Bask-It-Style Event for TIFF 2016 – The Eighth Annual Media Day at the Thompson Hotel in Toronto This September

For TIFF 2016, stars and media had the opportunity to excite their senses at a non-traditional gifting suite – Bask-It-Style by GLO Communications, a well-established public relations firm from Toronto

Toronto’s premiere gifting experience, Bask-It-Style by GLO Communications, opened its doors for media and celebrities for the eighth time at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) with a feast for all five senses. Media were invited to indulge in the Front Room of the Thompson Hotel Toronto (550 Wellington Street West, Toronto) on Wednesday, September 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the Bask-It-Style event’s annual media day. Bask-It-Style, a twist on traditional gifting, gives busy stars at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) one less thing to worry about while in town promoting their films and schmoozing with their peers – collecting new products. This year’s sponsors covered it all from beauty to fashion and from books to technology. There was something for every visiting celebrity in town for TIFF. In the past, celebrities gifted through Bask-It-Style hotel partners have included Matt Damon, Jennifer Garner, Julianne Moore, Naomi Watts, Colin Farrell, John Legend, Sir Elton John and many more. Among this year’s TIFF attendees are Amy Adams, Christian Bale, Gerald Butler, Matt Damon, Dakota Fanning, James Franco, Jennifer Garner, Richard Gere, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ryan Gosling, Woody Harrelson, Anne Hathaway, Ethan Hawke, Kate Hudson, Jennifer Hudson, Holly Hunter, Scarlett Johansson, Nicole Kidman, Shia LaBeouf, John Malkovich, Matthew McConaughey, Cynthia Nixon, Lupita Nyong’o, Dev Patel, Christopher Plummer, Natalie Portman, Emma Stone, Charlize Theron, Justin Timberlake, Mark Wahlberg, Denzel Washington, Naomi Watts, Sigourney Weaver, Rachel Weisz, Reese Witherspoon, and many others.

“We are excited to kick-off the eighth year of Bask-It-Style,” said Jessica Glover, Principal, GLO Communications. “This year we are thrilled to work with our venue sponsor, Thompson Hotel, and to showcase some brands that will be gifted to the biggest stars through our hotel partners.”

On Wednesday, September 7 media were invited by appointment only from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to bask in the style of the suite. This is the fifth time that I am attending the Bask-It-Style event; first time I was invited to the Bask-It-Style gift lounge back in 2012, and I have attended it every year ever since. This year’s event was held at the luxurious Thompson Hotel, located on the trendy King West area filled with all of TIFF’s go to spots. The lobby of the hotel where the event took place reflects the Thompson Hotel’s signature blend of avant-garde design, luxury boutique furnishings and high-tech functionality. It was redesigned in February 2016 and it features built-in audio visual, including a 60 square foot media wall and plugins for Mac Mini, Apple TV and HDMI.

The greeting area of the Bask-It-Style event at Thompson Hotel in Toronto, September 7th 2016

The greeting area of the Bask-It-Style event at Thompson Hotel in Toronto, September 7th 2016

Participating gifts at Bask-It-Style 2016

Upon entering the hotel, guests had the chance to admire a sleek Tesla Model S70D provided by Turo, Canada’s first peer-to-peer car rental marketplace. Turo allows travelers to rent any car they want, wherever they want it, from a community of local car owners. The company's unique car selection is unparalleled, with over 800 makes and models for rent. Guests were given the opportunity to rent the Tesla Model S70D or any car of their choice at a special TIFF media rate. Once inside the suite, media were able to experience Turo’s database of cars, learn what the service is all about and plan their next adventure!

Tesla S70D, available for rent at Turo

Media tastemakers: Gratify your tastebuds with food and drink
In the suite, media guests’ sense of smell was aroused with the sweet, earthy aroma of Doi Chaang coffee. Doi Chaang representatives were on-site to sample their single-estate, 100% Arabica roasts and to share tips on brewing the perfect morning cup. After sipping their coffees, guests’ tastebuds were be stimulated with mouth-watering treats crafted in-house by the Maple Leaf Tavern, as well as giftcards for media to experience Toronto’s best tavern.

