Party Pages: The Worthy 30, where people weren’t afraid to run their mouths about pretty young things
The National Post’ s Worthy 30 list came out in late June, but the celebration for the eligible bachelors and bachelorettes took place last night at furniture shop Studio B, where the Grey Goose was plentiful and the air conditioner was cranked to its highest possible setting (we were deeply relieved, as it was stifling outside). The event almost felt like a graduation party: the now-pregnant Holt Renfrew publicist Jennifer Daubney, one of last year’s inductees, told Fashion magazine’s Randi Bergman that she’s “passing the baton.” But guests seemed curious about what, if anything, the W30 title actually entails. As far as we can discern, it’s the National Post’ s way of congratulating the hard work of men and women who are contributing members of Toronto society (and are, for the most part, young and somewhat attractive).
While celebratory, the event seemed rife with under-the-surface cattiness: there was wonder at how Sarah Gadon was referred to as a mere “side dish” who was “just getting started,” and chatter about how exactly Bergman should feel given her description by head judge Shinan Govani (he gave the young Fashionmagazine.com editor a backhanded compliment ). And while young entrant Jen Kirsch (a relationship blogger) was Govani’s prized pick (he joyously remarked at the end of the night, “we need to make her a name by the fall”), the room seemed divided on the matter, with one guest commenting, “what does a 20-something know about giving relationship advice?” But, amidst the barbs, there were also some sweet moments: W30 recipient Braden Rosner showed up with a dapper entourage, shyly accepting praise from well-wishers, while model and industrial designer Jano Badovinac toured the grounds giving out his famous hugs (we’d like to award him with being the most down-to-earth person to ever receive the title of Worthy 30). Other guests kept mostly to themselves: we spotted fashion designer Amanda Lew Kee keeping an unusually low profile, spending most of her time chatting up Roots co-founder Michael Budman. And, in case you were wondering, Wayne and Garth were not in attendance.
152523 PR professional Lauren Wolff (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The Worthy 30 The Worthy 30 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/OPENER3-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/OPENER3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/OPENER3.jpg 656 437 [] https://torontolife.com/city/worthy-30-party-toronto-2012/slide/opener-23/ opener-23 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
152521 Fashion designer Amanda Lew Kee (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The Worthy 30 The Worthy 30 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_14591-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_14591.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_14591.jpg 624 389 [] https://torontolife.com/city/worthy-30-party-toronto-2012/slide/img_1459-3/ img_1459-3 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
152519 Writer John Orteved, worthy 30 recipient Simon Wilkinson and architect Alexander Josephson (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The Worthy 30 The Worthy 30 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_14191-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_14191.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_14191.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/worthy-30-party-toronto-2012/slide/img_1419-3/ img_1419-3 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
152517 Marketing professional Karen Cleveland (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The Worthy 30 The Worthy 30 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_14061-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_14061.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_14061.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/worthy-30-party-toronto-2012/slide/img_1406-3/ img_1406-3 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
152514 <em>Fashion</em> magazine’s Paige Dzenis (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The Worthy 30 The Worthy 30 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_13891-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_13891.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_13891.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/worthy-30-party-toronto-2012/slide/img_1389-3/ img_1389-3 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
152513 Pulp and Fiber copywriter Carli Mia (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The Worthy 30 The Worthy 30 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_13671-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_13671.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_13671.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/worthy-30-party-toronto-2012/slide/img_1367-3/ img_1367-3 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
152512 Screenwriter Taylor Clarke (also known as Chef Grant Soto) (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The Worthy 30 The Worthy 30 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_13071-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_13071.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_13071.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/worthy-30-party-toronto-2012/slide/img_1307-3/ img_1307-3 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
152511 DJ Kris Steeves (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The Worthy 30 The Worthy 30 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_13151-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_13151.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_13151.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/worthy-30-party-toronto-2012/slide/img_1315-3/ img_1315-3 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
152510 The man of the hour, Worthy 30 head judge Shinan Govani (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The Worthy 30 The Worthy 30 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_12721-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_12721.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_12721.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/worthy-30-party-toronto-2012/slide/img_1272-3/ img_1272-3 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
152508 Worthy 30 recipient Braden Rosner (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The Worthy 30 The Worthy 30 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_11641-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_11641.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_11641.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/worthy-30-party-toronto-2012/slide/img_1164-3/ img_1164-3 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
152506 Moon designer Jordin Mimran (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The Worthy 30 The Worthy 30 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_11511-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_11511.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_11511.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/worthy-30-party-toronto-2012/slide/img_1151-4/ img_1151-4 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
