This awards season, the stars (and their well-heeled feet) had it made. In honor of the 2007 Academy Awards, luxury shoe designer Stuart Weitzman previewed his line of shoes made exclusively for awards season the week before the Oscars. Held in a suite at the Sofitel Hotel, presenters, performers and nominees could choose from his gorgeous collection of shoes not yet available to the general public. After picking out the perfect pair of heels, guests could relax with beauty treatments from Mario Badescu Skin Care, Elizabeth Arden and Estetica Salon, all hand-picked by Weitzman himself to pamper his guests.
Jewels, jewels and more jewels is the only way to describe Stuart Weitzman’s collection. From Swarovski crystals to intricate beadwork, the shoes were adorned with enough glitter to make even the calmest girl go giddy. The highlight of the collection was 
the Stuart Weitzman Diamond Dream Shoe, adorned with 1,420 individual white Kwiat diamonds and worth a half-million dollars—they had their own security guard! Viewers of the Academy Awards were able to catch a glimpse of these stunning shoes when Anika Noni Rose of Dreamgirls performed the Oscar-nominated song “Patience” during the ceremony. The lucky actress/singer was chosen by Weitzman to wear them at the awards show.
Other favorite styles of the stars included the Caviar, an open-toed stiletto in black satin adorned with intricate round, black beading (hence the name), the Eiffel, also a satin open-toed stiletto with straps bejeweled with baguette crystals, the Whatabow, a fun strappy heel with an oversized jeweled bow detail (worn by Vanessa Minnillo at the Golden Globes), and the more understated Exciting, a strappy platform in ultra-soft Napa leather, which many stars claim to be one o the most comfortable shoes to wear on the long trip down the red carpet. www.stuartweitzman.com
Mario Badescu brought their celebrity-endorsed line of skin care to the suite and gave tips to guests on how to get their skin in red-carpet shape. From moisturizers to their amazing Drying Lotion for pimples (yes, even stars get the occasional breakout), guests could peruse their entire collection of all-natural skin fixers. The Mario Badescu name has been known for personalized, all-natural skin care treatments and products for more than 40 years. Besides a complete skin care line, Mario Badescu also offers salon and spa services at their clinic in New York. If you can’t get to the big apple, all products are available in Los Angeles at Nordstrom’s, Fred Segal and select boutiques. mariobadescu.com
Representatives from Estetica Salon were on hand to style hair and get guests party-ready. The salon’s owner, Nelson Chan, also supplied guests with products from his signature hair care line, ISH professional Ionic Rescue. As a master colorist –he has been voted best hair colorist by both Allure and InStyle magazines—Chan has seen his fair share of damaged tresses. He specifically developed the line to effectively repair damaged hair, solving today’s complicated hair problems through the world-s 
first heat-boosted conditioning system. ISH Ionic Rescue products utilize Ionic Technology plus an exclusive botanical based ingredient – HRC. The HRC penetrates to the cortex and adheres to broken bonds within the hair shaft. When heat is applied, the HRC dissolves into the hair shaft, infusing healing moisture and creating a complete repair from the inside out. The result is silky, smoother hair. www.ishrescue.com
After perfecting their hair, guests had the opportunity to receive complementary makeovers from the professionals at Elizabeth Arden. They could also try out new products from the line, some of which have yet to hit stores. For almost 100 years, Elizabeth Arden has been creating makeup skin care and fragrances for sophisticated women across the globe. They produce some of the most recognizable names in fragrance, including Red Door and 5th Ave. Gusts at the suites had the opportunity to try their newest fragrance, Mediterranean, a fresh, light scent that captures the essence of the region for which its named. The fragrance won’t be available in stores until later this year. For more information go to shop.elizabetharden.com
For non-celebrities, the shoes from the Stuart Weitzman Awards Collection won’t be available until later this year, but until then, you can find his myriad other gorgeous and flattering styles in upscale department stores and boutiques all over Los Angles, including his store on Rodeo Drive.
