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Guest Questions Archive |
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| 06.09.09 4:30 PM |
Luminato Guests Dig the Themed Rooms, Think V.I.P. Bracelets Are "Lame"
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 | Makeup artists offered touch-ups in the V.I.P. lounge
Photo: BizBash |
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Attendees at Luminato's opening night gala, which moved to Canada's National Ballet School this year, traversed the venue's four floors, including the Town Square on the main floor, two second-floor studios—transformed into a dance club and jazz lounge—and the Giorgio Armani V.I.P. lounge on the fifth floor, which required a black wristband for entrance. We asked guests to share their overall impressions of the event and the setup.
"It's nice to see the venue transformed into party central for the night, and it's amazing to see all the people out enjoying the arts. I think the way they've transformed the studios—I'm used to seeing them during the day [when they're filled] with students—is an amazing use of space. The mixture of people enjoying each of the spaces is unbelievable as well."
—William Milne, director of finance and administration, National Ballet School of Canada
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Luminato Toronto Festival of Arts + Creativity, Giorgio Armani |
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| 11.04.08 3:58 PM |
Fashion Cares Impresses Guests With Runway Show, Entertainment Lineup
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 | Dame Shirley Bassey
Photo: George Pimentel |
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The AIDS Committee of Toronto adopted a Halloween-meets-Alfred Hitchcock theme for the 22nd annual Fashion Cares fund-raiser Saturday, which returned to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre after a one-year stint at the Distillery District. Organizers moved the event date from the spring to the fall for the first time and asked Phillip Ing to return as creative director in an effort to re-establish the event's fashion cred. Saturday's benefit featured looks from 40 designers and performances by Katy Perry and Dame Shirley Bassey. We asked some of the 2,000 attendees whether organizers succeeded in meeting their goals.
“I have performed in this event many times. I was really thrilled because they brought back Phillip Ing and the original creators and it really had a sense of what it started out to be, which is an evening about raising funds for AIDS and AIDS awareness. It wasn’t just about the party. It wasn't just about fashion ... I think it really came back to its original roots ... The theme was great. It was perfect for Halloween. The event was never held at this time before, and I think it gave everyone a chance to participate by wearing costumes and being a part of the show. I just loved Shirley Bassey. Some of the young guys would go, ‘Who the hell is that?’ But you’ve gotta give props to a diva. It was amazing. I could have listened to her all night. So it combined everything. It combined art, style, fashion, and raising a lot of money, and that’s what we’re here for, so it was great.”
—Rex Harrington, artist-in-residence, National Ballet of Canada
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AIDS Committee of Toronto |
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| 10.22.08 1:42 PM |
Fashion Week Tent Poll: What Do You Think of the New Studio Runway?
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 | The tents at L'Oréal Fashion Week
Photo: BizBash |
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The Fashion Design Council of Canada added a second runway room, called the Studio, to the L'Oréal Fashion Week tents at Nathan Phillips Square this season. The space—which seats close to 200—is intended to serve as an intimate setting for up-and-coming designers. We asked attendees for their impressions of the new space and its setup.
"I love it, it's great. I think it makes for a really nice, intimate show for a smaller designer. I wish it was something they had during the first few times I was showing because it's sort of the perfect scale for that. It's a little tight to get in and out of, but that's just a logistical thing and you have the same problem here [in the main tent]."
—Philip Sparks, Canadian fashion designer
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L'Oréal Fashion Week, Fashion Design Council of Canada |
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| 08.05.08 2:43 PM |
Sponsors and "Free Sh*t" Abound at Metromix.com's Lollapalooza Music Lounge
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 | Metromix.com's Music Lounge
Photo: Red Eye Productions |
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FROM CHICAGO
From August 1 through August 3, otherwise known as Lollapalooza weekend, Chicago's Hard Rock Hotel became "the Music Lounge Presented by Metromix.com," a crowd-and-heat respite for artists, media, industry folks, and V.I.P. ticket holders. Open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, the lounge was produced by BMF Media and located across the street from Grant Park.
Daytime activities, which took place on two levels, included everything from Guitar Hero to complimentary tattoos and gifting suites. At the temporary Eastsport Café, sponsored by the bag manufacturer, guests took advantage of free China Grill-catered lunches, Bustelo coffee drinks, and Ciroc-spiked cocktails with thematic names like the Diddy. Rock the Vote Nights, also presented by Metromix.com, overtook the Music Lounge from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. each evening, featuring performances from the likes of Samantha Ronson.
With the Ciroc cocktails flowing and the music pumping, guests seemed to be in high spirits; some even offered hugs in lieu of comments. Those who did speak up, however, had plenty to say about swag, sponsorship, and the lounge's "vibe."
"This whole experience makes me feel like a kid in a sweets shop. I'm just taking in everything with a little look here, a little taste there. My favorite part of the gifting suite? I'd say the bling [Skullcandy gave out necklaces with silver or gold skull-shaped charms.] That's what we all need: bling, bling, bling."
