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You Are Invited: Art Toronto 2019


Yesterday marked my first ever visit to Art Toronto – Canada’s international contemporary and modern art fair that was founded in 2000. I am in the process of redecorating my living room and thought this would be a great place to check out some art and get inspired. And it really (REALLY) was. There were so many participating galleries and artists from all over the world, I was determined to visit every single booth. It took a while, but I think we managed to check out everything that was on display. And while I walked away empty-handed (the Picasso print I had my eye on was just a tad LOT out of my price range), a lot of amazing pieces I saw (and loved) were fairly affordable.

If you are looking to add a piece of beautiful art to your collection, this fair is not to be missed! And with tickets starting at $17, Art Toronto might just be the perfect way to spend your weekend.

WHAT: Art Toronto
WHERE: Metro Toronto Convention Centre
WHEN: Oct 25-27
TICKETS: https://purchase.growtix.com/eh/Art_Toronto_2019



Image #3 – Pamila Matharu

TIFF 2019: Nespresso Coffee With Creators With Dakota Johnson and Jason Segel


A very intimate affair, the Nespresso Coffee With Creators chat was one of my personal highlights of the festival. The event started bright and early on a Saturday morning, but thankfully, Nespresso took great care of us, with plenty of delicious java on offer. Jason Segel, who was the first cast member to arrive, made a beeline for the coffee area, introduced himself to the Nespresso baristas, and requested a “medium coffee with a splash of cream”. As a fan of Segel’s work ever since Freaks and Geeks, I was delighted to see how friendly and personable the actor was with everyone he interacted with, introducing himself with a smile, appearing relaxed and in good spirits.

The morning’s conversation was held in support of the world premiere of Gabriela Cowperthwaite-directed film The Friend, starring Dakota Johnson and Jason Segel, based on a true story about a husband dealing with his wife’s terminal cancer, and the couple’s best friend who moves into the family’s home to help out. The director and the stars were joined by Matthew Teague, the real-life husband whose story the film was based on, screenwriter Brad Ingelsby, and producer Michael Pruss. From the challenges of playing a “real” person, to the fun ways the stars got to shake off the difficult subject matter after a day of shooting, the conversation proved to be both insightful and entertaining, making the time fly by. And while I didn’t catch the film during the festival, it’s definitely on my list now.

It’s always a pleasure and a privilege, to watch the cast and crew share intimate insights about their work, and this year Nespresso (the official coffee sponsor of TIFF) and the Coffee With Creators panel series focused on supporting local, up-and-coming filmmakers, as well as established talent like Dakota Johnson and Jason Segel. If you’re curious, you can watch the chat on Deadline’s website, and if you’d like to read the heartbreaking 2015 Esquire article the film was based on, you can read it here.

More photos after the jump!
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What They Wore: Holt Renfrew Knot on My Planet


Approximately 20,000 elephants are killed every year for their ivory. Scientists and conservationists warn that at this rate, both African and Asian elephants will be extinct in the wild within our lifetime, which is a horrifying thought. What makes this worse is that ivory trade is not banned in Canada! Since 2018, Holt Renfrew raised more than $250,000 in support of #knotonmyplanet to benefit the Elephant Crisis Fund, a joint initiative of Save the Elephants and the Wildlife Conservation Network with the goal of ending the ivory crisis and secure a future for elephants. Last night, supermodel and Global Ambassador of #knotonmyplanet Doutzen Kroes along with Alexandra Weston, Divisional Vice President, Brand and Creative Strategy, Holt Renfrew hosted a cocktail party to celebrate the national charity shopping weekend – Sep 7 and 8, with the aim of raising another $200,000 for the Elephant Crisis Fund.

“We hope, through our retail platform and as a leader in the industry, to use our voice to further amplify the incredibly important conversation around saving the elephants and wildlife conservation as a whole,” said Alexandra Weston. “This is an incredibly rewarding partnership that everyone can be a part of and is creating positive impact in the world.”

