[IMG:L]What do you give a celebrity that has everything? More of everything! Television stars are getting ready to make their entrance at the 59th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, but they won’t place one pedicured toe on the plush red carpet without looking picture perfect and camera ready. And that means getting glammed up with a little help from the myriad of Emmy gifting and style suites that have infiltrated Los Angeles this week. We’re talking diamonds, clothing, shoes, and bags–oh my!
A View from the Top
The hills of Beverly Hills were crawling with celebrities who made their way to the Kari Feinstein Pre-Emmy Style Lounge at a gorgeous private residence fit for a star. With an infinity pool and cocktails a plenty, free goodies were all around, just ripe for the picking.
Silpada jewelry is fast becoming a jewelry favorite of today’s most fashionable stars, and its signature, one-of-a-kind sterling silver pieces have been developing a Hollywood following, appearing on everyone from Hayden Panettiere, Tori Spelling, Lindsay Lohan, and Lauren Conrad to Entertainment Tonight’s Mary Hart and Dancing With the Stars’ Samantha Harris. Celebrities picked out pieces that incorporate long necklaces and lots of layers, which as every fashionista knows are hot for fall.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series nominee Jeremy Piven (Entourage) picked up Silpada Designs’ men’s cufflinks and stainless steel and rubber link men’s bracelet.
Desperate Housewives‘ Brenda Strong took the multi-strand black bead necklace, brushed sterling sliver link necklace, and sterling silver ring with vibrant aqua glass.
Brenda is a huge fan of the collection. “I love Silpada bracelets,” she confessed. “I wear them all the time. I love the long black and long chain necklaces. I love this bling ring. My birth date is March 25, so I can wear it as my birthstone,” she gushed.
[IMG:R]Greg Grunberg, star of the Emmy nominated hit drama Heroes, also dabbled in a little free stuff, admiring the men’s cufflinks; stainless steel, rubber link men’s bracelet; and solid sterling silver ring. “I love these pieces! I will wear them at the Emmy’s,” he said.
Maria Menounos (Access Hollywood) was impressed with Silpada’s jewelry. “It’s really hard for me to find bangles that fit. I’m so picky about jewelry, I see so much of it. It’s rare when I get so excited about something. This completes my outfit,” she said.
Maria took the square hammered sterling silver ring, hammered sterling silver bangle, twenty-one sterling silver bangles, oxidized sterling silver twisted bracelet, and oxidized sterling silver hammered earrings.
Paula Abdul (American Idol), Rumer Willis and Brittany Snow (Hairspray) also took home a few Silpada pieces.
High School Musical’s Corbin Bleu couldn’t believe all the extravagance.
“These are the best things. Swag is probably the best, best perk about this job,” he told Hollywood.com. Corbin picked up some Voltron Reeboks and the biggest gift so far–a trip to the Dominican Republic. “I just got back from Puerto Rico yesterday and am in very much the island mode,” Corbin said.
And who will be the lucky travel partner on his next tropical getaway? Listen up, ladies.
“That’s a good question. I’m not quite sure yet. I think I’ll have to work on that one. We’ll see, we’ll see. You know I think someone who’s very nice. I found myself in Puerto Rico wanting some romance so I think I have to find a nice lady friend to take.”
Newly-exposed to the world of free goodies, trips place pretty high when it comes to bigger and better gifts. But Corbin’s favorite is the edible kind.
“I think one of my favorite gifts that I’ve ever gotten at a gifting suite was a Wonka gold card,” he said. “You call up [Willie] Wonka and ask for whatever. Any time, any day, you just call up and say I need two boxes of Sweettarts or chocolate.”
[IMG:L]There’s no lifetime guarantee, but for this High School alum, he luckily gets to renew every year to satisfy that sweet tooth.
“I’m just going to call, yeah. I feel like having a couple Bottlecaps today. Why not?”
Project Runway’s Nick Verreos was also on hand as part of the Glam Squad for MSN to give style tips to the fashion depraved. “I love the necklaces and the jewelry that you see here and the jeans and it’s always good for super basics,” he said.
Although he said he hadn’t been giving any advice to the not-so-needy L.A. scensters because everyone looked so “fabulous,” he had advice for everyone who wasn’t invited to the soiree.
“We want you to dress like you mean it. We want you to own it every time. Just own it! Life is too short,” said Nick, who will be on the Emmy red carpet for MSN, of course, in one of his very own designs that will read on the back, “Dress Like You Mean It.”
