The Bay, CAFA announce 2023 New Gen List

The Bay and the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards (CAFA) have partnered once again to present the 2023 New Gen List, recognizing 20 of the country’s boldest and brightest rising stars across the fashion industry.

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural cohort, the list spans diverse creative realms, including makeup artistry, digital and graphic design, photography and styling. Finalists will be honoured at CAFA on October 14, 2023, at Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York Hotel, which marks the 10th-anniversary of the CAFA ceremony. 

“CAFA is thrilled to unveil the second annual New Gen List. This year’s list is an inspiring mix of creatives who are shaping the future of the Canadian fashion industry,” said Vicky Milner, president of CAFA.

“As CAFA celebrates its 10 Year Anniversary, we remain steadfast in our mission to celebrate outstanding achievement and foster the next generation of talent. Thank you to Hudson’s Bay for their continued support, and congratulations to this year’s New Gen List honourees!”

Nominees include: Adam Appugliesi (Creative Artistic Director/Producer at Libero World), Aleksandra Tkachenko (Fashion Stylist at Sasha Everblond), D’Andra Morris (Hair Artist at Bloom Hair Art), Brandon Laughton (Fashion Stylist), Cat Calica (Digital Artist/Fashion Stylist), Dani Reynolds (Fashion Set Design/Prop Styling), Danny Welsh (Creative Artistic Director/Producer at Suburban Deviant), Freya de Tonnancour (Photographer), Jordan Giang (Makeup Artist), and Leban Osmani (Fashion Stylist).

Completing the list is Lexson Millington (Digital Fashion Creator), Megan Siatong-Lapointe (Makeup Artist at Jemée Tooth Gems), Olive Grey (Hair Artist/Makeup Artist), Roxanne Navai (Creative/Artistic Director or Producer at RX Studio), Sam Locksley (Photographer at SAEM), Schaël Dagney Marcéus (Photographer), Stacey Ottman (Creative/Artistic Director or Producer – Digital Artist at This Is Your Brain On Plants), Tré Akula (Creative/Artistic Director or Producer), Zach Phan (Photographer), and Zachary Noftall (Fashion Set Design/Prop Styling). 

Leith Sinker, SVP, GMM, Footwear, Beauty and Centre Core, Hudson’s Bay, added: ”As a premier destination for style and quality in Canada, we believe it’s important to nurture and celebrate homegrown talent. These emerging creatives are the heartbeat of our industry, injecting energy and groundbreaking ideas that will drive forward the future of Canadian fashion. We congratulate all those honoured on this year’s list.”