FASHION Magazine

See The Devil’s Knot red carpet photos »

Perennial red-carpet queen Reese Witherspoon let her hair down last night, as the actress chose a more quirky get-up than usual for the TIFF 2013 premiere of Devil’s Knot. The black and white botanical-print dress from Jason Wu’s Resort 2014 collection was a welcome change from her typically solid, structured red carpet looks. Complete with crisscross detailing, a plunging neckline, and accessorizing with fun green Jimmy Choo heels and Tiffany & Co. jewels, Witherspoon’s well-put together look had us so enraptured we (almost) forgot about her less than stellar headlines earlier this year.

See all the photos from the TIFF 2013 amfAR gala »

“I have Spanx on top of pantyhose and I’m about to have a hose stroke,” Beth Ditto winced as she took the stage at the TIFF 2013 amfAR gala on Sunday night.

Still the Gossip singer and M.A.C Cosmetics collaborator blew the roof off The Carlu, first with her own set, then in a duet of Dolly Parton’s “Here You Come Again” with emcee Alan Cumming.

Adrien Brody, Maria Bello and Paul Haggis were among those in the crowd which was also treated to a showing of menswear by Marc Jacobs and a rousing auction. Okay, so it may not have been quite as exciting as the amfAR benefit in Cannes in May, when Brody took the Cartier watch off his wrist and auctioned it off for $100,000. Still, two Toronto ladies pushed the bidding up to $22,000 for a night of New York bar-hopping with Cumming.

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.

See the Rush red carpet photos »

Are we seeing triple or was that the entire Hemsworth family on the Rush red carpet last night at TIFF? Star Chris Hemsworth was joined by his actor brothers Luke Hemsworth and Miley’s on-again-off-again fiancé Liam Hemsworth (whose scruffy beard has us thoroughly divided). While Chris wore a three-piece Gucci checked suit and deep burgundy tie, his brothers took care not to show him up in simpler grey looks. Also present, was the Rush star’s wife Elsa Pataky who was looking super haute in a white embellished Elie Saab Fall 2013 gown.

See the Gravity red carpet photos »

Get ready, because we’re going to be seeing a lot of Sandra Bullock this award season. Last night’s TIFF premiere of Gravity continued to feed the Oscar buzz that started in Venice—and Bullock looked positively award-winning on the red carpet. Wearing a sleek, strapless Narciso Rodriguez dress from the Fall 2013 collection, the actress took her time on the red carpet, stopping to sign autographs for excited fans with the animated grace and warmth she’s so well known for. Bullock’s teal, black and white dress was perfectly complemented with a pair of gold-capped Christian Louboutin shoes and minimalist jewellery—diamond studs and a single skinny bracelet, both by Martin Katz. Deep teal eyeliner and shadow continued the colour theme into Bullock’s makeup while a neutral lip and rosy cheeks kept the look refreshing and has us seriously is awe that she’s 49 years old.

George Clooney—Bullock’s Gravity co-star and red carpet pal—was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict but there were two guests of honour on the TIFF red carpet that pretty much made up for his absence: ACTUAL ASTRONAUTS. Chris Hadfield and Roberta Bondar both walked the red carpet and stayed for the screening. Considering that those of us who have never even been to space break out in shivers when watching the trailer for Gravity, well, we just can’t imagine how an astronaut would deal. Space! Hadfield reviewed the film this morning via Twitter, and if a lauded space commander saying he’d fly with Sandra Bullock isn’t Oscar nomination fodder, we don’t know what is.

See the Grey Goose Soho House party photos »

The shadowy main floor of Soho House had sunlight streaming in on Saturday afternoon for an earlier-than-usual start time to the day’s TIFF 2013 Grey Goose festivities. For the television obsessed, the You Are Here party was about as good as it gets: the film is Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner’s big screen debut and the stacked cast includes SNL alum Amy Poehler. In keeping with the girl power vibe we’ve come to know and love Poehler for, she spent most of the party seated in conversation with a large group of women—only when she got up to go to the bathroom did outsiders dare approach to sing her praises. (Two partygoers may or not have applied an excessive amount of lipstick in said bathroom in hopes of a at-the-sink meet cute to no success.)

Weiner, meanwhile, worked the room like a pro. His mingling was so on point—making sure to catch up with every VIP in the room—that I half expected him to come over and say hello. A girl can dream!

Also representing TV land was Lauren Lapkus—who’s part of the cast of Orange Is the New Black, dressed in an on-theme floral dress. But it was Laura Ramsey, flanked by her dapper designer boyfriend Greg Chait (of Elder Statesman), who won outfit of the night. Her all-black ensemble by Jenni Kayne consisted of perfectly tailored trousers and a top with sheer cap sleeves that were connected to a cape—very Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford at the Oscars. Basically: add “capes” to your fall shopping list now.

And in keeping its reputation alive as the place to be during TIFF, talent streamed in the doors of Soho House all night long despite no other official film parties being on the agenda. Sandra Bullock, fresh from the Venice Film Festival, made it her first destination after arriving in Toronto ahead of today’s Gravity premiere. Also in attendance were Dakota Fanning, Rachel McAdams, Jason Reitman and Susan Saradon. And Chris Hemsworth may have the best younger brother ever: Liam was spotted at Soho House last night which has us predicting that he’ll join Chris on the Rush red carpet tonight—just like he did last week in London.

