Igor Spektor

In a very friendly, relaxed and airy Stardust Penthouse atop the Beverly Hilton, guests of Debbie Durkin’s 2015 edition of the Eco Luxe Oscar Style Lounge could receive posh perk-ups, including blow-drys, organic spray tans and make-up touch-ups by OC Hair & Makeup. Celebrity pets were treated to eco-friendly goodies from Canadog and other vendors.
   Choices Recovery was the very timely charitable focus of the event, and reps from the organization were on hand to educate and raise awareness of the options that exist for those struggling with substance abuse. To set the mood, Durkin’s team joined forces with innovative company Under Canvas, known for its retreat packages to such healing destinations in the US as Moab, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. The hotel penthouse was transformed into a glamorous camping-style escape (hence ‘glamping’) with stylish hunting lodge-chic décor. Élan Event Rentals, LBPS Events and Frances Lynn Creative Florals provided beautiful assistance in setting the mood for both the day- and night-time festivities (hosted by Real Housewives of Orange County cast member Gretchen Christine Rossi and Chris Booker of AMP Radio).
   Attendees included nominees and winners from the crews of films such as American Sniper, The Theory of Everything, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Hobbit and Whiplash. They included Ben Wilkins (Oscar winner, Whiplash, for best sound mixing), Elise Robertson (Oscar nominee, American Sniper), Elizabeth Yianni-Georgiou (Oscar nominee, Guardians of the Galaxy, for make-up and hairstyling), Jason Canovas (Oscar nominee, The Hobbit, for sound editing), Lisa Bruce (producer of The Theory of Everything), Kevin Sorbo (Hercules), philanthropist Nancy Davis (Race to Erase MS), Carolyn Hennesy (Revenge), Ken Davitian (Borat), Christian Oliver (Alarm für Cobra 11: die Autobahnpolizei), Amanda Adrienne, Claudia Wells, Kelly Perine, Jillian Murray, Craig Scime, Cassandra Michaels, Daisy Jacobs, Suzan Brittan, Adina Porter, May Wang, Andrea Bogart, and our friends Donna Spangler and Richie Benveniste.
   Daytime guests stopped by for make-up, spray tans and hair touch-ups from nationwide mobile company OC Hair & Make-up, stocked up on pet gear from CanaDog and KD Pet Protector, and canine babysitting services from Gardena-based Camp Run-a-Mutt. VIPs left with gift bags containing gift certificates for dog collars by Let There Be Collars and complimentary services at Animal Healing & Wellness. Humans got certificates for free candles at Sugar Mint Candle Co. and complimentary sessions at Body & Brain Yoga in Burbank.—Elyse Glickman, US West Coast Editor, and Leyla Messian, LA Correspondent

Igor Spektor

Israel David Groveman

A week has passed since the release of the cinematic adaptation of E. L. James’s Fifty Shades of Grey.
   If you haven’t seen the film directed by Sam Johnson-Taylor, starring Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson, you may be the small part of the population who is choosing to ignore the hype.
   In a nutshell, the movie is about Christian Grey (Dornan) and Anastasia Steele (Johnson), who are from completely different worlds. He is wealthy, sophisticated and seems as though he has his life together, while Anastasia is about to finish university with an arts’ degree and hasn’t really given any thought as to what her next step is going to be. They meet by chance, and, boom, you see Mr Grey fall in love with Miss Steele instantly. It is a classic love story with a twist, in the sense that Mr Grey has ‘singular taste’ when it comes to his sexual tendencies. He introduces Miss Steele, a virgin, to a world of power, dominance and at times, cruelty, but as the movie progresses, you see a different side to Mr Grey. He genuinely seems to be falling in love with Miss Steele, but he cannot bear to bring himself to say it, or feel it. ‘I have had a rough start in life,’ he tells her and, ‘I’m not the man for you; you should stay away from me.’ But she doesn’t. She presses on, she is determined to uncover what his “issues” are and how she can help him heal, in a sense. But there are dark moments, too. You see Mr Grey falling apart because he simply doesn’t know how to respond emotionally to Miss Steele’s needs, so he responds in the only way he knows how to: through BDSM. Sure, his BDSM is a turn-on for her, and she’s willing to explore his world, but she doesn’t understand why he’s not willing to explore hers—and that’s when it gets messy. You have give Miss Steele credit: she has that fire and spark that Mr Grey loves, and yet, he has no idea how to be a ‘hearts and flowers man’ and as he plainly tells her, ‘I’m fifty shades of f***ed up.’
   Dakota Johnson was made for this role. She steals every scene with her lightness, naïveté, her interest in exploring her sexuality and for wanting to help the man she loves find his way to her world. Jamie Dornan is the brooding Grey, all dark and mysterious, but you get the sense that there is so much more to him and his story than he is willing to share, and that’s the beauty of this series. We find out why he is the way he is, and in the end, we want to be able to answer the age old question: is love enough to save someone?
   If you want a thought-provoking movie, go see it; don’t be intimidated by other people’s reviews and make your own judgements. Mr Grey will see you now.—Snjezana Bobič

