Nicole Richie, surrounded by admirers at last night’s TNT party (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)

The offer of free alcohol used to be enough to lure Toronto’s social butterflies away from their at-home pasta binges and walk-in closets. These days, however, a celebrity name–sponsored soirée seems practically necessary to attract names like Dan Levy, Toufik Sarwa, Kirk Pickersgill, Tommy Smythe, Liz Cabral, Derick Chetty, Natalie Lecomte and Biko Beauttah, all of whom were present at Nicole Richie‘s fete last night celebrating TNT’s remodel. As far as celebrities go, The Bay has brought us Jason Wu, Derek Blasberg, Charlotte Olympia, Erdem and Anna Dello Russo (to name a few), while Holt Renfrew has nabbed Alexander Wang, Oscar de la Renta, Todd Selby, Todd Lynn and Rag and Bone for their parties. It seems that TNT felt some pressure to stay current—and who says “au courant” better than Nicole Richie?

The ex-Simple Life star (who helped establish such teeth-grinding catchphrases as “that’s hot”) was in town to promote her brand House of Harlow, but she spent the evening attracting cellphone-camera photographers, young bachelors (the kind that wear hoodies) and people who insisted on doing a lot of pointing. We miss the sassy Nicole Richie, who was more likely to crack a joke for the camera than a smile, but we figure she has matured since becoming a mother and marrying a fella from Good Charlotte. Good for her, boring for us.