The 43rd annual Costume Institute Gala was held last night in New York City. The annual Fixture at the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art pairs Fashion and Starpower together in a dazzling Red Carpet Affair with a hand-picked A-List of Invitees approved none other than by Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour – the most respected and at once feared Woman in the Fashion industry. Earlier in the day, American First Lady Michelle Obama honoured her in a Ceremony at the Venue.
Bringing the focus on influencial Fashion Designer Charles James, Men for the first time ever played a more pronounced role at the Gala. Hugh Jackman, Neil Patrick Harris, Jim Parsons, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Bradley Cooper – the latter serving as Chair this year, were among the many Hunks gracing the Red Carpet which shut down a portion of Fifth Avenue. A mandate was set by Wintour encouraging Coat Tails and white Bow Ties, most adhering as would best be advisable at the profile-boosting Extravaganza of the highest form.
As always, the Ladies are front and center. Sporting and among the Red Carpet Favourites last included Supermodel Cara Delevingne in a Pantsuit by Stella McCartney, Karolina Kurkova in Marchesa, Lupita Nyong’o in a sparkly green piece by Prada and Blake Lively in Gucci.
The Party didn’t end right there though as the stars came out in full force at the Afterparties around town. It is said Beyoncé and Jay-Z got swarmed by Fans, travelling separately from one Party possibly for their own safety. Sean Penn and Charlize Theron were seen happily out and about as were another new Couple in Michael Sheen and Sarah Silverman. We wonder if there were any moments of awkwardness as Toronto’s own Rachel McAdams also attended; she previously was involved with Sheen. All eyes however were on Lively and Ryan Reynolds as loud cheers were hears upon their cozy displays of affection.
Several were disappointed about Jennifer Lawrence‘s deeply-felt absence despite being scheduled to be dressed in Dior and without Madonna this year, there seemed to be that little bit less enthusiasm in the air.
Some got a bit tipsy as we witnessed Academy Award Nominee Ejiofor getting a bit of help back to his Hotel, as was 20-year-old French Acting Sensation Adèle Exarchopoulos. And was that Tomato Sauce we saw on Lily Allen‘s cheek as she made her way back to her Hotel with a big box of Pizza in-tow?
Personally, we are still giddy about meeting Australian Beauties Naomi Watts and breakout Star Margot Robbie! And did we mention that we got an ultra-rare opportunity to meet the biggest Celebrity in New York right now, Pasty Chef Dominique Ansel? The soon-to-be Author and Beard Honour-receiving Cronut Inventor has the Culinary World and New York City at the palm of his hand. It was also sublime getting to meet Celebrity Photographer of the highest calibre, Mario Testino!
Just some of the Snaps below of whom I got to meet:
Thanks again, New York City for the fun times!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Some exciting news at last for Toronto, which currently is going through a virtual Production Drought without a major Feature to film in the City this Winter. The closest brush we’ve had these past couple months t a major Feature Production is Atom Egoyan‘s Queen of the Night, although a vast majority of filming for that Ryan Reynolds-starring Thriller is taking place in Sudbury.
Locals in the 705 have marvelled at the sight of him, talented Wife Blake Lively and her cute Yorkshire Terrier Penny, including the Staff at this Sudbury Animal Clinic, who where stunned to see Lively and lucky enough to get this amazing Group Photo with her! Sudbury Native Larissa Kozoriz admits to me that she’s still ecstatic about the experience saying, “I’m pretty starstruck… but she is a very very nice woman.. Beautiful.. Pictures do not do her justice! Memorable moment!”. Production continues until mid-March with hopefully some Toronto sightings to happen soon. eOne Films will release Queen of the Night in Canada in 2014.
Universal Pictures’ The Best Man 2 might be pencilled-in for a November 2013 release date, but it so slated to film in the City between April and May. The Sequel to the 1999 Dramedy which grossed $35 million worldwide, stars a brilliant Cast including Terrence Howard, Nia Long, Regina Hall, Morris Chestnut, Taye Diggs and Sanaa Lathan. Malcolm Lee returns once again as Writer/Director.
Also announced recently was 3-D Action Adventure, Pompeii, from Paul W.S. Anderson, known best for his work helming installments of the Resident Evil Franchise, set to film to Toronto from late April through early July. Starring Game of Thrones‘ Kit Harington, production is slated to film at Cinespace Film Studios. Additional Casting details to follow, but surely we’ll be seeing lovely and sweet Mrs. Anderson herself, Milla Jovovich in-town?
Although announced incorrectly via the Ontario Media Development Corporation‘s Website that Anderson would also be directing Sci-Fi Flick Debug, it is confirmed that Actor David Hewlett is directing the Film. Production is taking place currently at Pinewood Studios, up till early March. The official Synopsis describes it as being about “six young Computer Hackers, sent to work on a derelict Space Freighter, are forced to match wits with a vengeful Artificial Intelligence that would kill to be Human”.
Secret Ballot Director Babak Payami will begin production on his Drama Manhattan Undying, which centers around a female Vampire who hires an Artist to paint a portrait of her so that she can see herself for the first time. Brothers & Sisters Star Luke Grimes plays Lead in the Film, which will see its production based out of Hamilton up till late March. This has TIFF 2013/2014 written allover it.
ABC recently green-lit a new TV Pilot titled Lucky 7 which is based on a BBC Series The Syndicate, about seven Service Station Workers from Queens who win the Lottery. So far, Isaiah Whitlock Jr. is confirmed among the Cast and it will film between March through May in the City.
Even though his critically-panned Thriller A Dark Truth starring Eva Longoria, Forest Whitaker and Andy Garcia filmed partly in Sudbury and Toronto last year, Director Damian Lee will be returning to both locales late March through mid-April with another Thriller in A Fighting Man. Casting details to follow.
Last but not least, there may have been some doubts that CTV Medical Drama Series Saving Hope would be returning for a second season after mixed response south of the Border where it aired on NBC, but alas it is ready to begin production again mid-March through late September out in Mississauga. Stars Daniel Gillies, Michael Shanks and Erica Durance are expected to return.
(Photo credit: Larissa Kozoriz)
Although there’s been much talk about it, finally we got a confirmation of filming dates. Chloe Director Atom Egoyan will be filming his new Thriller Queen of the Night – not to be confused as a Whitney Houston Biopic (I wish!!) – here in Toronto. Filming dates have been scheduled and the month-plus-long shoot will take place throughout the City between February 4 through March 18, 2013.
The Film centers around a Man in pursuit of his kidnapped Daughter. Starring a Canadian Duo of Ryan Reynolds and Scott Speedman, Toronto’s Egoyan truly is a Man of his word, talking the talk in keeping it Canadian. Does this perhaps mean we’ll be seeing Blake Lively spend Valentine’s Day here in Toronto next year? We’ll soon see won’t we?…
eOne Films will be distributing Queen of the Night in Canada.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
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