Above Night Fox by Kate Finley was the jewellery stand-out at the Oscar edition of the Secret Room Beauty Bar & Luxury Lounge this year.

Depending on how you see it, an Oscar event staged in a small courtyard and an adjoining room can either read as “exclusive”, “intimate” or “scaled down”. While the roving day spa-and-boutique complexes staged on sprawling estates of 2005 have found their place in Hollywood lore, in 2015, they are pretty much replaced with self-contained pocket-sized lounges whose live vendors support the theme of an event’s charity of choice. And sometimes, less really can be more.
   This go round, Rita Branch and Amy Boatwright’s Secret Room Beauty Bar & Luxury Lounge trumpeted the organization Fashionomics Live!, which offers high school students an engaging career exploring process behind the scenes at businesses and events. The group’s Tour Stop and Pop-Up internship programme helps students embrace the process of exploring multiple professions and careers in fashion and other industries with the intention of helping them become better prepared for their college years.
   Tony & Guy took over one corner of the W Hotel Westwood’s courtyard (where Red Carpet Events staged their pre-Grammy celebration), treating VIPs to with spa, beauty, massage and hair services, while those waiting could sip on new branded coffees from Guy Fieri and the Cake Boss and snack on decadent ice-cream-flavoured yoghurt from German company Müller or sip BrainToniq energy drinks. Ancestry.com was also on hand to provide a perspective on the unique things that made the guests (literally) what they are today.
   After those nifty touch-ups press and celebrities could stock up on fat blockers by Calorease, vitamin gummies from Fiber Choice for immunity and metabolism boosts, heartburn relief from Gutsy Chewy, brow boosters from Revitalash, and fantastic wine from Argentine and Chilean producers. Silver Jewelry by Night Fox by Kate Finley was the fashion highlight of the event, with its rough hewn elegance offset by semiprecious and precious stones. Kate’s pieces are hand-crafted from recycled sterling silver and gold using techniques such as Torch fusion (connecting metal without solder) reticulation (surface of the metal is heated to melting point and then quickly cooled) and lost wax casting.
   Bags reserved exclusively for celebrity guests included vouchers for vacations at some of the world’s great resorts (including Anantara, Waiakea, Old Bahama Bay, West Glow Resort & Spa and the Aria Hotel in Budapest) as well as fashion and accessories from LeTarte, Elizabeth Jane, Huit, Paula Callejas and Uzurii Swarovski-encrusted flip-flops.—Elyse Glickman, US West Coast Editor

