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At the Power Ball: 15 Minutes of Fame party for The Power Plant Gallery

It was a drizzly night but that didn’t stop over 1,500 guests from gathering at the The Power Plant Gallery for the highly-anticipated annual Power Ball art party. I was lucky to attend last year’s Powerball: Quarter Life Crisis which was quite the riot so this year was definitely worth marking on the calendar. The theme this year was inspired by Andy Warhol citing his famous quote, “In the future, everyone will be world famous for 15 minutes”.

Gourmet LA-themed food was supplied by Chef Marc Thuet once again including tasty ribs, corn dogs, pulled pork sliders, giant skinny burgers. Oysters are always a welcome addition, too.

There were many specialized drink stations, including Chateau des Charmes Bosc Family’s newest winery, Earth & Sky. Liquor booths included Ketel One, Grand Marnier, Johnnie Walker, Tanqueray, Don Julio tequila and Perrier. Beer was provided by Kronenbourg 1664.

Exhibits included wall projections from Ryan Trecartin, Alexis O’Hara, KTL & Sybil and Zeesy Powers (who told brave participants exactly what she thought of them so that everyone could hear).  The main gallery featured sexy models around Thunder Horse Video’s motorcycle. DJs contributing to the entertainment included NYC’s Physical Therapy and Toronto’s Deko-ze.

The party certainly lived up to it’s well-known reputation as being one of the best parties and if it supports local artists in Toronto, that’s a bonus as well.

“Power Ball is the largest annual fundraising event for The Power Plant, providing the necessary financial support for the exhibitions and public programming the gallery offers all year,” said Director of The Power Plant, Gaëtane Verna.

My favourite theremin-playing girl-of-wonder, Clara Venice

My favourite theremin-playing girl-of-wonder, Clara Venice

Model Tatiana Valentin, with the Thunder Horse Video motorcycle exhibit in the main gallery

Model Tatiana Valentin, with the Thunder Horse Video motorcycle exhibit in the main gallery

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R: Tara Noelle

Glen Baxter, Candice Chan

Glen Baxter, Candice Chan

left: Sara Diamond, right: Aristotle Andrulakis

left: Sara Diamond, right: Aristotle Andrulakis

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Some notable tweets from the evening:


It was getting “hot in here,” so one guest removed all her clothes (except for her great shoes and clutch). So that’s not full nudity then, right?


@toronto_life love cover booth #powerballTO

About The Power Plant
The Power Plant is Canada’s leading public gallery devoted exclusively to contemporary visual art. It is a vital forum for the advanced artistic culture of our time that offers an exceptional facility and professional support to diverse living artists while engaging equally diverse audiences in their work. The Power Plant pursues its activities though exhibitions, publications and public programming. It fulfills its mandate by generating: exhibitions that represent the range of advanced practice in visual arts; publications that increase knowledge of contemporary art; lectures and symposia that encourage debate and further understanding; interpretative tools that invite visitors to question, explore and reflect upon their experiences; programming that incorporates other areas of culture when they intersect with visual art.

For more information visit www.thepowerplant.org

A first look at the Viktor&Rolf DOLLS exhibition for the Luminato Festival

Preview of the ROM's latest exhibition, Viktor&Rolf's DOLLS as part of the Luminato Festival
  • June 8, 2013
  • arts, fashion
  • Comments Off on A first look at the Viktor&Rolf DOLLS exhibition for the Luminato Festival
Preview of the ROM's latest exhibition, Viktor&Rolf's DOLLS as part of the Luminato Festival

Preview of the ROM’s latest exhibition, Viktor&Rolf’s DOLLS as part of the Luminato Festival

Eerie and fascinating. Internationally recognized fashion house Viktor&Rolf gathered an unconventional archive of their provocative fashion designs throughout the years. They created their archive in the form of Victorian-inspired dolls with porcelain painted faces and make up. You will notice attention to details were given for styling of the eyes, hair and makeup. Also the textiles, fashion and accessories on each doll are precisely scaled-down versions of those found on the Viktor & Rolf catwalks from 1993 to 2011. It’s an interesting idea since it turns the fast decay of the fashion world into timeless, conceptual art objects.

'Maryna', The Fashion Show Collection Fall/Winter 2007

‘Maryna’, The Fashion Show Collection Fall/Winter 2007

'Nadja', The Hunt Collection Fall/Winter 2004

‘Nadja’, The Hunt Collection Fall/Winter 2004

'Devon', Black Hole Collection Fall/Winter 2001

‘Devon’, Black Hole Collection Fall/Winter 2001

'Tiiu' Bedtime Story Collection Fall/Winter 2005

‘Tiiu’ Bedtime Story Collection Fall/Winter 2005

This North American premiere exhibition can be viewed by the public for FREE at the Royal Ontario Museum’s Thorsell Spirit House in Toronto starting on June 9th until June 30th, 2013.

