For design-conscious retailers Casalife (which specializes in chic condo furniture) and Boutique le Trou (which sells only Canadian couture) life's a party—a house party, that is. Recognizing a shared passion for avant-garde design, the west-end stores joined forces to create Shape of Space, their inaugural furniture exhibition and fashion show at Casalife.Rob Whitfield, owner of Casalife, worked with publicist Kim Graham of Kim Graham & Associates to develop a house-party event theme. "Nothing brings people together like a house party," Whitfield said. "Casalife specializes in condo furniture, so we thought it appropriate to throw an urban house party." From the foot-square invitations made of shag rug to the Astroturf lawn from Turn Designs, there was no shortage of home-decor design elements. Casalife's living room, bedroom, and kitchen furnishings were also showcased through a series of vignettes. Models wearing Boutique le Trou fashions strolled about like they lived there, creating an authentic party atmosphere. Later, on a white shag-carpet runway, the same models put on a fashion show in their bare feet-as if they were at home.
Oro Cafe catered the event with help from Via Oliveto Restaurant. They served a selection of informal, house-party-style appetizers, including bruschetta on brioche, bread sticks wrapped in prosciutto, porketta sandwiches on buns, and risotto. To reinforce the house-party theme, Whitfield parked a mini mobile home outside the store.
Oro Cafe catered the event with help from Via Oliveto Restaurant. They served a selection of informal, house-party-style appetizers, including bruschetta on brioche, bread sticks wrapped in prosciutto, porketta sandwiches on buns, and risotto. To reinforce the house-party theme, Whitfield parked a mini mobile home outside the store.