The exclusive opening night of the Toronto International Film Festival exhibit "Grace Kelly: From Movie Star to Princess" drew 500 guests—including the prince and princess of Monaco—to the TIFF Bell Lightbox on November 2. Playing off a 1950s Hollywood theme, the TIFF team brought in props from the era and transformed the space in honour of the exclusive preview. “We wanted to give guests a sense of Hollywood royalty,” said Adrienne Giroux, senior manager of sales and event services at TIFF.
“To kind of contrast our very contemporary building, we set up these vignettes,” Giroux said. In the BlackBerry Lounge on the second floor and in the cinema lobby, they used pieces like an antique fan, old-style radio, and '50s-inspired furniture. Head shots hung on the walls like those you would see in a greenroom. Vinyl coverings were fixed to the windows in the BlackBerry Lounge, replacing the cityscape of downtown Toronto with vista views of Los Angeles.
With Kelly's son, Prince Albert II, and his wife, Princess Charlène, in attendance, security was an important aspect of the event. Citing TIFF’s 35 years of high-profile events, Giroux said, “Security comes second nature to us." With help from VP Protection Inc, road closures and barricades were placed on King Street, and the team planned the couple’s entrance minute by minute to ensure everything went smoothly.
After walking the red carpet in the atrium, guests could preview the exhibit, which brings together personal items from Kelly’s life in Hollywood and as princess of Monaco. This is the only North American stop for the exhibit, which will be on display at TIFF until January 22.
Photo: Courtesy of the Toronto International Film Festival
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene walked the red carpet in the atrium of the TIFF Bell Lightbox. Images of Grace Kelly and videos of her Oscar acceptance speeches were projected overhead.
Photo: Courtesy of the Toronto International Film Festival
Prince Albert II (Grace Kelly's son) and wife Princess Charlene addressed the press and posed for photos.
Photo: Courtesy of the Toronto International Film Festival
The elevator doors were covered with an image of Grace Kelly. Pastel rose floral arrangements from Jackie O filled the exhibit.
Photo: Courtesy of the Toronto International Film Festival
The TIFF team created vignettes to channel the 1950s. They hung Grace Kelly's head shots on the wall to mimic a greenroom and used an antique fan as a prop.
Photo: Dan Truong
In the BlackBerry Lounge, '50s-inspired chairs, throw pillows, and a radio created the vignettes. The windows were covered with vinyl images of the Los Angeles skyline.
Photo: Dan Truong
Photos of other stars from the period added to the decor.
Photo: Dan Truong
Chef Jason Bangerter of Luma created a special dessert for the event with champagne jelly, vanilla cream, gold leaf, and pearls, served in a classic champagne glass.
Photo: Dan Truong
Guests could preview the exhibit filled with Grace Kelly's personal items, from her Oscar to her famed Kelly bag.
Photo: Courtesy of the Toronto International Film Festival
A replica of Grace Kelly's wedding dress is on display in the exhibit.
Photo: Courtesy of the Toronto International Film Festival