If you love elephants and want to do something about this crisis, there are a few things you can do to help. You can shop the adorable limited edition #knotonmyplanet collection, including Kotn tees, sweatshirts, socks, and more ($20-$125) at Holt Renfrew stores and online, with 100% of the profits going to the Elephant Crisis Fund. You can snap photos of the elephant-inspired artwork at the Bloor St store and spread awareness to your friends and family. And you can sign this #IvoryFreeCanada petition to stop the ivory trade in Canada, because killing majestic creatures for the sake of a silly trinket is both cruel and pointless.





More photos after the jump!
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What They Wore: Power Ball 2019

power-ball-toronto-2019
When it comes to The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery’s Power Ball, you go big or go home. And this year, with new presenting sponsor Holt Renfrew, guests of this notorious art bash brought their outfit A-game. I spotted lingerie as clothes, a frock fit for Marie Antoinette, sheer dresses, lots of neon, extravagant headdresses, and lots more. Partygoers had fun with their clothes at 21 Club, and it showed.

Beyond fashion-watching, Power Ball: 21 Club was full of immersive artist projects, vibrant performances, and delicious food and cocktails. Toronto-based artist Bruno Billio presented an enlarged version of his Tron209 room, “a work that engages with bygone visions of the future by manipulating everyday objects and spaces with tape and black light”. Outside, guests took selfies with Max Streicher’s large-scale inflatable sculptures, Sleeping Giants, sipped bubbly from the FIOL Prosecco bar, and indulged in delicious sandwiches from Arthur’s and desserts from Ricarda’s. And just in case that wasn’t enough, there were also 2000 Krispy Kreme donuts to indulge in, if you were still hungry.

The party also showcased the talents of Toronto’s diverse LGBTQ community curated by Tobaron Waxman of the Intergenerational LGBT Artist Residency, with stage performances by Carlotta Carlisle, Tynomi Banks, Flarington King, Gay Jesus, and Dainty Smith and Imogen Quest of Les Femmes Fatales Burlesque.

We came, we danced, we sipped bubbly, watched great performances, indulged in yummy bites, and interacted with fun art…and it was all just as promised – Toronto’s most thrilling art fundraiser. If you missed Power Ball: 21 Club, there’s always next year, but for now, check out the rest of the photos from this year’s party below.







More photos after the jump!
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You Are Invited: Power Ball 21 Club


If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you already know that I absolutely love Power Ball. It truly is one of the most fun Toronto fundraisers, complete with intriguing art installations, incredible food, live music, and the best outfits. And I think this year is going to be one for the books! For one, the artist line up is stacked, with artist projects by Sarah Keenlyside (at the pre-party) Bruno Billio, Chelsea Culprit, and Max Streicher (at the main event). Part of the fun of Power Ball is exploring the various installations and interacting with art, and this year’s selection of artists looks to be particularly interesting. Another reason I’m extra excited for Power Ball: 21 Club is this year’s main sponsor Holt Renfrew, which can only mean even better fashion and people-watching.

One thing I’m still unsure about this year is my outfit. With less than 2 weeks to go, I don’t have too much time to decide. This year’s theme is 21 Club, a one-night-only speakeasy, and I’m thinking slinky cami dresses, loads of pearls and fringe, or a sleek double-breasted suit with equally sleek hair. The great thing about Power Ball is that it’s completely acceptable to dress over-the-top and almost costumey, so keep that in mind when figuring out your own look. This is not the party where a boring cocktail dress will suffice. Bigger is better!

Tickets are still available, so get yours before they sell out so you can experience the one-night only art installations at the most exciting party of the year! Hope to see you there!