BBC

Essex-born singer-songwriter Olly Murs is Top Gear’s next Star in a Reasonably Priced Car, with the BBC releasing photographs from next Sunday’s (February 22, 2015) episode.
   Murs is pictured along with the Stig, and behind the wheel of the red Vauxhall Astra that celebrities have been taking around the long-running TV show’s test track since 2013.
   Murs first came to prominence as a contestant on The X Factor, where he finished runner-up in the 2009 series. Madame Tussauds has even made a likeness of him for its exhibit.
   His latest album, Never Been Better, was released last November and débuted at number one on the UK albums’ chart.
   US actor Aaron Paul currently heads the leaderboard among the stars who have driven the Vauxhall Astra.

BBC

KVR Creative/courtesy Doris Bergman

Even if seasoned Hollywood PR pro and impresario Doris Bergman asks for feedback on her events, the truth is that with her Oscar-Valentine and Emmy events, she consistently “knocks them out of the park” (as we say in the baseball-crazy USA). Once again, West Hollywood’s Fig & Olive restaurant played host to the Seventh Annual Valentine Romance Oscar Style Lounge & Party, and the vibe was friendly, appetizing (lots of fresh-from-the-oven goodies from F&O’s kitchen) and quite stylish for both the celebrities and attending press.
   Seven, however, proved to be particularly charming for Doris, not only with her mix of guests and products, but also lots of surprises. While her roster of talent (including Rosa Blasi, Sofia Milos, Deidre Hall, James Kyson Lee, Lisa Vidal, Lisa Ann Walter, Kelsey Scott, Carolyn Hennesy, Rénée Taylor, Joe Bologna, and Greg Grunberg) enjoyed this favourite family reunion of sorts, the icing on the Valentine’s Day cupcake was a visit from LA’s enduring designer Sue Wong. While her selection of dresses for the A-listers dazzled, it was a whole other matter when the belle of the ball strolled in to witness for herself celebrities falling in love with her artistry all over again.
   As Sue and Doris greeted each other, it suddenly hit me that both women have a lot in common, including making every invited guest to their soirées feel welcome, accepted, well fed and fashionable. The motherly love exuded at the event provided a perfect backdrop for official charity Wednesday’s Child. KTTV Fox 11 News’s Los Angeles presenter Christine Devine was present to support and answer questions about her signature cause beyond her weekly local broadcasts. Celebrities were encouraged to bring new, unwrapped gifts, including clothing, accessories, electronics, sporting equipment, monetary donations, etc., for a post-holiday gift drive for teens currently living in foster care.
   The returning and still fabulous perennials filling out the Fig & Olive garden included MDSun USA skin care, Silvana K Designs jewellery, Arbonne Essentials’ nutrition products, Spongelle bath products, Kama Sutra, Twisted Silver by Debra Mitchell, Single by Galina Sobolev, Telic (with new bling accessories), and Model in a Bottle (now with a sensitive skin formula).
   Although Samiah appeared at a certain Golden Globes event a few weeks ago, and in spite of the fact that the mercury hit 30°C (86°F), the bespoke coat designer showed her presence could stand up to a seasoned veteran like Sue Wong in both her artistry with fabric and her ease with guests from all walks of life. Shangri-La of Luxury helped clear the air for prosperity with delicious home and body fragrances, as did candles from the new Burbank boutique Shoppe 815. Beauty mavens could rejoice with an opportunity to test out all-natural hair care from Pura d’Or and the Kelley West Microderm360° Dermabrasion Tool and skin care line. Another motherly touch: the rep encouraged guests to use it responsibly and check out special demos at microderm360.com/ before putting this Home Shopping Network best seller to work.—Elyse Glickman, US West Coast Editor

