Even though the Sundance Film Festival is in Utah, that doesn’t mean Hollywood can’t celebrate at home first. The pre-Sundance gift suite was held at the famed W Hotel in Westwood. Set up in the hotel’s Whiskey Blue bar, celebrities were offered exciting products from top companies to help prepare them for their trip to Park City
To assist the stars’ preparation for the festival taking place January 17th – 27th among the snowy hills of Sundance, companies were out in full force to offer honorees jackets, thermals, travel kits, beauty products, hoodies, natural products, and more.
With its prime location offering easy access to Beverly Hills, Hollywood and the beach for their out of town guests, The W Hotel was the perfect setting for the gift suite. Utilizing their four-post beds situated in the VIP "Gray Room" and the many cozy couches guests often enjoy in the Whiskey Blue, each vendor’s products were beautifully displayed and strewn about.
Upon entering the Pre Sundance Gift Suite, LATP Editor-in-Chief Jane Emery and I met up-and-coming actor Charlie McDermott, whose film, "Frozen River" is set to screen at the film festival. A first time gift suite goer, but second time Sundance participant, Charlie’s star has steadily been on the rise.
Getting his first break at an open casting call for M. Night Shyamalan’s "The Village", Charlie went on to appear in several commercials and landed a part in the New England Emmy Award Winning PBS comedy series, "Windy Acres." This role led to his next film project, "The Disappearances", starring Kris Kristofferson. Charlie’s hard work and dedication to winning the part of Wild Bill Bonhomme, in “The Disappearances”, paid off when his TV series director (who was helming the project) gave him the role after auditioning 130 other actors. From there, Charlie landed a role in "The Ten," starring Paul Rudd, Jessica Alba and Liev Schreiber and will begin filming his next project "Sex Drive" next month in Florida. We’ll be keeping an eye on Charlie!
Celebrities who attended the gift suite like Charlie and Rumer Willis (who was slated to be Miss Golden Globes 2008) were treated to amazing products from the following companies:
Christo
Before heading to Park City where he will offer his services to the festival attendees, world renowned hair expert Christo was on hand to offer his exceptional products. An expert on curly hair, Christo knows how to manage it, create it and achieve amazingly original looks. After gaining experience and training throughout Europe, Asia and the U.S., Christo is an authority in the hair industry, as he sets trends and educates clients on how to look and feel their best. Having launched Christo Fifth Avenue in New York in 2002, Christo is sure to make the celebrities of Park City look amazing. www.christofifthavenue.com
Gola
Starting out by creating the first handmade soccer shoes in 1905, Gola has evolved into a high profile and in demand brand. Offering sport bags to those heading to Sundance, Gola’s first rate quality and performance is appreciated by the likes of John Legend, Kelly Clarkson, Robbie Williams, the Gallagher brothers of Oasis, Paul Weller and Coldplay who don Gola’s trendy and casual footwear. www.golausa.com
HSUS Protect Seals Campaign
Upon giving out their cozy, "Club Sandwiches Not Seals" hoodies, the Humane Society of the United States also got everyone to sign a petition to help save the seals. As the nation’s largest animal protection organization with nearly 10 million members and constituents, HSUS believes in getting their message out in the most fashionable way. Aside from their cute zip up sweatshirts, HSUS also handed out their trendy, yet animal friendly faux fur jackets for celebrities to keep warm in at Sundance. www.protectseals.org
Sylvia Heisel
Influenced by her years growing up in Nairobi and her passion for travel, Sylvia Heisel has created a collection filled with transcultural themes. With clean lines and exotic flourishes, Heisel creates glamorous gowns and evening separates that feature opulent fabrics and lush color combinations. Innovative and sophisticated, The Sylvia Heisel Collection evokes a combination of modern, classic and bohemian styles. www.sylviaheisel.com
bobi
In a sea of casual pricey t-shirts found in the world’s finest boutiques, bobi offers the perfect style and the perfect price. bobi is the core of any modern woman’s wardrobe. Introduced in May 2006, it only took a year for bobi to become the darling of the L.A. celebrity scene. www.bobiusa.com
Scanty
A self taught designer, Mickey Sills created Scanty to provide women with sexy options for casual wear and pajamas. Inspired by Americana vintage, Sills’ pieces are flirty and fun and can be worn over jeans, leggings, layered with a tank or tee or simply worn as pajamas. Seen on celebrities such as Vanessa Hudgens, Shannon Elizabeth and Miley Cyrus, his perfect blend of comfort and style invoke a feeling of the past, but are definitely entrenched in the present. www.scantypjs.com
Southpole
The leading fashion brand in streetwear for the last decade, Southpole offers affordably stylish denim, sportswear, outwear and footwear for young men, juniors, kids and plus sizes. Since 1991, Southpole has been fulfilling the need for hip fashion for a diversified, multicultural, mid-tier crowd. Southpole continues to build on its strong brand identity as active participants in sporting events, celebrity promotional appearances and notable philanthropic activities. Sony BMG recording artist, Mario and America’s Next Top Model finalist, Eugena are the brand’s current celebrity endorsers. KD Aubert, one of Hollywood’s most promising up-and-coming actresses, has recently signed on to star as the new face of Southpole Clothing. www.southpole-usa.com
