Swag, Swag And More Swag: Where The Celebs Go For Choice Loot
Posted September 6, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Junkets, screenings, press conferences and interviews – there’s not a lot of down time for celebrities in town for the Toronto International Film Festival.
That’s where spots like Tastemakers Lounge come in. For the fourth year in a row Tastemakers has set up shop in the InterContinental Toronto Yorkville Hotel during the 10-day event. It’s a place where VIPs can stop by, chill, and browse clothing, jewellery, and beauty products, among other things, by Canadian and international brands.
CityNews.ca visited the posh gift lounge, located in the hotel’s Portman Room, on the first day to see what was on offer for 2008.
“The idea was to collect a group of sponsors or brands that we were really excited about, and showcase them to the talent who are here working the festival with their movies, and hopefully get some great buzz going about these brands that we love,” Tastemakers VP of Operations Leesa Butler explained of the concept.
The lounge itself is adorned with custom made stools, a state-of-the-art Geneva stereo system, and a temporary wall adorned with damask wallpaper from Timorous Beasties. A hairstylist is on hand to provide red carpet-worthy looks all week, and stylists will help outfit the stars in apparel and accessories.
This year’s theme is Ohhh Canada!, meaning homegrown companies including AG Hair Cosmetics, Joe Fresh Style and RAINCRY accompany international names like PUMA, Strellson, and J.R. Watkins Apothecary.
Actors Samuel L. Jackson and Eric McCormack have visited the Tastemakers Lounge in years’ past, and Butler says she’s looking forward to hopefully seeing some of the big names at this year’s festival – among them Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, and Viggo Mortensen – at the lounge.
“Hopefully they can expect a great time in Toronto and some incredible buzz about their movies,” she notes, “But meanwhile, when they have a little down time in between the publicity for their films, we bring them into the Tastemakers Lounge and we let them catch their breath, chill, and we give them some great products to go home with.”
Comments? Suggestions? Email tiff@citynews.ca