KVR Creative/courtesy Doris Bergman

Franziska Krug/Getty Images

Bulgari’s Diva Cinema Night at the Berlinale, the Berlin International Film Festival, on Tuesday celebrated divas past and present with an exclusive party at the Metropolpark in the German capital.
   The event celebrated divas including Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, Anita Ekberg and Grace Kelly, and their connection to the world of film. Modern actresses were also celebrated by co-sponsor Bulgari, including Carla Bruni, Jennifer Garner, Sharon Stone, Keira Knightley and Naomi Watts.
   Notable VIPs included Olga Kurylenko, Nastassja Kinski and Lilly zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, as well as Anna Maria Muehe, Julia Dietze, Emma Heming-Willis, Sonja Kerskes, Paz de la Huerta, Sanny van Heteren, Tanja Bülter, Natascha Ochsenknecht, Chiara Schoras, Nicolai Kinski, Ina Paule Klink, Kweku Mandela, Lelio Gavazza, Sandra Mohsni, Natalia Avelon, Shermine Sharivar, and Alessandra Mastronardi.
   With Bulgari, unsirprisingly Elizabeth Taylor’s starring role in Cleopatra, resplendent with jewellery, were among the memories shared during the evening. BMW was the event’s second sponsor, countering the festival’s partnership with rival Audi. DJ Nick Cohen performed at the do, while Moët & Chandon served champagne.

Franziska Krug/Getty Images

Charley Gallay

Stefanie Keenan

Warner Music Group hosted an after-party for the artists signed to its label at Château Marmont in West Hollywood on Sunday night, celebrating those who had been nominated for a 2015 Grammy Award, including Beyoncé, Jay Z, Kendrick Lamar, Ed Sheeran, Charli XCX, Clean Bandit, Wiz Khalifa, Trey Songz, Faith Hill, Hunter Hayes, Neil Young, Paramore, Tegan and Sara, the Black Keys, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Pink Floyd, Grateful Dead, Coldplay and others.
   The event featured live performances from Charli XCX, Jessie J, and Jess Glynne, among numerous others. Other VIPs on the guest list were Priyanka Chopra, Miranda Kerr, Josh Groban, Paris Hilton, Taye Diggs, Aloe Blacc, Mel B and Stephen Belafonte, Brandy Clark, Gary Clark, Jr and Nicole Trunfio, Clean Bandit, Courteney Cox, Sheryl Crow, Jason Derulo, Jamie Foxx, Kat Graham, Lydia Hearst, Amy Heidemann, Icona Pop, Randy Jackson, Emily Joyce, Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jaime King, John Legend, Jenny Lewis, Juliette Lewis, Annie Lennox, Angela Lindvall, Ziggy Marley, Miguel, Haley Joel Osment, Paul Oakenfold, Rita Ora, Ryan Phillippe, Perrey Reeves, Fatima Robinson, Nile Rodgers, Michelle Rodriguez, Mark Ronson, Russell Simmons, Jordin Sparks, Sevyn Streeter, Chrissy Teigen, Aisha Tyler, Erin Wasson, Marlon Wayans, Will.i.am, Dwight Yoakam, and Hans Zimmer.
   The after-party was sponsored by Spotify and Deleón.

