Celebrities celebrate TIFF at HELLO! Canada & NKPR's IT House

Aligned with the launch of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 8, HELLO! Canada and NKPR teamed up for an exclusive three-day event at The Purman in Toronto’s cultural district.

MORE: All the highlights from HELLO! Canada and Toronto Life's Hollywood North party at TIFF 2022

Steps away from the TIFF Bell Lightbox, headquartered out of the future home of Natasha The Residences by Lanterra Developments, the lounge was a space to explore some of the top names making waves in Canada.

Hello! Canada's portrait studio and Karen Robinson
Hello! Canada's portrait studio and Karen Robinson

Karen Robinson of Schitt's Creek fame enjoyed some time in the walk-in closet

It featured a walk-in closet by MCM, red carpet-worthy touch-ups by HAIRGOD and Starks Barber Company, a Lobos 1707 tequila bar, snacks by Purplesful, a Regimen Lab skincare station, a La Bonne Fille Fine Tea Co. cafe experience, and more from brands like Hey Babe Cosmetics, Lifted Fitness, Saje Natural Wellness, Ceder’s and Better Rhodes.

IT House's activations
IT House's activations

There was plenty of fun, entertainment and relaxation for guests!

Meanwhile, in the event’s portrait studio, VIPs styled in the designs of Canadian fashion pioneer Joseph Ribkoff had their portrait captured by photographer Lawrence Cortez. On the guest list—a roster of celebrities wherein each to visit the studio rendered a donation to Artists for Peace and Justice, a non-profit that encourages peace and social justice in communities around the world. Among the Canadian talent were 2022 Canadian Screen Award Winner, Samora Smallwood and Amanda Brugel of The Handmaid’s Tale (which premiered its latest season at the festival).

Hello Canada portrait studio
Hello Canada portrait studio

Guests, including Natasha Gargiulo (bottom), thoroughly enjoyed themselves!

RELATED: All the highlights from the Artists for Peace and Justice Gala at TIFF 2022

Glimpse a closer look at the some of portraits below.

Photos © Lawrence Cortez @lawrencecortez
All photos captured in the NKPR IT House Portrait Studio. 

Creative Direction by George Antonopoulos @georgeantono1
Set Design by Julia Tang @julestang

Aliya Jasmine Sovani
Aliya Jasmine Sovani

TV host, producer and environmental journalist Aliya Jasmine Sovani

Eric Hendrikx and Natasha Koifman
Eric Hendrikx and Natasha Koifman

NKPR President Natasha Koifman with her husband, Eric Hendrikx

Natasha Gargiulo
Natasha Gargiulo

TV and radio host Natasha Gargiulo

Raymond Ablack
Raymond Ablack

Actor Raymond Alback

Suzanne Boyd
Suzanne Boyd

Zoomer magazine Editor-in-Chief and Publisher Suzanne Boyd

Yannick Bisson
Yannick Bisson

Actor Yannick Bisson, best known for his work on Murdoch Mysteries

Adrienne C. Moore
Adrienne C. Moore

Actress Adrienne C. Moore, known for her work on Orange is the New Black

Amanda Brugel
Amanda Brugel

The Handmaid's Tale star Amanda Brugel

Elijah Woods
Elijah Woods

Singer Elijah Woods

George Stroumboulopoulos
George Stroumboulopoulos

George Stroumboulopoulos

Karen Robinson
Karen Robinson

Canadian Screen Award winner Karen Robinson, known for her work on Schitt's Creek

Karl Wolf
Karl Wolf

JUNO-nominated singer and producer Karl Wolf

Pooja Handa
Pooja Handa

Radio host Pooja Handa

Shantelle Bisson
Shantelle Bisson

Parenting expert and author Shantelle Bisson

Shantelle Bisson and daughters
Shantelle Bisson and daughters

Shantelle Bisson with her daughters

Tracy Moore
Tracy Moore

Cityline host Tracy Moore

Vinay Virmani
Vinay Virmani

Actor and producer Vinay Virmani

The cast of Riceboy Sleeps
The cast of Riceboy Sleeps

The cast of Riceboy Sleeps

2022 Canadian Screen Award winner Samora Smallwood
2022 Canadian Screen Award winner Samora Smallwood

2022 Canadian Screen Award winner Samora Smallwood