It is commissioned and produced by the Luminato Festival and presented in collaboration with the Royal Ontario Museum. Luminato’s Artistic Director, Jorn Weisbrodt, was in attendance at the media preview at the ROM.

Jorn Weisbrodt, Luminato's Artistic Director

Jorn Weisbrodt, Luminato’s Artistic Director

“What I love about Viktor&Rolf’s dolls is that they work on so many levels,” says Weisbrodt. “They are absolutely stunning to look at and amaze everyone from four to 104 years old. The dolls cross the border between fashion and art, which fits well with my ideal of mixing the art forms, sophisticated to accessible. I have always admired the Viktor&Rolf approach to fashion that is conceptual and absolutely glamorous at the same time. It is a great honor and pleasure to work with Viktor&Rolf, and Studio Job, on a unique presentation of the catwalk for Toronto. The city will fall in love with these dolls.”

I look forward to attending Luminato’s Big Bang Bash gala tonight for the exclusive premiere of the Viktor&Rolf dolls. Photos to come!

'Emina', The Fashion Show Collection Fall/Winter 2007 Photo: Peter Stigter

‘Emina’, The Fashion Show Collection Fall/Winter 2007 Photo: Peter Stigter

ABOUT VIKTOR&ROLF
Viktor&Rolf are widely recognized and respected for their conceptual glamour and provocative creations. Viktor&Rolf have staged their signature collections at spectacular shows in Paris for over twenty years while their fashion label has grown worldwide. Grounded in Womenswear since their first couture collection in Spring/Summer 1998, Viktor&Rolf have a meticulous dedication to their craft always playing with scale and proportion. Their first Menswear show in Autumn/Winter 2003 marked their successful expansion into the Menswear arena with their sophisticated yet ironic Monsieur collections. Viktor&Rolf offer complimentary lifestyle products such as luxurious accessories, Viktor&Rolf Vision and a catalogue of fragrances including FLOWERBOMB and SPICEBOMB. At their core, is the undying vision to create spectacular beauty and unexpected elegance. Visit viktor-rolf.com.

Justin Timberlake’s William Rast enters Canadian market with Fall/Winter 2013 collection

  • June 7, 2013
  • fashion, launch
  • Comments Off on Justin Timberlake’s William Rast enters Canadian market with Fall/Winter 2013 collection

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Founded in 2005 by Justin Timberlake and best friend, Trace Ayala, the William Rast clothing brand finally enters the Canadian Market which will be available at all 91 of Hudson’s Bay stores nation wide along with premium boutique and jean stores. We got a sneak preview of the F/W 2013 collection. The offerings include a wide range of denim, jackets, wovens, knits and T-shirts with features such as leather accents, zipper detailing, wide lapels exuding an overall laid-back rocker style. William Rast is being designed, produced and distributed in Canada by Canadian jean company, FDJ French Dressing Jeans, Inc. with continual design contributions from the brand’s founders.

The look is all about southern style meeting Canadian cool. A little southern charm meets biker rebel.

More facts:
The name “William Rast” is a combination of Justin Timberlake and Trace Ayala’s grandfathers.
Mens and ladies jeans priced from $59.99
Vegan leather motorcycle jackets for men and women priced from $129.99
The collection has an array of trendy tops starting at $40.00
In 2010 William Rast won an award from America Apparel & Footwear Association for Brand of the Year
Won an American Image Award in 2011 for Brand of the Year.

“We are thrilled to tie up with William Rast and it’s founders, Justin Timberlake and Trace Ayala. The launch of William Rast in Canada only gains momentum with the release of Justin Timberlake’s two albums and three movies in the same year. Our look is modern and edgy, the clothes are sexy and exciting, and we anticipate a highly successful venture into the Canadian marketplace. The Canadian fashion consumer will love these looks.” – Noah Stern, CEO, French Dressing Jeans, Inc.

The William Rast brand has also partnered with ADDITION ELLE which will be launched this fall, in September 2013, for curvaceous women aiming for unique cuts to flatter the full spectrum of body types.

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ABOUT WILLIAM RAST
William Rast, the ‘New America’ denim culture brand, was conceptualized and founded by business partners Trace Ayala and Justin Timberlake in 2005. Originally comprised of only denim, the brand has expanded into a complete lifestyle collection. Grounded in the iconography of American denim heritage and biker culture, yet re-packaged and presented in a contemporary context, William Rast has found its place on the floors of top-tier department stores and boutiques across the globe, and has become a staple for denim fans worldwide. For more information visit www.williamrast.com

Oolagen Gala for Youth’s Mental Health

Oolagen is a mental health organization in Toronto helping youth and their families with mental health issues. The incredible part about Oolagen is that they operate on a very lean structure with administration costs at less than 10%, well below the industry norm.

