Turn on, tune in, tone down

THERE WAS MUCH TO CHEER about the days leading up to the 2011 Emmy Awards, and not only because alpha cheerleader Jane Lynch (a.k.a. Glee’s Sue Sylvester) was out there working the room throughout Hollywood and making herself ubiquitous, appearing in everything from diet cuisine adverts to other award shows, in one case, gleefully upstaging ’90s nostalgia darlings Wilson Phillips.

Never has there been a better poster girl for American television’s reach than Jane Lynch, from her character’s gym-dandy attire to her often unexpectedly glamorous turns on the red carpet. One could also Lynch is truly “everywoman”, blending occasion-appropriate glamour with radiant good health and self-confidence that shines through no matter how informally or formally she dresses.

Diamond, platinum and gold fine jewellery exhibitors were conspicuously absent from pre-Emmy festivities as were over-the-top watches, supple leather bucket bags and major designer jean and shoe labels. It’s almost as if Sue Sylvester’s pragmatic, no-BS outlook on life and wellness set the tone for all the pre-event luxury lounges, including Nathalie DuBois’ elegantly rooftop gathering at the Luxe Beverly Hills’ second annual Endless Summer prime-time Emmy suite at Gonpachi of Beverly Hills produced by Doris Bergman and Kathy Duliakas, and anchored by beloved old-school bath-and-body line Vitabath.

Bergman knew she would be a ratings’ winner with her celebrity guest list (Eric Roberts, Joe Mantegna, Jackee Harry, Dot Marie Jones, Rex Lee, Randee Heller, Cheryl Hines and Rex Lee) not only by staging her event on the Tuesday before the weekend suite crush, but by once again using Beverly Hills-based Gonpachi’s open spaces to showcase Vitabath’s completely updated and revitalized collection of body treats (not your grandmother’s Vitabath, for sure!), as well as the most comfortable new sneakers to hit the market (Joya Footwear, which wear like TemperPedic-material pillows that surround the feet) and striking dress shoes for men (Oliver Sweeney). The “happy feet” theme continued with the inclusion of the inventive Bootights, an Oprah-approved premium tight attached to a moisture-wicking performance sock at the mid-calf or ankle.

At all the suites, socially conscientious celebrities needed not worry about conflicted diamonds. Most featured jewellery and accessories designers fashioned their wares either from recycled vintage elements or earthy semi-precious metals and stones. Guests at Endless Summer were treated to Royceware’s spiritual rocker pieces for men and women, that paired nicely with the B Bag by Lisa Berck, artfully embellished purses in buttery leather scaled down to a nightclub appropriate size. Becca by Rebecca Virtue offered swimwear for those choosing to watch the broadcast by the pool.

Stemulation, Prana SpaCeuticals and Model in a Bottle were back with the latest additions to their skin care lines. As visitors enjoyed five-star cuisine by chef Yasu Kusano and cocktails with Blue Angel Ultra Premium Vodka, author Lennie Ross could be overheard giving people the spin on Blow Me, her ‘tongue & cheek’ answer to Sex and the City, set amid the LA salon and beauty scene (and she did it again, on site at the Alive Expo later in the week).

To mention that Nathalie DuBois’ 2011 Emmy Lounge at the Luxe Rodeo Drive hotel—and pretty much any event she has hosted from Hollywood to Cannes—was a tasteful event is stating the obvious. However, this time around, it also happened to be more delicious than usual given the care that was put into staging the food and beverage element of the event.

Cocktails made with Dragon Bleu vodka, Karma tequila and Funkin’ Mixers were quenching the late summer heat, as were the innovative recipes of favourite bartender D. Max Maxey, who himself was a tall drink of water with his new, clean-shaven look. Also back for some healthy quenching were Kusmi—one of our favourite tea brands—and the founders of Millie’s Cheesecakes, who were on hand to complement Max’s spa inspired cocktails with their new, slightly floral flavours. If cheesecake was not one’s thing, he or she could indulge with Nibnobs sweets, expansive line of chocolate bonbons.

A Nathalie DuBois suite would not be complete without the latest and most innovative brands of beauty goods and fashion accessories. Japanese skin care line Pierarejeunne offered celebrities a sneak peak of their exquisitely packaged technology in a bottle (their D:Envie line contains cPA, a plant-based ingredient claimed to enhance the regenerative ability of hyaluronic acid, and Syn-ake, based on snake venom, which is claimed to soften wrinkles by relaxing facial muscles). The new designer handbag line Jill Milan is dedicated to saving the skins of animals with her sleek, cruelty free evening clutches. Also in the works: Jill Milan fashion statements for daytime, with room for work materials and iPads.

This suite’s contribution to the trend of more humbly elegant jewellery included the new Story line by Kranz and Ziegler, that picks up where the popular Pandora leaves off. Their bracelet bases include sturdy leathers in a variety of thicknesses in black, brown and several other sophisticated hues and textures. A selection of sterling and vermeil charms customizes and makes this up-and-coming DIY line of jewellery individualized and as feminine or masculine as one wishes. While Los Angeles-based Earloomz is not in the earrings business, they bring international style to the ears, not with diamonds, but Bluetooth headsets festooned with graphics conceived by artists from around the world.

Tahiti, one of DuBois’ favourite places on Earth, was well represented with Le Taha’a Island Resort and Spa. However, the tales of the South Pacific travel well, and celebrities could also score a journey to this side of paradise by attending the Secret Room at Beverly Hills’ Hotel l’Ermitage. This luxury lounge, also peopled with earth-friendly product reps, was anchored by a station devoted to Tahiti, Fiji and other heavenly islands. Air Pacific’s Bob Parra not only informed celebrities and other interested parties that Fiji’s International Airline was not only the fastest way to the South Pacific, but an affordable alternative to travel to New Zealand and Australia.

At the Secret Room, one could sip light-and-breezy cocktails fashioned with Gosling’s rum (dispensed by mixologist Jesse of Ocean Bar Service) and Vuqo vodka from the Philippines. However, Brazilian Peel offered guests a sort of cocktail for face, neck and décolletage. Formulated with 30 per cent glycolic acid, antioxidant açaí and their proprietary Q-Mag Neutralizer, Brazilian Peel is the first professional-strength peel designed to deliver deeper, long-lasting results at home. Those who prefer wine or coffee, meanwhile, were quite pleased to see Whitening Lightening, a new home dental whitening product that does for teeth what Brazilian Peel promises for skin—clinical results at home (offering Lucire, Lucire Home readers and Facebook visitors an exclusive discount for a brighter smile).

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Elyse Glickman is US west coast editor of Lucire.

Above Some of the celebrities at the Secret Room.