OSCARS // The Best Oscar After Parties

As I type this, at 1am, Oscar after parties are still swinging. The famed "Vanity Fair" party is showing no signs of slowing down, after all, the late shift guests have been there for just over an hour. Late shift you say? Yes, it's a dirty little not-so-secret secret, that Vanity Fair party invites land at your door with your
designated arrival time emblazoned on the front. The earlier you are allowed to appear, the more important you are, at least in the eyes of "Vanity Fair" Editor-in-Chief, Graydon Carter. The first guests swished in to the Sunset Tower Hotel, VF's relatively new party venue, right after the Oscar show. Gwyneth Paltrow, Justin Bieber with girlfriend Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, Cameron Diaz, and the like. Then each half hour thereafter, more celebrities with less pull arrived, the last trickling in at 11:30pm. And don't try to arrive any earlier than requested, or face certain humiliation at the door. Some famous guests, insulted by their late-shift allocation, threatened not to attend if their arrival times weren't pushed up. They didn't get their way, and they showed up anyway. Wouldn't you? The mass of humanity gathered outside the party was impressive to say the least. Fans and paparazzi filled the sidewalk across the street from the hotel, ten people deep and a long block wide, each eager to get a glimpse of Hollywood royalty. And while the In-N-Out Burger truck hummed out front, the photo booth was the main draw inside. But enough about Vanity Fair, not to be outdone, Elton John's party had an In-N-Out Burger truck too! And then there are the after, after, Oscar parties just getting underway. At this late/early hour, it remains to be seen which will lure the biggest names. Will it be Madonna, and Demi Moore's, held at the Hollywood Hills home of Madonna's manager, Guy Oseary? Or will it be James Franco's after, after shindig at the Supper Club Los Angeles that will win the night? Where would you go?

OSCARS // Talk About Bieber Fever

It's official: the world's biggest teen heartthrob is off the market.
Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez walked the red carpet at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party last night, marking their first official outing. While the paparazzi has caught the two hand-in-hand before, an appearance so public must mean that Biebs has been swept off his feet. And judging by the loving pics - and matching attire -  we'd say that Gomez, two years Bieber's senior, is just a smitten.
Now we'll just have to wait and see if the couple will be heading north for the Junos in just a few weeks...

Oscars Countdown: What Will The Stars Wear?

 

With just hours before the biggest red carpet event of the year >squeal< Grazia Daily looks into our magical crystal ball to predict what the stars will be wearing to the Oscars 2011...

We can guarantee one thing: all eyes will be on Natalie Portman at tonight's ceremony. Not only is she nominated for Actress in a Leading Role for her turn in Black Swan but this awards season, she's swept up every accolade on offer whilst styling up her baby bump, thus making her a sure-fire winner. But what will the pregnant actress wear? Grazia's bets are, obviously, on Dior, not least because Portman's the face of Miss Dior Cherie and she's refrained from wearing John Galliano's creations thus far. Plus, our hopes are high for a touch of shabang after she turned up to yesterday's Spirit Awards wearing this full-skirted dress covered in acid yellow lace from Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci. Of course, more drama, more colour are always welcome so we're pinning our dress dreams on this flamboyant ballgown from Dior's recent couture collection. The billowing skirt is perfect for concealing a bulging tum, the tones are striking yet subtle and all those feathers would transform Miss Portman into the most beguiling of swans. Do it, do it!

So far, Natalie's co-star Mila Kunis has proved herself to be a Hollywood game player, stunning the critics with Vera Wang and McQueen jaw-droppers for her recent red carpet appearances. And although she may not be a style maverick, Mila's oozing with heaps of sex appeal, right? Which is why we're predicting a sophisticated yet saucy number for her Oscars outing. This glimmering blue beauty, par exemple, is from Oscar de la Renta's A/W'11 collection and encapsulates that all-American elegance with a hint of naughtiness too.

Meanwhile, 14-year-old Hailee Steinfeld is too young to wear an overtly skin-flashing frock so that instantly rules out Versace-like floor-sweepers, but presents us with some fun, hipster designers to play with. After wearing this kooky Vionnet tunic to last night's pre-Oscar cocktail party [above], as well as those bold Prada stripes to the Golden Globes, we know Hailee’s well suited to quirkiness in an intelligent, rather than wacktaular, way. Step forward Proenza Schouler, the uber cool New York duo who love vibrant colours and tactile textures. We reckon one of their A/W '11 stunners, like this geometric velvet frock, would do the job for the True Grit star.