Doi Chaang coffee

Doi Chaang coffee

Beauty room: Touch up your beauty routine with spa-quality skin care
Guests could improve the look of their skin with Mèreadesso skin care. Beauty consultants walked the guests through a selection of vitamin-rich Mèreadesso products designed to lessen fine lines and wrinkles, even out skin tone and boost elasticity. Guests will have touchably soft skin when they use the Mèreadesso Travel Ease + Kit at home, which includes their All-In-One moisturizer, Face + Neck cleanser and Beautiful Body balm.

Mereadesso beauty and skin care products

Mereadesso moisturizer

Style room: Delight in lush textures and fine fabrics with fashion, jewellery and shoes
In the style room, guests could experience the stylish bags by the celebrity bag designer Annie Thompson. Among her latest Spring 2016 and Fall 2016 collections, the designer showcased her A-List super tote, specially designed for the Bask-It-Style event (retail price $325), which is lightweight, washable and locally made. Guests’ tired feet were in for a treat as they slipped into the cushy yet fashionable shoes displayed by staff from Mila’s Fine Footwear. Each guest received a gift card from Mila’s so they can carry on the sense of ease and comfort after they leave. Some of the various shoe brands that were scheduled to be gifted at the lounge event included Birkenstock, Finn, Josef Seibel, Cloud and Gerry Weber, Fly London, Pikolinos, Ara and more. Next, media guests could feel the cool weight of Studio1098’s handmade sterling silver Canada Collection jewellery line, designed to celebrate Canada’s sesquicentennial moment on July 1, 2017, when Canada will celebrate its 150 birthday. Studio1098’s ambassadors were present at the event and made themselves available to discuss the one-of-a-kind designs that won them the coveted NOW Magazine Readers’ Choice Award for Best Jewellery Store in 2015.

Annie Thompson designs

Annie Thompson designs

Annie Thompson designs

Annie Thompson designs

Mila's Fine Footwear -- available at Mila's on Front store, 77 Front Street East, Toronto

Mila's Fine Footwear -- available at Mila's on Front, 77 Front Street East, Toronto

Mila's Fine Footwear participating at Bask-It-Style 2016

Mila's Fine Footwear participating at Bask-It-Style 2016

Studio1098 jewelry, 1098 Yonge Street, Toronto

Studio1098 jewelry, 1098 Yonge Street, Toronto

Studio1098 jewelry, 1098 Yonge Street, Toronto

Studio1098 jewelry, 1098 Yonge Street, Toronto

Reading room: Books, books and more books
The reading room had guests browsing a compelling array of books. They mingled with award-winning author Adrienne Kress, and had the opportunity to get a peek at her first collaboration with New York Times best-selling author Frank Beddor, and his book Hatter Madigan: Ghost in the H.A.T.BO.X., published by Automatic Publishing. This is an exciting new adventure for middle graders featuring a teenage Hatter Madigan, the most popular character from the best-selling The Looking Glass Wars trilogy. DK Books ambassadors were also there on-hand to discuss their hottest reads for Fall 2016, including the newest edition of Eyewitness Travel Top 10 Toronto touristic guide which features a handy pull-out map, as well hundreds of full colour photos and dozens of useful top 10 lists of what to see, where to eat and where to stay in Toronto. Harlequin staff were on-site showcasing all three best-selling novelist Mary Kubica’s thrillers: The Good Girl, Pretty Baby, and her latest hit Don’t You Cry.

Writer Adrienne Kress and her newly released book "Hatter Madigan: Ghost in the H.A.T.BO.X."

"Hatter Madigan: Ghost on the H.A.T.B.O.X." by Frank Bedder and Adrienne Kress

New book releases from DK Publishing

"Don't You Cry" by Mary Kubica

Some other cool items in the bag
The goodies just didn’t end there! Some other treats featured in the gift bags included:
**L’Oreal’s Elnett Satin Hairspray Extra Strong Hold Mini, an ultra-fine hairspray which gives a strong, clean hold and a soft satin touch, perfect for media and talent on the go;
**A tasty wine Pinot Noir by Meiomi Wines;
**Mary Kay® Gel Semi-Matte lipstick, a new lipstick with a pop of colour which lasts for hours;
**And for those with a little sweet tooth, there was white chocolate, 70% dark chocolate and milk chocolate bars from Green & Blacks Organic. Plus more goodies, of course!

