The 2026 Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards Nominees Are Here
This year’s line-up includes several friends of FASHION—from stylist Ashley Galang to photographer Nick Merzetti and more.
Canadian fashion’s biggest night is back again.
The Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA) just unveiled its 2026 nominations, and it’s no surprise that the list is packed with names we know and love, as well as several emerging creatives that we can’t wait to meet. This year also ushers in the debut of the Indigenous Fashion Award, a new initiative that celebrates the nation’s most impactful Indigenous creators, with trailblazing designer Dorothy Grant announced as its inaugural honouree.
In a milestone move, the 12th annual CAFA Gala will be hosted in Montréal, bringing the nation’s most fashionable evening to Québec’s style capital for the very first time. “This city has been a cornerstone of Canadian fashion for generations, and its rich creative community makes it the perfect stage to celebrate our country’s talent,” said CAFA Co-Founder and President Vicky Milner. “We are proud to continue shining a spotlight on the people and brands defining Canada’s arts and fashion scene, and to share this vibrant story on a global stage.”
Speaking of celebrating our country’s talent, FASHION is thrilled that four of the designers who starred on our September issue’s The Ones cover have been nominated this year.
Joey Gollish, the man behind the statement-making brand Mr. Saturday, is nominated for Menswear Designer of the Year, while Golshaah-founder Golnar Ahmadian and escapist-driven Tristan Rehel are both nominated for Emerging Fashion Talent. Rounding things out, maximalist designer Dorian Who has been nominated for this year’s Digital Fashion Creator Award. The recognitions are well-deserved honours for each of these artists who continue to challenge and change the modern Canadian fashion landscape.
The excitement doesn’t just stop with our past cover stars, though, as three creatives who worked on bringing that shoot to life have also been nominated for a variety of accolades. Ashley Galang has been nominated for Stylist of the Year, Veronica Chu is up for Makeup Artist of the Year and photographer Nick Merzetti has been tapped for the Imagemaker of the Year Award.
The 2026 CAFA Awards will take place on Thursday, April 23 and tickets are available now. See the full list of CAFA nominees below.
Womenswear Designer of the Year Award
Dodiee Eliza Faulkner Evan Clayton RVNG Couture Silk Laundry
Menswear Designer of the Year Award
Domrebel École de Pensée Joey Gollish Section 35
The Award for Emerging Talent, Fashion
Eduardo Ramos Golshaah Jozeph Diarbakerli Serena Li SteMargScot Tristan Rehel
The Award for Emerging Talent, Accessories
Atacz By Mademoiselle Jules Studio Rybko Sacrd Thndr Vimeria WILYMI
The Accessory Designer of the Year Award
Biko Heirloom Hats L.L.Y. Atelier Matt and Nat Wolf Circus
The Outerwear Brand of the Year Award
Freed Kanuk Quartz Co. Wuxly
The Fashion Design Student Award
Delbar Mohamadi Hoang Gia Linh Doan Kirstine Fernandez Mackenzie Cyr Samuel Castaing
The Imagemaker of the Year Award
Alexis Belhumeur Garrett Naccarato Natasha Gerschon Nick Merzetti Ted Belton
The Stylist of the Year Award
Amanda Lee Shirreffs Ashley Galang Florence O. Durand Jaclyn Bonavota Leila Bani Olivia Leblanc
The Fresh Face of the Year Award
Avah Adams Camille Desjardins Cecilia Wu Divine Mugisha Emaan Zishan
The Model of the Year Award
Awar Odhiang Emm Arruda Heather Diamond Strongarm Lauren Chan
The Fashion Impact Award
Brave Soles Lignes De Fuite M.A.D. Festival Pyrrha Wuxly
The Digital Fashion Creator Award
Dorian Who Isabelle Allain Lisa Corbo Sara Camposarcone Sarah Nicole Landry Yuki Zhao
The Makeup Artist of the Year Award
Caroline Levin Julie Cusson Leslie-Ann Thomson Maïna Militza Veronica Chu
The Hair Artist of the Year Award
David D’Amours Duyen Huynh Janet Jackson Ryan McGovern Steven Turpin
Stephanie Davoli is the editorial assistant at FASHION Magazine. With a passion for all things fashion, beauty and pop culture, she’s inspired by fashion psychology, sustainability and industry innovations. Her previous bylines include The Toronto Star, Chatelaine and The Quality Edit. When she’s not working, you can find her shopping, taking a Pilates class or combing through the Vogue archives.