Photo: triarchy on Instagram 

On Friday, April 20, the 2018 Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards were held at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto. This year marked the fifth anniversary of the annual awards show, which celebrates homegrown talent in fashion and design. Real Style was in attendance for the CAFA red carpet, cocktail reception and after party, for a true celebratory evening of Canadian style. The evening saw seasoned Montreal designer Marie Saint Pierre crowned as Womenswear Designer of the Year, with fellow Montreal label Atelier New Regime titled Menswear Designer of the Year. Meanwhile, co-creative directors Tania Martins and Mona Koochek took home the Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent in Fashion for their emerging Toronto label Markoo.

Photo: gretaconstantine on Instagram 

Canadian denim label Triarchy also walked away from the stage with a Fashion Impact Award of the Year, and an H&M Sustainability Award for their eco-friendly designs. Perhaps best known both internationally and among the red carpet set, Toronto eveningwear label Greta Constantine won the Suzanne Rogers Designer Grant for International Development. With designers Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong having been regulars on the Toronto runways for years, their label has become renowned since its 2006 launch.

Photo: cafawards on Instagram 

Of course, it wasn’t just designers who stole the spotlight at the CAFAs. Toronto-born photographer Petra Collins, who is just 25 years old, was named 2018’s Image Maker. Celebrity stylist Karla Welch, who has dressed Lorde, Katy Perry and model Karlie Kloss, won Stylist of the Year. From the accessory world, Nadja Swarovski of the Swarovski family was officially titled Global Fashion Business Leader Award for 2018. Meanwhile, legendary Quebecois songstress Céline Dion was honoured as the year’s International Style Icon.

From design pros to celebrity talent, the CAFAs once again brought the spotlight to fashion and style here at home in the True North.