This year, celebrities will receive a variety of goodies in bags designed exclusively for Bask-It-Style by Annie Thompson. The total value is $1,400 and it includes:
•Automatic Publishing – Hatter Madigan: Ghost in the H.A.T.B.O.X. by Frank Beddor and Adrienne Kress;
•Annie Thompson – A-List super-tote, celebrity gift bag sponsor;
•Browns Shoes – Media bag sponsor;
•DK Books – Eyewitness Travel Top 10 Toronto, new edition;
•Doi Chaang coffee – Social Medium Blend Fair Trade organic coffee (340g) and Beyond Fair Trade by Mark Pendergrast;
•Green & Black’s organic chocolate – white chocolate bars, 70% dark chocolate bars and milk chocolate bars;
•Harlequin/MIRA Books – Don’t You Cry by Mary Kubica;
•L’Oréal Canada – Elnett Satin Hairspray Extra Strong Hold Mini;
•Mary Kay® – Gel Semi-Matte lipstick in Poppy Please and Powerful Pink;
•Maple Leaf Tavern – $100 giftcard for celebrities, $50 giftcard for media;
•Meiomi Wines – bottle of Meiomi Pinot Noir wine;
•Mèreadesso – Travel Ease + Kit travel size beauty products;
•Mila’s Fine Footwear – $500 giftcard for celebrities and $25 for media;
•Province Apothecary – perfume;
•Sharp Magazine – magazine sponsor;
•Studio1098 – handmade sterling silver maple leaf pendants and cufflinks;
•Turo – $150 car rental credit;
•Thompson Hotel – venue partner.

Bask-It-Style event and its sponsors can be followed on Twitter:

#BaskItStyle
@jessica_glover
@GLO_Comm
@BrownsShoes
@DKPublishing
@doichaangcoffee
@greenandblacks
@HarlequinBooks
@LOrealParisCAN
@MapleLeafTavern
@MaryKayCanada
@MeiomiWines
@Mereadesso
@MilasOnFront
@ProvApothecary
@sharpmagazine
@studio1098
@ThompsonToronto
@turo

Follow Bask-It-Style and its sponsors on Instagram:

@jessicaglover99
@glo_comm
@anniethompsonstudio
@dkbooks
@doichaangcoffee
@greenandblacks
@harlequinbooks
@lorealhair
@marykaycanada
@meiomiwines
@mereadesso
@milasonfront
@provinceapothecary
@sharpmagazine
@studio1098
@turo
@thompsontoronto

GLO Communications is a boutique PR firm creating dynamic publicity campaigns for clients in the lifestyle industry, including publishing, fashion, beauty and entertainment. They specialize in media relations, PR strategy development, marketing communications, product launches, event management, media training, product seeding and evaluation and measurement.

Bask-It-Style sponsors

Annie Thompson
Annie Thompson is one of Canada’s most revered fashion designers. Established in 1981, Annie Thompson Studio creates limited quantities of carefully crafted, made-in-Canada separates to compliment unique bodies and personalities. As an advocate of green living, Thompson uses mainly organic and natural fabrics in her stand-out designs. From dress-up gear to her most casual, everyday styles, Thompson’s designs are quietly loud, thoroughly comfortable and surprisingly complimentary. Thompson’s “Personal Baggage” line of contemporary, upcycled handbags and backpacks offers users rare character and functionality. There is nothing trendy or mass-market about Annie Thompson’s designs.

Automatic Publishing
Los Angeles-based Automatic Publishing focuses on story projects that inherently harness the imaginative energy of authors, artists and fans. The company has developed a unique marketing strategy that focuses on the very personal author-reader connection, operating on a continuous marketing model that ensures books connect with audiences where they are: in schools, in stores, in libraries and online. Automatic Publishing’s titles include the novels Hatter Madigan: Ghost in the H.A.T.B.O.X. and Static; the graphic novel Looking Glass Wars: Crossfire, and the hit comic series Spectrum.

Browns Shoes
Browns Shoes, a family-owned business established in Montreal in 1940, is synonymous with top international designer collections, luxurious leather goods, and exclusive street savvy fashion for ladies, men and children. Browns is one of the few companies that donates 10% of its pre-tax profits to charities. Mr. Morton Brownstein, Chairman, was recognized for his extraordinary fundraising work when he was appointed to the Order of Canada in July 2004.

