The Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards turn five this year. What began as an annual awards night to celebrate the country’s fashion talent has grown into a full-fledged organization with a mission to support, grow and elevate Canada’s fashion industry. Along with the annual awards—a splashy gala to be held on April 20 at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto—CAFA hosts events all year, like a fashion show in Vancouver to connect West Coast designers with their Toronto and Montreal counterparts and a networking event that bridged the city’s film and fashion communities. 

Along with the regular categories, CAFA is handing out some special honours this year. Suzanne Rogers is giving a $20,000 grant to a brand or designer poised for international expansion. Along with Rogers, designers Erdem Moralioglu and Wayne Clark will be on the judging panel.

Aldo founder Aldo Bensadoun will receive the 2018 Outstanding Achievement Award. 

Here are the 2018 nominees in the remaining categories, which chosen by a panel of 50 Canadian editors, buyers, boutique owners and fashion directors. 

The Womenswear Designer of the Year Award will be presented to an outstanding Canadian womenswear designer who has made a significant creative impact in the Canadian fashion industry.

Greta Constantine
Lucian Matis
Marie Saint Pierre
Stephan Caras
UNTTLD

The Menswear Designer of the Year Award will be presented to an outstanding Canadian menswear designer who has made a significant creative impact in the Canadian fashion industry.

Atelier New Regime
Christopher Bates
Dalla
Reigning Champ

The Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent, Fashion will be presented to an innovative Canadian designer who is emerging as a true creative force in Canadian fashion.

Andrew Coimbra
Angelene
Markoo
WRKDEPT
ZOFF

The Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent, Accessories will be presented to an innovative Canadian designer who is emerging as a true creative force in Canadian fashion accessory design.

Alynne Lavigne
JY Gao
Laurie Fleming
Poppy Barley
Sofia Zakia

The Accessory Designer of the Year Award will be presented to an outstanding Canadian fashion accessory designer who has made a significant creative impact in the Canadian fashion industry.

Biko
Cuchara Jewelry
Ela
Herschel Supply Co.
Zvelle

The Joe Fresh Fashion Innovation Award will be presented to a company that is innovating how we experience, consume or interact with fashion through technology.

Authentic or Not 
North Aware
Passen 
Shop Shops
Tulip

Simons Fashion Design Student Award will be presented to an exceptional fashion design student who has recently graduated from a fashion design program.

Bronwyn Seier
Jessy Colucci
Larry Frederick Alan James Weir
Lesley Hampton
Mary Marino

The Image Maker of the Year Award will be presented to an outstanding Canadian fashion photographer or filmmaker who has made a significant impact within the Canadian fashion industry.

David Picard
Gordon Von Steiner
Malina Corpadean
Norman Wong
Petra Collins

The Stylist of the Year Award will be presented to an outstanding Canadian fashion stylist who has made a significant impact within the Canadian fashion industry.

Cary Tauben
Corey Ng
Karla Welch
Leslie Fremar

The Fresh Face of the Year Award will be presented to an emerging Canadian model who the industry recognizes as one of Canada’s newest and brightest fresh faces. 

Aleece Wilson
Elizabeth Salt
Fred Juneau
Natalie Ludwig
Ryan Keating

The Model of the Year Award will be presented to an outstanding Canadian model who has made a significant impact within the Canadian fashion industry.

Adrianne Ho
Amber Witcomb
Grace Mahary
Simon Nessman

The Fashion Impact Award will be presented to a Canadian designer or brand that has made a significant social or philanthropic impact in the Canadian and/or international community.

NimiNimi
Peggy Sue Collection
Shine The Light On
The Pin Project
Triarchy

The Digital Fashion Influencer of the Year Award will be presented to a Canadian fashion blogger or website that demonstrates creativity, excellence, and range in online fashion critique, reporting, and photography.

Ania Boniecka
Caillianne and Samantha Beckerman
Jillian Lansky
Maripier Morin

The Outerwear Brand of the Year Award will be be presented to an outstanding Canadian outerwear brand who has made a significant impact in the Canadian fashion industry.

ARCTERYX
Canada Goose
Mackage
Sentaler 

To mark its anniversary, CAFA will also kick off a photo series, titled XPOSED. The images, which will be produced under the creative eye of George Antonopoulos and Honorary Chair Lady Fag, will be revealed at the gala and will be available for purchase (with proceeds going to mental health organizations).