ELLECanada.com's Carole Park dishes on the events, the swag and celebrity sightings during this year's Film Festival.
Day 8: Gifting lounges
The Toronto International Film Festival is no "Swagdance" but within the last few years, the increasingly high profile of TIFF has led to gifting suites and lounges invading hotels and restaurants for a week and a half.
Hollywood Life Magazine took over the Yorkville location of Empire restaurant to become the Hollywood Life House. The lounge displayed items from Canadian denim brand Parassuco, Hennessy cognac, Hamilton watches, French Connection and Miami Boutique Hotels. Thandie Newton, Atom Egoyan, Zac Efron, Anne Hathaway, Rachel Blanchard, Ellen Burstyn, Elizabeth Banks, Claire Danes, and Sophia Bush were amongst the bold faced names who scooped up specially made crystal studded Parasucco jeans and leather jackets and detailed dresses from French Connection.
Over at the Intercontinental Hotel on Bloor, the Tastemaker's Lounge returned for a fourth year to gift celebs. With an "Oh, Canada" theme this year, the Bay and Joe Fresh were amongst brands featured. Joe Fresh not only gifted the grown-ups who came by, but also sent items from their organic kids line to celebs including Brad Pitt, with the hopes that Maddox or Shiloh will look as cute as they are eco-conscious. Danny Glover also dropped by and scooped up a few items from Strellerson, known for their accessories.. Don't be surprised to see him with one of their belts or silk ties. Julianne Moore and Tim Robbins also swung over to scope out the swag, while Jennifer Aniston was sent a Puma bag stuffed with goodies from Burts Bees, AG Hair, and snacks from Sam and Ike.
Day 9
Snagging swag is a massive perk that comes with the less-than-glamorous schedule of early morning screenings and late-night parties of the film festival. Here's a tally of what I was able to snag despite the fact that I have yet to make the A-list:
Consumed items, because those free snacks serve as great meal replacements in a pinch:
A bag of Rice Works chips (in the media bag provided by TIFF), Sam & Ike's sweet and salty kettle corn (Tastemakers Lounge), Vitamin Water, instant macaroni and cheese and a mini bottle of ketchup (GQ/John Varvatos/Holt Renfrew Party).
My new tote bag collection:
For the Love of FIlm bag provided by TIFF, nylon Parassuco knapsack, Get Chucked cotton canvas bag and nylon cameo messenger bag both from GQ/John Varvatos/Holt Renfrew party -yes, they gifted a bag inside another bag.
Apparel (It's nice to get things one may actually wear, other than oversize t-shirts for the gym!):
Super-soft terry bathrobe from Miami Boutique Hotels, super chic black puffer jacket from French Connection, Joe Fresh gloves and hat, John Varvatos for Converse “Legs & Eggs” t-shirt, Judz and Ruby Gloom t-shirt, and a Hamilton money clip.
Reading material:
GQ Magazine, Hollywood Life Magazine, and an endless supply of press releases and leaflets.
Beauty products, because beauty sleep alone won't help with recovery from the past ten days:
AG colour savor shampoo and conditioner, Sabon body oil, Burt's Bees replenishing lip balm, and naturally nourishing milk & honey body lotion.
Food that has yet to be consumed and other miscellaneous items:
Salt Spring Fair Trade and Organic Coffee, Eska Natural Spring Water, and Strellerson waterproof container.
Read more in our Living channel
