FASHION Magazine

The biggest night of TIFF partying began with a small, graceful affair. Bryce Dallas Howard, the actress-come-producer of Restless, hosted a Harbord Room soiree in proper—very proper—Kate Spade style. Majorly pregnant, she floated cloud-like in a custom light blue chambray dress, while guests slurped oysters and pink champagne. She wasn’t the only star redhead, either: Jessica Chastain was there in a bronze Derek Lam dress. And I had the pleasure of talking about Raymond Carver and LA with Restless screenwriter Jason Lew while my Globe Style girls Maggie Wrobel and Tiyana Grulovic ate more beignets. At the end, we left with clever spade logo’d matchbooks and Kate Spade patent-croc satchels—literally, a swag bag.

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Overheard while watching Jon Hamm walk the red carpet for Friends With Kids: (Girl) “He’s the most beautiful man in the world!” (Boy) “He looks like he just woke up.” Oh dear, when will they learn that green is not their finest shade?

The post Overheard at TIFF: Jealousy runs rampant as Jon Hamm walks the red carpet appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

In what must be the most meta event of the festival (and, yes, we are aware that TIFF’s only just begun), Adrian Grenier braved the paparazzi last night as he hit Toronto with his documentary, Teenage Paparazzo. Part of the lofty-sounding “Teenage Paparazzo Experience’s North American Tour,” Grenier hosted a screening of the film and Q&A session before emerging with his entourage (sorry!) at King West hotspot Brant House for a bash befitting Vince Chase. Clad in a nubby gray wool cardi against the chill and a pair of slate-blue jeans (plus what we assumed were a pair of leather kicks from event sponsor Converse, natch), his movie-star-level hair was as perfect as it appears on HBO. Coifed, slightly poofed—we notice these things. “The paparazzi’s out tonight!” he crowed, as the flashbulbs lit up those famous baby blues. “Didn’t you get it right the first time?” Grenier joked when one shooter missed his shot. Don’t blame it on our timid photogs, however—as comedian-of-the-moment Russell Peters joked on the red carpet, “These are Canadian paparazzi—they don’t count.” (Their more aggressive American counterparts run targets down in their cars, he says.) It was all apropos for a doc that details Grenier’s relationship with a pint-sized pap he met in L.A., as well as the greater implications of fame and our celeb-hungry culture.

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?)

Word: Mangénue

Meaning: A male ingénue; an “it boy.”

Usage: “In a town filled with dewy mangénues like Zac Efron and Robert Pattinson, is there any actor who producers can turn to for the Steve McQueen biopic?” — Defamer

It’s on! Starting today, we’ll be sharing our favourite TIFF red carpet looks and teaching you how to get ‘em for less (and by less, we mean that you don’t have to walk to the store to get them, so you’re not spending on gas). First up: we’re channeling Mia Wasikowska.  At last night’s Restless premiere, the actress was wearing a lady-like, double-tie houndstooth dress, showing off her sleek figure and natural, effortless beauty. She wore the dress, a slightly sheer number (dare we guess Yves Saint Laurent?) hitting just above the knee, showing off her simple Loubs. We love the simple yet modern look, and the confident pop of colour on the lip fits right in.

So, shall we begin? Shop our guide in the name of Wasikowska! »

Word: Swag

Meaning: Swag has two main contemporary definitions: 1) Valuable stuff you got for free, or stole; and 2) appearance and self-presentation, usually in a rap subculture we could call “swagster rap.”

Usage: “Flow colder than February with extraordinary swag.” ― T.I., “Swagger Like Us.”

It’s that time again. Toronto has rolled out the red carpet for an army of A-listers, all flocking to TIFF looking their most flashbulb-friendly. Sure, everybody has a “good side” in photographs, but no one works their angles (or, wrecks their angles, depending on who you ask) quite like a VIP.

Couture-clad celebutantes poised in the same goofy positions, doing the same silly faces, and looking all-around stupid for the paparazzi’s pleasure. So, which repellent poses take the cake? We’re all familiar with the traditional hand-on-hip and shoulder-peek-over, but FASHION has assembled a list of the top five posing offenses, and their frequent perpetrators, with tips on how to avoid making the same photo faux pas yourself.

View our posing tips! »

We’ve given you the etiquette guide on how to snag the best seats in town, whether it be the steam room at Stillwater or beside Ryan Gosling (swoon!) at a Queen West watering hole, but now it’s time for us to show you how to really get his attention: by looking good, ladies. Taking our cue from some of TIFF’s most beautiful women, here are the four ways we’d most like to wow the industry (and boyishly good-looking) crowd.

Shop the guide now! »

The TIFF countdown is officially in full swing! With less than a week remaining until the city’s red carpets roll out, we’ve selected our top five essential luxury treatments for pre-TIFF beauty prep: not just for the stars but for those who are lucky to share their airspace.

Face: The Organic Oxygen Infusion Facial at the Windsor Arms Hotel
The vitamins, minerals, and amino acids used in The Organic Oxygen Infusion Facial at the Windsor Arms Hotel were cultivated in the Alps (we’re guessing the fancy Swiss, French, or Italian ones) to be certified organic and chemical free. Back in Toronto, the pasteurized nutrients are blended with an icy blast of medical-grade oxygen and massaged into your skin using a special O2 Oxygen Machine. The gratification of plumped up fine lines and glowing skin is instant and should last about a week.
($195, 416-934-6031 to book)

Just how far do immaculate manners go in lifting the velvet rope of the seemingly impermeable world that is the Toronto International Film Fest? You may be surprised. The best service-based spots in the city fill up fast, so you might find yourself jostling for a hair appointment alongside Keira Knightley or gunning to get into a bar in which Brad and Angelina are holding court.

The official TIFF guest list has been released and, as usual, it’s major! Amongst the cast of glittering names, heralded directors and studly leading men (would you like a side of Ryan Gosling/Alexander Skarsgard/Brad Pitt with that?), there promises to be some serious It girl action on the red carpet with everyone from Tilda to Keira to Blake to Carey heading to town. Stay tuned for our coverage leading up to and during the festival, but in the meantime, let’s indulge in a little girl crush freak-out. Who are you most excited to see?

Vote after the jump! »