#cafas

B-Side | My interview with Vancouver Blog “Style Calling.”

An extended version of my insights into the role Social Media plays at the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards. Find the original “Style Calling” piece here: Countdown to the CAFAs

Style Calling: How is social media presence important to the success of the CAFA gala?

Alexandra T. Serrano: I may be a little biased, but I believe that social media is integral to the success of both the Awards Gala and our year-round initiatives. It is no secret that being active on social media has become an essential facet of thriving organizations. At CAFA, we use social media to keep our supporters and the Canadian fashion community at large informed about national fashion events, design news and information about our own initiatives throughout the year.

Furthermore, social media has been an incredible tool for connecting with niche organizations across the country. For instance, this past year we learned all about Saskatchewan Fashion Week and the great talent that is blossoming in the prairies. In addition to being an essential marketing tool, we've found that social media provides an indispensable platform used to begin conversations about our hugely talented Canadian fashion community.

SC: The CAFA Gala happens once a year, but CAFA has a year-round presence. How do you feel CAFA has helped Canadian artists and designers?

ATS: CAFA has some incredible leadership that works hard throughout the year to fulfil our mandate. Our Managing Director Vicky Milner is always looking for new ways to support & advocate for Canada’s fashion talent.

Throughout the year, we strive to attract partners and create collaborative opportunities that benefit Canadian designers. One of these initiatives is the Swarovski Emerging Talent Award in Fashion and Accessory Design. Swarovski has a rich tradition of supporting and celebrating established and emerging designers internationally. Knowing this, we were thrilled to work with Swarovski who generously supported both of the 2015 Emerging Talent Award categories. CAFA is just one of the several fashion events around the world supported by Swarovski, including the British Fashion Awards and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Awards.

Another initiative is the Mentorship programme for the 2015 Emerging Talent Award categories. Award winners will receive guidance from our 2015 Mentors throughout the year. The Mentors are a group of industry veterans who will generously donate their time and expertise to aid the winning designers in growing their brands & businesses. The Mentors will advise them on everything from Public Relations, Branding, Marketing, and Finance to Distribution, Manufacturing & Digital Strategy.

Both Emerging Talent Award winners will receive a monetary prize and a SS 2016 Lookbook produced by THE COLLECTIONS. The winner for the Emerging Talent Award in Fashion will also receive funds provided by ALDO to use on footwear for their next collection.

Finally, our team visited Vancouver this past September in a successful effort to connect with the West Coast fashion community. CAFA strives to help Canada’s fashion sector throughout the year not just by heightening awareness of our talent; but also by being the link between communities from coast to coast. It is our hope to strengthen a national consciousness for the Canadian fashion industry. In doing so, we aim to support the sector’s development and international success.

SC: Will you be attending the awards gala this year? If so, who will you be wearing?

ATS: I will be attending and I simply cannot wait! As for who I’ll be wearing, you’ll have to wait and see ;)

It’s no secret that just a year ago, I was prowling the streets of Paris, New York and Canada as an international model; revered, like many others, for my unattainable look and ability to transform on camera. However, here I am now, sitting in an office of my own, with a brand of my own…and one more, special item: a unique, powerful voice. Fashionation TV is certainly a start up, but with the people behind it and the enthusiasm I hold within, it will be a start up that will change lives for the better.

  February was a particularly dreary month for me, as this entire year contained a University program I didn’t enjoy, weather that didn’t inspire, and a mindset that was, frankly, lost. I was living in my head, trying to understand what other people wanted and what other people expected of me. I was afraid to go outside and run into people I’d known and loved in the industry because I thought I’d be useless to them now- no longer a model; no longer beautiful. But six months later, I can sit here and say that was all in my head.  And I credit the CAFA Awards for helping me realize this.

  On the First of February, the inaugural Canadian Arts and Fashion awards set up shop inside the walls of the elegant Royal York Hotel, inviting our most celebrated and emerging talent. On this day, Fashionation TV and I were front and centre, and I could feel the power rumbling in the bowels of my microphone...