Holt Renfrew Dazzles Toronto with Vanity Fair Gala

TORONTO (djc) – As if the whirlwind of Hollywood-style glitz and glamour surrounding the Toronto International Film Festival wasn’t enough — the recent spectacular Flick gala, courtesy of Holt Renfrew, Vanity Fair magazine and Bombay Sapphire, may have just about been the party of the year. But if you missed it, don’t feel left out; without an explicit invitation, you probably would’ve had to resort to acts of extreme moral and legal degeneracy to secure a way in.

Guests, gazing up hopefully at the VIP area

Held at Holt Renfrew’s modish flagship store in Toronto’s Yorkdale shopping district, the requisite red carpet graciously absorbed the stiletto heels of celebs like Hilary Duff, Sex and the City’s Kim Catrall, Chloe Sevigny and billion-heiress Alannah Weston. Several male stars showed up as well, such as Benicio Del Toro, Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter and Mike Bullard. But their presence was slightly overshadowed, by a phalanx of oiled-up male models wearing what this fashion-comatose writer can only describe as “hot pants.”

Superstar photographer Ron Galella chases actress/model Chloe Sevigny down the red carpet.

Much like a modern shopping mall, there were several floors to poke around in, with an ascending level of exclusivity. Access to the topmost echelon, where many of the celebrities could be found, required a magnetically fastened, flashing doohickey not unlike a car alarm — naturally, Digital Journal was given one. However, each story contained something uniquely fabulous and at every corner you were enticed by designer sushi, cool tunes, schmoozing opportunities and enough dry martinis to give Digital Journal a well-deserved hangover.

But it was worth it.

Comedian Mike Bullard amuses Toronto fashion queen Jeanne Beker.

The event was as brilliantly organized and beautifully decorated as you would expect from a maison de couture like Holt Renfrew. Art galleries and installations were abound, including exhibits from renowned photographers like Gary Lee Boas, Ron Galella and Rankin, the single-named shutterbug known for his portraits of single-named celebs.

Other guests included famous clothing designers, models and cosmeticians. Attendees were also treated to impromptu fashion expos and trunk shows by hip new lines like Pink Tartan and Loyandford, plus a special gallery of sketches by Manolo Blahnik, shoemaker to the stars.

Christopher Hart, general manager of the Four Seasons Toronto (left), enjoying the party with refreshments provided by their establishment.

Because Flick’s underlying theme was Hollywood meets the fashion industry, a Jumbotron suspended over Bloor St. played short films from BMW’s production house, as well as realtime interviews conducted by the host, Toronto fashion diva Jeanne Beker.

Rounding out the dazzling night’s events were booths from sponsors like Burberry, Fujifilm and American Express, a silent auction for designer eveningwear and accessories, even a draw for tickets to the 2004 Golden Globes in Los Angeles.

Sex and the City’s Kim Cattrall faced a fury of admirers at the spectacular Flick gala, courtesy of Holt Renfrew.

Perhaps the greatest thing about Flick is what it represents: Along with Film Festival, which has already proved an enormous success, high-profile events like these may finally indicate the end of Toronto’s recent tourism woes. It’s unfortunate that we had to wait until the end of summer. But then, autumn has always the best season for fashion — or so I hear.