WHEN: June 6, 2019
WHERE: The Power Plant
231 Queens Quay West
7pm-9pm – Pre-party
9pm-Late – Main party

CHANEL Haute Couture Spring 2019 Collection


The beauty of couture is that you can’t really appreciate it from images alone. It may seem ludicrous to spend an eye-watering amount of money on a gown sprinkled with some sequins, but in reality, these clothes are art – each piece exquisitely made, with every sequin applied by hand, one-of-a-kind. So while going through the photos of the CHANEL Spring 2019 Haute Couture collection, I took my time taking in each image, zooming in to check out the surprises that reveal themselves, like the delicate floral applique made out of feathers, or the dried flowers dipped in resin, or a gown that may appear white on first look, but is actually made entirely out of sequins. Breathtaking!

And while, of course, the mere mortals won’t be running off to boutiques, hoping to score one of these looks, I always hope to see the more creative gowns on a major red carpet, like the Academy Awards. Just imagine Lady Gaga in the look below, or Rachel Weisz in literally anything from this collection?! I know that these two don’t work with CHANEL, but one can dream.

Besides the intricate details, I loved the makeup look created for this runway show. Lower lash line winged eyeliner (instead of the usual top) seems to be fairly easy to replicate, and will surely spice up your usual eye makeup routine, without it being deemed too crazy. CHANEL’s global creative makeup and color designer Lucia Pica used the CHANEL Stylo Ombre et Contour pencil in Bleu Nuit to create the smoky effect, CHANEL Rouge Allure Velvet Extreme Intense Matte Lip Colour in Épitome on the lips, with a coat of CHANEL Rouge Allure Liquid Powder in Invincible on top, in case you wanted to try this at home.

What did you think of CHANEL Spring 2019 Haute Couture collection? Share in the comments.







More photos after the jump!
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You Are Invited: TIFF 2018 Events


TIFF 2018 is mere days away, and I don’t know about you, but I’ve been looking forward to it for weeks now, picking out films I’m going to watch, and figuring out the celebs I’ll be hoping to spot around town. And in case you’re just as excited as me, below are a few fun events you can attend during the festival, in addition to watching all of the films.

Share Her Journey Rally
Stand up for change with TIFF on the morning of Saturday, September 8 for the Share Her Journey Rally. All who want to see and be part of real change in the film industry are invited to join the action down on John Street at the Slaight Music Stage at 10am. With the support of partners ReFrame, TIME’S UP, and #AfterMeToo, we will hear from thought leaders and inspirational guests including:
– Dr. Stacy L. Smith, Founder and Director of the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, the leading global think tank studying issues of inequality in entertainment;
– Amanda Brugel, actor;
– Keri Putnam, Executive Director of Sundance Institute;
– Mia Kirshner, actor, and co-founder of #AfterMeToo;
– Amma Asante, filmmaker ( Belle, United Kingdom, and Where Hands Touch)
– Cathy Schulman, President, Welle Entertainment;
– Nandita Das, filmmaker ( Firaaq, Manto) and actor;
– Zavia Forrest, TIFF Next Wave Committee member

RSVP at shareherjourney.org/rally to join the event.

TTC Free Screening
TIFF has once again partnered with the TTC to help film fans get access to great movies for FREE. Street teams are set to distribute free Festival and TIFF Bell Lightbox tickets, culminating in a special TTC Free Screening at Roy Thomson Hall on September 9. This Festival event is open to all TTC riders — just bring your Metropass or PRESTO card for entry!*

More after the jump!
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You Are Invited: TIFF Summer 2018


If you don’t have any travel plans this summer or just want to escape the heat for a couple of hours, TIFF summer programming’s got you covered. I’ve been going to the movies so much lately, but there are so many great films to see, I just can’t help myself. There are films for fashion lovers, like the upcoming Vivienne Westwood documentary Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist (Jun 29 – Jul 5), and movies that will whisk you away to Italy or Japan thanks to programs like Summer in Japan (Jul 5 – Sep 1), Modernist Master: Michelangelo Antonioni (Jun 6 – Jul 21), and Maestro! The Films of Luchino Visconti (Jul 26 – Aug 19). I am especially looking forward to the Italian line-up, having grown up watching a lot of these films as a kid, and now fully obsessed with all of the timeless costumes. I am also super excited about the new 4K digital restoration of the Luis Buñuel’s classic Belle de Jour (opens on July 27th), with stylish costumes designed by none other than Yves Saint Laurent.

