Street Style: Torontonians—from Soho House hosts to Strombo—take on TIFF parties and premieres
As we all know, TIFF turns the city into an uncontrollable mass of celebrity-obsessed stalkers. Another festival symptom is that people who would normally be watching Netflix on a Tuesday night feel the need to go out and experience the city—usually this amounts to waiting in line for three hours to see a premiere, but sometimes it means classily crashing an exclusive party. So what does one wear to attend a TIFF event where you might lock eyes with your celeb crush? If you’re George Stroumboulopoulos, you’re just happy not to be wearing a stiff suit on-air, and if you’re a Soho House host you’re still in your standard black-on-black uniform—but everyone else is dressed to the nines in their party best, whether it’s a sequined romper or prim-and-proper pearls.
Name: Christopher Sheppard Age: 63 Profession: Film producer Photographed at: King and John “My style is blue. Take that as you will.”
Name: Danny McCarney Age: 34 Profession: Marketing program manager Photographed at: King and John “I’m going to the Mongrel Media Lounge. I try to go pretty original—I’ll look at what other people are wearing and try and be a bit funkier.”
Name: Aaron Sanderson Age: 30 Profession: Fundraiser Photographed at: King and John “I’m going straight from the office so I needed something that worked for both—the floral shirt is me trying to hold on to summer.”
Name: Billy Taylor Age: 23 Profession: Host at Soho House Photographed at: Soho House “I pretty much wear all-black everything. T-shirts and blazers are my jam. If it’s a posh event, maybe I’ll do up the top button.”
Name: Melua Chance Age: 28 Profession: Reception Manager at Soho House Photographed at: Soho House “I work long hours, so even when we have an event I try to still have a relaxed, comfy style.”
Name: Fadesha Alexander Age: 27 Profession: Retail associate Photographed at: University and Richmond “My style’s eclectic and chill, but when I go to an event I’ll wear something cropped or fitted.”
Name: Deon Mars Age: 28 Profession: Retail associate Photographed at: University and Richmond “Right now I’m hobo-chic, but I typically wear Herve Leger to TIFF parties.”
Name: Lexsi Giardini Age: 22 Profession: Student Photographed at: TIFF Bell Lightbox “We saw Ryan Reynolds earlier and I’m really excited to see The Danish Girl right now. My TIFF look is pretty classy.”
Name: Sandra DiNardo Age: 25 Profession: Student Photographed at: TIFF Bell Lightbox “This is my first TIFF event, so I wanted to wear something cool.”
Name: Jessica Marelli Age: 29 Profession: Stay-at-home mom Photographed on: King West “We just saw I Smile Back. And earlier we met Sarah Silverman. I think my look is very classic.”
Name: Rosie Mammone Age: 24 Profession: Records manager Photographed on: King West “I like classic, vintage looks for going to parties.”
Name: Mike Reitano Age: 31 Profession: Accountant Photographed on: King West “My style’s a bit all over the place. But this look is what I tend to go for when I go out.”
Name: George Stromboulopoulos Age: 43 Profession: TV anchor Photographed at: 401 Richmond St. W. “I wear a suit every day when I’m on the air, so in my own time I like to wear this—all black. I don’t really think fashion is important—but style is.”
