The Complete List of Winners at the 2021 CAFA Awards

The seventh annual CAFA Awards took place on May 19, playing out virtually for the first time ever. Hosted by Canadian actress Amanda Brugel, the ceremony popped in and out of the homes of presenters, guests, winners and nominees in real time, helping the fashion community feel as connected as ever after more than a year of isolation.

“Toronto, we’ve been going through a lot of hard times. Our industry is very small, but together we can build it and make it stronger,” expressed Kirk Pickersgill, co-creator at Greta Constantine. The beloved Canadian label, seen in recent months on global stars like Viola Davis and Amanda Gorman, took home the Womenswear Designer of the Year award. “We have to stay together, we have to play together and we have to be together, no matter what we go through.”

The annual CAFA Awards shine a much-needed spotlight on the vibrant talent and emerging creatives in Canada’s fashion landscape. Montreal milliners Alex Surprenant and Melodie Lavergne of Fumile took home the Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent (Accessories), and Victoria Hayes was awarded the Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent (Fashion) for her eponymous label. Both recipients received a $10,000 honorarium.

Hayes is Toronto-raised and New York-based, just like International Designer of the Year recipient Tanya Taylor. “This year’s provided me a lot of time to look back at how and why I’ve started this brand, and a lot of it is rooted in being Canadian,” said Taylor.

“When I moved to New York, I didn’t know anyone in the industry or the city, and I saw something I wanted to change. I wanted the fashion industry to feel more inclusive; I wanted to provide more joyfulness; I wanted it to be rooted in community. I wanted more women to wear clothing that allowed them to express themselves. When I look back at how I was raised in Canada and what a lot of the morals are of Canadians, it’s that, ‘diversity is beautiful.’"

Grace Lee gave an impactful acceptance speech, too, winning the Makeup Artist of the Year award. Lee’s success is reinforcement that determination and hard work pays off. “I’ve been doing this job for 24 years, and I’ve heard a lot of ‘no.’ I want to thank those people who have said those really important ‘yeses.’”

The Outstanding Achievement Award went to FASHION Magazine’s April 2020 cover co-star Maye Musk, who, at 73 years old, proves that women can achieve success and recognition at any age. Twenty-five years ago, Musk was living in a rent-controlled apartment, supporting three teenage kids, working toward her master’s degree at the University of Toronto while modelling part-time and establishing her dietitian business. “Some of you who have not received such wonderful awards yet, just keep going,” she said.

See the full list of 2021 CAFA winners, along with each categories’ nominees, below:

The Womenswear Designer of the Year Award

Greta Constantine, recipient Beaufille Eliza Faulkner Judith & Charles UNTTLD

The Menswear Designer of the Year Award

3.PARADIS, recipient Dime Frank and Oak HAVEN Hip and Bone Raised by Wolves

The Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent, Fashion

Victoria Hayes, recipient Luxton Mani Jassal RVNG Spencer Badu Steven Lejambe

The Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent, Accessories

Fumile, recipient Angela Mitchell Cat Janiga Fellow Earthlings Maguire Partoem

The Accessory Designer of the Year Award

Mejuri, recipient Biko ela Handbags Herschel Supply Company MATT & NAT Wolf Circus

The Outerwear Brand of the Year Award

Arc’teryx, recipient Kanuk Nicole Benisti Sentaler SOIA & KYO

The Joe Fresh Fashion Innovation Award

Sheertex, recipient 42 Technologies Casca Sozie Spocket

The Digital Fashion Creator of the Year Award

Donté Colley, recipient Ania Boniecka Lauren Chan Lily Yange Sarain Fox Valeria Lipovetsky

The Simons Fashion Design Student Award

Pierre-Olivier Allard, recipient Charlotte Deneux Matin Mithras McJoyin Rey Rachel Sudbury

The Model of the Year Award

Mae Lapres, recipient Charles Oduro Fred Juneau Kate Bock Malik Lindo

The Image Maker of the Year Award

Greg Swales, recipient Carlyle Routh Justin Wu Maya Fuhr Royal Gilbert

The Fresh Face Model of the Year Award

Shayna McNeill, recipient Anisha Sandhu Ariish Wol Nic Kim Nya Gatbel Rachelle Harris

The Hudson’s Bay Stylist of the Year Award

Corey Ng, recipient Nadia Pizzimenti Olivia Leblanc Randy Smith Zeina Esmail

The Fashion Impact Award

Lesley Hampton, recipient Brass & Unity Knix Manitobah Mukluks Obakki Sarah Jay

The Tricon Sustainability Award

Kent, recipient Frank and Oak Norden TAMGA Designs Wuxly

Makeup Artist of the Year Award

Grace Lee, recipient Beau Nelson Geneviève Lenneville Nicolas Blanchet Sabrina Rinaldi

Hair Artist of the Year Award

Steven Turpin, recipient David D’Amours Justin German Kirsten Klontz Matthew Collins

The Outstanding Achievement Award

Maye Musk, recipient

The International Canadian Designer Award

Tanya Taylor, recipient

The Vanguard Award

OVO, Oliver El-Khatib, recipient

Looking for more Canadian fashion? See what everyone wore on the 2021 CAFA Awards virtual red carpet