Some of Hollywood’s hottest stars from the independent film world and beyond got their gift on customizing their own swag backstage at the official presenters gift lounge, at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, one day before Oscars. Taking place under the protection of its famous white tents, the attendees at the yearly beach side celebration of the best in independent filmmaking seem unfazed by the gray clouds overhead as they snuck offstage to grab and collect their goodies.
Though it was hard to draw one’s attention away from Angelina Jolie unveiling her baby bump with husband Brad Pitt on the red carpet, the gifting lounge, offered up by On 3 Productions, hosted a slew of products to reel in the celebrities. From Dior Beauty, featuring a tour through its decades of signature scents, to AMC Theatre’s exclusive annual pass to Netflix giving away one-year memberships, the guests had plenty of things to pop into their LeSportsac XL Weekender Bags. www.lesportsac.com
After handing out grants for emerging artists, "Juno’s" Allison Janney made a quick stop to pick up her and her mother’s favorite scent, Diorissimo, at the Dior Beauty counter. www.diorbeauty.com
Outsider filmmaker and artist John Waters, creator of the cult classic "Pink Flamingos" and the original "Hairspray," buddied up with its star Ricki Lake as they each nabbed some classic Dior fragrances, loving anything vintage, he said including the fragrance. Ricky Lake, looking slim in all black, also confessed that her guilty pleasure of listening to Britney Spears would be given an extra jolt now having the sharp and sleek Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin integrated high fidelity iPod speaker system to crank up in her living room. Designed to blow your mind with its high technology, the set drew in stars like "Rescue Dawn" actor and nominee Steve Zahn, along with "30 Days of Nights" Josh Hartnett. www.bowers-wilkins.com
Actress and former talk show host Lake was also quick to let us know that her new documentary, "The Business of Being Born," is already on Netflix, the online movie rental service . All the presenters left the show with a free yearlong Netflix membership and bags full of gifts. Among them, actress Keri Washington from "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," here in a flouncy blue embroidered skirt and puce turtleneck, was so delighted to get one she said, "I got one of these last year, but my ex took it after we broke up." She and actor/filmmaker Dennis Hopper were big winners in another way. They each caught stuffed animals out of the Netflix carnival claw machine entitling them to a lifetime membership. www.netflix.com
Eva Mendes, on a break from rehab, didn’t stay long but managed to whiz in long enough after presenting a trophy to walk off with the new white Palm Centro. David Alan Greer was happy to receive one while he goofed it up, cracking up each of the vendors. www.palm.com
Presenter Maria Bello, star of "Jane Austen Book Club," and nominee for Best Supporting Actress Marisa Tomei, both clad in white suits, each got their lovely hands on matching one of a kind clutches. These bags were designed for Red Carpet season by the legendary Carlos Falchi. He lent his style to help accessorize the visitors with over 70 hand-signed bags designed for the Spirit Awards. Allison Janney (photographed here in a Missoni dress) was also one of those lucky few to get her gift from the icon after handing out grants for emerging artists at the Independent Spirit Awards. www.carlosfalchidesign.com
Former "Friends" star and presenter, Lisa Kudrow, hung out and picked up a Nespresso Cube in the gift lounge. The Special Edition Nespresso Le Cube Automatic Espresso Machine included a 2-Month Supply of Coffee. More than enough caffeine to keep her and actress Patricia Clarkson, star of Woody Allen’s latest film "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," motivated to keep collecting more of the freebies of the day. George Clooney, who also does the European ads for the luxe machine, was on hand for a jolt of espresso, as was his "Oceans" comrade and Best Actor nominee Don Cheadle. www.nespresso.com
Felicity Huffman, shown here in some movie star shades, and her hubby William H. Macy each left the Solstice boutique with a pair of Armani Exchange sunglasses. The new spring 2008 designer collections from Armani, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Jacobs, Giorgio Armani, plus the new launch collection from Balenciaga were spotlighted in the tents.
Retro hats from Original Penguin were adorned upon the heads of many a man, the likes of which were there to pick up more than just the hip threads. Who else attended? Well the day wasn’t short of A-listers or up-and-comers alike. Also hauling off with product were: Alan Arkin, Jason Bateman, Kate Beckinsale, Bryan Cranston, Matt Dillon, Shareeka Epps, Jon Hamm, Tom Wilkinson, The Moldy Peaches, Amy Ryan, Dennis Quaid, Ed Begley, Jr., Don Cheadle, Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova, Zoe Saldana, and the Whitest Kids U Know.
The gift collections also highlighted:
AMC Theatres Exclusive Annual Pass offering each star and one guest the opportunity to see movies for free at more than 360 AMC theatre locations around the world for an entire year. www.amctheaters.com
Heineken Beer Tender, not available in the US until the end of March. The elegant countertop appliance offers the first authentic draught beer experience at home. www.beertender.com
Esporta Women’s Bags from the Boutique Collection and Men’s Bags from the Men’s
Collection. www.lesportsac.com
C&C California gifted the stars a selection of tees, tanks, loungewear & more from their ORGANIC apparel collection.
Gift Lounge Design Elements provided by Jes Gordon/proper FUN www.jesgordon.com and Raj Tents, specializing in exclusive themed tenting and decor. www.rajtents.com
