Tastemakers Lounge Celebrates 10 years at Toronto International Film Festival

Marking 10 Years since launching the first Canadian-owned gifting suite at the Toronto International Film Festival™ (TIFF), rock-it promotions today announced details for the 2014 Tastemakers Lounge presented by Brita®. Hosted at the InterContinental Toronto Centre (225 Front St. W.), the exclusive lounge celebrates its 10th anniversary in style with luxury apparel, coveted accessories and the latest festival must-haves. Tastemakers has long been a hotspot for local and international talent, hosting and gifting notable names including Woody Harrelson, Brad Pitt, Sarah Polley, Kat Dennings, Freida Pinto, Samuel L. Jackson, Abigail Breslin, Joshua Jackson, and Nina Dobrev, among many others.

Founded in 2005 by Debra Goldblatt-Sadowski (president and founder of Tastemakers and rock-it promotions) and Leesa Butler (VP of Operations of Tastemakers and president and founder of Divine Lab), the Tastemakers Lounge presented by Brita® invites guests to take a break from the hustle and bustle of TIFF to enjoy unique brand experiences and innovative gifting opportunities from the hottest Canadian and international brands. This year's lounge promises to be the best yet. Hashtag: #Tastemakers10, Twitter: @rockitpromo, Instagram: @rockitpromo, Facebook: Tastemakers.

"Hosting Tastemakers during The Toronto International Film Festival for a decade has been an incredible experience. Each year the festival has continued to grow, and so has Tastemakers," said Goldblatt-Sadowski. "We are especially proud of the many Canadian brands we've been able to introduce on an international stage and want to give a special thank you to the talent, VIPs, brands and media that have supported us for the last 10 years. With the brands featured this year, we're celebrating this milestone in a big way. Here's to 10 more!"

Tastemakers is proud to announce LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics as this years charitable partner. These philanthropic forces have come together to support and highlight two local charities: Girls Rock Camp Toronto and the Children's Peace Theatre. LUSH's Charitable Giving Program is an initiative that donates 100 per cent of the sale price of Charity Pot Hand and Body Lotion to Grassroots organizations locally and around the world. Guests of the Tastemakers lounge will each receive a LUSH Charity Pot Hand and Body Lotion in their gift bag. As well, talent in the lounge will autograph the Charity Pot board, which will then be auctioned off with all of the proceeds going toward the Charity Pot initiative. Twitter: lushcosmetics Instagram: lushcosmetics Facebook: lushcosmetics

Joining the lounge this year as the title sponsor, Brita® will hydrate and energize guests at their refreshing water bar. Guests in the lounge can flavour their own filtered water as Brita® knows that when water tastes better you drink more. Talent will be gifted with a Brita® Filtering Bottle ($19.99) available in a variety of hot colours and prints featuring a built-in filter that cleans tap water as you drink. The filtering bottle is the perfect accessory to keep cool and hydrated in the midst of a busy TIFF schedule without the cost and waste of plastic bottles. Twitter: @BritaUSA, Facebook: BritaCanada.

SOREL snow boots are a winter wear staple for celebrities and the style-conscious alike. Guests to the lounge will snag a pair of the iconic boots from the fall 2014 collection. Celebrating the juxtaposition of fashion and rugged practicality, SOREL is the perfect combination of style and protection. Wear them walking on city streets or battling snow, rain, Mud and muck without compromising on style. Made with heritage expert craftsmanship, SOREL will offer a boot fitting with a variety of their classic looks as well as new styles that express the season's hottest trends (up to $280). Although SOREL makes more than just boots, there is a boot in everything SOREL makes. SOREL brings the spirit and heritage of expertly crafted boots to the modern world of fashion where it is inspiring a new generation of doers, builders and creators. Twitter: @SorelFootwear, Instagram: @sorelfootwear, Facebook: SOREL.