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

Elyse Glickman

Red Carpet Events LA

While the products and inventions featured at Grammy pre-award parties tend to focus more on fun and funky in comparison to offerings at Golden Globe, Emmy and Oscar events, leave it to Roger Zamudio and his Red Carpet Events LA to create an experience that is as earthy and real as it is upscale.
   Celebrities on hand included 2015 Grammy nominees Antonique Smith, Adam Ellison, Charlotte Huggins, Jason Rabinowitz, Jo-El Sonnier, Manny Marroquin, Mindi Abair, Stephen Trask, Adam Ellison, Nimrod Antal, the Order, and Palo as well as actors Sean Kanan and Kelly Perine.
   The benefiting charity was the Los Angeles-based African Millennium Foundation (AMF), whose mission is to eliminate and mitigate poverty, hunger and disease in African countries by assisting African women and children with attaining the necessary tools for achieving self-sufficiency. The strategic non-profit and non-governmental organization got word to attendants about their commitment to the social and economic empowerment of African women and their families. It is especially fitting that Ancestry.com was one of the main attractions and sponsors of the Grammy get-together.
   The event returned to the W Hotel Westwood in West Los Angeles, a little bit away from the fray, with a cozy courtyard setting with interesting innovations and inventors from the US, Germany and Canada—many of them affordable. One thing that was most welcome was ice-cold Zico coconut water in natural and chocolate flavours, given a spring-like spike in the temperature. Returning vendors included down-to-earth wellness purveyors Nuwati Herbals and Tikkun Holistic Spa (on hand to show off their expanded line of made-in-LA Karen’s Products by Karen Chae). Even pampered cats and dogs got a little something: savoury snacks from I and Love and You (whose cat treats had Lucire contributor Leyla Messian’s cats standing up and singing for their supper).
   As this was a pre-award show event, there had to be a couture purveyor on hand to dress VIP women. That firm was Clarisse, Inc., whose designs did not skimp on pomp or circumstance. The guys, meanwhile, could bask in the glow of a 641-horsepower McLaren 650S at the door of the W Hotel Westwood. The state-of-the-art supercar—with its brand’s New Zealand heritage—employs motorsports technology and over 50 years of racing know-how to deliver the fastest, most dynamic and most efficient specimen of its kind on the market. Grammy nominees and presenters got a charge out of a speed test drive.
   In contrast, most of the fashion and beauty offerings were quite approachable. Several of them even had their key designers or creators on-site. These included Canada-based costume jewellery line Artizan by Robin Barre, Geek Eyewear by Alena Lehrer, Sweet North Babe handbags and accessories by Yvonne Begemann, and the founders of the Java Coffee Infused Skincare collection, made with coffee as the main ingredient.
   There were also very lavish hair care products from Arganesse and salon line Jonathan Product, which is under new ownership and features a new range of goods. Victoria Duke featured her new make-up setting spray. The crew from Joy and Mario espadrilles were back with a new collection that includes fashion forward high black canvas wedges as well as a seriously cool leopard spot design available in April. Even with that, the stock cleared out quite early in the event.
   Some of the best things at the suite, meanwhile, could be found in the take-home bags, which were closed tightly to ensure we would wait to open them at home. Goodies included a full collection of Hipsy hair bands (which stay in place even temperamental hair textures like mine and Leyla’s), Pretty Woman nail polish and a certificate for a pair of Australia-based Octavia shoes. I was particularly intrigued as I noticed the line was small and quite specific, focused on very traditional New York basic, sling-back pumps and fashion-forward Versailles and Osaka variations with wedge heels.
   Elizabeth Zielinski, creative director and founder, who has worked with Red Carpet Events previously, notes that while celebrities and professional women want styles that complement their individual look, the primary emphasis is on quality materials and comfort, especially with the wedge designs. These are brought to life by a fourth-generation shoemaker family in the countryside of Guangzhou who Zielinsky says demonstrates traditional skill and art form with exquisite attention to detail.
   ‘Our focus is to celebrate women and share their excitement for life, people and fashion,’ she says. ‘We are very proud supporters of Care Australia, where $5 from every pair of shoes sold from the website goes to supporting social and economic empowerment. Care is an international humanitarian aid organization fighting global poverty, with a special focus on working with women and girls to bring about lasting change to their communities,’ right in line with the charities Red Carpet Events LA supports.—Elyse Glickman, US West Coast Editor

Elyse Glickman

Red Carpet Events LA

Elyse Glickman

Red Carpet Events LA; above right by Elyse Glickman

Red Carpet Events LA

A Lucire special promotion

Reebok has one of the most storied histories of any of the sports brands: its forerunner was, for example, the choice of the British Olympic team in 1924, dramatized in the movie Chariots of Fire. And in the late 1980s, there wasn’t a brand that was more fashionable than Reebok as its Pump became closely tied to the era.
   It’s never been a brand that’s needed fancy celebrity endorsements. It has been slightly more restrained as a brand, and its latest commercial, in the wake of the Super Bowl in the US, exhibits a level of honesty not often seen in a sector that relies on being flashy and impactful.
   Reebok’s latest campaign, entitled Be More Human, shows everyday people pushing themselves further, for the purpose of personal fulfilment. Reebok taps in to a very real motivation for most people who work out: to be healthier and stronger for themselves, not for gold medals or recognition on a football pitch. In recent times, Reebok has partnered with CrossFit, which is aimed at fitness fanatics. It’s part of Reebok’s efforts to rebrand itself, a programme that began five years ago when it revealed its delta symbol.
   The campaign, which broke at the end of January, connects Reebok’s shoes and apparel to those fitness enthusiasts, something which its president, Matt O’Toole, sees as part of the brand’s roots. It appears to be paying off: Reebok has experienced seven straight quarters of growth. No longer is it chasing competitors or trying to be something else: Reebok has found its groove being itself. It’s something it wants to urge its consumers to do now, too, and, consequently, there’s a sense of authenticity to its efforts.

Post sponsored by Reebok

Vivien Killilea/Getty Images

Park City, Utah is where all the action takes place in January as the Sundance Film Festival vibe takes over. While film is the main topic of interest during the week, discreet places allow invited guests to relax as they discover innovative products in the midst of a cozy and warm atmosphere. Kari Feinstein’s Sundance Style Lounge presented by Aruba last weekend was the highlight on the prominent Main Street. Celebrities including Nikki Reed, Gina Rodriguez, Hailee Steinfeld, Toni Collette, Sarah Silverman, Amy Willerton, Emile Hirsch, Avan Jogia, Kiersey Clemons, Molly Shannon, and many more indulged in electronics, clothing and cosmetics. Netgear featured their chic Smart Home Security Camera, stylishly discreet and useful for home safety. Innergie featured their portable charging stations. Eb5 had their skin and body treatment on display; the Third Piece revealed their fashionable hand-knit winter accessories, while Coolway added to the stylish feel with their utmost classy shoes.
   Many other hotspots stole the spotlight during the much-awaited time of year. We will shortly bring to you other events that made their way to the Sundance Film Festival before we turn our attention to Paris where the elegant haute couture fashion week has been unveiled in the French capital.—Lola Cristall, Paris editor

