The FLARE Report |
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Monday, September 24, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007 Last night, I caught the hilarious opening night show of The Drowsy Chaperone, held at Toronto’s Elgin Theatre. While I’m not a fan of musicals (all that singing and dancing makes me crazy), this show was a goofy laugh-fest that even my date enjoyed. So what’s this got to do with fashion? Under the leadership of Dancap Productions (a new theatre company pledged to bring the best of Broadway and London’s West End to Toronto), the ushers and attendants were all sporting brand new uniforms designed by Pink Tartan’s Kimberley Newport Mimran. I loved the old-style antique gold buttons and cording and velvet trims on the updated navy blazers and vests. The best piece? A chic shift dress. Toronto International Film Festival Blog Sunday, September 9, 2007 ![]()
If you think The Toronto International Film Festival is only about hot flicks with a heaping side order of starlets, think again. ONEXONE, one of Canada’s hippest new fundraising organizations, turned Sunday into a red hot charity focus. Founded by Joey Adler (you can thank her for the super hot Diesel on your backside) with honorary founders Edward and Suzanne Rogers three years ago, ONEXONE has turned into THE event of TIFF. In only three years, the foundation has raised close to five million dollars to improve the health of children worldwide. This year, the day started early—11 am IS early when one has been screening films and partying hard all week—with an exclusive luncheon for Richard Gere. Accompanied by the stunning Indian actress Shilpa Shetty (she’s been in more than 50 Bollywood blockbusters), Gere came to town to call awareness to his Heroes Project, a charity that raises awareness of HIV/AIDS. Shetty was a pioneer in joining Gere in the battle to reduce the stigma of the disease in her home country. Next I raced back home for a glamorama hair and makeup session with Flare’s top stylist, Tony Masciangelo. To match my cobalt blue Joeffer Caoc dress, he added hair extensions and tons of black eyeliner to channel Madonna in her Confessions of a Dance Floor mood. With barely enough time for a snack, Elio and I were off to ONEXONE in its brand new home—the dazzling Four Seasons Centre. I’m on the board of this fabulous fundraiser—Suzanne Rogers and I were responsible for the dinner this year—which sold-out the moment tickets became available. For the second year running, the night was hosted by Academy Award winner, Matt Damon. The night was a blur of laughs, music and generous charity. Here, the highlights: The best part was the feeling that every single person there could make a difference. For more info, log on to www.onexone.org Saturday, September 8, 2007 Yorkville is a mess of cars, limos, barriers and fans. Just walking down the street, I’ve spotted hip Canadian twins, Dean and Dan Caten of the uber-cool Dsquared line, and Tara Spencer-Nairn of Corner Gas. I love how the Festival energizes Toronto. My first stop this morning (after a much-needed sleep-in) is the George Christy reception at the Four Seasons Hotel. Christy is the legendary columnist for the Hollywood Reporter and an invite to his exclusive fete is like finding the Golden Ticket in a Wonka bar. Inside, there’s former Bond Girl and Fugitive Pieces star Rosamond Pike, Geoffrey Rush with a bandaged head (he walked into a tree!), director Ivan Reitman, Woody Harrelson, Maggie Grace from Lost (she’s here to promote her flick The Jane Austen Book Club), TIFF founder Dusty Kohl, Caroline Mulroney (a Mum of four kiddies under the age of 3!) and her brother Nicholas, and George Christy himself. Charlize Theron and boyfriend Stuart Townsend slipped up the escalator without stopping in. The reception is always my favourite place to catch up with film-mad friends, including fashion philanthropist Mary Symonds, Canada’s cutest fashion couple Joe and Kim Mimran, Chanel’s Anny Kazanjian, writer Jacqueline Hennessey, entrepreneur Barry Avrich, and town chroniclers Amy Verner, Shinan Govani and Amoryn Engel. After stopping by some of the Festival suites, including the Tastemakers Lounge and another run by Nicholas Mellamphy, I’m going to take a quick nap to gear up for Matt Damon’s reception for Running the Sahara, and then the birthday party for my friend, Pink Tartan designer Kim Mimran. |
Beauty