Where the boys are

When this year’s Toronto International Film Festival party invites started rolling, we knew we were in for one heck of an opening weekend. And on what could be the busiest two days in the city of Toronto’s history (think: TIFF, Virgin Fest and Canada’s Walk of Fame), this fashionable girl was more than happy to oblige, to the right party, of course.

We started Friday night by stopping by the eTalk Festival Party at 299 Queen West (also the home of MuchMusic). And while things were a bit more swish than this past summer’s MMVAs, at least in June we saw some star power. Celebs were on hand, but mostly holed up in the super exclusive V.I.P. Lounge. We mere mortals were only welcome on the third floor lounge, where thankfully most of the good stuff was taking place anyway. After Diddy performed and subsequently left after about 20 minutes, we waited around, anticipating the arrival of everyone’s favourite Sapphic duo, Samantha Ronson and Lindsay Lohan. They did not disappoint, showing up together around 10 p.m. LiLo didn’t venture too far from her gal pal’s side, and was texting away and shaking her head to the beats Ronson was spinning.

Fashion was calling, natch, and we promptly took our little self to the very V.I.P. Converse by John Varvatos and Holt Renfrew soiree, where we spotted some major star power. Mingling amongst the fashion set, including Dean and Dan Caten and a smattering of models, was Entourage’s Jeremy Piven (not very pleasant), Sophia Bush (looking hot in Hervé Léger), Gael Garcia Bernal, K-Os (who, reasons unknown to us, grabbed the Steam Whistle right out of our hot little hand and took a major swig!) and NBA MVP Steve Nash, who was being inducted to Canada’s Walk of Fame the following day (and tonight was scooping out treats for himself and his gorgeous wife at the gelato station). Also in attendance was a handsome looking George Stroumboulopoulos, Billy Talent frontman Ben Kowalewicz (who both at one point were seen chatting with Nash like obsessed sports fans) and Deryck Whibley, who came straight from Sum 41 band mate Cone’s wedding reception. After the electric performance by new indie fave MGMT (seriously, there was a bit of moshing in the lower level of Holt Renfrew. Love!), it was on to yet another party.

View a slideshow of the Holt Renfrew party.

While we had high hopes that we might catch a quick glimpse of some major A-list talent, we were more than starstruck when we walked into the Burn After Reading afterparty Spice Route on our way home. Sitting in a booth in the corner with no visible security was none other than Brad Pitt. Seriously. Chatting with Adrien Brody (hot!), co-star Tilda Swinton and Mark Ruffalo and his wife. Mr. Pitt was quite a sight to see. Hot, yes. Cool, you have no idea! Wearing the same suit he had donned at the premiere earlier in the evening at Roy Thomson Hall, Angelina’s other half was more relaxed, no longer sporting a tie or vest and with his crisp white shirt was unbuttoned just a little. At one point Brad was escorted to the loo by some pretty burly bodyguards, but while sitting in the back booth, no one bothered the star, who left with his group just before 1 a.m. And while more stars were still at the Asian-fusion restaurant, including Jeremy Piven (he was not following us, swear!), Gerard Butler, Ad Rock from the Beastie Boys, looking very skater boy, backpack and all, and teen heartthrob Zac Efron, we were spent. (Rumour has it Sandra Oh, and even one of the owners of Spice Route had a hard time getting into the über-exclusive party.)

It doesn’t get much better than laying eyes on one of the biggest stars on the planet, so we took our sore, stilettoed feet home. After a night like that, no other party in town could really measure up.

Sophia Bush at the Converse/John Varvatos party at Holt Refrew. Photography by Rani Sheen

Check out the rest of FASHION’s TIFF ’08 coverage:

The Fashionable Life: TIFF Celeb Spy
Beauty Buzz: Goody’s IT spot
Video: Inside Lobby’s Wardrobe Lounge.

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