Inside the 11th Annual Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards

Last evening in Toronto, the Canadian fashion crowd gathered to celebrate the 11th annual Canadian Art & Fashion Awards, held inside the historic Fairmont Royal York Hotel downtown. Hosted by drag superstar Brooke Lynn Hytes, the special night celebrated those innovating within the global fashion industry—including special honorees such as supermodel Linda Evangelista, who was given the Vanguard Award by friend and designer Erdem Moralıoğlu.

On the red carpet before the festivities kicked off, guests were encouraged to wear local Canadian brands. Walking were nominees such as models Heather Diamond Strongarm (who just walked the Dolce & Gabbana spring show), Lauren Chan, Ashley Callingbull, and more. Once the ceremony kicked off, accolades were handed out in a variety of categories, including Hair and Makeup Artist of the Year, Digital Creator of the Year, and Menswear and Womenswear Designer of the Year (those titles going to Beaufille for womenswear, and Spencer Badu for menswear). Mathieu Simoneau received the Model of the Year award, while Ben Barry—the Dean of Fashion at Parsons School of Design—received the Changemaker Award for his work around increasing curriculums centered around inclusivity and diversity in fashion.

Linda Evangelista and Erdem MoralıoğluPhoto: George Pimentel Photography

A special new award, meanwhile, was announced for the CAFAs this year. Come 2025, the inaugural Indigenous Fashion Award will put the spotlight on an Indigenous designer or artist who is producing innovative works within Canada.

Inside the gala setting this year, however, the energy and excitement buzzed around the presence of Evangelista—one of the greatest supermodels of our time, after all. The Canadian super accepted her award and paid homage to her native country. “[Growing up] in St. Catharines, my family rarely came around the lake to Toronto. This was the big city. So tonight, to be here with my family, is incredibly special,” said Evangelista, who wore an Erdem skirt suit on stage. “For me, fashion has always been a place where dreams, aspirations, and inspirations flourish. The beauty of fashion is there is no right or wrong way of creating it; fashion allows each of us to choose not only how we see ourselves but how we present ourselves to the world.”