Jeanne Beker presented Zee with his 2014 Vanguard Award and international fashion star Olivia Palermo made a surprise video appearance congratulating on his honour.

Erdem, who was not in attendance accept for Hudson’s Bay International Canadian Designer of the Year Award, made a video appearance from London – how fitting!

“We are thrilled to recognize so many outstanding Canadian designers,” says Brittney Kuczynski, founding director, CAFA. “Beyond this evening’s glitz and glamour, CAFA has the opportunity to build a strong, visible platform for our world-class talent.”Adds CAFA managing director, Vicky Milner, “Celebrating tonight with the Canadian fashion community’s support is uplifting. Our aim is to engage and propel homegrown creative talent and the gala is a wonderful vehicle to do so.”

The Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent, Fashion went to Sid Neigum, who has been showing their collections on various runways across Canada.  Chloe and Parris Gordon of Beaufille was presented with the Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent, Accessories. Winners of the emerging talent categories will each receive a huge prize that includes $10,000, a lookbook produced by The Collections, and mentorship from the CAFA dream team, which includes: Amir El-Nesr, founder and president of Marketspace; Byron and Dexter Peart, co-founders of WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie; Jan Kaplan, owner/president of Mendocino and M; Natasha Koifman, president of NKPR; Suzanne Timmins, senior vice-president and fashion director of Hudson’s Bay and Lord & Taylor, and Tyler Udall, photographic artist and fashion director at Blanche Macdonald.

CAFA and its gala were strongly supported by Sephora, Swarovski, Mantella Corporation, Rogers, Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Hudson’s Bay Company, NKPR and Porter Airlines.