Greg Cannon, Oscar winner for Achievement in Make-up, picks up his gift from Piotaz.
BEVERLY HILLS, CA (LA ELEMENTS) 3/4/2019 – There are few weekends more exciting in Los Angeles than that of the Academy Awards-and on the Friday and Saturday before this year’s 91st annual ceremony, the city practically hummed with excitement as stars whisked between luxurious hotel suites for last minute fittings and of course, to pick up some of those coveted swag bags. Nowhere was this energy more apparent than at the DPA Pre-Oscars Style Lounge, where nominees and select members of the media assembled at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel on February 22nd and 23rd. VIP guests included Sony Pictures Classics co-presidents and co-founders Michael Barker and Tom Bernard, Black Panther actress Angela Bassett, Green Book actor and screenplay writer Brian Currie, Vice actor Kirk Bovill, directors Andrew Chesworth and Bobby Pontillas (nominated for One Small Step), Christina Simpkins (Green Book actress), Darren Mahon (nominated for Best Live Action Short Film for Detainment), Eugenio Caballero (nominated for Best Production Design for Roma), Eva Kemme (nominated for Best Documentary Feature for Of Fathers and Sons), Evren Boisjoli and Jeremy Comte (nominated for Best Live Action Short Film for Fauve), Jeff Whitty (nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay for Can You Ever Forgive Me?), Phillip Boutte Jr (who assisted Best Costume Design winner Ruth E. Carter on Black Panther), Will Fetters (nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay for A Star is Born), and Yvette Yates, Shaun Reddick, Ray Amnsfield, and Jason Blum (all producers nominated for best picture for BlacKkKlansman).
Upon arrival, guests were escorted into the first of two plush gifting suites, where they could squeeze in any last-minute beauty and wellness treatments before walking the red carpet. Nabila K bestowed gift bags filled with their organic bath and beauty products. Nail artists from RoseVi Nail Bar were on hand to offer quick manicures. Brands like Jacqueline Piotaz—a luxury Swiss skincare line whose plant-based products are based on recipes found in Piotaz’s grandmother’s journal—and Haas Wellness Center ,gifted nominees products and treatments ranging from peels to cool sculpting. “Our facility offers everything from facials to laser therapies to truSculpt ID—a procedure that takes just 15 minutes, requires no downtime, and can result in up to 24% targeted fat loss,” explained Hilda Kasimian, a pharmacist at Haas Wellness Center’s Glendale outpost. “That means stars could use the treatment we are gifting them today to tone up right before the ceremony!”
In addition to prepping their bodies for the big day, guests enjoying the lounge could also prep their souls with wellness-focused offerings. Lisa Greenfield from Truth in Hand was on site to give palm readings—accurately predicting big wins for Patricia Dettaney and Greg Cannon, the team of makeup artists that transformed Christian Bale into former Vice President Dick Cheney for Vice. Energy healers from SynergyHeals were also available to help nominees steady any last-minute nerves.
Fan favorites Donal Logue (Gotham) and Giles Marini (Days of our Lives) join DPA President Nathalie Dubois at her exclusive Oscar luxury lounge.
Charitable organizations were also in attendance. Stars were particularly inspired by Stepping Forward LA, an organization dedicated to empowering foster youth who are aging out of the system. “We have former foster kids working the suite with us here today,” explains the organization’s executive director Beth Ryan, “and it is so great to get them in front of people in the film industry that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to connect with. That’s what we are all about here—we want to provide these kids with the job advice and connections they need to be successful in their lives.”
Before discovering the charity and luxury brand sponsors at the 2019 DPA Pre-Oscars Style Lounge, guests had the opportunity to refuel on the sun-soaked patio that connected the two suites. There, Twinkle Brown Sugar and Topo Chico provided refreshments (energy boosting boba milk teas from the former and crisp sparkling mineral water from the latter) while Buttery Popcorn Co. and Sunny Blue, which makes authentic Japanese omusubi rice cakes in its Culver City and Santa Monica locations, provided snacks for attendees to stock up on before heading back inside.
The second half of the lounge gave nominees the perfect opportunity to polish off their red carpet looks with glittering jewels to pair with their gowns or tuxes from Chìmere. Of the pieces available on loan, designer Christine Ear explained that “our new OM pendant, [which features a delicate Om symbol surrounded by a circle of sparkling diamonds so densely packed you can barely see the gold settings of the piece] has been extremely popular. We’ve had a few people—whose names we unfortunately can’t share!—request to wear it to the ceremony.” For those who didn’t find exactly what they were looking for, Christine was also able to set up appointments to discuss custom commissions, a process which takes up to four weeks.
Guests were also treated to Herkimer Diamond (which are actually beautiful crystals only found in Upstate New York, and Meghan Markle the Dutchess of Sussex is counted as a fan) necklaces from Fallen Stars and designer leather bags from De Marquet, which are designed in Switzerland and made in Italy to compliment any outfit thanks to an adjustable (and completely removable) chain strap and interchangeable top flaps.
Pollyanna McIntosh 2019 SXSW Game Changer Award Nominee for the movie she directed, Darlin, stops by the De Marquette display.
Finally, to celebrate the end of another jam-packed awards season with a bit of hard-earned R&R, select VIP guests were also given the opportunity for luxe vacations at either Le Taha’a Island Resort & Spa in French Polynesia or Soori resort in Bali.
Cover photo of Sony Classics co-presidents Michael Barker and Tom Bernard at the Nabila K display.
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All photography courtesy of Cecile Boko
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