Erdem among winners at Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards

London-based fashion designer Erdem was crowned international Canadian designer of the year at the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards, which honours Canadian talent.

The honour recognises a designer who has “achieved international success” while also bringing attention to Canadian talent on the “world stage”. It marks the second win for Erdem in this category, he previously won in 2015.

Erdem was up against Toronto-born, New York-based womenswear designer Tanya Taylor and emerging talent Vejas Kruszewski, who won the LVMH Prize for young fashion designers last year.

Previous winners of the international Canadian designer of the year has included Jason Wu and Dean and Dan Caten from DSquared2.

The fourth annual Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards also saw Chloe and Parris Gordon, the sister duo behind womenswear and accessory label Beaufille, taking home the womenswear award. They were up against competition from Lucian Matis, Sid Neigum and Smythe.

The menswear designer of the year was awarded to The Feral by Zakariah Milana, while jewellery designer Jenny Bird took home the accessory designer of the year.

There were also two awards for emerging talent, the fashion accolade was awarded to womenswear label Maram, while 3D printed jewellery creators Daniel Christian Tang scooped the accessories category.

Retail technology platform Salesfloor received the fashion innovation award, while Xiaoyi Li received the fashion design student award, and veteran womenswear designer David Dixon was presented with the fashion impact award for making a “significant social or philanthropic impact” in the Canadian and/or international community.