Second Annual Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards Dazzles Toronto with Mantella Corporation as Leading Sponsor

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - March 5, 2015) - For the second year in a row, Mantella Corporation was a leading sponsor for the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFAs), helping to make the premier celebration of Canada's brightest fashion stars another momentous success.

This past January, the Fairmont Royal York in downtown Toronto was bustling with the country's top designers and fashion-forward VIPs for the second annual CAFAs. Guests enjoyed a buzzing cocktail reception, decadent gala dinner and lively entertainment over the course of the evening. But the highlight of the night, of course, was the awards presentation, which honoured the country's leading designers, tastemakers and trailblazers of the fashion industry.

"Canada's fashion designers have continued to make waves across the world, and it's events like the CAFAs that offer them the support and the recognition they deserve," said Robert Mantella, President and CEO of Mantella Corporation, a family-owned development firm that's operated for over 65 years. "By shining the spotlight on these innovators, the CAFAs help elevate their presence both at home and across the globe, really demonstrating what our homegrown talent is capable of."

Editor-in-chief of Yahoo Style Joe Zee, who also received this year's Vanguard Award, hosted the evening, and a number of high-profile presenters, including model Chantelle Brown-Young, supermodel Yasmin Warsame, actress Elisha Cuthbert, and philanthropist Suzanne Rogers, bestowed the beautiful Karim Rashid-designed awards. The royal couple of Canadian fashion Joe Mimran and Kimberley Newport-Mimran were also in attendance. Roots Canada co-founders Michael Budman and Don Green were also the honorary chairs of the 2015 CAFAs.

This year's winners included Mikhael Kale, who took home the Womenswear Designer of the Year award, Philippe Dubuc, who won the Menswear Designer of the Year award, and Tommy Ton, who was named this year's Sephora Image Maker. Sid Neigum was also given the Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent and Montreal-based designer Marie Saint Pierre was honoured for her work in the fashion and arts community with the CAFA's Outstanding Achievement Award.

"Fashion is a form of expression, and those who are honoured at the CAFAs are the Canadians adding to the possibilities of what we can say with our clothing," says Sylvia Mantella, Mantella Corporation's Chief Marketing Officer and the Chair of the CAFA Nominating Committee overseeing 43 members for the second consecutive year, who also presented Mikhael Kale with his award at this year's event. "These are the designers who have both set the stage and are forging new paths for the future of fashion in this country. It's an amazing event for Mantella Corporation to be part of."

ABOUT THE MANTELLA CORPORATION

Since 1946, Mantella Corporation has stood as one of the most highly respected real estate developers in Canada. Founded by Anthony Mantella, Mantella Corporation's expertise ranges from industrial warehouses to luxury condominiums, retail plazas to custom homes. Currently under the guidance of Robert Mantella, Anthony's grandson, this family-operated enterprise expanded its breadth in 2008 to launch Mantella Venture Partners, a $20-million early stage start-up fund that invests in innovative software businesses. Mantella Corporation is also highly committed to community involvement, supporting numerous national and international charities, including ONEXONE, Ronald McDonald House Toronto and Amore Without Borders.

For more on Mantella Corporation's philanthropic work, visit www.mantella.ca.