152502 <em>Toronto Standard</em> style editor Sabrina Maddeaux (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The Worthy 30 The Worthy 30 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_10341-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_10341.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_10341.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/worthy-30-party-toronto-2012/slide/img_1034-3/ img_1034-3 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
152500 Freelance writer Paul Aguirre-Livingston (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The Worthy 30 The Worthy 30 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_10331-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_10331.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_10331.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/worthy-30-party-toronto-2012/slide/img_1033-3/ img_1033-3 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
152499 Shared designs’ Jenny Boucher (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The Worthy 30 The Worthy 30 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_10271-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_10271.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_10271.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/worthy-30-party-toronto-2012/slide/img_1027-3/ img_1027-3 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
152498 The Society’s Amanda Blakley (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The Worthy 30 The Worthy 30 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_10101-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_10101.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_10101.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/worthy-30-party-toronto-2012/slide/img_1010-4/ img_1010-4 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
152497 Queen Shmink, blogger and friend of Drake (also a Worthy 30 recipient) (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The Worthy 30 The Worthy 30 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_10001-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_10001.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_10001.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/worthy-30-party-toronto-2012/slide/img_1000-3/ img_1000-3 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
152494 Roots co-founder Michael Budman (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The Worthy 30 The Worthy 30 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_09841-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_09841.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_09841.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/worthy-30-party-toronto-2012/slide/img_0984-3/ img_0984-3 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
152493 Managing director of Hermann and Audrey and Worthy 30 recipient Jacquelyn West (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The Worthy 30 The Worthy 30 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_09811-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_09811.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_09811.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/worthy-30-party-toronto-2012/slide/img_0981-3/ img_0981-3 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
152492 Blogger Lauren O’Neil (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The Worthy 30 The Worthy 30 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_09431-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_09431.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_09431.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/worthy-30-party-toronto-2012/slide/img_0943-3/ img_0943-3 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
152491 Butter PR’s Shawn Rusich (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The Worthy 30 The Worthy 30 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_09321-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_09321.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_09321.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/worthy-30-party-toronto-2012/slide/img_0932-3/ img_0932-3 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
152490 Last year’s Worthy 30 inductee, Holt Renfrew’s Jennifer Daubney (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The Worthy 30 The Worthy 30 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_09282-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_09282.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_09282.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/worthy-30-party-toronto-2012/slide/img_0928-6/ img_0928-6 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
152489 Zane Aburaneh, owner of Queen Street West shop A2Zane (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The Worthy 30 The Worthy 30 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_08942-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_08942.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_08942.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/worthy-30-party-toronto-2012/slide/img_0894-4/ img_0894-4 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
152486 eLuxe publicist Amina Said with Worthy 30 recipient Randi Bergman (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) The Worthy 30 The Worthy 30 https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_08402-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_08402.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_08402.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/worthy-30-party-toronto-2012/slide/img_0840-5/ img_0840-5 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
Worthy of what??
Douchefest
If Jen Kirsch was his “prized pick” why was she just an honourable mention on the list?
what a suffocatingly narcissistic pile of trash. i doubt any of these people can pass a mirror without looking at themselves. over-entitled, largely undeserved (‘relationship blogger’… really?).
no wonder the Islamic world hates us.
This is gross. What universe is this? And how do I get as far away as possible?
To all of the commenters discussing the idiocy of this event, I have a feeling most of the people there also considered it to be rather idiotic. From what it looks like, it was just something to do on a hot summer night where free booze would be served. That said, woof.
It mentioned “pretty young things” but most of the women are fugly. Is this really the best Toronto can produce?
This is to all the people above who wrote the comments. I guess you weren’t invited !! lol
I get the feeling that 90% of these people will never go anywhere. Come on, “friend of Drake”? That’s bottom-feeder territory right there. Just the same handful of people pretending to pat each other on the back so they feel better about themselves.
I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.
The only good picture in the bunch is the one of the founder of Roots, who is so clearly not even slightly interested in this nonsense.
Otherwise, the thing is just sad. I’m really hoping these people involved aren’t taking it too seriously.
“Friend of Drake”. Hilarious. Who approves these captions?
Braden Rosner deserves it!
Budman looks like a butthead.
People working for Fashion Magazine are contributing members of Toronto society? HARDLY! Anyone involved with designing, making, promoting or selling overpriced or designer clothing is fooling themselves if they think they are making a contribution to this planet or it’s people. They are as self centered and wasteful as the people who wear that clothing or support it in anyway.