Cole Zimmerman, courtesy GBK
Behind every Golden Globe-nominated performance or directorial effort, there’s a great writer. However, it is not just the screenwriters who make the Hollywood world go around. The public relations’ reps and the payroll departments (who sign the cheques) deserve some credit, too. That’s why it is only fitting that Pilot Pens’ new affordable luxury line of fountain pens as well as their chic disposable models made for one of the best presentations among the sponsors. Behold, the GBK and Pilot Pen Luxury Gift Lounge made its mark on the 2014 award season while getting the point across for Lambda Legal (providing legal defense on behalf of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV across the nation for 40 years) and Guard-A-Heart.
The other stand-out sponsor was Airweave, which showcased its innovative line of mattress toppers from Japan fashioned from resin strings similar to what’s used in their fishing industry. The mattress is made by three-dimensionally entwining and heat-bonding thin polyethylene strings. The resulted structure gives the mattress superior air permeability.
While there were some familiar faces and product lines, like Sabra and Yoplait Greek Yogurt, there were some new fashion and beauty essentials in the mix worth writing home about. SAAS Hot Sauce rolled out bottles of its two flavours of savoury, authentic, all-purpose, and spicy sauce winning over foodies nationwide. Rolf Bleu by Caryn Sterling has expanded her line of Iphone and cross-body Ipad covers to jewellery and whimsical message beanies, costume jewellery and other goodies.
Tweezerman had some clever new grooming instruments, including a spring-y facial hair remover, cuticle cutter and adorable minis designed by Isaac Mizrahi and for the Art of Elysium, a non-profit organization, founded in 1997 by Jennifer Howell, encouraging actors, artists and musicians to voluntarily dedicate their time and talent to children who are battling serious medical conditions. Spanx was back with a new laser line that should remedy the problem of waistband roll-down that can undo the desired effect of shapewear.
Self-proclaimed ‘heart-ist’ and art glass jewellery designer Hillel Rzepka has teamed up with sponsoring charity Guard-a-Heart to drive home the importance of regular check-ups, common-sense health practices and preventative medicine to protect one’s coronary health. The suite also provided a nice platform for GWEN (Global Women’s Empowerment Network) which offers women in need a variety of services.
I was completely enthusiastic about Fluxmob, an ingenious little company that just plugged in to the scene with its Bolt, the world’s smallest battery pack and wall charger combination charger.
Though not plugged in or wired, some of the beauty essentials were also quite interesting. These included Sleep-in Rollers (comfy hair rollers that are designed to flatten like a sponge) Minerva Research Labs’ Pure Gold Collagen (a liquid food supplement with hydrolyzed collagen and active ingredients essential for the production of collagen and skin hydration), Embellash Eyelash Conditioner and Hands-Free Skin Brightener from the Crave Collection, and Burke Williams Spa, offering their newest products along with massages.
Pink Diamond Jewelry by Fiamma dazzled, not only because of the gems’ radiance against filigree designs in white and yellow gold, but its continued efforts to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Representative Tigerlily Skye not only wore those sparklers well but also reminded guests of how the purchase of the line’s pieces would benefit people beyond the wearer. Made By Survivors, an international non-profit gifting silver and brass hand-made jewellery made by survivors of human trafficking, made a similar impact with its modern, rustic designs.
The Artisan Group was back, and GBK would not be the same without their grab-bags of creativity. My bag featured beautiful stationery from Angsana Seeds Photography and GeekGirly Photography, plus accessories from Jems by JB & Company, Jewelry by Andrea, Alison Lundahl Jewelry, Ruby White Tips nail enamel (in blingy bottles) and Maureen Connor of Meant 2B Cherished.
One cool feature of the event was the way L’Ermitage Hotel’s new V Wine Room was introduced to all the tastemakers in attendance. V Wine Room is the only dedicated tasting room in Los Angeles, proudly pouring limited-production boutique California wines exclusively on their premises. This fabulousness is set against a backdrop of a 1930s-inspired library–speakeasy hybrid.—Elyse Glickman, US West Coast Editor
Cole Zimmerman, courtesy GBK
Elyse Glickman
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