Inaugural Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards a Great Success With Mantella Corporation as Leading Sponsor

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 19, 2014) -

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Mantella Corporation once again demonstrated its commitment to the community by taking up the mantle of exclusive gold sponsor at the first Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA.)

The CAFAs were created to honour and draw attention to accomplished and emerging Canadian fashion designers in the hopes of increasing their prominence on the global stage. Mantella Corporation, a family-owned real estate developer of more than 65 years, recognized the CAFAs' potential to illuminate the country's brightest stars and immediately jumped on board. "Canada is full of talented artists and designers," says Robert Mantella, president and CEO of Mantella Corporation, which his grandfather, Anthony, started in 1946. "But the Canadian market is much smaller than in the U.S. and Europe." This makes it more challenging for designers to secure the needed capital to produce collections, organize fashion shows and find proper representation, he adds. Awards such as the CAFAs create a launch pad to boost designers' national and international presence, providing "the Canadian fashion industry with the support and recognition it deserves."

The inaugural CAFA gala, held at Toronto's Fairmont Royal York Hotel, featured 10 award categories that celebrated various facets of the industry. Dean and Dan Caten, the Toronto-born twin brothers behind DSQUARED², claimed two of the Karim Rashid designed trophies, one for Outstanding Achievement and the second for International Canadian Designer of the Year. Jeremy Laing won Womenswear Designer of the Year, Travis Taddeo took home Menswear Designer of the Year, and Coco Rocha was named Model of the Year. Joe Mimran, CAFA's honorary chair for 2014, also received the Canadian Style award, while Jeanne Beker was presented with the Vanguard award, a special tribute honouring her successful career in fashion.

Community involvement has always been a key component to the Mantella formula. While concerned with local and international charities that focus on supporting children and their families, such as Ronald McDonald House Toronto, ONEXONE and Scrubs in the City, Mantella Corporation also understands the cultural value that events such as the CAFAs hold. "We are avid supporters of the Canadian fashion industry and strongly support the efforts of CAFA to recognize and elevate homegrown talent," says Sylvia Mantella, Mantella Corporation's director of branding and a CAFA ambassador.

After the first gala's overwhelming success, Robert and Sylvia look forward to partnering with CAFA on upcoming projects that provide on-going support for Canadian fashion designers. "Mantella Corporation is excited for our continued involvement with future CAFA events," says Robert. "We believe the CAFAs will not only support our fashion designers at home, but serve as a spotlight for our designers internationally."

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.

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