If you love film, fashion, and travel, you should definitely pay a visit (or several) to TIFF Bell Lightbox this summer. Don’t miss this rare chance to see some of these magnificent films on the big screen, you won’t regret it.


Westwood: Punk, Icon, Activist
https://www.tiff.net/films/westwood-punk-icon-activist/


Belle de Jour
https://www.tiff.net/films/belle-de-jour/


L’Avventura
https://www.tiff.net/films/lavventura/


Blow-up
https://www.tiff.net/films/blow-up/
Photo Credits: TIFF

You Are Invited: Power Ball XX – Carousal


Now that we’ve covered the amazingness that was the Met Gala, let’s talk about a party we can all attend without needing to shell out $30,000 per ticket (!!!), one of Toronto’s most fun/fab/artsy fundraisers – Power Ball! Power Ball, presented by Max Mara is truly a not-to-be-missed fundraiser, with interactive art, an abundance of delicious food, and some great outfit-watching. Over the years I’ve seen some outrageously well-dressed attendees at Power Ball, with the best-dressed usually embracing the year’s theme with enthusiasm and creativity. Here’s hoping this year is no exception.

Carousal
noun. 1. a noisy or drunken feast or social gathering; revelry.
The theme of Power Ball XX is Carousal, which I find to be pretty open to interpretation. The official description and the poster seem to lean into the direction of Carnival/Circus, with the image showing a mermaid, belly dancers, magicians, and acrobats, but there’s always the “arousal” part of “carousal” if you wanted to take that direction instead. Here’s the official description:

“Come celebrate Power Ball’s twenty-year standing as the art world’s unofficial adult funland Thursday, 31 May 2018 and join us under the big top of The Power Plant for a carnivalesque mashup of art, edibles, waggishness and tomfoolery.
Revel in Power Ball’s decades’ old tradition of naughtiness, titillating discoveries and mischievous provocation as the gallery is transformed into a transitory space of circusry fit for the party’s big, bacchanalian birthday bash—all in support of the ambitious exhibitions and programming at The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery.”

I still haven’t made up my mind on what exactly I’m going to wear…perhaps some Circus-inspired black and white stripes, or a nude slip dress with a ton of jewellery, or maybe something red and overtly sexy. There’s still time to decide, so I am not in panic mode just yet. I also put together a few of my fave dresses (after the jump) that could fit this year’s theme, in case you too need a bit of inspo. And in case you were curious, here’s what I wore last year to Power Ball XIX – Stereo Vision, and a couple more outfits I wore in the years before that.


Have you ever attended Power Ball? What are you going to wear? Share in the comments and see you at The Power Plant!

WHEN: May 31, 2018, 9pm-late
WHERE: The Power Plant, 231 Queens Quay West, Toronto
TICKETS: $175 (Power Ball Party), $500 (Power Ball Pre-Party and Party)
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Do Not Miss – Sofia Coppola: A Name of Her Own


I’ve been meaning to post about TIFF’s latest program Sofia Coppola: A Name of Her Own for a while now, but December and the holidays got in the way. Thankfully, it’s not too late for you to catch 3 more Coppola films at the TIFF Bell Lightbox this weekend. Say what you will about Coppola, but the woman has a very specific vision for her films, and just like Wes Anderson’s pastel-coloured dreamland movies, Coppola’s films transport you to a highly-stylized version of the world as she imagines it. 

And while my favourite movie she’s directed so far is Lost in Translation, I adore Marie Antoinette for its decadent costumes, stunning scenery, and the unexpected New Wave soundtrack – this movie is just so much fun to watch. And if you’re a fashion lover, you must watch this movie on the big screen – after all, costume designer Milena Canonero won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for creating the exquisite costumes for this film.

You can see the schedule and buy tickets for the remaining films from the Sofia Coppola: A Name of Her Own here. Share your fave Coppola movie in the comments!



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