With the 35th Annual Toronto International Film Festival upon us, there are a few things you can count on: stars, long lines and swag. Every year, VIP swag lounges are set up across Toronto so celebrities can take their pick of free designer merchandise.
PostCity.com has the inside scoop on what each lounge has to offer in terms of product placements and celebrity sightings.
CBC’s Made in Canada Lounge
Celebrity Forecast: Ryan Reynolds, Wayne Gretzky, Olivia Newton-John, Will Ferrell
Info: Back for its second year, the ‘Made in Canada’ Lounge features exclusively Canadian brands.
"It’s hard to say what will be the hottest item since we have so many great Canadian brands… like Roots, to new items like 7 Virtues perfume," says CBC publicist Lexi Pathak.
"The Canada Goose jackets are always a hit, and I love the Red Canoe CBC/Radio Canada messenger bags."
Location: CBC Building, September 9-17
NKPR’s The IT Lounge
Celebrity Forecast: Edward Norton, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis
Info: NKPR’s IT Lounge is a celebrity-gifting suite where film industry insiders are invited to experience the latest designer products. The IT Lounge is also sponsoring Artists For Peace and Justice (APJ), a charity focused on relief efforts in Haiti.
"I think that our brands that are giving back to APJ will have a lot of buzz," says Natasha Koifman, president of NKPR.
Featured brands include Goody Products, Sharpie and Baker Street Bakery.
Location: NKPR offices @ 312 Adelaide Street West, September 9-15
First Weekend Club’s Canadian Film Lounge
Celebrity Forecast: Lisa Ray, Amanda Crew, Lauren Lee Smith, Jacob Tierney, Kristin Booth
Info: Inside the Canadian Film Lounge, the Honey Mustard Closet will feature handpicked fashion, jewelry, and accessories by talented Canadian designers.
"I suspect one of the most in demand items will be Claudia Alan’s sunglasses," says lounge producer Katherine Brodsky. "[The sunglasses] are made in Vancouver and have native art etchings on the side, designed by the same artist who did the Olympic 2010 medals! Everyone loves these."
Location: Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Sept. 10-11