Ah yes, Nicole Kidman's known for her demure approach, sporting ladylike and largely covered-up designs, so we have every faith she'll stay true to tradition tonight. We've already expressed our desire for the Actress in a Leading Role nominee to bring this aniseed green sparkler from Elie Saab's couture catwalk to the Oscars red carpet and we're going to throw it out there again. Why? Well, the colour would look divine against her porcelain features and fair hair while the capped sleeves, high neck and lack of frou-frou are classic Kidman-ville, but with an ounce of sparkle.

Newbie on the awards block is Jennifer Lawrence, who's fast proving herself to be an uber-feminine, and super-seductive, dresser. That killer figure of hers sure helps. This evening, she's up against Hollywood heavyhitters Natalie and Nicole for the Actress in a Leading Role gong, which is why we advise she dons a real showstopper. Et voila, this flouncey pale pink gown from red carpet experts Atelier Versace is right up her street.

And we finish today's speculation with Michelle Williams, yet another Leading Actress contender. The blonde cutie chose a floral design by Valentino for the Golden Globes but it was more shower curtain chic than pretty elegance, right? So we want to see her giving the brand another go because well, we know she can do better, and this sheer couture gown, adorned with delicate embellishments, is exactly how to do it. Please!

Not long to go until we find out whether our dreams will come true so while we wait, prepare those frock-watching, fashion-jurying minds of yours, people, and don't forget to stay tuned to Grazia Daily as we bring you all the frock action LIVE from the Oscars red carpet. Eeeep!

St Tropez At The Oscars blog Pt 3 - Kelly Osbourne and Tolulah Adeyemi!

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In the lead up to the Oscars on Sunday night, the lovely Abbi Hollins from bronzing brand St.Tropez will be giving custom tans to the A-List attendees. And in between all that spraying, she's keeping Grazia Daily updated on all the inside goss straight from LA LA Land...

Ooh I've woken up with a stuffy head... 'Pass me some water!' MAY have overdone the champagne last night. Luckily, the fresh air and the view from my balcony soon made me feel heaps better though, it's still breathtaking! Next up, a shower and then the same as yesterday - breakfast at 8am with the rest of the team.
So it's Kinara spa for me today - the official spa of the stars in Hollywood and the home of St.Tropez for the Oscars. As we were waiting for our car, a group of crazy looking men started shouted in a familiar British accent ' How ya doin' ladies!!' We turned around and it was no other than The Prodigy. (One of my fave bands ever I might add, who had been been staying in our hotel too.) If only we'd known earlier as there wouldn't be anything better than an instrumental version of 'Firestarter' to settle me to sleep..! We had a chat, played it cool (got a group picture on my phone..obviously) and waved them off as they drove away in their big jeepster wagon. How LA!

We arrived at Kinara Spa all excited after our brush with fame and instantly we felt calm as it is the ultimate tranquil, peaceful spa. There were amazing friendly staff that didn't stop smiling, twinkly music and heavenly aromas.
So it was spray tans ahoy for me today! A jam-packed day with lots of people booked in, we even saw a couple of our faves from the UK...the stunning Kelly Osbourne and Tolulah Adeyemi were there amongst many more.
We had a little break later on in between appointments and just couldn't resist a peruse of nearby

Melrose Avenue

. A sparkly card holder and a pair of LA old school retro trainers - Or 'sneakers' as the shop assistants called them - later and it was back to Kinara for the final part of the day.. Make up artists, journalists and presenters filled the 'relax' area chatting about the Oscars and their outfits. It all sounded very glam indeed! When we left for the day though it was raining heavily, quite unusually so I'm told. It was kind of interesting to hear how the locals responded to the rain; It was a bit like when the UK gets snow - we all go a bit nuts.
No more cocktails for me tonight.. It's straight to bed, wondering who and what will be in store tomorrow!
Over and out.
- Abbi Hollins

Best Dressed At The Oscars! 2011

 

It's the most prestigious and glamorous event in the global calendar, but at the 83rd annual Academy Awards last night the stars were determined to have fun. There was a rainbow of colourful dresses - from Natalie Portman's purple Rodarte gown to Jennifer Hudson's bright orange Atelier Versace halter-neck dress - and lots of happy faces; it seems the Oscars is loosening up.

