LINDA EVANGELISTA forever changed the game in Fashion throughout the late ’80s and ’90s, ascending to one of the world’s first ever Supermodels. You may have heard the phrase, “”We don’t wake up for less than $10,000 a day”, said famously by Evangelista, and the trickle effect of this is that it was instrumental in a movement to command higher pay for models.
In her illustrious career, the St. Catharines-born star has graced over 700 magazine covers, while being the muse for influencial brands like Chanel and Versace. She’s appeared in music videos for iconic George Michael and is mentioned in RuPaul‘s timeless classic “Supermodel“.
She is back in Toronto to speak in support of her new Photobook LINDA EVANGELISTA PHOTOGRAPHED BY STEVEN MEISEL, the famed Photographer known best in Pop Culture, for Madonna’s book “SEX“. Her and Meisel are known for some of Fashion’s most recognizable photographs over the years.
She signed copies of the Photobook, which is valued at $200 CAN, meeting fans at Holt Renfrew on Bloor Street last night, drawing a crowd at the table, before meeting fans inside Holt’s Cafe for the latter part of the event.
Evangelista will speak at an in-conversation with Canadian fashion icon Jeanne Beker tonight at Bluma Appel Theatre.
Some highlight from Evangelista‘s appearance at Holt Renfrew:
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Renowned as one of the world’s most powerful Sports Agents, Rich Paul is in Toronto to promote his upcoming Memoir, “LUCKY ME“. Paul has repped greats including the likes of LeBron James, Fred VanVleet, Anthony Davis, Zachary LaVine, Odell Beckham Jr. and more. He actually knows Toronto quite well having owned a property near the Harbourfront. The Memoir is being published under Jay-Z’s literary imprint ROC LIT 101. Above this, he is the partner of one of our favourites of all time, Adele.
Paul launched his Book tonight, an invite-only affair at Holt Renfrew on Bloor, presented by Uninterruped Canada. The event was moderated by Actor/Filmmaker Vinay Virmani who also is the CEO and Head of Content at Uninterrupted Canada. Paul reflected on his humble beginnings in Cleveland where he sharpened his business skills working at his family’s convenience shop, to building relationships and trust with some of the greatest athletes of our time, to eventually building his own empire with his Klutch Sports Group which represents a roster of top atheletes in the NFL and NBA.
He revealed that this secret to his success was not to celebrate his victories, stay humble and to keep moving, a recipe which has kept him going all these years, already being a multi-hyphenate mogul at age 41. He appears this weekend on 60 Minutes.
LUCKY ME arrives October 10, 2023.
See a Reel of highlights from the event:
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
International Supermodel Doutzen Kroes came to Toronto to raise awareness for an amazing cause and Fans were incredibly-lucky to get a chance to meet her today at Holt Renfrew! Having been voted Model of the Year by VOGUE Magazine, landing a record eight covers for that Fashion Bible, plus also being named Forbes Magazine’s #2-earning Model of 2014, the Dutch beauty has used her influence to lend a voice to philanthropic causes. Between all that, she found time to be a mom and appear in both Justice League and Wonder Woman too!
One cause which Kroes has been vocal about is the Elephant Crisis Fund. Her campaign #KNOTONMYPLANET looks to bring awareness to ivory poaching, raising money which goes to SAVE THE ELEPHANTS and the WILDLIFE CONSERVATION NETWORK. She partied for preservation last night at the Art Gallery of Ontario alongside husband Sunnery James Gorré and other Supermodels Winnie Harlowe, Constance Jablonski and Jordan Barrett also came out to have a bit of fun at the Save the Elephants Gala.
While scheduled for only an hour to meet Fans at Holt Renfrew in Toronto today, she accommodated everyone who came out to support her. Fans had an opportunity to buy a limited edition T-Shirt with proceeds going to her #KnotOnMyPlanet initiative. Kroes also has a Save the Wild Elephant Brooch designed in collaboration with Tiffany & Co.
Barrett also decided to come out to meet some Fans and we were lucky to nab both him and Kroes together in a Photo Op… and even wound-up on her Instagram Story! How cool!
Look below:
Learn more here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Holt Renfrew/Doutzen Kroes)
Aside from being known for her phenomenal Academy Award-winning body of work, the beautiful Gwyneth Paltrow also is equally adept as a Tastemaker and Businesswoman. We’ve all heard of her better living newsletter GOOP, but her latest venture juice BEAUTY is beginning its foray to Canadian households. Its sights set high with distribution through Holt Renfrew.
Holding the title of Creative Director, Paltrow along with founder Karen Behnke, visited Toronto today to promote the skin care and cosmetic line at Holt Renfrew on Bloor today. They were just in New York yesterday. Taking the stage on the mezzanine, the duo spoke about their line of products which are based from botanical juices and anti-oxidant rich.
Paltrow says, “People don’t approach makeup bags with the same consciousness as grocery bags.”. “50 years ago, lots of pesticides were being used. We want to trust that the government is looking after us, but consumers have taken that into theie own hands.”. “Now you see Whole Foods on every corner. People are more careful about things they are ingesting. Beauty is following suit.”.
