LOS ANGELES (AP) — On the eve of the Oscars, many Hollywood stars didn’t go to bed early before the show. Instead, they chatted all night long, martinis and champagne in hand, at the Beverly Hills Hotel’s famed Polo Lounge for Chanel and Charles Finch’s annual dinner party, an invitation even harder to secure than an Oscar spot.
The patio where Clark Gable and Darryl Zanuck once dined was filled with the industry’s brightest talent, many of whom were dressed head-to-toe in Chanel, including Kristen Stewart, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman and Camila Morrone.
On the red carpet, Kidman and Stewart ran towards each other to catch up, hug and pose for the photographers.
“It’s been so long,” Kidman said.
Cotillard would join them moments later. Later on the patio, Kidman, emerging from a conversation with Idris Elba, could be seen kissing Ariana DeBose as Tessa Thompson spoke with Best Actress nominee Andrea Riseborough.
“I’m sure you must be tired,” Thompson said.
Elsewhere, there was a reunion of Spider-Mans as Andrew Garfield approached Tobey Maguire, who was sipping one of the venue’s signature martinis.
“You you!” Maguire said, as Garfield hugged. They then turned to speak to “The Whale” director Darren Aronofsky.
Several meters behind them, Jonathan Majors was deep in conversation with Riz Ahmed, while Best Supporting Actress Kerry Condon tried and failed to get a drink at the bar which had closed in an attempt to bring the gossipy celebrities in the dining room.
Inside, they were treated to a surprise performance by “The White Lotus” actress Beatrice Grannò.
Other participants included Michael B. Jordan, Danielle Deadwyler, Hugh Grant, Brie Larson, Sigourney Weaver, Vicky Krieps, Minnie Driver, Patty Jenkins, Sarah Polley, Lily James, David O. Russell, Jerry Bruckheimer, Sofia Boutella and Ted Sarandos .
‘Daisy Jones & The Six’ star Morrone has been going to the event for several years and said it was one of her favorites.
“It’s like a really glamorous slumber party,” Morrone said. “I love it here. I love seeing all the people who work in the entertainment industry being honored tomorrow. You’re in a room with some really artistic, amazing humans, so you just soak it all up. And I have won some pretty amazing Chanel pieces over the past few years here.
For actress Whitney Peak, who is the fresh new face of Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle fragrance, the event was a chance to talk to some of her favorite filmmakers.
“There have been such great movies this year and so many people responsible for making those movies are in the room today,” Peak said. “Daniel Kwan is going to be there and I’m like, how do I tell him I’ve been a fan of his since the Lil Jon music video?”
Chanel and cinema have been intertwined since the early days of the fashion house. In 1930, Samuel Goldwyn invited Gabrielle Chanel to Hollywood to dress movie stars including Gloria Swanson. Upon her return to Paris, Chanel collaborated with French filmmakers like Jean Renoir and dressed many new wave actresses such as Jeanne Moreau and Romy Schneider.
More recently, Chanel has supported independent productions such as “Annette” by Leos Carax and “Bergman Island” by Mia Hansen-Løve. Chanel funded Olivier Assayas’ 35mm camera for “The Clouds of Sils Maria” and has supported programs for emerging filmmakers and film preservation and restoration for more than a decade.
Not everyone in attendance had planned to walk the champagne carpet at the Oscars on Sunday, but one person who will definitely be there is filmmaker Ava DuVernay, who serves on the Academy’s Board of Governors.
“I can’t wait to see some calm, normal Oscars,” DuVernay said. “I was there last year and it was a bit traumatic. I just want it to be cold and uneventful. It would be good.
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For more on this year’s Oscars, go to: https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards.