It’s easy to forget that the Oscars were not the only awards for the Hollywood set over the last few days. Last Friday, Film Independent had its 25th Spirit Awards, championing independent film at an awards’ ceremony where the word Avatar was not uttered. (Interestingly, The Hurt Locker was in the running last year.)
While our article has some photographs, the video below supplied by Piaget has even more celebrities, including Mariah Carey and Pierce Brosnan.
From what we could tell, only two celebrities’ names were bandied about after the Love Ball last night: Natalia Vodianova, for being the face of the De Beers Magic Moment necklace, and Elizabeth Hurley, for wearing a see-through sari—recalling that 1994 moment when she wore a revealing Versace dress held together with safety pins. There are more celebrity pics in the main part of the Lucire website.
Martin Scorsese must be in the fashion Zeitgeist. After appearing in news about Giorgio Armani and its support for his film Shutter Island, we have received word that the Academy Award-winning director will direct the broadcast advertising campaign for Chanel’s new men’s fragrance. The campaign will star French actor Gaspard Ulliel.
The campaign breaks worldwide in August 2010.
Ulliel is probably best known to international audiences for his title role in Hannibal Rising. He has appeared on the cover of Vogue Paris (in January 2007) with Doutzen Kroes. He is also a face for Longchamp and has appeared with Kate Moss in that company’s campaigns.
Who can resist the possibility of time-travel into the intrigue and splendour of this legendary yearly celebration? Visions of masked, caped gentlemen and ladies drifting down mysterious, shadowy, lamp-lit and cobbled passageways of La Serenissima, in search of elegant salons and romantic assignations. Opulent late Renaissance costumes of incredible finery. Minuets and baroque melodies, counterposed with the traditional delicacies unique to the setting. For the truly impulsive, here’s a superior last-minute package deal which might just deliver such a magical and memorable feast for the senses. It’s a chance to get out of your iPhone and email, and head back to another era, into a world of decadence and splendour, set among the canals and palazzos.
Next weekend experience the near-mythological, through a special promotion at the Luna Hotel Baglioni Venice. On Friday, February 12 you can be part of the ‘Ball of the Baglioni Counts’ and on Saturday the 13th attend the Great Carnival Ball, during a minimum two-night stay, which includes masked ball, buffet breakfast and an entry for two to the Casinò di Venezia overlooking the Canal Grande. The Marco Polo Salon, with its massive School of Tiepolo murals, has got to be the ideal setting for dinner and desserts, followed by a live performance of Puccini’s La bohème, sung by a troupe from La Fenice. Dance away the rest of the night to the sounds of a cool DJ. There’s even the possibility of modelling some vintage costumes, with cloak and mask. Or steal away to the casino and try your luck at cards or love.
The Luna is perhaps my favourite hotel in Europe, ideally located just around the corner from Piazza San Marco. It boasts a classical and intimate atmosphere, superb canal view rooms and faultless service. It has the best concierge in the world, Antonio Massari. This special promotion has prices starting from €280 per night, an incredible offering, and one which could deliver some of those fantastical memories we cherish for a lifetime, the kind of thing we tell our grandchildren about. For more information, see www.baglionihotels.com.—Stanley Moss
Above Lady Gaga in a 2009 visual for her tour, The Monster Ball.
WGSN’s latest poll indicates that Lady Gaga, 23, is the biggest celebrity influence on fashion at the moment, somewhat validating Polaroid’s announcement of using the singer for its relaunch.
She leads with a 55 per cent share of the poll, says WGSN.
Supermodel Kate Moss comes second, with a distant 18 per cent.
American First Lady Michelle Obama is third with 12 per cent, Vogue’s Anna Wintour is fourth with 9, followed by Audrey Tautou with 6.
WGSN pop culture editor Alice Leeburn says in a release, ‘It’s no surprise that Lady Gaga came top, nor is the margin by which she led much of a shock. She is the single most influential celebrity for designers from the high-end to the high-street at the moment.
‘Her favourite designers are Alexander McQueen, Prada, Marc Jacobs, Dolce & Gabbana and Jean Paul Gaultier, and they have felt her influence just as much as they have influenced her style. She has also had an impact on graphics with high-profile ’80s-style punk graphics in monochrome black and white with flashes of fluoro, as well as driving the trend for mirror mosaics at present.’