Danier Leather* offers a world of luxury where leather becomes you, as the heritage Canadian brand showcases their trendsetting fall styles. Guests will be outfitted with leather accessories including handbags and wallets, as well as a selection of scarves (up to $159). Twitter: @danier_leather, Instagram: danierleather, Facebook: DanierLeatherInc

Piloti is revving up to keep TIFF-goers moving in style with racing-inspired footwear, apparel and accessories. Brand experts will be on hand to fit male talent with driving shoes from the luxury collection crafted in Italy, including the Campione dress shoe ($450). The hand-finished leather Campione is the coolest dress shoe on the market; featuring a distinctive brogue design, signature vintage racing tire tread sole, and Piloti's patented Roll Control™ technology. Twitter: @piloti‎

Canadian designer Tonia DeBellis* brings her namesake collection of cozy couture apparel and accessories to the lounge, gifting guests with her signature Haute Hoodie ($399). Her use of high-end fabrics including lush furs combined with sophisticated styling bring urban chic comfort to the active woman and are ideal for traveling, relaxing on set, or après ski. Twitter: ToniaDebellis.

This year the Tastemakers gift bag takes Flight courtesy of the smart and stylish RISE Jumper carry-on bag ($79). Toronto-based company RISE Gear* has created the perfect piece of luggage featuring a patent pending portable shelving system to keep clothes folded and organized. Travel documents are easily accessible in the front pockets and the suitcase extension holder keeps the carry-on riding on top of your rolling suitcase for an easy hands free trip. Jet-setting guests won't leave home without this must-have accessory. Twitter: @RISEgear, Facebook: RISEgear.

Vancouver based olive + piper* will gift a statement layered pendant necklace ($34) from their gorgeous online jewelry boutique. The site offers fashion lovers a sparkly selection of affordable and carefully curated items from trendy statement pieces to classic every day styles that will inspire guests to celebrate their personal style. Twitter: @oliveandpiper, Instagram: @oliveandpiper, Facebook: oliveandpiper.

Additional goodies in the gift bag include Papa D's Tropical Hot Sawce* ($8.50), a gluten free condiment with no additives or preservatives that is proudly made in Windsor, Ontario. Fresh habanero, jalapeno and Thai chilli get top billing, but the real stars are supporting flavours peach and pineapple which create the signature "sweet heat" love story. Wind down after a long day of mingling with Counting Sheep Coffee*, the world's first coffee that improves sleep quality. Blending Swiss Water® decaffeinated coffee and a plant-based calming ingredient Valerian root, coffee lovers can indulge in their favourite drink before bed. With a choice between a 3/4 pound bag of ground coffee or K-cups ($12 - $14) guests can enjoy it at home, On the Road or to help beat jet-lag. Stay fresh looking from Morning until the after-party with Consonant Skincare*'s award-winning HydrExtreme ($72), a 100 per cent natural hydration booster that delivers 24 hour moisture protection while effectively treating fine lines, Wrinkles and dry spots. Calvin Klein REVEAL for her ($25, 15 mL) will delight guests with the latest sensual scent that embodies the thrilling game of seduction between a man and a woman with a luxurious mix of a raw salt signature, floral and woody notes.

The lounge will be decked out in industrial furnishings by Toronto firm Pekota Design*, while Branded Bites* will serve special 10 year anniversary sweets.

*Indicates a Canadian brand.

Photography for the lounge is provided by Central Imaging, they will also be reporting live on star-sightings with The Hollywood Minute; follow the action on Twitter @HollywoodMinute. Daily updates including exclusive photos of talent as well as brand and product images can be found by visiting the Tastemakers Lounge presented by Brita® Flickr gallery. The lounge will also act as the downtown hub for the Ward and Al Show on SiriusXM Satellite Radio on Canada Talks Channel 167 airing from 1 to 4 p.m. on September 4 and 5.

rock-it promotions is currently scheduling appointments for the Tastemakers Lounge presented by Brita® Media Preview on Wed., Sept. 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments can also be made outside of those hours. Please note, media appointments are limited.

Tastemakers Lounge presented by Brita® opens its doors to talent and special guests by appointment from Thurs., Sept. 4 to Mon. Sept. 8.

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