When understanding trends, Paltrow looks to her trendy 12-year-old daughter who pays mind to Vloggers. Often she takes that feedback and uses it for GOOP and juice.
Earlier in the day, Paltrow met with some lucky contest winners who won a Meet & Greet with her, before lunching at Holt Renfrew Café with the likes of Galen Weston, who was seen perusing he set-up to satisfsaction as George Michael blared through the speakers. Fans snacked on generous gifts of Village Juicery juice and nomz Energy Bites.
See some Snaps:
Learn more about juice BEAUTY here.
See the complete line of juice BEAUTY products available at Holt Renfrew here.
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Rapper, Singer-Songwriter, Mega-Producer, Fashion Mogul and Entrepreneur Pharrell is in Toronto today to promote his Billionaire Boys Club Fashion Line’s 10th Anniversary via a Pop-Up Shop at High Fashion Retailer, Holt Renfrew. Available exclusively at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre location, the Shop is curated by Pharrell himself and features installations of some of his most coveted items, including those 2005 Louis Vuitton “Millionaire” Sunglasses we all wanted so bad. The Shop also features exclusive Holt Renfrew x BBC Sweaters and T-Shirts for Men and Women.
Pharrell appears today at Holt Renfrew – Yorkdale Shopping Centre between 2-3 PM in Q&A, hosted by CTV‘s eTalk Personality Tanya Kim and you too can see him in-person as he discusses his Career, Life and of course, Fashion.
I had the pleasure of spotting Pharrell earlier and in perhaps one of the most “chillaxed” vibes I’ve ever witnessed, his amazingly-nice Bodyguard asked, “What do you want?”. Gesturing for a Photo, he replied “A Photo? Alright. That won’t be a problem.”. Moments later, Pharrell kindly came out with his Entourage and threw a Handsign for the Camera as he posed in his Sunglasses and Fedora. Definitely one of my most highly-sought-after Photos-with a Celebrity. Ever. The Hitmaker responsible for Summer 2013 Smashes Blurred Lines and Get Lucky, is amazing and a real Example.
See our Snap:
We spotted Pharrell‘s Blurred Lines Collaborator Robin Thicke this Summer in Toronto too. More on that here.
You must watch deadmau5‘s Coffee Run Video with Pharrell, as the new Icons filmed their Chat in the former’s Car during his visit here. They go on about Cars, Tim Hortons’, Technology and more:
“Like” Billionaire Boys Club on Facebook here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/Billionaire Boys Club)
Women love their shoes and there is no Shoemaker more revered and celebrated than Christian Louboutin, who has not looked back since launching his first Shoe Salon in Paris in 1991. The French Designer has been in Toronto all week to launch his Exhibition at the Design Exchange, which runs from June 21 – September 15, 2013. Being touted as a Celebration of Style, Glamour, Power, Femininity and Elegance, the Retrospective showcases first and foremost his Artistry.
Louboutin earlier today met his Fans at Holt Renfrew (Bloor Street) autographing those famous red lacquered Soles of his and a few lucky Fans were lucky enough to nab a Snap with him!
As I was getting ready to wind-down, I received a tip-off that the charming Genius was down-the-road from me enjoying Cocktails at Hotspot Amber in Yorkville and I couldn’t resist. He was kind to stop for Snap before other French Admirers called out, “Mon Aussi, Christian! Mon Aussi!”.
Click here to purchase your Tickets to the 2013 Christian Louboutin Exhibition.
See our Snap:
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Those of you in Yorkville might’ve done a double-take upon walking by the windows of Holt Renfrew these days. I was super-excited to see their collaboration with Warner Bros. Pictures Canada, for The Great Gatsby 3-D, sure to dictate style for Women and Men alike this season ahead.
Check it out below:
We all love Holt Renfrew, right? Brand new iTV/PBS Series Mr. Selfridge in soapy, juicy fashion tells about American-born British Retail Magnate Harry Gordon Selfridge‘s rise to success in the early 1900s. For those Canadian Fashionistas who didn’t know, our Holt Renfrew actually is controlled by the UK’s Selfridges Group.
The ten-episode first Season of the Series stars Jeremy Piven in the titular role as a flamboyant Businessman, Retail Visionary, Father, Husband and Lover and I must say zipping through it was a rather easy task. Glamour, Affairs, Love and Ambition fuel much of Mr. Selfridge and we learn about the Story of a Man (adapted from Lindy Woodhead‘s Biography Shopping, Seduction & Mr Selfridge) who changed the face of how the Public access Fashion.
Frances O’Connor is fantastic as Mrs. Rose Selfridge – oddly reminiscent of a younger Sally Field, as is a fresh-faced 22-year-old Aisling Loftus as Visual Merchandiser Agnes Towler, caught in a Love Triangle between Waiter and aspiring Restauranteur Victor Colleano and Colleague Henry Leclair (Grégory Fitoussi). Basically, everyone’s having an Affair and you won’t be able to keep your eyes off the screen. The Women are delicate yet strong-willed, in an ever-changing political landscape; the Men are well… irresistible. Something for everyone. Reception has been positive overall for the Series and a second Season is forthcoming in 2014.
PBS airs Mr. Selfridge on Sunday nights at 9:00 PM.
Click here for more.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong/PBS)
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