DK Books
The world’s leading illustrated reference publisher whose aim is to inform, enrich and entertain readers of all ages, DK publishes highly visual, photographic non-fiction for adults and children, bringing unrivaled clarity to a wide range of topics with a unique combination of words and pictures, put together to spectacular effect.

Doi Chaang Coffee Company
Doi Chaang Coffee Company is one of the most innovative, socially responsible, yet economically viable, specialty coffees on the market. Rated among the top 1% in the world, the coffee is the only single-estate, 100% Arabica, USDA certified organic, Fair Trade certified and shade grown coffee grown in Thailand. The beans are cultivated and processed by the indigenous AKHA hill tribe in small, family owned gardens in Doi Chang village located in the Chang Rai province of Northern Thailand, but freshly roasted and packaged in British Columbia. For more information, please visit DoiChaangCoffee.com.

Green & Black’s Organic Chocolate
Established in 1991, Green & Black’s Organic has grown to become the world leader in organic and Fair Trade chocolate and is committed to the creation of chocolate products that provide a taste experience like no other. Using only organically grown cocoa, sourced principally from the Dominican Republic, Green & Black’s Organic believes it’s possible to respect our earth while indulging in the best things it has to offer. Great time and care is taken to bring out the intense flavour that is the Green & Black’s Organic trademark. To find out more about Green & Black’s Organic products and values, please visit GreenandBlacks.com/ca and Facebook.com/GreenandBlacksCanada.

Harlequin/MIRA Books
MIRA Books is an imprint of Harlequin and features a lineup of some of the bestselling authors across North America as well as industry-anticipated debut authors. MIRA Books is committed to publishing the very best in commercial fiction, including women’s fiction, suspense and psychological thrillers, literary bestsellers, and historical. In 2015, 24 MIRA Books titles placed on bestseller lists (New York Times, USA TODAY and Publishers Weekly) for a total of 194 weeks. MIRA publishes approximately 100 books per year in hardcover, mass-market and trade paperback formats.

L’Oréal Canada
L’Oréal Canada is a division of L’Oréal Paris, a wholly-owned subsidiary of L’Oréal Group, the largest cosmetics company in the world. Headquartered in Montreal, L’Oréal Canada had sales of $1,054 billion in 2015 and employs more than 1,200 people. The company’s prestigious portfolio of 35 brands encompasses all aspects of beauty. For more information, please visit LOrealParis.ca. L’Oréal can be followed on Twitter @LOrealParisCAN, and on Instagram @LOrealHair, #LOrealTIFF.

Maple Leaf Tavern
Maple Leaf Tavern is an updated Tavern offering North American influenced food and drink. Newly revamped and relaunched, this east-side institution is now turning out scrupulously crafted cocktails, upscale bar snacks and meaty specialties from a wood-burning fire grill. The tavern, located at 955 Gerrard Street East in Leslieville, launched in April 2016 and has been featured in the Globe and Mail, Toronto Life and many other media outlets.

Mary Kay Cosmetics Ltd.
Irresistible products. Positive community impact. Rewarding opportunity. For more than 50 years, Mary Kay has offered it all. With 3.5 million Mary Kay independent beauty consultants and $4 billion in global annual wholesale sales, Mary Kay is a top beauty brand and direct seller in more than 35 markets around the world. Discover what you love by connecting with a Mary Kay independent beauty consultant in your area at MaryKay.ca.

Meiomi Wines
Meiomi is a high style wine that is shaped, more than anything else, by the fruit sources that lay the foundation of the blend. A pure bred enjoyment wine, built to accommodate any pairing from food to friends. Unifying California’s most noteworthy coast areas opens the door for a dynamic and opulent wine that is ready to enjoy wherever you are.

Mèreadesso
Mèreadesso believes healthy, beautiful skin shouldn’t be easy, it should be effortless. Offering one-step skin care products that leave immaculate results, Mèreadesso is the epitome of simplicity, ease, and effectiveness: one regime for every skin type, age and gender.

