up earlier this year. 

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