OT ON THE HEELS of the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors’ Guild Awards, the Academy Awards were centre-stage to wrap up the 2003 “film award” season.
   Kicking off Oscar week in stellar form was the luxe Kwiat Jewelry suite at the Four Seasons Hotel. Kwiat hosted a splendid party that was chock full of celebrities and people in demand like Sharon Stone, Marcia Gay Harden, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Michelle Branch, Vivica Fox, stylist Philip Bloch, Catherine Dent (The Shield) and many others. Despite the wattage of the celebrities at the party, nothing could compete with the electricity generated by Kwiat jewellery. There were several display cases throughout the suite that were showcasing the most awesome jewellery. With stunning new designs featuring mixed gems as well as the more traditional Kwiat styles, there was definitely something to fit everyone’s tastes. The two young stars from In America, Emma and Sarah Bolger, were sporting some amazing baubles for the evening.
   Also at the Four Seasons Hotel was the Estée Lauder Spa suite for nominees, cooking with great spa treatments and one of the ultimate “dream teams” of beauty and fashion specialists. Along with appearances by Lauder spokesmodel Carolyn Murphy were celebrity make-up artist Paul Starr, top hairstylist Enzo Angileri, stylist Phillip Bloch, brow specialist Donna Frank, æstheticians, massage therapists, nail techs and a new addition to the team: fitness expert Owen McKibbin, who brings customized workouts for nominees. Many nominees came by for a treatment or two. Ben Kingsley and his wife, Alexandra Christmann, did the Private Spa Getaway, sports pedicure and hot lava rock massage. Charlize Theron and her Mom had the Private Spa Getaway, too, along with hairstyling for Oscar night! Nominee Holly Hunter had her hair done with Angilieri for Oscar night plus manicure, pedicure, and sunless SuperTan Body Treatment. Djimon Hounsou got a deep tissue massage, sports pedicure and a manicure before the big night.
The gift baskets from Estée Lauder and Manolo Blahnik were given to each nominee in honour of their outstanding achievements. Estée Lauder included a selection of skin care (Idealist

Victoria Rowell was photographed wearing coloured diamonds and a luscious Randi Rahm creation that rustled as she walked and made her ‘feel like a princess’

Micro-D Deep Thermal Refinisher), colour (Electric Intense Lip Crème), body products (soon to be released Body Performance), fragrance (Beyond Paradise Eau de Parfum) and the complete men’s grooming line. Manolo Blahnik again participated in this year’s gift bag to provide the first-ever Manolo Blahnik travel bag that housed all the gifts. This special bag had pouches to hold three pairs of Blahnik shoes. (Want this bag for your Manolos? It’s available exclusively at the Manolo Blahnik store by special order!)
   Male nominees received two Baccarat Vega Flutissimos champagne flutes while the women received Baccarat Tentation earrings. Each nominee received an Arnold Brandt cashmere sweater, a Hermès throw and a bottle of La Grande Dame Veuve Cliquot champagne.
   Also at the Four Seasons Hotel was jewellery designer Penny Preville. Her stunning jewellery was pretty popular based on what was seen at various Oscar festivities. Mischa Barton (The OC) wore a diamond necklace and clip along with two bracelets. Amy Smart, Brittany Daniel (Club Dread) and Alexis Bledel (Gilmore Girls) all wore pieces of Penny Preville jewellery to parties.
   The Peninsula Hotel was home to a slew of suites. Elie Saab (designer to Halle Berry and Debra Messing) presented his spring–summer 2004 collection; Rita Watnick showed her designs for Lily et Cie; Collette Dinnigan featured her spring–summer line as well. H. Stern had celebs and stylists flocking to their suite to see gorgeous baubles. Jimmy Choo had its fifth annual Oscar tea at the Peninsula Hotel as well. Celebrities spotted checking out gorgeous shoes that were adorned with crystals and beading included stylist Philip Bloch who was there with both Keely Shaye Smith (Pierce Brosnan’s wife) and Marsha Thomason; Sara Rue, January Jones, Cheryl Tiegs, Emily Mortimer, Lacey Chabert and La Fer swimwear designer, Fernanda Gonzalez. Spotted downstairs in the bustling main floor of the Peninsula, was a natty Pierce Brosnan and Wolfgang Puck.
   Le Méridien Hotel was Oscar central once again and it was swarming with press and stars all week. Bacardi set up the lounge on the invitation-only floor for all suites and it was wall-to-wall Bacardi ‘Razz Mystic’ or ‘My Precious’ martinis, along with the cool orange décor and tons of visitors like stylists George Blodwell and Philip Bloch; celebs Melissa George (Alias), Vivica Fox (Beauty Shop), Susan Ward (Sunset Beach), Patricia Clarkson (Pieces of April), Kelly Hu (X-Men 2), Ash Christian (Six Feet Under); The Bold and the Beautiful’s Ron Moss, Winsor Harmon, Sean Kanan and Jack Wagner (Melrose Place).
   This year surpassed last year’s Oscar showcase of glittering jewellery, fabulous accessories and gorgeous couture.
Randi Rahm shared a suite with the Natural Colored Diamond Association to showcase fabulous gowns (Vivica Fox snagged one and sensational coloured diamond jewellery. Victoria Rowell (The Young and the Restless) was photographed wearing coloured diamonds and a luscious Randi Rahm creation that rustled as she walked and made her ‘feel like a princess.’
   The Beauty Collection Apothecary had a showcase suite to feature a number of lines that are carried at the upscale beauty store at the Farmer’s Market. With stations featuring luxe unisex hair care by Kevin Murphy, Maxwell’s Apothecary men’s grooming products, Boscia skin care, and other great brands of candles, hair and body care, it was a must-visit suite. Other featured lines in the suite included jewellery from Sculpture to Wear, fashions by St Pucchi, and spa skincare from Vida Emanuel Day Spa.
   Damone Roberts, brow guru to the stars, made a repeat appearance at Le Méridien and nearly everyone stopped in for a brow grooming—from celebs to regular folk, Damone’s was the place to be. (Look for an upcoming brow grooming line from Mr Roberts!)
With glam clothing and accessories de rigueur for the Academy Awards, there were tons of accommodating suites. Christian Tse, MooRoo Handbags and Taryn Rose partnered a suite including a great lounge to sit and chat while contemplating the latest in gorgeous platinum and gold mesh jewellery or the latest and greatest of the “red carpet collection” from Taryn Rose’s collection of super-comfy and fashionable shoes. Taryn Rose’s new collection of men’s shoes were on famous feet Oscar night including those of Sean Connery, Billy Bush and Pat O’Brien.

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MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: Estée Lauder women’s lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel. ABOVE, FROM TOP: Keisha Castle-Hughes at the Kwiat suite. Also at Kwiat, Sharon Stone with Sarah and Emma Bolger of In America. Kwiat floral cuff. Estée Lauder pedicure station. Stuart Weitzmann suite saw Alison Krauss and Kelly Hu.