CAFA Elevated Canadian Fashion Talent at the Awards’ First-Ever Montreal Gala
Tim Blanks, Coco Rocha and Ashley Galang were among honorees at the star-studded night celebrating Canada’s fashion elite.
CAFA (The Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards) has been going strong for 12 years, championing and nurturing Canada’s industry talent and helping them achieve global success. This year’s awards took place in Montreal—a CAFA first. La Nesra, an industrial-chic events space in the city’s Griffintown neighbourhood hosted the country’s biggest and most influential names. Designers, stylists, photographers and content creators (among many other industry pros) turned up in their finest Canadian outfits to toast the nominees and winners.
Speaking of winners, one of the night’s top honours went to Tim Blanks—the legendary fashion journalist who got hist start at Toronto Life Fashion magazine before going on to host Fashion File—who took home the Vanguard Award for his decades-spanning storytelling career. Jay Manuel presented the Changemaker Award to international supe Coco Rocha for her mentorship of the next generation of models and vocal push for model rights and higher industry standards. Sophie Theallet was a fitting recipient for this year’s International Canadian Designer Award—the French designer (who worked with Jean-Paul Gaulier and Alaïa prior to launching her own brand) left the frenzied pace of New York City behind and moved to Montreal a few years ago, shifting her namesake label to a season-less and more mindful production model.
Other winners and notable nominees are no strangers to FASHION’'s pages. Ashley Galang, who lends her eye to many of FASHION‘s editorial shoots, won the Stylist of the Year Award.
Designer Golnar Ahmadian, one of FASHION‘s September 2025 cover stars, took home the award for Award for Emerging Talent, Fashion for her considered, architectural fashion line Golshaah. The Womenswear Designer of the Year Award went to Jordan Stewart for her couture-level evening-wear label RVNG, while longtime FASHION fave Biko took home the prize for Accessory Designer of the Year. A-list photographer and frequent FASHION collaborator Nick Merzetti was nominated for the Image Maker of the Year, while makeup artist Veronica Chu was also recognized with a nomination for her artistry.
It was a night of firsts for CAFA, from a new location to a fresh crop of winners and honourees. One thing that’s never changing, though, is the organization’s commitment to spotlighting, celebrating and furthering the dreams of Canada’s top creative talent.
Scroll through the gallery to see the night’s best dressed winners, nominees and guests.
Photography by George Pimentel
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