At the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and the 405, just minutes from the center of Oscar-week activity, Nathalie Dubois and her DPA agency once again set up their annual gifting enclave, the DPA Diamond Lounge, unfolding across four suites at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel. Now a fixture of the pre-Academy Awards circuit, the lounge continues to function as a meeting ground, where international brands, filmmakers, and talent intersect in a more conversational setting than the red carpet affords.
This year’s edition brought together 33 brands, with a notable emphasis on international craftsmanship. Dubois, whose company first established ties with Japan nearly two decades ago, expanded that relationship through a dedicated Japanese lounge created with Soubou. The space leaned into heritage and technique, with artisans presenting everything from bamboo-handled handbags and tatami mats to matcha, sake, and ikebana arrangements. Brands including Kashiwaya, Sawada Shuzo, Harumaya Fukutarou, It Beauté, Keshiki Gallery, L’odeur de Kyoto, and Tatami Takaokaya underscored the throughline between tradition and export-ready luxury, positioning centuries-old practices within a contemporary Hollywood gifting environment.
Beauty and wellness remained a central category. Japan-based Mirai introduced the skincare lines I’m Pinch and Ayune to the U.S. market, while Australian brand Ere Perez—previously spotlighted by Goop—offered its plant-based cosmetics. Nebulyft drew particular attention with its at-home anti-aging device, selectively gifted to attendees, reflecting the suite’s ongoing blend of accessibility and exclusivity.
Fashion and jewelry activations leaned toward red carpet readiness. Designer Kevan Hall’s label Von Vemian returned with a curated selection of gowns, while Miliani showcased new pieces built around Tahitian black pearls. Accessories brand Cameo de Bore’Clutches made its DPA debut, its designs already circulating through retail and fashion week channels, and increasingly visible on awards-season carpets. Norvoch Jewelry, with its focus on gold body adornment, continued to build momentum as part of a broader shift toward more personalized, statement-driven styling.
Among the more narrative-driven presences was producer and author Maureen Meehan, who used the suite as a platform for both her literary catalog and her recent feature adaptation of *60 Dates in 60 Months*, filmed in Orange County and submitted to Cannes. Her appearance, including book signings, added a storytelling layer to the otherwise product-forward environment.
Food and beverage partners contributed to the lounge’s steady flow of traffic throughout the week. French chefs Julie and Mathias prepared a rotating buffet, while Armenian chef Mona Mila offered a parallel spread that quickly became a talking point among guests. Beverage brands ranged from Life Aid and Waterloo to Best Day Brewing and Coit Spirits, alongside smaller-batch offerings like Shep’s Bar and The Plumery. Dessert activations from Eme’s Baked Goods and 28 Wishes Ice Cream provided a casual counterpoint to the more formal gifting displays.
Beyond consumer-facing brands, DPA incorporated a philanthropic dimension through its partnership with Espero France, an organization currently working with refugees from Iran, Ukraine, Lebanon, and Afghanistan. The inclusion reflects a broader trend among Oscar-week events to integrate social impact messaging alongside luxury positioning.
The guest list, as ever, reflected a cross-section of the industry’s ecosystem—Oscar nominees, below-the-line craftspeople, actors, influencers, and international creatives moving between campaign stops. Among those stopping through the suites were Oscar-winning *Avatar* visual effects artist Eric Saindon, *Sinners* editor nominee Michael Shawver and supporting actress nominee Wunmi Mosaku, and sound nominees Gareth John (*F1*) and Nelson Ferreira (*Frankenstein*). Makeup winners Cliona Furey and Jordan Samuel, as well as nominee Ken Diaz (*Sinners*), represented the crafts categories in force.
From the acting world, Benjamin Hollingsworth (*Virgin River*), Shaun Toub (*Tehran*), Percy Daggs IV (*Paradise*, *The Hunger Games*), and Raphael Luce (*Stranger Things*) circulated alongside emerging and established performers including Starletta DuPois and Shaka Smith. Vicki Krieps, fresh off a short film awards run, made an appearance, as did Tony D. Head, whose television résumé spans *The Wire*, *Veep*, and *Law & Order: SVU*.
Filmmakers and producers were equally present, including Geeta Gandbhir and Sam Bisbee (*The Perfect Neighbor*), Henri Magalon and Mailys Vallade (*Little Amélie*), and Konstantin Bronzit, nominated for the animated short *Three Sisters*. Documentary voices such as Christalyn Hampton (*The Devil Is Busy*) and Rose Arce added to the nonfiction contingent.
A steady influx of digital creators—among them Ediza Ferris, Lauren Francesca, Wanda Espinosa, and Jayo—highlighted the continued convergence of traditional Hollywood and influencer culture, while music and sports figures, including Grammy-nominated artist Staje and NFL wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud, broadened the event’s reach beyond film.