Vivien Killilea/Getty Images

Tom Schirmacher

Karen Walker Eyewear has announced its summer 2015 collection, and, in the brand’s inimitable style, sees Toast, a King Charles cavalier spaniel, as the model.
   Brands all over the world want celebrities with strong social media followings, and Karen Walker is no exception. The rescued “it” dog has 154,000 Instagram followers and has already donned shades on her account. Now as the spokesdog for Karen Walker Eyewear, she’s expected to be wearing her new brand on the streets of New York.
   In a release, Walker cheekily says, ‘We were after a model for this campaign who could fit with our caramelly colour palette and also someone whose hair would work with our three wind machines hitting her from every angle to create a slightly ’70s vibe. Toast ticked every one of those boxes.’
   The new campaign, hashtagged #toastmeetskaren, has been photographed by Tom Schirmacher, and creative-directed by Mikhail Gherman. Grooming for Toast was by Hannah Raymond, and hair by Gavin Harwin.
   The collection has five new styles, featuring two-tone patchwork with gold trim, dusty colours, and CR39 lenses for UV protection. The eyewear is double-polished and cured for strength.
   The company can claim Beyoncé, Rihanna, Scarlett Johansson, Lena Dunham, Gwen Stefani, Alexa Chung, Lady Gaga, Lorde and Florence Welch among its wearers. The range hits stores in February 2015.

Tom Schirmacher

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Cara Delevingne’s status as one of the celebrities of our era is further confirmed with TAG Heuer selecting her to be one of its new ambassadors. Calling her ‘the most disruptive “it girl” of the moment’, TAG Heuer has tapped into the model’s social media following (9 million on Instagram, 2 million on Twitter, 1·7 million on Facebook) to promote its range to a new audience.
   She was welcomed into the TAG Heuer family at the Salle Melpomène at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, posing with a lion cub, in front of an audience of 150 VIPs and journalists. Tying in with the lion cub, the new TAG Heuer campaign will be hashtagged #Dont­Crack­UnderPressure.
   The lion is a symbol that Delevingne identifies with, and she had one tattooed on her right index finger in mid-2013.
   Delevingne wore a Karl Lagerfeld jacket at the event.
   Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of TAG Heuer and President of LVMH Watches Worldwide, presented her with a TAG Heuer Formula One Steel and Black Ceramic Chronograph set with diamonds.
   Biver said, ‘The TAG Heuer family is not just an idea, it is a team, with true team spirit. We needed someone disruptive yet elegant like Cara to open our minds to the brashness and boldness of today’s youth. TAG Heuer has set its sights on “it-ness”, and Cara is just the person to help us get there.’
   The Daily Mail reported concern from Dr Neil D’Cruze of World Animal Protection, who told the newspaper, ‘Lion cubs are not photo props. Their health and well-being should not be compromised.
   ‘They belong in the wild, not draped over a celebrity just to sell a designer watch.’

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Scott Barbour

TAG Heuer hosted a summer party at the MS Collins nightclub in Melbourne on Tuesday with tennis star Maria Sharapova as its best known VIP while she was in town for the Australian Open.
   Australian DJ duo Nervo, made up of twin sisters Miriam Nervo and Olivia Nervo, performed at the event, which also served as their official welcome to the TAG Heuer family of brand ambassadors.
   Nervo, based in Ibiza and Las Vegas, performs at festivals around the world, signed their first publishing deal at 18, produced the Grammy Award-winning hit ‘When Love Takes Over’ for David Guetta and Kelly Rowland, and will launch its first album, Collateral, in the spring. TAG Heuer identified the duo’s nonconformist approach and their desire to push themselves, which it saw in line with its own brand.
   Nervo gave Sharapova some DJing lessons while there, and enjoyed clubbing at the venue. Model and MTV host Kate Peck, Olympic skier Lydia Lassila and her husband Lauri Lassila, a champion skier in his own right, and twins Vikki and Helena Moursellas (My Kitchen Rules) were among the VIPs. Some 250 attended the event, many having won their guest passes through an earlier online competition. Sharapova modelled the new, and exclusive, TAG Heuer Aquaracer Lady 300 m in Daring Red, while Nervo wore the TAG Heuer Formula One Lady Steel and Ceramic.

Scott Barbour