THE SCENE: Greta Constantine’s splashy poolside Primer party at an Annex mansion
THE SCENE: Greta Constantine’s splashy poolside Primer party at an Annex mansion
By Briony Smith and Kevin Naulls | August 19, 2011
By Briony Smith and Kevin Naulls | 08/19/2011
It was a very relaxed party. There was a lot of vodka. (Image: Erin Simkin)
We wish every fashion party took place at an Annex mansion. Greta Constantine went back to the opulent estate of Michael Cooper and Krystal Koo for the sneak peek of the second instalment of their basics line, Primer. Longtime Greta fans Amanda Blakley and Ashleigh Dempster accessorized with enormous baby bumps that had even the iciest socialites cooing (overheard: “I’d love to look half as good as she does nine months pregnant”). Daniel Johnson of the band Stereos held court by the pool (which, thankfully sadly, no one tumbled into, although there were a few close calls due to some of the deathly high heels being sported), while Jay Levine of Fashion Television and PR maven Natasha Koifman chatted like old high school chums by the vodka bar. The CBC’s Kirstine Stewart and Maple Leaf GM honey Jennifer Burke also made cameos, along with INK honcho Charles Khabouth. Suzanne Timmins —looking fierce in animal print—made a fashionably late entrance with white tux–jacketed Ports ad campaign creative director Tu Ly in tow before navigating her way delicately across the pool to get a personal tour of the collection from co-designer Kirk Pickersgill (the unofficial star of the night was his tiny godson, who was dancing like a maniac and fending off media requests). Check out the scene and read more about the collection after the jump.
Unlike the more simple neutral basics of the debut series, Primer 02 (yes, the collections are numbered—they’re “seasonless,” according to the designers) is filled with the type of flowing, ’70s-esque numbers that can be thrown on to trot from disco to disco (or lounge poolside while sweating off last night’s excesses). There were dark teal cotton maxi dresses, a grey draped cotton shift, a strapless royal blue number rocked by Koo herself and a electric turquoise silk jumpsuit. The pieces also have the decidedly un-baller price tag of $95 to $275 (or a little more for the Lauren Hutton–approved jumpsuit), and we hear that some big names are interested in carrying the collection (but the boys aren’t revealing who just yet). One and only question, however, remains: whose mansion are we off to next week? Suzanne Rogers’ ? We can’t wait for the invitation.
84849 An aggressive gentleman seeks cherries. Denied (oddly). (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8605-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8605.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8605.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8605/ img_8605 0 0
84850 DJ Diego Armand DJing. (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8608-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8608.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8608.jpg 624 433 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8608/ img_8608 0 0
84851 She’s fashion-melting. (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8621-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8621-368x624.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8621.jpg 368 624 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8621/ img_8621 0 0
84852 Gumby and her trusty steed Pokey (a very well-dressed Pokey, no less).(Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8632-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8632.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8632.jpg 624 507 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8632/ img_8632 0 0
84853 Susan Powter and Tony Little (not really) with Tony Pham.<br />
(Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8647-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8647-421x624.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8647.jpg 421 624 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8647/ img_8647 0 0
84854 Blogger Jay Strut, camera-shy for the first time in his life (or he’s looking at a picture of himself). (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8660-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8660.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8660.jpg 624 440 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8660/ img_8660 0 0
84855 Fashion Television’s Sarah Taylor interviews a young blogger (but, really, this little guy is a cutie). (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8663-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8663.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8663.jpg 624 431 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8663/ img_8663 0 0
84856 Not Le Tigre, as we had originally thought. We’ve learned that these guys are the Airplane Boys. Try telling us this guy wasn’t inspired by J.D. Samson.<br />
<br />
(Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8693-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8693.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8693.jpg 624 442 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8693/ img_8693 0 0
84857 Aw! (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8700-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8700.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8700.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8700/ img_8700 0 0
84858 Writer Fraser Abe just wants April Wozny’s attention, but sorry, Anita Clarke is wearing kooky Prada sunglasses. (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8732-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8732.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8732.jpg 624 431 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8732/ img_8732 0 0
84859 MTV’s Nicole Holness likes herself a lot (as you can see). (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8738-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8738.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8738.jpg 624 427 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8738/ img_8738 0 0
84861 The Society’s Ashleigh Dempster wearing Primer, but what we’re wondering is, “What is the baby wearing?” (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8756-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8756.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8756.jpg 624 436 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8756/ img_8756 0 0
84862 “Look at me!” (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8765-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8765.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8765.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8765/ img_8765 0 0
84863 This guy wants our attention, and we fell for it (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8766-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8766.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8766.jpg 624 475 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8766/ img_8766 0 0
