~~~ Stars and media alike are welcomed to kick off TIFF at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto at this non-traditional gifting suite ~~~
Toronto International Film Festival is here again, as
well as many other fashion events on the social scene in Toronto.
Just like in the old days, Torontonians are experiencing 11 days of
TIFF this year – cinema, celebrities, and glamour. And parties of
course. The film festival just kicked off this past Thursday
September 5th for its 49th year and will conclude next Sunday
September 15th. Among celebrities who announced their attendance at
the Toronto International Film Festival this year are Angelina
Jolie, Cate Blanchett, Selena Gomez, Salma Hayek, Jennifer Lopez,
Daniel Craig, Tilda Swinton, Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, Hugh Grant,
Pharrell Williams, Andrea Bocelli, Elton John, Andrew Garfield,
Pamela Anderson, Will Ferrell, Nicole Kidman, and
others.
One of the most glamorous parties dedicated to TIFF this
year was the annual Bask-It-Style gift lounge hosted by Toronto
based public relations firm GLO Communications. Back for its 14th
year, Bask-It-Style hosted its annual media day on Wednesday,
September 4th, at the coveted Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Toronto’s
most distinguished landmark hotel (located at 100 Front Street West
downtown Toronto, right across the iconic CN Tower). The event was
held in the Manitoba Room at the hotel, and I had the pleasure of
attending it (I started attending this annual event in 2012). Media
were invited to preview and experience celebrity VIP treatment from
this year’s sponsors. Taking place during the Toronto International
Film Festival (TIFF), Bask-It-Style hand delivers VIP gift bags to
celebs on the go with a survival kit of goodies to enjoy while
navigating TIFF. From beauty and health to style, tech and food,
Bask-It-Style has everything for a star on a busy TIFF schedule. In
the past, celebrities gifted by Bask-It-Style lounge have included:
Rachel McAdams, Jennifer Garner, Hugh Jackman, Matt Damon, Anna
Kendrick, Naomi Watts, John Legend, Sir Elton John, Pierce Brosnan,
Blake Lively, Olivia Wilde, Lily James, Princess Charlotte of
Monaco, Elle Fanning, Helen Mirren, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman
and many more who have been treated to these exclusive gifts,
delivered through trusted hotel partners. This year’s event
promised to be an unforgettable celebration of style and luxury,
offering media a unique glimpse into the world of pampering.
This is not the first time the Bask-It-Style annual event has
been held at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto, it was also
hosted at Fairmont in 2014, 2022 and 2023. Other fashionable venues
for Bask-In-Style in the previous years have been Shangri-La Hotel
and Thompson Hotel, but also Pinnacle Centre condos, all located in
the very heart of the city of Toronto.
“Bask-It-Style has always been about delivering a touch
of style to celebrities to enjoy on-the-go. As we celebrate our
14th year, we’re thrilled to continue this tradition, offering not
just exceptional products, but an experience that reflects the
energy and excitement of TIFF”, says Jessica Glover, Principal of
GLO Communications, a Public Relations company based in
Toronto.
On Wednesday, September 4th, from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
accredited media experienced an unparalleled star treatment at the
iconic Fairmont Royal York in Toronto (by appointment only). Since
its 2019 renovation, Fairmont Royal York has unveiled new dining
experiences, including Library Bar, Clockwork Champagne and
Cocktails, and Reign Restaurant, Bar, and Bakery. Fairmont Gold
features an exclusive private lounge that offers a uniquely
personalized retreat. Renowned for hosting legends like Ella
Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington during its celebrated supper club
era, and featured in popular films such as Aaron Sorkin’s
Molly’s Game, Fairmont Royal York’s storied past and
cinematic prominence make it an essential Toronto experience and
the perfect venue for Bask-It-Style. The event was held in the
Manitoba Room, which highlights the hotel’s modernized meeting and
event spaces and showcases original murals that celebrate the
Canadian landscape and the rich heritage of Fairmont Royal
York.
This year, celebrities will receive a variety of
sense-provoking goodies in bags designed by the Canadian brand Bag
& Bougie.
Bag & Bougie: Celebrity bag sponsor, Terry Totes (retail
value $110);
Blistape: Blistape Bronzite, Blistape Pearl and Blistape
Sunstone (retails for $22);
Browns Shoes: Media bag sponsor;
Fairmont Royal York: Venue partner;
Free2b Foods: Dark Chocolate Sunflower Butter Sun Cups®
(retail value $3.49);
Mott’s® Clamato®: Mott’s® Clamato®, Ceasar
($3.49)
Peak Human: gift bags that include exclusive products
such as Fasting Pro, Blue Light blocking glasses, Trio Cosmetic
cream, BPC-157 capsules and Beauty IV by Drip Trip (retail value
$2050);
SharkNinja: Shark FlexStyle (retail value
$349.99);
SodaStream: Ensō sparkling water maker (retail value
$229);
Toronto Popcorn Company: Buffalo Kick and Old Fashioned
Kettle Corn (retail value $12.99);
Wilmot Orchards: Blueberry Habanero jelly (retail value
$7.50);
100% Pure: Coffee Bean Caffeine eye cream (retails for
$23.00);
Celebrity gift bag sponsor: Bag & Bougie.
This year’s celebrities will receive their goodies packed in
bags provided by Bag & Bougie, a Canadian female-owned brand
specializing in carry bags and accessories. In the spotlight are
the Terry Tote (retail value $110) which is an ultra-versatile bag
for any occasion, available in five colours (Kelly green, baby
pink, neutral, coral and navy). The bag features two internal
zippered compartments for all your essentials, high-tech fabric
which includes a nylon interior, it is water-resistant and easily
washable. The Bag & Bougie tote provides ample room for all your
essentials (dimensions: 45cm x 36cm x 14cm) and comes with a bonus
matching cosmetic pouch with detachable wristlet. This bag is the
perfect fashion accessory, and it is the essential bag for those
beach days, quick get aways, the gym, overnights and
vacations!
Push It Real Good: Fiz, mix, and enjoy SodaStream
mocktails
Enjoy sparkling beverages? The SodaStream team was
on-site at this year’s Bask-It-Style media event to discuss the
versatility of their machines and offer delicious SodaStream
mocktails for guests to enjoy. With the SodaStream art sparkling
water maker, one can easily transform beverages into works of art
with a simple push of a button, thanks to its innovative
carbonating lever and Quick Connect Cylinder technology. Once you
add one of the unique flavours, you have endless possibilities for
fun drinks for any occasion, elevating your drink-making while
supporting sustainability by reducing single-use plastic waste.
SodaStream also had the new and exclusive Ensō sparkling water
maker on display, a remarkable designer piece by the critically
acclaimed Naoto Fukasawa. This premium item will be gifted to
celebrities attending TIFF and will be available for sale later
this year. SodaStream’s latest “Push It Real Good” campaign
emphasizes how SodaStream empowers you to push for better –
enjoying convenient, customizable refreshments at home while making
an eco-friendly choice. Guests learned how to use the sparkling
water makers, had the opportunity to sample a variety of SodaStream
flavours, and took home a mixology kit to help create personalized
mocktails and cocktails, and thus becoming the star cocktail
aficionado at future events. Personal care: Pamper
yourself with the Shark FlexStyle
The Shark Beauty team were on-site offering styling tips
and tricks with the Shark FlexStyle (retail value $349.99). With
just a twist, Shark FlexStyle transforms between a powerful, fast,
hair dryer, and an ultra-versatile multi-styler. Lightweight and
powerful, it’s the ultimate answer to fast, easy styling, so that
you can get back to feeling most confident any time of the day with
no heat damage. The Shark FlexStyle is perfect for all hair types
and all skill sets, making it the secret tool to use for that
stunning hairstyle for any occasion. Media were able to take a
Shark FlexStyle home and start creating their own flawless
hairstyles!
