Vancouver designer Dorothy Grant wins inaugural Indigenous Fashion Award at CAFA

Vancouver fashion designer Dorothy Grant, based in Tsawwassen, achieved a significant milestone at the 2026 Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA) held in Montreal. She received the inaugural Indigenous Fashion Award, recognizing her contributions to creating, preserving, and uplifting Indigenous cultural designs and talents.

A Pioneer in B.C. Fashion

Grant is widely regarded as a pioneer in British Columbia's fashion industry. Her work has consistently highlighted Indigenous heritage, blending traditional motifs with contemporary design. The new award category underscores CAFA's commitment to celebrating Indigenous excellence within the Canadian fashion landscape.

Other Honorees at the Event

The ceremony, which took place on Thursday night, also honored several other notable figures. Fashion journalist Tim Blanks received the Vanguard Award, while Groupe Dynamite entrepreneur Andrew Lutfy was presented with the Outstanding Achievement Award. Designer Sophie Theallet earned the International Canadian Designer Award, and supermodel Coco Rocha was recognized with the Changemaker Award.

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CAFA co-founder and president Vicky Milner stated in a news release: "Tonight, we celebrated excellence. We are proud to recognize your achievements and look forward to the remarkable paths that lie ahead."

Upcoming Exhibition

Grant's designs will be featured in an upcoming exhibition at the Alaska State Museum in Juneau, titled Dorothy Grant's Retrospective Exhibition — Raven Comes Full Circle. This exhibit celebrates her career spanning over 40 years and was first curated by the Haida Gwaii Museum in Skidegate.