THE caftcad awards: a night to remember
The 7th Annual CAFTCAD Awards Pays Tribute to Icons, Innovators, and the Next Generation
By Bethel Eshetu
The 7th Annual CAFTCAD Awards were held on March 1, 2026 at the Eglinton Grand in Toronto - photo by Michael Teneglia
March 1 marked the 7th annual CAFTCAD Awards, and it was a night to remember. Held once again at Toronto’s Eglinton Grand Theatre, it celebrated the works of Canadian costume designers and artists, with 20 members bringing home CAFTCAD’s very own Judy Award.
Izzy Camilleri accepts the Industry Icon Award. Photo by Michael Teneglia
A notable highlight among the award winners was the Industry Icon Award given to celebrated fashion designer Izzy Camilleri. Featured in numerous publications, including Vogue, InStyle, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, and The Business of Fashion,Camilleri launched her womenswear line in 1984 and saw her designs worn by the likes of David Bowie, Angelina Jolie, Meryl Streep and many more.
In 2009, she released her innovative clothing line IZ Adaptive, a collection designed for wheelchair users after an encounter with a client who requested custom clothes that would work with her wheelchair. It showcased at her solo exhibit, “Fashion Follows Form: Designs for Sitting,” at the Royal Ontario Museum in 2014.
Camilleri has also had a prominent career in film; she created many iconic looks, including Meryl Streep’s fur coat in The Devil Wears Prada (2006), pieces for David Bowie’s “Dead Man Walking” music video and garments for Frankenstein (2025). She also served as a CAFTCAD board member and has taught many courses to members. Camilleri’s impact on CAFTCAD has been profound, and the Industry Icon Award honours her incredible onscreen work in costume design, her innovative work in fashion design and construction, as well as her steadfast championing of accessible fashion.
2026 Industry Icon Winner Izzy Camilleri
The event also paid tribute to the late Loretta Chin, who was honoured as the 2026 CAFTCAD Judy’s Choice - Costume Buyer. A former CAFTCAD president and BeSpoke editor-in-chief, the multi-faceted Chin was an acclaimed costume professional, journalist and stylist.
Chin was originally a fashion journalist, which led to a career in styling followed by work in film and television. She was an early member of CAFTCAD, joining the organization back in 2002, serving as the vice-president from 2013-2015 and president in 2015. She taught many styling courses at CAFTCAD and mentored many in the community, which highlights her dedication to supporting the next generation of members.
Former CAFTCAD President Loretta Chin
Antoinette Messam accepts the posthumous Judy’s Choice Award - Costume Buyer for the late Loretta Chin. Photo by Michael Teneglia
The award show featured a star-studded group of presenters, including Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Rhoslynne Bugay, Lucy Hill, Daniel Maslany, Kristin Booth, Steffi DiDomenicantonio, Christian Lloyd and Leeland Mitchell.
Farnaz Khaki-Sadigh, Brandon Peterson, Leeland Mitchell, Leslie Kavanagh, Alex Kavanagh. Photo by Ramona Diaconescu
Mitchell, the 2026 winner of Project Runway Canada, not only served as a presenter but also showcased many of his designs, which were worn by CAFTCAD members, including Alex Kavanagh, Leslie Kavanagh and Farnaz Khaki-Sadigh. The pieces were from Mitchell’s winning collection on Project Runway, – titled Big Trouble in Little Chinatown – which merged both his Scottish and Chinese heritage in a bold, colourful punk-rock manner. The designs were campy and dramatic:
Alex Kavanagh wore a tartan corset emblazoned “God Save Queen St W” paired with a matching fur-collared tartan coat and gloves. Photo by Michael Teneglia
Khaki-Sadigh (left) wore an edgy all-black dress detailed with zippers, a belt and a leather lapel. CAFTCAD Board President Jennifer Stroud (right). Photo by Ramona Diaconescu
CAFTCAD Award winner Leslie Kavanagh wore a gorgeous blue set, studded with sequins and peacock feather motifs and referencing his Chinese heritage through the qipao-inspired design and pankou knots. Photo by Ramona Diaconescu
Mitchell dedicated his collection to his grandparents, who came to Canada in the 50s and 60s and started the dry cleaning business he grew up in, which is still running to this day. It was there that Mitchell found his love of design and fashion.
Raoul and The Big Time perform at the 2026 CAFTCAD Awards at Toronto’s historic Eglinton Grand Theatre. Photo by Michael Teneglia
It was truly a night to remember, with the band Raoul and the Big Time performing, beautiful designs from nominees showcased on the mannequins, speeches from winners and presenters, and costume illustrations highlighting the walls.
It’s so important that we continue to showcase the amazing works of our fellow members, and I for one cannot wait to see what’s in store for next year.