@SharkBeautyCA Beauty area: Feel at your
best with Peak Human and Dr. Sanjeev Goel
Experience the revolutionary work of Dr. Sanjeev Goel, a
leading physician with over 25 years of expertise, widely regarded
as Canada’s top longevity doctor. At Peak Human, Dr. Goel is
transforming the landscape of wellness with cutting-edge treatments
which empower his patients to feel and look their best. Media had
the chance to learn and experience the following beauty procedures:
Emsculpt, Drip Tip, and Peak Emsella. Emsculpt is an innovative,
FDA and Health Canada-approved energy device for body contouring,
shaping, and toning. This non-invasive, non-surgical treatment uses
applicator paddles placed on the skin of the treated area. Drip
Trip is an IV treatment, formulated under sterile conditions with
precise osmolality calculations to prevent complications; it
ensures personalized, fresh IV mixtures after thorough health
history assessments, with continuous patient monitoring and access
to medical professionals for the best care possible. Peak Emsella
are non-surgical pelvic strengthening devices to help address
symptoms of urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction, or pelvic
floor weakness. The breakthrough Emsella treatment provides a
non-invasive option to treat incontinence and bladder issues by
delivering the equivalent of 11,000 kegels in 28 minutes simply by
sitting on an FDA-approved chair. Media had the opportunity to
sample all these services on-site. Also, media were gifted kits
valued at $550 which included: Fasting Pro, Nitric Oxide
foundation, Trio Cosmetic cream, Eons Deeper Sleep with Quicksome,
and Peak Human longevity test so they can get the star experience
from the comfort of their own home. Food and
treats: Creating the perfect charcuterie platter
Courtney Stevens (owner & CCO) and daughter of the
co-founders of Wilmot Orchards were on-site sharing their Blueberry
Habanero Jelly, as well as showcasing their other top-selling
jarred products and gift packages, perfect for holiday and
housewarming gifts, made from Wilmot Orchards high bush blueberries
and other locally sourced ingredients. Wilmot Orchards’ Blueberry
Habanero Jelly is the perfect sweet heat to add a little kick to
your next grazing or charcuterie board. You can also try it on
barbecued, fried chicken, or chicken wings. All Wilmot Orchards
products are vegan and gluten-free. Fashion area:
Preventing blisters, and rockin’ the heels you love on the red
carpet
New shoes hurting your feet? The Blistape team, a
Canadian women owned company, showcased three products from their
product line: Blistape Bronzite, Blistape Pearl and Blistape
Sunstone (retail value $22) available on their website and
Amazon.ca. Blistape is a blister prevention tape crafted from a
proprietary blend of spandex and nylon, infused with vitamin-e, and
is designed for everyday use. Blistape prevents your footwear or
clothing from rubbing, chafing, or irritating your skin, ensuring
both comfort and protection while letting your style shine. The
Blistape team were on-site giving tips and showcasing the product
line. Media had the opportunity to try these exceptional products
and leave with more comfort surrounding their feet.
Some other exciting items in the bag
Bask-It-Style is a survival kit for celebrities on the
go for those long press days. To keep everyone’s blood sugar up,
and avoid being hangry, the gift bag includes Dark Chocolate
Sunflower Butter Sun Cups®, by Free2Be Foods (retail value $9.99).
These treats are the perfect combination of sweet and salty, creamy
and chocolate-y. Their signature Dark Chocolates are filled with a
custom blend of creamy sunflower butter. They are peanut-free,
dairy-free, egg-free, and allergy friendly.
For talent looking for a quick ready-to-drink cocktail,
nothing’s more Canadian than a Caesar. Sip a Mott’s® Clamato®
Caesar (retails for $3.49) and bring on the flavour – with this
iconic and highly customizable cocktail. Mott’s® Clamato® is
available in seven flavours across Canada. Whether you crave the
Original, or a kick with Extra Spicy, indulge in the works with
horseradish, or looking for some pickly personality with Pickled
Bean – they’ve got you covered.
