With the industry’s biggest night approaching, Oscar week is already delivering a packed social calendar across Los Angeles. A series of midweek gatherings set the tone, mixing high-profile honorees, buzzy newcomers, and the behind-the-scenes creatives who shape awards season from the ground up.
Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards
Essence’s annual Black Women in Hollywood celebration brought a lively crowd together to honor a standout slate that included Chase Infiniti, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Kerry Washington, and the women behind Sinners. The room was filled with familiar faces, including Michael B. Jordan, Delroy Lindo, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Danielle Brooks, Chloe Bailey, Halle Bailey, Regé-Jean Page, and Aldis Hodge.
Zendaya also drew attention with a white look that sparked fresh conversation online, adding another layer of buzz to a luncheon that balanced glamour with heartfelt remarks about mentorship, community, and being supported on set.
Diane von Furstenberg’s Oscars Luncheon
Diane von Furstenberg again welcomed female Oscar nominees and industry leaders into her Beverly Hills home for a luncheon designed to spotlight women across categories, from documentary and animation to costume design, sound, production design, and casting. Co-hosts included Demi Moore, Jane Fonda, Nicole Avant Sarandos, and Tracee Ellis Ross.
Guests moved through the house and garden before gathering for an outdoor lunch. The afternoon emphasized connection across disciplines, with von Furstenberg encouraging nominees to meet beyond their usual circles and recognize the full ecosystem behind awards season work.
Vanity Fair’s Young Hollywood Vanities Party
Before the weekend’s marquee celebrations, Vanity Fair hosted its Young Hollywood event at Bar Marmont. The party was co-hosted by Odessa A’zion, Kaia Gerber, Role Model, and Tyriq Withers, attracting a guest list that leaned into rising talent and buzzy cultural names.
Attendees included Chase Infiniti, Alex Warren, Chloe Bailey, Xochitl Gomez, Storm Reid, Auliʻi Cravalho, Ariana Greenblatt, Amber Midthunder, and cast members from Tell Me Lies. The vibe was a mix of industry networking and early-week release before the high-stakes red carpet stretch.
Art of Glam Honors Beauty and Style Pros
A new awards dinner, Art of Glam: Honoring the Hands Behind the Beauty, highlighted the artists responsible for many of the season’s most memorable looks. The event put the spotlight on hairstylists, makeup artists, groomers, designers, and stylists who often stay out of the camera frame but define what audiences remember.
Honorees included Ruth E. Carter, Camille Friend, Tym Wallace, Vincent Smith, Sergio Hudson, John Mosley, and Sheika Daley, with appearances from presenters including Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Kelly Rowland, and Samuel L. Jackson.
Carbs Before the Carpet Brings Stylists Together
One of the week’s more intimate gatherings, Carbs Before the Carpet, brought celebrity stylists and fashion executives together for a pre-weekend dinner. The goal was simple: give the people who power the red carpet a rare pause before the pace intensifies.
Stylists including Karla Welch, Jason Bolden, Elizabeth Saltzman, and Rob Zangardi were among those in attendance, using the night to reconnect, compare notes, and reset before fittings, final pulls, and the pressure of showtime.
With more lunches, cocktail parties, and industry dinners still ahead, Oscar week momentum is fully underway. The next few days will only sharpen the spotlight as Hollywood moves from private rooms and garden tables to the red carpet’s global stage.