See The Double after-party images »

In celeb land, sometimes the moment’s there and sometimes it ain’t. And it was most certainly the latter for our friend Kevin Naulls of Toronto Life, who received quite The Social Network-worthy brush off from a one Jesse Eisenberg at last night’s after-party for The Double, a film which he co-stars in with girlfriend Mia Wasikowska. The actor was deep in conversation and was fairly perturbed at the intrusion. He managed pleasantries, albeit curt ones. Guess everyone isn’t a Gay Witch fan?

See the pictures from the Dallas Buyers Club dinner and after party »

While King Street West is getting a ton of TIFF action this year, Dundas West is becoming a notable neighbourhood thanks to Hudson Kitchen. The newly-opened space made headlines on Friday when it was revealed that Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender and the rest of the 12 Years A Slave cast sat down for a post-screening dinner there. Last night the restaurant’s private dining room saw even more A-list action when Jennifer Garner, Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto attended a pre-screening dinner for Dallas Buyers Club. (Needless to say, a reservation at Hudson Kitchen will be in high demand once TIFF ends.)

McConaughey’s impressive-scary weight loss for his leading role in Dallas Buyers Club was still visible last night, but it was certainly more of a healthy-skinny than “omg this is alarming.” After dinner at Hudson Kitchen and walking the red carpet for the film’s TIFF premiere, McConaughey, Garner and Leto arrived at Cibo Wine Bar for the official after party, presented by Audi. Unlike some of the cozier TIFF parties I’ve been to, the Dallas Buyers Club party was a massive affair—in a massive venue—and the talent was hidden away from the eager eyes of attendees. However, despite not catching a glimpse of Jennifer Garner’s pretty lace Dolce & Gabbana dress IRL, partygoers enjoyed Italian snacks and glasses of wine late into the night.

See the Can A Song Save Your Life party pictures »

Hudson’s Bay went all out once again for the first of two annual TIFF bashes, this year in conjunction with Can A Song Save Your Life, the star-studded flick lead by Keira Knightley and singer-turned-actor Adam Levine. Splashing its signature stripes all over King Street West resto Patria, the retailer’s stylish presence was felt from Knightley’s The Room-worthy Mary Katrantzou dress to the Bay blanket pillows that dressed bottle service banquettes. As with most every post-film party, the A-list holds court in a corner on the patio, with all eyes on them all night. Lucky for us, that corner just so happened to be where we settled with our Grey Goose Le Fizz cocktails in hand.

See the Dallas Buyer’s Club red carpet images »

The A-listers were abounding at the Dallas Buyer’s Club premiere at TIFF 2013—you know, the one that famously required co-stars Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto to lose a combined 68 pounds. It seems these guys haven’t fully bounced back from their weight loss as they were looking verrrry tiny on the red carpet.

Leto was channeling Tom-Cruise-circa-Interview with the Vampire in an all black suit, combat boots, and blood red pocket square that set off his flawless pale skin, piercing baby blues, and ombred locks. We should probably mention that he’s 41.  He looks 25. Get us whatever facial cream he’s using. Stat.

Thankfully, McConaughey ditched the blood-hungry look in favour of a classic black suit, skinny tie, and crisp white shirt. We can’t help wondering if this was the influence of his model wife Camila Alves McConaughey who chose an elbow-length black shirt with tapered black pants.

See the Words and Pictures party images »

The first thing I saw when my cab pulled up to Blowfish Restaurant on King Street West for the Words and Pictures TIFF pre-party was Juliette Binoche, a vision in noir charming the cameras outside. With a chic, cropped hair cut and immaculate, glowing skin, she looked every bit the movie star, even if the September air was a tad balmy for her stunning full-length fur coat—the French actress later revealed that it was vintage Lanvin, her sheer, black gown Chanel.

Arriving before Binoche, who had just flown in from Germany, was her co-star Clive Owen, sporting a perfectly-fitted suit and what can only be described as the most attractive moustache ever. The rakish Brit nibbled on sushi and sipped Moët & Chandon on a banquet at the back of the restaurant but when Binoche made her entrance, he rose to greet her with a warm hug and peck on the cheek. The two showed they are clearly more than just co-stars, sitting next to each other and catching up with director Fred Schepisi. While both actors spent the evening chatting and posing for photos with their admirers, their co-star David Negahban of Homeland fame also had a large following of impassioned fans.

See all the pictures from the Variety Studio at Holt Renfrew »

Critics were rendered speechless at Friday night’s premiere of 12 Years a Slave—and at the Variety Studio yesterday at Holt Renfrew, the same thing happened to us when Michael Fassbender, one of the film’s stars, entered the room along with director Steve McQueen and a few members of the cast. Wearing a black shawl collar sweater and dark jeans, Fassy (as we’re in the habit of calling him) sent our fangirl hearts racing in delight as we shrieked inside, trying to process that we were breathing in the same air as him. Also, dude has like the tiniest waist ever.

While waiting to be interviewed, we watched as Fassbender made a beeline for a tray of strawberries. Despite making a sour facial reaction, he gave the berry a thumbs up. No, like literally a thumbs up. Annnnd we’re officially jealous of fruit. Then he tilted back a glass of Moët, chatting with co-star Alfre Woodard and laughing at something she said before posing for a photo with her. Meanwhile the film’s lead, Chiwetel Ejiofor, sidled up to the British Airways bar and had a cup of something hot—hopefully having to say thank you to everyone complimenting his much-buzzed-about performance hasn’t made him lose his voice.