In an unusual twist, Flare decorated its Celebrate Canadian Style gala at Roy Thomson Hall with furnishings and accessories from IKEA. "We regard IKEA to be a very stylish brand," said Hazel Picco, marketing communications associate with the magazine. It also helped that IKEA presented the "best creative ideas" for the decor, added Picco.
Flare, which normally publishes 12 issues a year, threw the upscale shindig for 800-plus guests to recognize its first-ever 13th publication of the year. At the event, dim lighting and flickering candles contrasted with vibrant footage of fashion shows on large flat-screen monitors from Westbury National Show Systems. IKEA created three lounges: the first resembled a living room with comfy couches, colourful pillows, and low coffee tables topped by vases of flowers and votives; the second (in a lower level of the space) was a sunken lounge with low chocolate-brown ottomans and a low, long coffee table; the third featured a high, long cocktail table with fitted linens topped by vases and glassware with flowers surrounded by flickering votives.
Throughout the evening, caterwaiters from Gibson & Lyle passed trays of hors d'oeuvres, including fragrant shrimp cakes with lemon aioli, pulled turkey on miniature brioche, bala-cranberry-onion marmalade, and homemade mayonnaise.
—Robyn Small
Posted 11.30.06
