Capilano University’s Costuming for Stage & Screen celebrates success at industry awards in Toronto
Anthea Mallinson, textile artist and retired instructor in Capilano University’s Costuming for Stage & Screen diploma program, has shaped the fabric of storytelling through her innovative work, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.
For her contributions to costume and textile artistry, Mallinson was honoured at the 2025 Canadian Alliance of Film and Television Costume Arts and Design (CAFTCAD) Awards, March 2 in Toronto. The awards celebrate excellence in Canadian costumes.
Mallinson was presented alongside her contemporary Joan Lovett with the 2024 Industry Icon Award.
Mallinson, who helped develop the Costuming for Stage & Screen diploma program at CapU, retired from a 35-year teaching career in 2023. Her influence on the program, and indeed on the broader textile arts community, is immeasurable, said Ramin Shadmehr, dean, Faculty of Fine & Applied Arts.
“Her passion, combined with her extensive industry experience, provided our students with invaluable insights and a deep appreciation for the craft,” Shadmehr said. “Anthea's commitment to education and her dedication to pushing creative boundaries have shaped not only the careers of countless artists, but also the very fabric of our program. We are incredibly proud of her well-deserved CAFTCAD Industry Icon Award and celebrate her lasting legacy at Capilano University."
A textile and tapestry artist since the 1980s, Mallinson embarked on her career in Vancouver’s burgeoning film industry in 1997 and quickly became well established as a key textile artist on large-budget productions. Her fine work can be seen in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Snakes on a Plane, Chronicles of Riddick, and Catwoman.
She described the unique role of a textile artist for film in her acceptance speech.
“We depict the passage of time and the marks of events with colour and texture,” Mallinson said. “We make or print historic or fantastic fabric, we work hard and study by working. We envision and create seaweed, moon dust, blood, laser slashes or plain old dirt, just to tell a story.
“It has been a wonderful journey, full of exploration, discovery and talented people, and I’m very glad to have been part of it.”
Denise Gingrich with Anthea Mallinson at 2025 CAFTCAD Awards. (MichaelTPhotography)
This year’s event, held at Toronto’s Eglinton Grand Theatre, was especially meaningful, as Mallinson was honoured, said Denise Gingrich, Costuming for Stage & Screen program coordinator, who was in attendance. More than 30 CapU alumni were also nominated, including a student from last year’s graduating class—highlighting the costuming program’s impact on the industry.
All costuming students are CAFTCAD members through support of the employer engagement and experiential learning facilitator at CapU and are able to view nominees and vote on their work, gaining valuable insight into the costume industry its members, standards and excellence.
“This event continues to serve as an essential bridge between the industry, our program and our alumni by strengthening connections and creating opportunities for future collaborations between CAFTCAD and the Costuming for Stage & Screen program,” Gingrich said.
The University’s costuming program proudly served as an aluminum sponsor for this year’s awards.
Submitted by: Communications