—Satin Singh, percussionist for Mark Ronson
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Bustelo, Ciroc, Eastsport, Metromix.com, Rock the Vote |
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| 06.16.08 1:53 PM |
MMVA Partygoers Appreciate Ample Bars, Celebrity Attendance
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While thousands of people took to the rainy streets outside to watch MMVA performances from the likes of Rihanna and New Kids on the Block, the second floor of the MuchMusic building gave celebrities, media, and other guests a drier setting for viewing the show (albeit from TV screens or a small balcony). Food stations, open bars, and the eTalk lounge—where visiting celebrities and award winners were interviewed by hosts Tanya Kim and Ben Mulroney—kept the party going both before and after the two-hour broadcast. Here's what attendees had to say:
"The JabbaWockeeZ performance was awesome! I like the way they have the roof covered downstairs for all the people down there watching. It's really smart."
—Joel Urnom, business development, Virgin Mobile Canada
"I'm having such a wonderful time. It's my first MMVAs, the crowd is wonderful, and the energy is amazing. They really take care of everybody at the party. The food is great, free drinks—how could you go wrong?"
—Mario, real estate agent
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MuchMusic Video Awards |
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| 03.21.08 4:08 PM |
Fashion Week Tent Poll: What Do You Think of the Shows?
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With 35 shows being held over four days, there's been plenty to see on the runway at L’Oréal Fashion Week. This season's shows have included a mix of newcomers, including Project Runway Canada winner Evan Biddell and established designers Andy Thé-Anh, David Dixon, and Pink Tartan. We asked members of the crowd for their impressions of the fall 2008 presentations.
"I think Toronto Fashion Week is growing up. And being condensed to four days really made a difference because it was hot and heavy every day, so I think it's been great. I think there's been some terrible [shows] like there is in every fashion week all around the world. I mean, Jeanne [Beker] and I were talking about this before: When we go to New York we see the seven or eight major shows, but there's two shows running parallel to each other so there's more bad than there are good. Toronto is no different. There are a lot of people trying very hard who just are not there yet. But there's some outstanding collections. Greta Constantine, world class. They will end up being the next DSquared. They are outstanding. Spectacular."
—Michael King, C.E.O. and co-founder of Kontent Publishing
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Fashion Week, Kontent Publishing, Flare Magazine, Fashion Magazine, Evan Biddell, Andy Thé-Anh, David Dixon, Pink Tartan, Greta Constantine, DSquared, Comrags, Project Runway Canada |
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| 03.19.08 2:12 PM |
Fashion Week Tent Poll: What Do You Think of the Location?
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 | The tents in Nathan Phillips Square
Photo: BizBash |
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L’Oréal Fashion Week made its debut in Nathan Phillips Square last October, but visitors attending this week's fall 2008 shows still appear to be excited about the centralized location. For most shows so far (especially the evening collections), the lineups span the entire front room, and things get cozy in the three separate queuing areas. We asked members of the crowd for their overall impression of the tent setup and the atmosphere inside.
“I think it’s a total boost for both Fashion Week and the city at large. Just seeing the image of the tents against the backdrop of these iconic towers really drives home the message that Fashion Week has been adopted by Toronto and Toronto has adopted Fashion Week.”
—Shinan Govani, society columnist for The National Post
“I love it. I think it really gives it that New York sort of feel and it just looks so professional.”
—Wayne Clark, Canadian fashion designer
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RELATED TOPICS
Fashion Week |
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| 03.05.08 2:22 PM |
Hollywood Entertainers Impress Guests at Clinton Gala
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Hollywood celebrities don't usually hit town until the Toronto International Film Festival rolls around each September. But a black-tie benefit for the Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative attracted a crowd of A-list celebrities and musicians to a gala dinner at the Harbour Castle Westin on Saturday. Canadian mining financier Frank Giustra hosted the event, timed to coincide with the annual convention of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada, which kicked off Monday at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
The dinner attracted a crowd of more than 1,200 guests and raised funds to alleviate poverty in developing countries affected by the mining industry. Tables for the event sold for as much as $300,000, with a further $16 million being donated at the gala, according to a report in The Toronto Star. The eco-friendly event—which was powered by Bullfrog Power using wind power and low-impact hydroelectricity—featured an organic menu of Canadian produce including Arctic char, Lac Brome duck, and organic beef tenderloin.
The evening—hosted by Canadian comic Eugene Levy—included a star-studded lineup featuring Elton John, who sang "Rocket Man" and "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me." Wyclef Jean performed "Wyclef for President" and Shakira sang "Hips Don't Lie." Burton Cummings, Norah Jones, and Robin Williams also entertained the audience while Tom Cruise and John Travolta encouraged guests to donate to the cause.
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RELATED TOPICS
William J. Clinton Foundation, Frank Giustra, Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative, Elton John, Shakira, Robin Williams, Burton Cummings, Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Norah Jones, Eugene Levy |
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