TORONTO, Canada — "A sense of community is very important," said Vicky Milner, President of the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards, which celebrated its 5th anniversary Friday night. "It's supportive, it's nurturing. It's important to have Canadians embrace each other and to create opportunities for our fashion community."

Attendees, including philanthropists, sponsors and nominees, said the event's goal was to create more recognition, inside Canada and out, for a national industry that punches far above its weight.

“We don’t have to have this discussion, technically. We have great brands,” said Qasim Mohammad, CAFA’s innovation advisor, citing global powerhouses like Lululemon and Roots. “If you look at how much economic value Canada’s fashion companies generate it’s actually more than any of the worldwide fashion houses. On a per capita basis, our companies are worth more and we produce more value than those in those in the US, UK, France and Italy.”

Joe Zee | Source: George Pimentel

The chairman of one of those global brands, Aldo Bensadoun of Aldo (with locations in 100 countries), received CAFA's Outstanding Achievement Award. "I set up to build a different kind of company. I set out to build a warm, welcoming environment where people could feel good about what they do," he said. "I admit it was a bit idealistic, but it worked."

Hosted by Joe Zee, who said he is returning to reality TV this fall with a new project, this year's event featured names easily recognized by American and global fashion fans, including Céline Dion, who won the International Style Icon Award. Ms Dion, who canceled a slew of her recent Las Vegas shows to accommodate a surgery, accepted the award by video, saying, "Fashion is all about creative expression for me, and to be recognized for being able to have fun with the way I look and feel is truly an unexpected reward." Petra Collins, also absent, starred in a Gucci ad this year and directed another—as well as a Selena Gomez music video—and was awarded Image Maker of the Year. Canada Goose won Outerwear Brand of the Year.

A complete list of winners is below.

International Style Icon Award: Céline Dion

Global Fashion Business Leader Award: Nadja Swarovski

Outstanding Achievement Award: Aldo Bensadoun

H&M Sustainability Award: Triarchy
(including $10,000 Grant and invitation to the Copenhagen Fashion Summit)

The Suzanne Rogers Designer Grant for International Development: Greta Constantine

Image Maker of the Year Award: Petra Collins

Stylist of the Year Award: Karla Welch

Model of the Year Award: Simon Nessman

Outerwear Brand of the Year Award: Canada Goose

Digital Fashion Influencer of the Year Award: Maripier Morin

Accessory Designer of the Year Award: Ela

Womenswear Designer of the Year Award: Marie Saint Pierre

Menswear Designer of the Year Award: Atelier New Regime

Fashion Impact Award: Triarchy

Fresh Face of the Year Award: Aleece Wilson

Joe Fresh Fashion Innovation Award: ShopShops

Simons Fashion Student Award: Bronwyn Seier

Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent, Accessories: Sofia Zakia

Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent, Fashion: Markoo

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