84864 People don’t have conversations like this in real life, right? Holt Renfrew’s Natalie Lecomte actually has to lean in to accommodate a guest’s odd bend-at-the-knee-and-tilt-head-back stance. (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8767-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8767.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8767.jpg 624 427 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8767/ img_8767 0 0
84865 Oh, she’s just dramatic all the time. (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8771-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8771.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8771.jpg 624 470 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8771/ img_8771 0 0
84866 Fashion nap. (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8781-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8781.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8781.jpg 624 422 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8781/ img_8781 0 0
84867 Kirk Pickersgill admiring his Sears Attitude–like mannequin displays.(Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8806-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8806.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8806.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8806/ img_8806 0 0
84868 The Bay’s Christopher Sherman wears a leather rucksack in some sort of Dead Poets Society throwback. We assume he requires it to carry his baseball cards and Big Chew. (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8819-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8819.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8819.jpg 624 440 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8819/ img_8819 0 0
84869 The Bay’s Suzanne Timmins with Tu Ly and Tarek Al-Azbat, likely discussing how fabulous they all are. (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8836-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8836.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8836.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8836/ img_8836 0 0
84870 Shop owner Sarah Magwood going in for a bro tap with photographer and blogger Stefania Yarhi. (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8841-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8841.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8841.jpg 624 435 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8841/ img_8841 0 0
84871 “What, Kirk [Pickersgill]? Are my moves too wild [read: annoying] for you?” (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8844-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8844.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8844.jpg 624 432 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8844/ img_8844 0 0
84872 Exhibit B (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8847-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8847.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8847.jpg 624 435 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8847/ img_8847 0 0
84873 (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8854-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8854.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8854.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8854/ img_8854 0 0
84874 (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8855-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8855.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8855.jpg 624 426 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8855/ img_8855 0 0
84875 People telling Anita Clarke how amazing she is. (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8867-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8867.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8867.jpg 624 415 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8867/ img_8867 0 0
84876 (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8870-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8870.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8870.jpg 624 406 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8870/ img_8870 0 0
84877 When someone leaves a party and returns, you know they’ve been up to no good. (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8871-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8871.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8871.jpg 624 445 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8871/ img_8871 0 0
84878 The boys who created Primer (the reason we were there), Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong. (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8874-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8874.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8874.jpg 624 442 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8874/ img_8874 0 0
84879 Sorry, but this guy was everywhere we turned. (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8885-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8885.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8885.jpg 624 427 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8885/ img_8885 0 0
84880 See no evil. (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8886-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8886.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8886.jpg 624 431 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8886/ img_8886 0 0
84881 Corey Ng would rather be on his phone than fraternize with party people. (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8890-2-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8890-2.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8890-2.jpg 624 426 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8890-2/ img_8890-2 0 0
84882 “Welcome to my show.” “Thanks for having me.” (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8895-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8895.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8895.jpg 624 486 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8895/ img_8895 0 0
84883 This guy has a dirty secret—you can just tell. (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8905-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8905.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8905.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8905/ img_8905 0 0
84884 Some people like it a little dirty (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8922-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8922.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8922.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8922/ img_8922 0 0
84885 Partying is hard work; Tony Pham and friends take a break. (Image: Erin Simkin) Greta Constantine’s Primer party https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8931-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8931.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_8931.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/city/greta-constantine-primer-party/slide/img_8931/ img_8931 0 0
caption writer: as heather said to veronica, “if you’re going to openly be a bitch…”
Awesome event the food was fab and I loved the potato salad served in chinese soup spoons.
This event was boring as hell, what is wrong with Toronto?