Hosted by comedians Colin Mochrie and Debra McGrath, the evening at Ritz Carlton for the 3rd annual Oolagen gala “Night of Light” started with a reception and dinner followed by live auction.  We watched a video with Colin Mochrie and Debra McGrath where Colin tried to pronounce “Oolagen”. We heard from a young girl, Nicole, who talked about how she overcame her  mental health issues with the help of Oolagen.  The honourary gala chair was former Canadian Ambassador to Iran, Ken Taylor. He is well known for risking his own life to help save the lives of six American hostages during the Iran crisis. He’s a recipient of the Order of Canada and the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal.

Following a speech by Michael “Pinball” Clemons, the Oolagen gala awarded Michael Landsberg, the host of TSN’s Off the Record, with a 2013 Oolagen Award for bravely speaking publicly about his 14 year battle with depression. Michael Landsberg’s humble speech was incredibly passionate, heartfelt and also made everyone in the ballroom laugh to the point of tears.

Debra McGrath, Colin Mochrie

Debra McGrath, Colin Mochrie

Gord Martineau

Gord Martineau

Ken Taylor, Elena Semikina, Michael Landsberg

Ken Taylor, Elena Semikina, Michael Landsberg

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Nicole talking about overcoming her mental health issues

Nicole talking about overcoming her mental health issues

Michael Landsberg and his wife

Michael Landsberg and his wife

Michael Landsberg giving an incredible speech

Michael Landsberg giving an incredible speech

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ABOUT OOLAGEN
Oolagen is an accredited mental health centre helping Toronto youth and their families. Highly-respected for the work it does, Oolagen serves as a University of Toronto teaching facility and is long-term partners with the Toronto District School Board, the Children’s Aid Society, Catholic Children’s Aid, Ministry of Children and Youth Services, as well as other children’s mental health agencies and community groups.

For more information visit www.oolagen.org

The Mount Sinai Hospital Auxiliary Celebrates 60 Years

  • June 4, 2013
  • charity, gala
  • Comments Off on The Mount Sinai Hospital Auxiliary Celebrates 60 Years

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In 1922, four community-minded women united together to raise funds to purchase 100 Yorkville Avenue, the first home of Mount Sinai Hospital. Then in 1953, 60 years ago, Rose Torno formally founded the Mount Sinai Hospital Auxiliary and to this day the Auxiliary remains dedicated to philanthropic efforts to address the needs of the hospital.

So Mount Sinai Hospital Auxiliary kicked off their 60 years festivities on May 27, 2013 with Champagne Tea at the Teatro Verde store in Yorkville. It’s interesting that Teatro Verde is the site of the first Mount Sinai Hospital. So how appropriate to kick off the celebrations there sipping some fine Veuve Clicquot champagne (or tea) and have a few treats from Pickle Barrel.

“Celebrate 60” is about the commitment to rebuild Mount Sinai Hospital’s Labour and Delivery facility and provide sustaining funding for research and education in womens’ and infants’ health at Mount Sinai Hospital.

The theme of “Celebrate 60” will culminate into a cosmopolitan fête of a Birthday Bash in the era when it first started — in the 1950s. So mark your calendars for Sunday, September 22, 2013 at the Ritz Carlton as Matt Dusk and his orchestra croons the Auxiliary’s supporters. Besides being a great Canadian jazz musician, Matt Dusk was also recently named one of Hello Canada’s 50 Most Beautiful People. Stay tuned as we announce more details of the grand Mount Sinai Hospital Auxiliary’s Birthday Bash including availability of tickets for sale.

Also, I’m proud that BestofToronto.net is an Official Media Sponsor for the Sinai Soiree on June 20, 2013, a charity party in support of women’s health and cancer research. Last year, we got to experience the great vibes at Maro (now Cinema) and we’re looking forward to this year at Toronto’s historic Casa Loma with a 1920’s Great Gatsby theme. I highly recommend attending this fun charity soiree! For more info and to buy tickets for the Sinai Soiree visit www.thesinaisoiree.com

Ashley Steinhauer, Melissa Campisi, Lauren Winberg

Ashley Steinhauer, Melissa Campisi, Lauren Winberg

Two gentlemen who were born in Mount Sinai Hospital

Two gentlemen who were born in Mount Sinai Hospital

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right: Simmie Antflick

right: Simmie Antflick

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