Last night was the first annual awards for CAFTCAD (Canadian Alliance of Film & Television Costume Arts & Design). The national organization promotes, networks, and shares knowledge with Canadians involved in costume design in film, television and other forms of media.

About 200 gathered at the Aga Khan Museum (most dressed creatively – as one would expect from the crowd), to honour some of the many talented people who work in the costuming industry. Kenn and I were delighted to be asked to each sit on a panel that picked nominees for the various categories. The nominations were then voted upon by the general membership to decide who would be recognized for excellence at the awards event.

Entres nous, some of the categories were really hard to decide who should be singled out, but I did have some favourites. It was hard not to notice Debra Hanson and her team’s brilliant work on the Daphne Guiness inspired styling of Schitt’s Creek. Also, the building, breaking down and creative designing for A Series of Unfortunate Events and the tiny budget used to recreate the traditionally-dressed Haida community for Sgawaay K’uuna were stand-outs for me. All of these took home awards for excellence – for a complete list of nominees and winners, check out the CAFTCAD website.

Excellence in Crafts – Costume Illustration: A Series of Unfortunate Events– Season 2 Illustrator: Keith Lau
Excellence in Crafts – Textile Arts: A Series of Unfortunate Events Season 2 Key Breakdown Artist: Sage Lovett, Breakdown Artist: Chance Lovett
Excellence in Crafts – Building: The Shape of Water Cutter: Tamiyo Tomihiro, Seamstresses: Ying Zhao & Sylvie Bonniere
Best Styling in Commercials & Music Videos: Woods Canada “Is There” Stylist: Marie- Eve Tremblay
Best Costume Design in a Web Series: Chateau Laurier Costume Designer: Joanna Syrokomla
Best Costume Design in Short Film: ROPEd Costume Designer: Joanna Syrokomla
Best Costume Design in Low Budget Feature: Sgawaay K’uuna – The Edge of the Knife Costume Designer: Athena Theny
Best Costume Design in TV – Contemporary: Schitt’s Creek Costume Designer: Debra Hanson
Best Costume Design in TV – Period: Anne with an E Costume Designer: Alexander Reda
Best Costume Design in TV – Sci-Fi/Fantasy: A Series of Unfortunate Events Costume Designer: Cynthia Summers
Best Costume Design in Film- Contemporary: Hold The Dark Costume Designer: Antoinette Messam
Best Costume Design in Film – Period: The Shape of Water Costume Designer: Luis Sequeira