Linda Evangelista to Receive the Vanguard Award at Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards

Linda Evangelista will be honored with the Vanguard Award at the 2024 Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards, which takes place Oct. 19 at the Fairmont Royal York hotel in Toronto.

Others receiving awards at the event are Ben Barry, dean of fashion at Parsons School of Design, who will win a Changemaker Award, and Justice and Nia Faith, cofounders of Revolutionnaire and The Rev Shop, a movement to empower young people to make a positive impact, and an inclusive apparel and accessories line designed for people to celebrate the skin they’re in, respectively, who will also win a Changemaker Award.

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Premium outdoor lifestyle brand Roots will receive the Outstanding Achievement Award.

“I am thrilled to receive this year’s Vanguard Award at the CAFA Gala,” Evangelista said. “As a proud Canadian, to be honored by my fellow country men and women in fashion and in the arts is something I will always treasure. I’m very much looking forward to celebrating the incredible Canadian arts community at this year’s CAFA ceremony,” she said.

One of the original “supermodels,” Evangelista has appeared on more than 700 magazine covers, been featured in numerous iconic ad campaigns and editorials and has walked the runways for the world’s most famous designers. Evangelista has used her celebrity to support a variety of causes, most notably breast cancer, of which she is a two-time survivor, and as an activist for AIDS and HIV research and awareness, racial equality, body positivity and the LGBTQIA+ community.

Barry is being awarded for his work transforming the school’s fashion curriculum and culture by embedding access, equity and justice at its foundation. In partnership with Sinéad Burke, Barry launched the Parsons Disabled Fashion Student Program.

Meghan Roach, president and chief executive officer of Roots, will accept the Outstanding Achievement Award.

“It is an honor and a privilege for Roots to be recognized with the Outstanding Achievement Award by CAFA,” Roach said. “For over 50 years, we have been proud to represent the spirit of Canadian heritage and craftsmanship, and this award is a testament to the dedication of our team, then and now. As we continue to evolve and innovate, we remain committed to staying true to our roots while embracing a future that reflects the values and creativity of our diverse community. We look forward to continuing our journey of growth and connection, both here in Canada and around the world.”

CAFA is an annual celebration recognizing Canada’s best designers, stylists, models, image makers and fashion business leaders. Over the past 10 years, the gala has welcomed many notable names, including Celine Dion, Iris Apfel, Karlie Kloss, Kim Cattrall, Joe Zee, Coco Rocha, Jason Wu and Aurora James, among others.

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