The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is in full force in all if its celeb, booze, and air kiss-filled glory.

But it’s not just about the films, red carpets and glam parties.

The jam-packed gifting and experiential suites have been bustling at the seams with swag and services (hair, makeup and nails, naturally) to so generously gift the familiar faces that grace their doors.

Naturally, being a celebrity comes with some pretty nice perks – but being in media does too.

We got to check out some of the sweetest suites for ourselves…

EGPR Essentials Lounge

Colmar at Essentials Lounge

Colmar at Essentials Lounge

 

Each year, EGPR arms Toronto media with everything they need to survive the festival – and anyone who’s been to the suite knows that it’s pretty much the next best thing to Christmas morning.

This year, we got spoiled as much as the stars do with things like the sleek men’s and women’s Colmar Originals down jackets (valued between $770-$875!), workout gear and runners from Saucony, hair products from KMS California (perfect for this especially humid TIFF), makeup from Smashbox Cosmetics (including their photo finish foundation primer, which is pretty much life-changing), Glaceau Vitaminwater, a 5-class spin package from Spokehaus, a little post-TIFF reading material from Simon and Schuster, oils from Thursday Plantation, skincare products from SkinCeuticals and face masks from For Beloved One.

It’s safe to say that lucky media guests needed to swap the walk or the TTC for the Uber to carry all this swag home with them.

The Tastemakers Lounge

Sorel at Tastemakers

Sorel at Tastemakers

 

Every year, Rock-it Promotions’ Tastemakers Lounge sees no shortage of famous faces who leave armed with handfuls of amazing products. This year, celebs can indulge their sweet tooth with doughnuts from Krispy Kreme Canada get their makeup and brows touched up thanks to Tweezerman, take advantage of hair touchups from Salon Dew, and enjoy much-needed massages from celeb favourite Dr. Liza from The Fix.

Sorel is on-site to gift those famous feet with premium fall footwear (talent can choose from a selection) – one of the best perks. Love Like Red offers artistic greeting cards for every occasion, which the guests got to take home to send to their fellow famous friends. McGregor Socks gifted the stars with both merino wool Weekender socks and their latest line of socks in support of the Movember Foundation. Other goodies include bags of kettle corn from Indulge Gourmet Kettle Corn(a perfect late night, post-party snack), nail polish from CND’s™ new Celebration Collection, Davines natural haircare products from Salon Dew, and a beauty essentials kit from Tweezerman.

NKPR IT Lounge

BeGlammed at IT Lounge

BeGlammed at IT Lounge

 

This year, NKPR evolved their annual gifting suite concept with a central hub for innovation, experiences and philanthropy in partnership with Drew and Jonathan Scott (The Property Brothers). Taking over the multi-level space at 128 Peter, the lounge invites its celebrity guests – those expected to attend this TIFF include Ryan Gosling, Matt Damon, James Franco, Amy Adams, Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman – to have their portrait taken by Caitlin Cronenberg in support of Artists for Peace and Justice, to get hair and makeup touchups by beGlammed (which is basically Uber for hair and makeup), check out the latest in fat-eliminating technology from SculpSure and get their tea fix thanks to David’s Tea.

Featuring no shortage of Instagram-worthy art, IT House has partnered with internationally renowned artist, philanthropist and entrepreneur Peter Tunney, who will be creating live art on the streets of Toronto with 50 per cent of proceeds from sales going back to APJ.

The Stylist Suite

 

The Stylist Suite by Stylist Box returns to dress talent in all they need to look red carpet-ready – from head to toe. Held at The Vault at One King West, the Stylist Suite is basically like your (massive) dream closet, jam-packed with clothing and accessories from some of Canada’s most talented designers.

The suite offers exclusive access to a range of homegrown designed women’s daywear and evening wear, men’s suiting, jewellery, shoes, and handbags for personalities to borrow for the red carpet, press junkets, photo shoots, and special appearances. Notable designers include beloved brands like Narces, Christopher Paunil, Bano eeMee, Hilary MacMillan and Mark Belford, among many others, Naturally, a glam squad will also be on site, offering red carpet-ready hair from Salon Daniel & Spa and makeup by artists from Canada’s premiere artist agency, P1M Agency. Basically, the stars just have to show up and the team will do all the work for them.

Bask-It Style

The swag at Bask-It Style at Thompson Hotel

The swag at Bask-It Style at Thompson Hotel

 

Located at the posh Thompson Hotel’s new revamped lobby, the Bask-It Style lounge decks celebrities out from head to toe. First you get Mèreadesso skin care travel size products, Studio1098 jewellery, and Mila’s Fine Footwear carrying brands such as Birkenstock. A variety of books given out including Mary Kubica’s best selling thrillers such as The Good Girl, Pretty Baby, and her latest Don’t You Cry. Local author, Adrienne Kress is also signing books in collaboration with New York Times best-selling author, Frank Beddor, Hatter Madigan. Guests get hooked up $150 in credit with Turo peer-to-peer car rental platform featuring a Tesla. And no lounge is complete without coffee and that’s provided with fair trade organic coffee from Doi Chaang Coffee. And don’t forget to take your bottle of pinot noir from Meiomi wine.

Not only do the suites provide a needed sanctuary from the craziness of TIFF, they offer a chance for brands to expose themselves to some of the world’s most influential. After all, if a celebrity is randomly snapped wearing your brand, it’s pretty much as good as Oscar statuette gold.

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