CAFA Profiles

Susan Langdon – Jury Member During a career that has spanned over 30 years, Susan Langdon has demonstrated the kind of enthusiasm and devotion to the fashion industry that has garnered constant recognition. A native Torontonian, Susan graduated from the Fashion Design program at Ryerson University in 1977. Throughout a fulfilling 17-year career in fashion design, Susan received a number of prestigious design awards including the Concours Design Award and the Woolmark Award of Distinction. In 1994, Susan’s strong interpersonal skills and leadership qualities, coupled with a comprehensive knowledge of the fashion industry and previous teaching experience, led her to her current position as Executive Director of the Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI). Her dedication to the Incubator and efforts to nurture, support and promote new, up-coming design talent has assisted in launching the careers of many now-known Canadian designers. She has generated media coverage from Toronto, New York, Dusseldorf, Dublin…

Tiyana Grulovic – Jury Member Tiyana Grulovic’s journalistic excellence has earned her national acclaim in the Canadian fashion community. Prior to her current role as Fashion Director at Flare, Tiyana sat at the creative helm of The Globe and Mail’s fashion section from 2008 to 2013, where she shaped the aesthetic and tone of the fashion content into an ambitious paper-wide redesign, and won a National Magazine Award for her work on Globe Style Advisor. As The Globe and Mail’s Fashion Editor, Tiyana conceptualized and produced fashion and trend stories, styled editorials, worked with both established and up-and-coming photographers across Canada and in the U.S., and covered fashion week in New York. She has interviewed some of the fashion industry’s most prominent personalities such as Victoria Beckham, Derek Lam, Margherita Missoni, and was the first journalist to speak to Reed Krakoff after he announced his departure from Coach. CAFA: From…

Noreen Flanagan – Jury Member Noreen Flanagan has been with ELLE Canada since its second issue back in 2001 and has been Editor-in-Chief since April 2010. Prior to that, Noreen worked at Flare magazine as a senior editor. She possesses a creative vision characterized by its refreshing approachability, sharp intellectualism, and an innovative aesthetic which has earned her widespread recognition as one of the Canadian fashion world’s most respected individuals. CAFA: From your perspective, what has been the most prominent change you’ve observed in the evolution of fashion in Canada? NF: There is a growing sense of confidence amongst the designers as well as a heightened desire from consumers and retailers to support Canadian talent. CAFA: What do you think sets Canadian fashion designers apart on a global scale? NF: We live in such connected times that it’s difficult to cultivate distinctive influences and identities. Any designer, regardless of where…

Jeremy Freed – Jury Member Editor-in-chief Jeremy Freed has been with Sharp Magazine since its launch in 2008. Beginning his career as a successful freelancer for Toronto Life, Los Angeles Magazine, and National Public Radio, Jeremy had ambitions to one day write for a the likes of Esquire or GQ. “I had never imagined that I’d get the opportunity to build a great men’s magazine from the ground up. It’s been an incredibly satisfying journey so far,” says Freed. As head of Canada’s premier men’s fashion and lifestyle guide, Jeremy plans to continue growing the Sharp brand across Canada and help Canadian men dress better. CAFA: In your opinion, what sets Canadian fashion apart on a global scale? JF: We have a really unique mix of cultures in Canada. It makes for a sensibility that is hard to describe but it inspires our designers to be chameleon-like in their approach…

Alexandra Suhner Isenberg – Nominating Committee Alexandra Suhner Isenberg is well known for her work in the fashion industry both within Canada and abroad. Born and raised in Vancouver, Alexandra moved to Paris at the age of nineteen to study fashion at l’Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne – the alma mater of YSL and Lagerfeld. During her tenure in Europe, Alexandra worked as Assistant Designer at Sonia Rykiel, completed a MA in fashion at Central Saint Martins in London, worked for Burberry, and founded her own lingerie company. Alexandra also excelled as a trend forecaster and a lecturer at both Central Saint Martins and London College of Fashion. In 2009 Alexandra returned to Canada and founded her eclectic blog Searching for Style and began lecturing at the Visual College of Art and Design. Alexandra also serves as Fashion Editor at Vitamin Daily, runs her own nightwear…

Tenika Davis – Nominating Committee Tenika Davis began her career in 2006 as one of the finalists on the first season of the reality TV series Canada’s Next Top Model. Following the show, Tenika signed with Ford Models and has since graced the pages of numerous international fashion magazines including Elle, Glamour, O, Fashion,and Glow. Soon after beginning her modeling career, Tenika set her eyes on acting. Tenika’s talent, determination, and hard work allowed her to land a lead role in the indie hit Jumping the Broomalongside Angela Bassett. Soon after, she was cast as Sara Suarez, the seductive action heroine in Twentieth Century Fox’s successful franchise Wrong Turn 4. Tenika has also appeared in numerous other productions including the popular TV series’ Degrassi: The Next Generation and Deal or No Deal and the films Saw VIand Debug. Tenika continues her successful journey as a model/actor believing that “with hard…