It’s that time of year when movie stars, paparazzi and film fans converge on Toronto for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Celebrities, red carpet premieres, parties and swag all go hand in hand, and being a VIP during the festival definitely has its perks!
Yesterday, I received a firsthand taste of the star treatment at NKPR’s fabulous IT Lounge. Natasha Koifman and her team have taken a fun and fresh approach to this year’s celebrity gifting suite by teaming up with iconic fashion and beauty photographer, Patrick Demarchelier, to debut the IT Lounge portrait studio.
Guests of the IT Lounge will get dolled up in the RW&CO. pop-up shop, get groomed at the Tweezerman grooming station and glam up with fabulous jewellery by Lia Sophia. For each portrait taken, a donation will be made to NKPR’s Kandy with a K charity that benefits a variety of important causes. The resulting portraits will then be available exclusively through an IT Lounge magazine.
1. RW&CO’s women’s looks; 2. Kandy with a K candy boutique; 3. Lia Sophia jewellery boutique; 4. Lia Sophia bracelets; 5. Our own Terry Wong getting photographed in the IT portrait lounge; 6. RW&CO. women’s accessories.
However, no celebrity gifting suite would be complete without a little R&R (refreshments and relaxation) and the IT Lounge has that covered, too. While visitors kick back in the Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Refueling Station, they have the option of sipping on signature celebrity-inspired SKYY vodka cocktails (my personal favourite was the “Good as Gosling”), cooling off with a bowl of Yogurty’s refreshing frozen yogurt, or recharging with a bottle of AquaHydrate.
For guests that are video-game fans, StiKS Gaming has a space where gamers from around the world can make a charitable bid in support of Paul Haggis’s Artist for Peace and Justice organization; and play live online, in real time, against their favourite celebrity. How’s that for money well spent?
Terry Wong is a lifestyle content producer, photographer, fashion expert, pop culture enthusiast and cool hunter. You can follow him on Twitter at @coogi2g.
