Meet the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards 2024 Winner of Emerging Talent

At the recent annual CAFA ceremony recognizing excellence in the arts and fashion industry, fashion designer Jontay Kahm was named the winner of up-and-coming talent, seemingly reaffirming his position as a trailblazer in the industry.

Kahm quickly garnered buzz for his impressive take on reimagined regalia after presenting his first full collection (titled Regialian Bodies) last year at the Santa Fe Indian Market fashion show in the United States. God, his First Nations heritage, Lady Gaga’s pop records, and his friends (his muses) inspire his otherworldly designs of fringe, feathers, and intricate beading. Actress Lily Gladstone wore a duck-feather piece by Kahm while on an awards circuit last year.

Plains Cree, from Saskatchewan, growing up on Mosquito First Nation, Kahm says “to win with family and friends beside me cheering me on was a blessing in itself.”

His achievement as the winner of emerging talent at the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards (CAFA) comes as no surprise. Of the recognition, he says hearing his name as the winner “was like an out of body experience.”

“Receiving this award from my home country is such an honour because, believe it or not, this is the first time ever I received an award that is related to fashion design,” Kahm says.

Kahm is based in New York, studying fashion design at the prestigious Parsons School of Design. He believes the future of Indigenous design is promising, characterized by a deep integration of cultural heritage. At CAFA this year, it was announced that a new category will be added in the 2025 awards lineup: an Indigenous Fashion Award.

“Indigenous designers are increasingly leading major projects that emphasize sustainability, community collaboration, and cultural preservation. As Indigenous voices gain prominence, design practices will increasingly reflect diverse cultural narratives, fostering a more inclusive fashion industry,” Kahm notes.

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