For a more savoury snack, Toronto Popcorn Company treats
us to their gourmet popcorn in the yummy flavours of Buffalo Kick
and Old Fashioned Kettle Corn (retail value $12.99).
Need we say more?
On the beauty side: 100 % Pure brand is gifting their
Coffee Bean Caffeine eye cream (retails starting at $23.00) which
dramatically reduces puffiness and dark circles with caffeine-rich
green tea and coffee extracts, revitalizing tired eyes. Infused
with nourishing rosehip oil and anti-aging vitamins, this cream
awakens the eye area for a more youthful, vibrant look.
Follow Bask-It-Style and its sponsors on
Instagram:
@JessicaGlover99
@GLO_Comm
@BrownsShoes
@BagandBougieTO
@blistape.inc
@freeb2foods
@SodaStreamCanada
@FairmontRoyalYork
@SharkBeautyCA
@PeakHumanLabs
@DrSanjeevGoel
@topopcornco
@mottsclamatocaesar
@100percentpure
@WilmotOrchards GLO
Communications
GLO Communications (based in Toronto) was founded in
2012 by Jessica Glover. It’s a passionate, driven and full-service
boutique marketing and communications agency with an expertise in
growing brands in a number of markets, including alcohol, food and
beverage, travel, fashion and lifestyle. You can trust them to do
what they do best: make you shine. BASK-IT-STYLE
SPONSORS
Browns Shoes
Browns Shoes, a family-owned business established in
Montreal in 1940, is synonymous with top international designer
collections, luxurious leather goods, and exclusive street savvy
fashion for ladies, men and children. Browns is one of the few
companies that donates 10% of its pre-tax profits to
charities.
Bag & Bougie
Bag & Bougie (B&B) is a Toronto-based and
female-owned company offering ultra-versatile lifestyle bags for
the everyday woman. Whether you are a mom on-the-go, a
nine-to-fiver, a traveler, a gym geek, or anyone in-between, these
bags will surely work as hard as you do, without compromising
aesthetic. B&B is known for their unique and diverse collection
which includes beach bags, tote bags, duffel bags, belt bags and
more! B&B was chosen as the official Gift of the Grammys in
2023 and has collaborated with many influencers like Melissa Wood
Health and Pelotons Aly Love. Shop the collection at
BagandBougie.com and follow along at @bagandbougieto. Bag & Bougie
is offering 15% off during TIFF with code TIFF15 at checkout on
their website.
Blistape
Blistape is the ideal functional accessory for
individuals who value style and comfort. Infused with vitamin E and
made from a proprietary blend of nylon and spandex, Blistape offers
discreet, second-skin protection against blisters, irritation, and
chafing. Whether you’re breaking in new boots or wearing those high
heels that rub the wrong way, or need a discreet, reliable nipple
pasty, Blistape ensures you stay effortlessly fashionable and
comfortable all day. As a proudly women, LGBTQ, and Canadian-led
company, Blistape is dedicated to empowering you to move
confidently through your day without compromise.
Fairmont Royal York Hotel
Timeless and iconic for over 90 years, Fairmont Royal
York is the essential Toronto experience. Welcoming guests to the
grand Art Deco lobby bar Clockwork Champagne & Cocktails, through
to the distinguished Reign bar and dining room, the hotel unveils
the return of the legendary Library Bar, the city’s renowned
cocktail den. Crowned with charisma, Fairmont Gold is a luxury
boutique hotel set within the upper 13th–18th floors and features
the exclusive Fairmont Gold Lounge. Refined and captivating, the
Grande Dame of Front Street takes centre stage as the city’s
destination for ethereal wedding celebrations and inspiring
conferences and events – embracing a legacy that is famous for
generations. Fairmont Gold will let you step into a new level of
luxury at Fairmont Royal York. Fairmont Gold is unlike anything
Toronto has seen before. With expansive new suites, a brilliant new
18th floor lounge, and thoughtfully designed grand spaces, this is
a rare experience of boutique luxury – an entirely new hotel, at
the heart of the city’s most essential landmark. It gleams high
above our downtown streets, with a bright metropolitan
character.