Watched by an estimated audience of 41 million, the stars were monkeying around for the world's press; a passing Cate Blanchett pinched Michelle Williams' bottom as she twirled around for the cameras; Sandra Bullock, posing next to Nicole Kidman, accidentally dropped her clutch and said 'Oh, Nicole now look what you've done....', and later joked about her scarlet Vera Wang gown; 'my [two year old] son recognizes the colour red, so I figured if he saw me on television he'd look at me instead of Gwyneth or Nicole, which is what usually happens.'

But for 14-year-old Supporting Actress nominee Hailee Steinfeld, there were no such worries; she designed her oh-so-pretty pale pink beaded ballgown - with a little help from Marchesa designer Georgina Chapman.

Gloriously quirky Helena Bonham Carter gave the Hollywood reporters more than they bargained for by admitting 'I wanted a bustle so I wouldn't worry about my bum looking too big.' But - shocker - HBC didn't wear Vivienne Westwood! Instead, the actress chose a black corset dress by costume designer Colleen Atwood, who went on to win Best Costume Design for Alice in Wonderland; telling reporters, "[I] thought it would be nice to celebrate film rather than fashion."

But the biggest shocker of the night? There were no major fashion boo-boos. Or were there? Let us know, in the comments below and stay tuned as we bring you more of the Best Dressed from the Oscars 2011!

Natalie Portman wore a deep purple draped gown in silk chiffon by Rodarte accented with Swarovski crystals

Gwyneth Paltrow wore a silver lame Calvin Klein Collection dress

Hostess with the mostess, Anne Hathaway wore a vintage (well, 2002) Valentino scarlet ballgown with rose rosettes and a ruched bustle

Cate Blanchett wore a lilac  Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci silk chiffon gown embroidered with leather pearls and crystals

Ooh, and another shocker - Celine Dion (who just gave birth to twins) looked awesome in a raw silk long-sleeved column dress by Armani Prive

Hooray for Mila Kunis who made our dreams come true by wearing a lavender chiffon gown with tiered lace detailing and grosgrain ribbon belt from Elie Saab Couture

Michelle Williams wore a pearl beaded column dress by Chanel Haute Couture

Penelope Cruz (with hubby Javier Bardem) wore a purple L'Wren Scott dress with sequined flames

Jennifer Lawrence wore a hot red figure-hugging Calvin Klein Collection silk crepe vest dress

Halle Berry wore a nude and crystal encrusted corset Marchesa gown with organza and silk tulle ruffles

Amy Adams wore a midnight blue fitted sequinned gown by L’Wren Scott

Jennifer Hudson in orange Atelier Versace

Scarlett Johansson wore a purple Dolce & Gabbana dress

Nicole Kidman wore a white Dior Haute Couture gown

Sandra Bullock wore a red corset dress by Vera Wang

Hilary Swank wore a silver beaded Gucci Premiere gown with a feathered hem 

Reese Witherspoon wore a black-and-white Armani Privé column gown

Florence Welch in Valentino Haute Couture

Mandy Moore wore an off-the-shoulder nude crystal embellished gown by Monique Lhuillier

Marisa Tomei in a midnight blue satin sheath with asymmetrical voluminous layers by Lily et Cie

Melissa Leo wore a white and gold textured lace gown by Marc Bouwer

HBC might've surprised us, but Helen Mirren made up for it with her Vivienne Westwood: “I’m flying the flag to support British fashion. She just opened a store here in Los Angeles so I wanted to show everyone how beautiful her dresses are."

So there you have it, folks. Now we want to hear YOUR thoughts. Are you loving crimson ruling the red carpet or is it a major fash faux pas? Are you wowed or underwhelmed by the most anticipated frock-a-thon of the year? Remember, the best comments will be printed in our mega Oscar coverage in the next issue of Grazia magazine!