Mila’s Fine Footwear
Mila’s Fine Footwear is an independently owned family business that’s been passed along for four generations. From their humble start in Aden, Yemen the family decided to take their business to Canada in 1967, starting out fresh in the small town of Strathroy, Ontario in 1989. After 27 years of establishing themselves as a true success and staple in their community, Mila’s Fine Footwear was overdue for an exciting, new challenge. With an incredible offer to move their store to the core of Toronto’s picturesque St. Lawrence neighbourhood, it was an opportunity the family couldn’t pass up. With a footwear legacy dating as far back to 1932, Mila’s Fine Footwear takes pride in offering superior customer service and satisfaction. Bringing their small town charm to the big city, they look forward to winning the hearts of Torontonians with the legacy that has garnered them over 80 years of success in the footwear industry. For more information, please visit MilasonFront.com.

Turo
Turo is a car rental marketplace where local car owners provide travellers with the perfect vehicle for their next adventure. Across the country or across town, travellers choose from a unique selection of nearby cars, while car owners earn extra money and help fuel the adventures of travellers from around the world. A pioneer of the sharing economy and travel industry, Turo is a safe, supportive community where the car you rent is part of a story, not a fleet. Whether it’s an F-150 truck to help on moving day, a Tesla for a luxurious weekend away or a classic VW bus for a picture-perfect road trip, travellers rent the car and own the adventure. Discover Turo at Turo.com.

Thompson Hotel, Toronto
Part of the King West landscape since 2010, Thompson Toronto has become known for its refined edge. A vibrant destination for discerning travellers and in-the-know urbanites, Thompson Toronto is a premier location, offering personalized service, distinctive culinary experiences and the city’s only rooftop lounge with a 40-foot infinity swimming pool. Designed by Studio Gaia, 105 ultra-sleek guestrooms, including three brand new suites for 2016, all feature floor-to-ceiling windows and a list of modern luxuries. Amid Toronto’s hot spots, Thompson Toronto is a star, offering its guests food, drink and entertainment options to suit any mood: Thompson Diner, a contemporary classic diner; Rooftop Lounge, a retreat with poolside cabanas and cocktails; the newly-reimagined Lobby Bar; French bistro Colette; and the effortlessly cool nightclub Wildflower. And, with 30,000 square feet of prime event space, including the Rooftop Lounge and luxurious Screening Room, Thompson Toronto offers the ideal setting for conferences, meetings, weddings and more.

Founded in 2001, Thompson Hotels, a Commune Hotels & Resorts brand, is an international hospitality company that offers sophisticated luxury to its discerning clientele. The Thompson portfolio of lifestyle hotels includes the newly-opened Thompson Playa del Carmen in Riviera Maya, Mexico and the recently-opened The Cape in Los Cabos, Mexico; Gild Hall and Smyth in New York City; Thompson Chicago; Thompson Toronto; Belgraves in London; and Thompson Miami Beach. Thompson Hotels also has multiple new projects in development, including The Beekman in Lower Manhattan, Thompson Seattle and Thompson Nashville. Follow @ThompsonHotels on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for news and updates. For more information, please visit ThompsonHotels.com.

Studio1098
Studio1098 is consistently recognized as one of the Best Jewellery Stores in Canada. Winner of the coveted NOW Magazine Readers’ Choice Award for Best Jewellery Store for 2015, Studio1098 has been named both one of Toronto’s “Top 10” places to buy a diamond engagement ring and one of Toronto’s Best Jewellery Stores by BlogTO. Studio1098 is known for its excellent client service and its unpretentious, relaxed environment, where Tamara Kronis, Studio1098’s Chief goldsmith, gemmologist and jewellery designer creates high quality, custom fine jewellery right in the studio with the help of her team. Studio1098 is located at 1098 Yonge Street, just north of Rosedale subway station on Yonge Street between St. Clair and Bloor.

Tamara Kronis, Studio1098’s Chief goldsmith, gemmologist and jewellery designer, offers personalized custom design that ensures that each piece of fine jewellery she and her team create is “as unique as you are,” reflecting the individual style of each client. Her designs are inspired by art, architecture, and the movement of metal. Kronis is particularly influenced by the eras of Art Deco and Art Nouveau, but also loves taking on the design challenges of modern pieces inspired by geometry and nature. Prior to becoming a goldsmith, Kronis had a successful career as a commercial lawyer at a prominent Toronto law firm, and continues to be active in the business world as a corporate director of a large public utility. Kronis has won numerous industry awards as a goldsmith, has exhibited her work internationally, and has also taught a course at George Brown College on the Chemistry of Gemstones. Kronis lives in Toronto with her husband Martin and their two children.

Photo credit: Getty Images