SodaStream
SodaStream, a PepsiCo subsidiary, is the world’s leading
sparkling water brand. Operating in over 47 countries across the
globe, SodaStream empowers consumers to create perfect personalized
sparkling beverage experiences with just a push of a button. By
allowing its users to make better choices for themselves and the
planet, SodaStream is revolutionizing the beverage industry and
changing the way the world drinks. To learn more about SodaStream,
please visit SodaStream.ca and follow SodaStream on Facebook,
Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Pinterest. About
SharkNinja Canada
SharkNinja is a global product design and technology
company with a diversified portfolio of 5-star products that
positively impact people’s lives in homes around the world. Powered
by two trusted, global brands, Shark and Ninja, the company has a
proven track record of bringing disruptive innovation to market,
and developing one consumer product after another has allowed
SharkNinja to enter multiple product categories, driving
significant growth and market share gains. Headquartered in
Needham, Massachusetts with more than 3,000 associates, the
company’s products are sold at over 150 retailers, online and
offline, and through distributors around the world. For more
information, please visit SharkNinja.com. Free2b
Foods
Free2b’s mission is to create a world where people with
food allergies snack with joy by making trusted, crave-worthy
products. Since the first Sunflower Butter Chocolate Sun Cup® was
handmade for a child with a peanut allergy in 2008, Free2b has
crafted treats and snacks that can be shared with confidence.
Free2b products are free from common food allergens and produced in
an allergy friendly dedicated manufacturing facility. Additionally,
Free2b Foods products are non-GMO verified, dairy free, gluten free
certified, vegan and Kosher.
About Dr. Sanjeev Goel
Dr. Sanjeev Goel is the founder of Peak Human. With over
25 years of experience as a medical doctor, he is a pioneer in
bringing access to the latest cutting-edge medical technologies to
Canada. Dr. Goel hosts the Peak Human podcast, where he discusses
biohacking and regenerative medicine with leading experts.
About Peak Human
Peak Human is a precision-based concierge longevity
group of companies dedicated to helping individuals achieve their
full potential through advanced technology and data-driven
insights. By leveraging the latest scientific research and highest
quality formulations, Peak Human creates personalized wellness
plans that empower individuals to optimize their physical and
mental performance. About Toronto Popcorn
Company
Founded in 2013, TOPopcornCo. has since
established itself as the city’s go-to gourmet popcorn company.
Toronto Popcorn Co. is a small-batch production popcorn company
that specializes in creating popcorn – from old time favourites to
very decadent ones – that makes use of only premium ingredients.
Always fresh and made with love, TOPopcornCo’s
quality-over-quantity approach has quite made a cult-following.
Starting out as a hole-in-the wall retail concept in Kensington
Market, Toronto Popcorn can now be found in retail stores all over
the city and can be enjoyed Canada-wide by ordering from its
website. Toronto Popcorn – it’s not your random
popcorn!
Wilmot Orchards
Wilmot Orchards is one of the largest pick-your-own,
high-bush blueberry farms in Ontario. Their goal is to provide the
tens of thousands of guests that visit Wilmot Orchards with an
elevated farm experience through their different patches which
consist of 11 different varieties of blueberries, the dessert café
with scratch-made blueberry desserts and made-in-house blueberry
ice cream, but also their Spring and Fall Supper Club fine-dining
experiences. This family-owned and operated farm started in 1975
and looks to continue welcoming guests to taste the difference of
blueberries fresh from the farm.
Photo Credit: Kennedy Pollard/Ryan Emberley Photography
