by LOS ANGELES — The night before the Oscars, many of Hollywood’s biggest stars didn’t go to bed early before the show. Instead, they chatted the night away over martinis and champagne at the storied Polo Lounge at The Beverly Hills Hotel for Chanel and Charles Finch’s annual dinner, an invitation even harder to come by than a spot at the Academy Awards.
The patio, where stars like Clark Gable and Darryl Zanuck once dined, was filled with the brightest talent in the business, many of whom dressed head-to-toe in Chanel, including Kristen Stewart, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman and Camila Morrone.
On the red carpet, Kidman and Stewart walked up to meet each other, hugged and posed for photographers.
“It’s been so long,” Kidman said.
Cotillard would enter moments later. Later on the patio, Kidman, who emerged from a conversation with Idris Elba, was seen hugging Ariana DeBose while Tessa Thompson spoke to Andrea Riseborough, who was nominated for Best Actress.
“I’m sure you must be tired,” Thompson said.
Elsewhere, there was a meeting of Spider-Mans as Andrew Garfield approached Tobey Maguire, who was sipping one of the spot’s iconic martinis.
“You! You!” Maguire said as Garfield hugged. Then they turned to the conversation with The Whale director Darren Aronofsky.
A few yards behind them, Jonathan Majors was deep in conversation with Riz Ahmed while Best Supporting Actress nominee Kerry Condon tried to get a drink at the bar, which had closed to lure the talkative celebrities into the dining room.
Inside, they were treated to a surprise appearance from The White Lotus actress Beatrice Grannò.
Other attendees 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.
Morrone, star of Daisy Jones & The Six,” has been attending the event for several years and said it was one of her favorites.
“It’s like a really glamorous sleepover,” Morrone said. “I just love it here. I’m happy to see all the people who work in the entertainment industry being honored tomorrow. You’re in a room with really artistic and incredible people, so you just soak it all up. And I’ve won some pretty incredible Chanel pieces here over the last few years.”
For actress Whitney Peak, who is the new face of Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle perfume, the event was an opportunity to speak 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 will be here and I’m wondering how do I tell him I’ve been a fan of his since the Lil Jon music video?”
Chanel and cinema have been closely linked since the beginnings of the fashion house. In 1930, Samuel Goldwyn invited Gabrielle Chanel to Hollywood to dress movie stars like Gloria Swanson. Upon her return to Paris, Chanel collaborated with French filmmakers such as Jean Renoir and dressed many New Wave actresses such as Jeanne Moreau and Romy Schneider.
More recently, Chanel has supported independent productions, including Leos Carax’s Annette and Mia Hansen-Løve’s Bergman Island. Chanel funded Olivier Assayas’ 35mm camera for The Clouds of Sils Maria and has supported programs for aspiring filmmakers and film conservation and restoration for more than a decade.
Not all attendees were planning to walk the champagne carpet at the Oscars Sunday, but one person who is sure to be there is filmmaker Ava DuVernay, who sits on the Academy’s board of directors.
“I look forward to seeing a calm, normal Oscars,” said DuVernay. “I was there last year and it was a bit traumatizing. I just want it to be cool and uneventful. That would be nice.”
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For more information on this year’s Oscars, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards.