Stefanie Keenan

Mike Windle

Charley Gallay

Mike Windle

Charley Gallay

Stefanie Keenan

Ross Brown

The Royal New Zealand Ballet opens its 2015 season in March with Don Quixote, marking its first production under the company’s new artistic director Francesco Ventriglia.
   The sets and costumes have been conceived by former artistic director and designer Gary Harris, whose prior work for the RNZB included The Nutcracker and The Sleeping Beauty, with choreography by Adrian Burnett after Marius Petipa.
   This version of the classic ballet, set in Barcelona, was first seen at the end of 2008 and is known as a vibrant, effervescent take, set to the music of Ludwig Minkus, conducted by Nigel Gaynor. Sir Jon Trimmer had the lead role in the earlier production.
   Ventriglia said in a release, ‘I’m very happy that in my first season I can push our young talented dancers to rise to the challenge that this ballet presents to combine brilliant balletic technique with the great acting ability. The dancers have a superb story to tell and they will give it their all.’
   The story follows the ageing Don Quixote and his young nephew Sancho, as they aid the two lovers, the beautiful Kitri and the penniless Basilio, while dealing with the villainous Gamache, and Kitri’s pretentious father.
   Don Quixote opens at the St James Theatre in Wellington on March 4, touring until April 1 to Christchurch, Invercargill, Dunedin, Auckland and Palmerston North. More details can be found at www.rnzb.org.nz.
   The following season sees Salute, a collaboration between the Royal New Zealand Ballet, the New Zealand Army Band, and Dwayne Bloomfield, Gareth Farr, Neil Ieremia and Andrew Simmons, commemorating the centenary of World War I.

Stefanie Keenan

Christopher Polk

Kevin Mazur

While most eyes tend to be on the Oscars, the Screen Actors’ Guild Awards always present a wonderful glimpse at red-carpet looks as well as an insight as to who the favourites for Hollywood’s upcoming big night might be.
   There was plenty of colour this year on the red carpet with Keira Knightley in a purple Erdem Moralioglu gown, showing off her baby bump, and Camila Alves wore a similar shape with her Donna Karan gown.
   Plunging necklines were also spotted on the red carpet, as Sarah Hyland walked in her Vera Wang design, Emilia Clarke in Donna Karan, and Jennifer Aniston in a vintage John Galliano—showing you don’t need something from the last couple of seasons to make an impact.
   Rosamund Pike wore a ruffled blue Christian Dior, and Julianna Margulies wowed in blue, too, donning a design from Giambattista Valli Couture.
   Red still made a startling statement for Edie Falco in Randi Rahm, Kaley Cuoco in Romona Keveza, and Sofía Vergara in Donna Karan (complete with a sizeable engagement ring).
   Emma Stone wore a black tuxedo gown by Dior, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus belied her 54 years in a stunning Monique Lhuillier design.
   Showing that every colour was present, in green were Julianne Moore in Givenchy, Patricia Arquette in a draped, off-the-shoulder emerald dress, and Claire Danes in an olive Marc Jacobs number.
   Uzo Aduba contrasted with bright yellow, and Reese Witherspoon wore a white Giorgio Armani gown with sequin detailing. Maggie Gyllenhaal chose white, too, in a crêpe gown by Thakoon Panichgul, also with a plunging neckline.
   Finally, Tatiana Maslany, in Oscar de la Renta, and Lupita Nyong’o, in Elie Saab, showed that they weren’t afraid of stripes as they headed down the red carpet.
   Birdman was the winner of the night among the motion picture awards, taking the Outstanding Performance by a Cast award, while Eddie Redmayne won best actor for The Theory of Everything and Julianne Moore won best actress for Still Alice. Supporting wins went to J. K. Simmons for Whiplash and Patricia Arquette for Boyhood.
   In the television section, Downton Abbey won for drama, and Orange Is the New Black for comedy. Drama’s top acting awards went to Kevin Spacey for House of Cards and Viola Davis for How to Get Away with Murder; comedy’s best actor was William H. Macy for the US remake of Shameless and Uzo Aduba, giving an emotional speech, for Orange Is the New Black.
   In the TV movie and miniseries category, Mark Ruffalo was the best actor for his performance in The Normal Heart, while Frances McDormand was best actress for Olive Kitteridge.

Rich Polk, Kevin Mazur, Dimitrios Kambouris, Mark Davis, Kevin Winter, Stefanie Keenan, Christopher Polk, Theo Wargo

John Sciulli, Kevin Mazur, Dimitrios Kambouris, Christopher Polk, Kevin Winter

Michael Buckner, Theo Wargo, Charley Gallay, John Sciulli, Christopher Polk, Kevin Mazur, Kevin Winter, Dimitrios Kambouris, Stefanie Keenan