When the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards are handed out in April, two Atlantic Canadian companies will be among the finalists.

Halifax-based Dash Hudson has been nominated for the Joe Fresh Fashion Innovation Award, which will be presented to a company that is innovating how we experience, consume or interact with fashion through technology. Founded by Thomas Rankin and Tomek Niewiarowski, Dash Hudson provides data analytics for corporate clients using Instagram.

And Wear Your Label of Fredericton is competing with three others for the Fashion Impact Award. It will be presented to a Canadian designer or brand that has made a significant social or philanthropic impact in the Canadian and/or international community.

Wear Your Label, led by Kyle MacNevin and Kayley Reed, designs and sells apparel with sayings and designs that can create conversation around mental health. The wording is subtle and designed to create discussion rather than scream a message.

The fourth annual Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards Gala will take place on Friday, April 7, at the Fairmont Royal York in downtown Toronto.