Leave it to NKPR and Natasha Koifman to have one of the coolest gift lounges for the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival. This year the IT Lounge, themed “The Era of Cool,” is offering Celebrities & VIPs a special selection of goods and services ranging from Rudsak leather goods to Uber car service.
Rather than simply basking in the cache of celebrity hobnobbing, each year NKPR gives back by raising funds and awareness for different causes. This year’s recipients are Paul Haggis’ Artist for Peace & Justice, an organization that “supports communities in Haiti through programs in education, healthcare, and dignity through the arts” and Best Buddies, a charity dedicated to “providing meaningful friendships to people with intellectual disabilities.” Each celebrity visit to the lounge will raise funds for the charities. As well, two key events, the 2014 Festival Gala (September 7) & the Best Buddies Gala (September 10), which will honour Goldie Hawn who will receive the International Humanitarian Leadership Award, will also benefit the causes.
This year our walk through the Lounge introduced us to a really yummy pasta dish of Orecchiette and sausage with rapini from Barilla and equally yummy cocktails from Tequila Tromba and Bottlegreen. We cooled off with ice tea from David’s Tea (our favourite flavour for the festival is Movie Night – of course – made with real popcorn) and Yogen Fruz who was introducing their new flavour Pink Velvet.
Next it was off the beauty lounge where the Tweezerman cleaned up our straggly eyebrows and gifted us with a personalized engraved tweezer. At Goody we got the perfect spin, using their exclusive Spin Pin, and a 360 view of the finished product with a glam cam.
At Rudsak we previewed a new leather collection and were delighted with the fun selections from Yo socks – sushi anyone? Christian Rex’s onyx, pewter and crystal jewelry will provide all the necessary rock ‘n’ roll bling stars will need throughout the festival.
Other notables at the lounge include:
Dr. Ashlin Alexander, who is on hand to consult with attendees about non-surgical cosmetic enhancements.
Eat Nakd bars, the perfect whole food when you need a light snack.
Saje uses 100% natural essential oils to connect users to the healing power of plants. It will help lounge guests relax, recharge and rejuvenate.
One of our favourites parts of the IT Lounge this year is the Portrait Studio headed by Caitlin Cronenberg in partnership with W Magazine. Perfect décor (thanks to Caspar Haydar Designs), perfect lighting and perfect equipment (thanks Photostar) all made a perfect photo. Well a least after four takes.
Thanks NKPR! It was a fun day.