FASHION Magazine

See the TIFF 2014 party pics » The cobblestones winding down to the Artists for Peace and Justice gala in Casa Loma’s garden Sunday night might as well have been an Extreme TV elimination challenge. Guests gingerly descended the hill hoping not to turn an ankle or snap a heel, and at least one socialite […]

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See the Artists for Peace and Justice lunch images »

How far will Maria Bello go to raise money to build schools in Haiti? We found out on Sunday afternoon when she threw herself into Michael Budman’s pool on a $20,000 dare. The Roots co-founder had offered the donation to Artists for Peace and Justice for anyone who went for a spontaneous swim. And Bello was game, even though her red Marc Jacobs pantsuit was most likely dry clean only.

The bash took place in Budman’s park-like backyard, which has a full-size hockey rink in one corner, and space for a stage in the other. In between, Colin Firth, Olivia Wilde, Jason Sudeikis and Adrien Brody were among the 200 curled on Roots hockey blankets or lounging on white sofas to hear performances by Daniel Lanois, Michael Bolton and Rufus Wainwright.

Since Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be gracing our fair city this Friday at the Rogers Centre, the release of Sony Music’s video honouring The Boss’s bare-bones style could not come at a better time. Featuring the likes of George Stroumboulopoulos and FASHION contributor Sarah Nicole Prickett and created by Laura Lanktree, the video has some of Canada’s best and brightest sharing the ways in which Springsteen has either influenced themselves or impacted bad boy fashion.

Nothing says Calgary like its signature Smithbilt white hat, so in a fitting tribute to the city’s 100^th Stampede, Calgary native Paul Hardy has been commissioned with creating a commemorative topper. The $900 hat, which is entirely made of soft white rabbit fur and adorned with a hand-woven Italian leather belt, will be presented to 40 famous Canadians, including Steve Nash, Rick Mercer, George Stroumboulopoulos and Karen Kain.

Here’s a little history lesson for those of you not familiar with Calgary’s long history of white hats: after the first-ever Calgary white hat was created in 1946 by Smithbilt Hats’ artisan Morris Shumiatcher, a Calgary mayor began presenting the hats to notables who came to the city, beginning a now 60-year-long tradition of “white hatting.” Essentially, it’s Calgary’s equivalent to presenting keys of the city.

Getting in and around Friday night’s George Stroumboulopoulos Hazelton Hotel Takeover was not an easy feat, to say the least. That, however, didn’t make it any less fun. Rolling up to the hotel in my for-one-night-only Cadillac Escalade—complete with suited-up driver and white TIFF logos emblazoned on the side—throngs of onlookers peered through the windows to see who we were and gave us panic attacks in the meantime. We were not Keira, as it turned out. Later, inside, friend, office mate and Toronto Life associate online editor Kevin Naulls has the misfortune of falling with a wine glass. We won’t share the bloody details. The patio was much easier to navigate, and we spotted the Strombo himself greeting Gerard Butler, Paul Giamatti, and a one Jon Hamm looking hotter than ever, if that’s even possible.

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Thought the thrill of being on George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight was… being on George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight? Well, when you’re an A-list celeb who’s flown north for TIFF, we guess there’s got to be more to sweeten the deal. Introducing the “Made in Canada” lounge, a post-show mini-shop (sans price tags, of course) hosting the most deliciously curated selection of made-in-Canada goodies. Everything from the custom Gregory Allen bow ties (he gets his shirts custom made!) to the Sweets from the Earth goodies (he just went vegan!) has a personal Strombo touch. The Ninutik maple sugar? It’s made next door to the host’s house! Apparently the aroma wafts through the heating vents in the winter… But lets not get carried away. (George? Me? A fur rug on the floor? Not kosher?)

One of our favourite spots for celeb-spotting at this year’s TIFF was the Roosevelt Room. For the fest, the Adelaide St. club, Rock-it Promotions and Arts & Crafts Records put on a three-night music festival showcasing some of Canada’s happening-est artists. The point was to invite visiting VIPs of the TV and movie biz to […]

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