And the winners are ...
All of CAFA’s fashion fabulous attendees
For months before the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards, fashion lovers all had the same question on their minds. Who are you wearing? It was a madcrush as party-goers arrived at the cocktail reception ... some in big billowy gowns and others, offering a less-is-more approach. It all went down at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto and Canada’s biggest fashion night did not disappoint. Elle Macpherson and
Karlie Kloss (who wore a Joe Fresh gown made especially for her) provided incredible eye candy as did so many others who raised the roof with incredible statement pieces. Macpherson accepted the Vanguard Award presented by Hudson’s Bay for her career achievements as an international trailblazer who has had a global impact on the fashion
industry. Fashion muse Krystal Koo (and my vote for best dressed) sauntered up on stage to collect Jason Wu’s award for International Canadian Designer of the Year. Perhaps it was his recent nuptials in Tulum that kept him away? The unofficial top-table was undoubtedly hosted by the Cooper- Koo’s, where the fashion muse cozied up with Ben and Jessica Mulroney, Suzanne Cohon, Meghan Markle and Cory Vitiello as well as Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau. One of the many highlights of the night was when the legendary Wayne Clark was awarded the Outstanding Achievement prize. He got up and accepted the honours from Nicholas Mellamphy who gave a whopper of an introduction. Clark followed with an amazing stream of consciousness, which highlighted the ups and downs of the fashion business. He was all heart and refreshingly honest. Launched by visionaries Vicky Milner and Brittney Kuczynski, CAFA’s third gala stood out as one of the most talked about and Instagrammed events of the season. “We are thrilled to have the chance to honour so many outstanding Canadian designers and fashion talent,” said CAFA president, Milner. “Beyond the gala and this incredible evening, we have the opportunity to truly showcase the inspiring individuals who work to make a career in fashion a viable option in Canada.” Notable guests included Madame Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau, supermodels Karlie Kloss and Coco Rocha, musician Mia Martina, designers Tanya Taylor, Matthew Gallagher, David Dixon, Christopher Bates and Jenny Bird, Sid Neigum, Lucian Matis, television personality Jay Manuel, and actress Sarah Gadon among many others. The show was brilliantly produced by Corey Mandell of Mandell Entertainment. Part way through the night, some of the exuberant crowd, led by Grégoire-Trudeau, snuck out of the big show and popped over to Soho House for one hell of an after-party. Others sauntered over to Amber where shenanigans ensued and chins have been wagging ever since.