Maybe it was the summer-like whether in the midst of winter, when most of the rest of the country was digging out from yet another snow day. Perhaps it was the fact that the 2014 awards season has effectively been split in two by the Olympics and everyone was refreshed and well-rested from the craziness of January.
All the stars aligned, including a great guest list, to create a festive and fun day at Doris Bergman’s 6th annual Valentine Romance Oscar Style Lounge and Party at West Hollywood hotspot Fig & Olive on Melrose Place heading into the Valentine’s Day weekend.
About 100 of Hollywood’s finest turned out to celebrate the upcoming 86th annual Academy Awards which will be held March 2.
Bergman’s yearly event is always highly anticipated by guests that include Oscar nominees, red carpet stylists and taste makers and other industry VIPs. This year’s event, held inside the restaurant and on its sun-dappled patio, was hosted by Begley’s & Bill’s 100% All Natural Sodas and presented by Whitening Lightning & Nature’s Flavors.
After sitting down to a gourmet lunch from Fig & Olive, attendees were treated to a beautiful array of men’s and women’s fashion, including red carpet and cocktail wear, luxurious body, skin and hair care, chic chapeaus, fashionable timepieces, stunning jewelry collections, fine art, delectable sweets and of course, premium cocktails. For those who didn’t want to imbibe, Honest Tea was on tap.
Among those taking part were previous Oscar nominee Angela Bassett and her husband Courtney B. Vance, along with Oscar winner Louis Gossett, Jr., Oscar nominee Robin Mathews (makeup for “Dallas Buyers Club”), Cheech & Chong, Elizabeth & William Shatner, Carla & Lou Ferrigno, Dot Marie Jones (“Glee”) and wife Bridgett Casteen Jones, Tia Carrere, Maria Conchita Alonso, Kevin Farley, Chelsie Hightower (“Dancing With The Stars”), Kate Flannery (“The Office”), Illeana Douglas, Eva LaRue, Tommy Lee Davidson, Richard Brooks & Lisa Vidal (“Being Mary Jane”), John Savage, Charlie Bewley, Jaclyn Betham & Peter Parros (“The Haves & Have Nots”), Jeremy Luke (“Mob City”), Katie Wagner, Obba Babbatunde, Nicholas Guest (“Sons of Anarchy”), Sofia Milos, Adrienne Janic (“Fit, Famous & Fabulous”), Kellita Smith “The First Family”), Kevin Farley, Patrick Gallagher (“Glee”), Will Rathaar (“Killing Kennedy”) and Valery Ortiz (“Hit The Floor”).
Amongst the vendors providing gifts and services were Ooh La Bra, Silvana K Designs, Handmade Hearts by Hillel, PK’s Chocolates, Poof, Simly Eartha, Dr. Ava Cadell, the “Love Doctor,” Baron Hats. Monatelier, Waraire Boswell Executive Men’s Clothiers, Platinum Image Services, MiA Bath & Body, Timmy Woods, “Serenade” by Virtuoso Violinist, Daniel D, Art By Dano, Slash Salon, SudzzFx, La Curcio Skin Care Collection, My Saint, My Hero, GUESS, Twisted Silver, Perch, Lusciouss by Kendra Bridelle, Gilbert Albert, Honest Tea, Spongelle, Single Dress, Single Underwear, Tequila Azul Imperial and Veved Ice Vodka.
Jewelry was especially prominent with beautiful pieces from Silvana K, who uses recycled metals in her creations, Twisted Silver, which also re-purposes vintage elements in its designs and Lusciouss by Kendra Bridelle, known for on trend and statement pieces.
It wasn’t just all about receiving for this crowd. In the spirit of giving back, guests donated items of clothing and accessories to young adults for a Valentine’s Day Gift Drive benefitting ‘Wednesday’s Child’ — a weekly segment airing on KTTV FOX 11 News in LA with anchor Christine Devine.
‘Wednesday’s Child’ highlights ‘harder to place’ children in the LA County foster care system who are in need of adoptive families. “In Los Angeles County, alone, there are over 30,000 children receiving child welfare services,” says social worker William Wong. “This event reached far beyond the Hollywood ‘glitz’ and into the heart and soul. Gift donations to the ‘Wednesday’s Child’ Valentine’s Day Gift Drive from event sponsors and guests, alike, has been overwhelming and, most importantly, we have formed new relationships that will extend outside of today.”
Bergman invited two foster children to join in on the festivities and experience what it felt like to be treated as a VIP — and said the love from the sponsors was tremendous. We second that emotion.
–Hillary Atkin
