Events, Fashion
Published on September 9, 2008

Tastemakers Lounge at TIFF

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I got a media invite to see the Tastemakers Lounge at the Toronto International Film Festival.
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Toronto, ON — Back for its fourth year, the Tastemakers Lounge will once again take up residence at the InterContinental Toronto Yorkville Hotel during the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Housed in the Portman Room on the second floor of the hotel (220 Bloor Street West), the theme of this season’s lounge is Ohhh Canada! – an homage to all the accomplishments achieved thus far by Canadians in film.

Twenty companies have been selected for the opportunity to introduce talent and other ‘tastemakers’ to their products. As in previous years, the mandate is to feature a unique group of products and services, including Canadian companies and brands that visiting talent may not be familiar with.

“The Tastemakers Lounge will highlight the latest trends in innovative interior design. We have selected exciting and creative work that will be inspirational to the sophisticated celebrity set,” said Jason MacIsaac, owner and founder of Ministry of the Interior.

The lounge design will feature one-of-a-kind elements such as custom-made Mountie stools by Samare; a Wrongwoods credenza and seating by Klauser & Carpenter from Established & Sons; two solid walnut Mushroom tables from Autoban; a sculptural stereo system from Geneva; an “I Was Here” bench by Jason Miller made from graffiti-proof recycled, plastic wood; a temporary wall showcasing Timorous Beasties’ damask wallpaper and flooring by the Shaw Contract Group.

Highlights include renowned hair stylist Jami Symons in the lounge for AG Hair Cosmetics to provide red carpet looks all week by appointment, while Strellson and Joe Fresh will outfit men and women head to toe with fashion-forward apparel and accessories. Guests will tote their swag home in a PUMA original bag.

Participants in the lounge include (asterisk denotes Canadian company):
** AG Hair Cosmetics (www.aghaircosmetics.com)
Burt’s Bees
** Carry Clean
** Cromwell & Cruthers (www.cromwell-cruthers.ca)
Eska Water (www.thesourcematters.com)
**Hbc (www.Hbc.com)
Ike & Sam’s (www.ikeandsams.com)
**Joe Fresh Style (www.joe.ca)
J.R. Watkins Apothecary (www.jrwatkins.com)
** JUZD (www.juzd.com)
** KISS MY FACE (www.kissmyface.com)
LypSyl (www.lypsylhome.com)
PUMA (www.puma.com)
** RAINCRY (www.raincry.com)
** Ruby Gloom (Nelvana Enterprises)(www.rubygloomtv.com)
SABON www.sabon.ca)
** Salt Spring Coffee (www.saltspringcoffee.com)
Strellson (www.strellson.com)
Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland (www.teuschertoronto.com)
Trollbeads (www.trollbeads.ca)

Official Lounge Sponsor:
** Ministry of the Interior (www.ministryoftheinterior.net)

Furnishing Sponsors:
Autoban built by De La Espada (www.autoban-delaespada.com)
Established & Sons (www.establishedandsons.com)
Geneva Lab (www.genevalab.com)
Jason Miller (www.millerstudio.us)
** Samare (www.samare.ca)
Shaw Contract Group (www.shawcontractgroup.com)
Timorous Beasties (www.timorousbeasties.com)

About Tastemakers: Tastemakers launched in 2005 as the first full-service, Canadian-owned and operated product placement company specializing in gifting lounges and ‘swag bags.’ The first Tastemakers Lounge premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Since then, Tastemakers has had a major presence at the Genie and Gemini Awards plus broadcast network, sports and corporate fundraising events. Tastemakers has garnered press in publications such as US Magazine, The Globe and Mail, National Post, Toronto Star and many more.