Style

Must-see looks from the 2023 Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards gala

See what the best in the industry wore for their big night.

See what the best in the industry wore for their big night

Left to right: Lexson Millington, Lauren Chan, Amber-Dawn Bear Robe at The Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA) gala.
(Credit: George Pimentel Photography)

The Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA) celebrated 10 years of honouring outstanding achievement and emerging talent in Canadian fashion with its annual awards gala at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto on the weekend. Designers, editors, and fashion creatives of all sorts donned their most stylish ensembles to celebrate another year of Canadian excellence in the fashion industry. Here are just ten must-see looks from the evening.

Brooke Lynn Hytes (left) and Myles Sexton (right) on the red carpet. Hytes is wearing a gold dress, long black gloves and black heels. Sexton is wearing a silver jumpsuit, a black headpiece, and black heels.
(Credit: George Pimentel Photography)

Canadian drag artist and CAFA award ceremony host Brooke Lynn Hytes and influencer Myles Sexton on the red carpet. Hytes is wearing Starkers Corsetry by Dianna DiNoble, styled by Amber Watkins. Sexton is wearing a jumpsuit by Narces accompanied by a headpiece from David Dunkley.

Lily Yange in a silver dress, posing in a portrait studio with a red velvet backdrop.
(Credit: George Pimentel Photography)

Influencer Lily Yange in the portrait studio, in a custom dress by Mario Fugnittoin, styled by Christal Williams.

Joanna Griffiths on the red carpet. She's wearing a black suit, gold and black corset, black bag and black heels.
(Credit: George Pimentel Photography)

Knix founder and winner of the 2023 Changemaker award, Joanna Griffiths, wearing a bespoke corset by Bone & Busk and a suit by Smythe, styled by Marc Andrew Smith.

Lauren Chan wearing all red with a long coat, heels, tights and bodysuit, posing in a portrait studio that has a brown backdrop.
(Credit: George Pimentel Photography)

Model of the Year award recipient Lauren Chan in the Portrait Studio. Chan is wearing a reworked Burberry coat by WILLIENORRISREWORKSHOP, Mejuri, and Manolo Blahnik.

Sarain Fox on the red carpet wearing a white gown made from Canada Goose parkas and white boots.
(Credit: George Pimentel Photography)

Artist and activist Sarain Fox on the red carpet. Fox is wearing a custom Canada Goose gown with detailing by Randi Nelson Designs and Lesley Hampton.

Sasha Exeter wearing a sheer sequin strapless dress, posing in a portrait studio next to an antique chair.
(Credit: George Pimentel Photography)

Digital Fashion Creator of the Year Award recipient Sasha Exeter in the portrait studio. Exeter is wearing a custom dress by Sid Neigum.

Amber-Dawn Bear Robe on the red carpet wearing Himikalas Pamela Baker. She's got her back to the camera, holding the sides of the gown to show off the full design on the back.
(Credit: George Pimentel Photography)

2023 Changemaker Award recipient Amber-Dawn Bear Robe on the red carpet wearing Himikalas Pamela Baker.

Dorian Who (left) and Nadia Pizzimenti (right) posing for a photo. Who is wearing a mini skirt, crop top and long coat all in the same colourful pattern. Pizzimenti is wearing a red, long-sleeved dress with red pants.
(Credit: George Pimentel Photography)

Emerging Talent, Fashion recipient Dorian Who (left) and Stylist of the Year award recipient Nadia Pizzimenti (right) at the after party. Who is wearing Dorian Who and Noor Collection, and Pizzimenti is wearing Wynn.

Lexson Millington standing during the awards ceremony. Millington is wearing glasses, a green blazer, yellow and brown vest, orange shirt, a tie, brown wide-leg pants and brown shoes.
(Credit: George Pimentel Photography)

CAFA New Gen 2023 Digital Fashion Creator honouree Lexson Millington during the awards ceremony. Millington is wearing a fully thrifted ensemble featuring Gucci glasses, Gucci Tie and a vintage Coach bag.

Christian Allaire (left), Riley Kucheran (middle), and Jamie Okuma (right) at the CAFA after party. Allaire is wearing a poncho with a blue and white design on it and fringe detail. Kucheran is wearing a black leather corset. Okuma is wearing a gown with a black and gold design, and beaded earrings.
(Credit: George Pimentel Photography)

Writer Christian Allaire, fashion academic Riley Kucheran, and visual artist and fashion designer Jamie Okuma at the CAFA after party. Allaire and Kucheran wear Ayimach Horizons by Jason Baerg. Kucheran is also wearing a corset by Northbound Leather. Okuma is wearing their own designs.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennifer Nguyen is a Toronto-based writer specializing in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). She covers the intersection of EDI with fashion, travel and culture. You can find her on Instagram and TikTok at @jennifercruznguyen and read more of her work at jennifercnguyen.com.

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