The stage at Holt Renfrew
Photo: BizBash
More than 250 guests made the trip from the tents in Nathan Phillips Square to Holt Renfrew's flagship store on Bloor Street on Monday for a media cocktail reception to launch L’Oréal Fashion Week. The party, which event sponsor Holt Renfrew hosts every season, followed five afternoon shows, including collections from Project Runway Canada winner Evan Biddell and up-and-coming Canadian designer Mellinda-Mae Harlingten.
Holt director of special events Gwen Gibson created the feel of a cocktail lounge in Holt's handbag hall on the main floor. "We try to convert as much as we can [in the store]," she said. "We lower the lights and put out votives." Gibson also had a backdrop—printed by Astral Media, featuring two official Fashion Week posters and its tagline "Wear in the World"—constructed for the stage. Debra Goldblatt and her team at Rock-it Promotions created the guest list and handled all of the press for the event.Servers offered Wild Horse Canyon wines to guests, and Corbin Tomaszeski, executive chef at Holt's Cafe, prepared the hors d'oeuvres, including sweet potato cakes with crème fraîche and chives, duck confit with apple and pear chutney, and Gruyère and sage dumplings.
The first day of Fashion Week also included a party—hosted by event sponsor the Liberty Group—featuring DJ Samantha Ronson at C Lounge. That event followed the Joe Fresh Style after-party, held in the tents at the conclusion of Joe Mimran's opening-night show.
Holt director of special events Gwen Gibson created the feel of a cocktail lounge in Holt's handbag hall on the main floor. "We try to convert as much as we can [in the store]," she said. "We lower the lights and put out votives." Gibson also had a backdrop—printed by Astral Media, featuring two official Fashion Week posters and its tagline "Wear in the World"—constructed for the stage. Debra Goldblatt and her team at Rock-it Promotions created the guest list and handled all of the press for the event.Servers offered Wild Horse Canyon wines to guests, and Corbin Tomaszeski, executive chef at Holt's Cafe, prepared the hors d'oeuvres, including sweet potato cakes with crème fraîche and chives, duck confit with apple and pear chutney, and Gruyère and sage dumplings.
The first day of Fashion Week also included a party—hosted by event sponsor the Liberty Group—featuring DJ Samantha Ronson at C Lounge. That event followed the Joe Fresh Style after-party, held in the tents at the conclusion of Joe Mimran's opening-night show.