Radley
A unique British design company, Radley + Co has an adventurous spirit and fun outlook. Loving what they do and believing that anything is possible, Radley has become a leader in the handbag and accessory design market. Offering three brands, each with its own identity, Radley, Tula and Hidesign are defined by creative thinking and will soon be available at Lord & Taylor and Bloomingdales, NYC in February. www.radleyandco.com
Bishop of Seventh
A pant and denim collection created by Chachi Prasad and Karam Kim in 2005, Bishop of Seventh projects a modern yet vintage quality and combines both masculine and feminine elements. With their high-end quality tailoring, this fashion line includes classically edgy trousers, jeans, shorts and vests. With a 2008 spring line on its way, Bishop of Seventh believes in creating juxtaposition and using trademark details in their garments. www.bishopofseventh.com
Gilded Age
Gilded Age is an environmentally conscious, casual luxury men’s collection deeply committed to organic, handcrafted, and artisinal approaches to fabric and product development. The brand is inspired by the early industrial revolution textile production techniques and craftsmanship of old New York and the North East from the turn of the 20th century, predating the era of mass production. Founded in 2005, Stefan Miljanic is the principal designer and creative director of the brand. www.gildedage.net
FUZE
To help keep celebrities on track with their New Year’s resolutions, FUZE Beverages are non-carbonated drinks containing antioxidants, but no high fructose corn syrup. Containing sugar-free vitamins and mineral enhancements, FUZE’s Slenderize comes in 6 delicious flavors including, Dragonfruit Lime, Blueberry Raspberry, Cranberry Raspberry, Tropical Punch, Strawberry Melon, and Tangerine Grapefruit. Also aspartame and preservative free, Slenderize contains less than 10 calories per serving. Available nationwide, FUZE can be found at Whole Foods, ShopRite, Costco, Acme, Albertsons, Circle K, Giant, Hannaford, Safeway, Sav-On, Holiday Stationstores, Jewel, King Soopers, Kroger, Kum & Go, T/A Travel Centers of America, Publix, QFC, Sheetz, The Fresh Market and Tops. In addition to Slederize, FUZE offers a line of Refresh, Green, White and Oolong teas. www.drinkfuze.com
Too Faced Cosmetics
Featured at Sephora, Nordstrom, Macy’s and Lord & Taylor, Too Faced Cosmetics offers an assortment of amazing products for the lips, eyes and face. Often used by makeup artists on film and TV sets, this brand is a mainstay on the ladies of the red carpet, including Gwen Stefani, Sienna Miller, Fergie, Jennifer Garner and Katharine McPhee. Too Faced is an irreverent, sophisticated, innovative cosmetic line for trendsetters around the world and has received numerous and regular placements in top tier publications from ELLE, Lucky, Glamour and InStyle to US Weekly and In Touch. www.toofaced.com
Read our article on the FUZE/TwoFaced Launch event with Sophia Bush here…
2(x)ist
Sold at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s, 2(x)ist provides men with the latest in casual, yet sophisticated underwear, t-shirts, tank tops, socks and other wardrobe essentials. On the cutting edge of underwear fashion, 2(x)ist utilizes comfort and extraordinary design to bring a sense of style and sex appeal to the part of the wardrobe usually only seen in the bedroom. www.2xist.com
Karma
With carefully selected grapes from California vineyards along the Central coast, Karma brut style sparkling wine is clean, crisp and dry. The glass bottle, fashioned to resemble a champagne flute, with a wide screw-off cap, allows for convenient sips and a hip new way to drink casually, like any other beer or cocktail. Served only in exclusive nightclubs, hot spots and lounges around LA, Las Vegas and NYC, Karma contains hints of melon and pear and is sold in individual bottles or 4-packs. www.karmabeverages.com
Desert Essence
The first brand to introduce tea tree oil to the United States, Desert Essence provides a complete line of natural products that offer innovative personal care, spa and active sport products and an organics collection which is paraben, wheat and gluten free. Handing out toothpaste, dental floss and other products at the gift suite, Desert Essence is intent on delivering quality, natural-based products to improve their customers’ lifestyles. Desert Essence further reduces their carbon footprint by using windmill power in their manufacturing process. In addition, they use recycled packaging and soy based inks in all printed materials. www.desertessence.com
Fashionation
A new line of tech accessories for women, Fashionation is part of Merkury Innovations LLC, the electronics company responsible for innovating and delivering premium products to help expand a digital lifestyle. Offering a variety of portable speakers, headphones and FM transmitters, they also provide trendy women with cases for iPods and Nanos, which they gifted festival goers with. But not only are they handy, Fashionation also produces an eco-friendly accessory line that includes cardboard speakers and iPod cases made from hemp, organic cotton, and recycled plastics. They also feature synthetic and silicone cases for iPods and iPhones in many colors. Celebrity fans include Chace Crawford, Lauren Conrad, and Hayden Panettiere. www.fashionationstyle.com