That kind of style mojo also translates to the bedroom and the celebs got a bed full–we mean a hand full–at the Booty Parlor boutique for a few designer sex toys, body treats and sexy lingerie. Newly-engaged Brooke Mueller (Charlie Sheen’s fiancé) stocked up on sexy beauty products and frisky bedroom accessories saying emphatically, “I’ve got to keep it hot with Charlie!” and “I want these products for my bachelorette party!” Brooke took home Flirty Little Secret Firming Cream with Pheromones, I’m So Sexy Lip Gloss in Cinnamon Shine, a sexy bedroom toy, and the Intimacy LoveKit.
Even wannabe celebrities got in on the freebie action. Once again, Ali Simms (aka Britney’s on-again/off-again assistant and supposed cousin) cashed in on her 15 minutes of fame, stocking up on sexy essentials with four young members from her entourage, all who giggled wildly over the Turn Me On Vibrating Panties. Sexy essentials included Dust Up Kissable Body Shimmer, I’m So Sexy Lip Gloss and mini vibrators called the Go Girl Mini Vibe.
[PAGEBREAK][IMG:R]In another corner of the mansion was Charlie Lapson, who sells high quality handbags for women, has been known for quite some time on the Hollywood scene for his red carpet clutches all handmade in Tuscany. Very popular at the suite were the day into night handbags. Most of the celebs who stopped by were not going to the award show, but planned to swing by some pre-parties. Kathy Griffin picked up one of the snake patterned hobo totes. And if you’ve ever watch Desperate Housewives, almost every bag Eva Longoria and Felicity Huffman wear is courtesy of Charlie. Debra Messing is also always wearing his products, and now he’s even outfitting the Grey’s Anatomy and Brother’s and Sisters cast for their shows.
Trying on clothes and makeup is fun, but after a long day in the sun every celeb gets parched. To the rescue was high end tequila line, Trago, which was given to none other than J.Lo’s ex, Cris Judd, and fellow booty-shaker and Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba, who said she wanted to use the tequila line for her 40th birthday party. FYI–Jessica Alba and her brother have also been Trago fans for a while.
The stars got to indulge in some sweet treats as well. Candy for your body, that is. The Sex and Candy Line by Spread is all made by hand, 100 percent organic and unfortunately is not sold in stores. Now that’s what I call exclusive. Used by movie stars, rock stars and royalty, it runs from $30 to $800 a pound.
Royalty-worthy celebs like Austin Powers‘ Seth Green tried the Sexual Chocolate Almond Spread with dried cherries and four types of ancient aphrodisiacs, and Kathy Griffin, who admittedly loves free swag, ‘spread’ the wealth to her dog, picking up some doggie treats as well as the Sexual Chocolate Almond and 23 Karat Edible Gold spread for herself.
“You feel a little bit like an a-hole because you get a lot of promotional stuff, but it is also a mutual usage,” Seth openly admitted.
Still a kid at heart, he couldn’t help but be excited about a pair of Reeboks he just grabbed and bagged–the Voltron-style sneakers are “shiny, black and cool.”
And the best gift ever–anytime anyone wants to give him a trip. But there’s a special one Seth would rather go on.
“There’s a great trip [from the non-profit called i-to-i], it’s actually a volunteer trip where they fly you there and you end up doing volunteer work, whether it’s construction, housing or touring with kids. I can’t wait to do that. It’s sounds so much more interesting,” he said.
From the hit TV show House, Lisa Edelstein and Olivia Wilde got their makeup done by Red Earth’s creative director Dia Foley. Olivia loved the mini tools in the brow kit and Shark star Jeri Ryan received Red Earth’s new foundation brushes. Other celebs including Kaley Cuoco (Cougar Club), Candace Bailey (Jericho), Kathy Griffin and Madeline Zima (Californication) hit the makeup jackpot and got a full range of eyeshadows, Eye Perfection Primer and Secret Potion from Red Earth’s Core Collection, as well as the cult mascara, 2V. They also snagged the 23k gold filled products from Linden Leaves Gold Collection.
Amanda Beard, who we caught up with outside as she was leaving and loaded down with bags, boasted that the style suites are perfect for her because “I like to get everything.”
“The point of going to things like this is to grab as much stuff as possible,” she said.
She got stuff that she said she’d probably never know was on the market, like Spread for her dog. She loved the girlie stuff–facial products, hair products or jewelry.
[IMG:L]Hollywood.com ran into Greg Grunberg in the perfect suite fit for a man’s man–the Maidenform lounge, of course–where the loving husband was giving a little ‘support’ to his wife. “This is what it’s all about. I get to pretend I’m this guy or that guy so my wife can get free lingerie,” he said, laughing.
Unlike some celebs, though, he’s no fuss when it comes to what to wear on Emmy night. “To be honest with you, I love just getting the tux,” he said, which Arnold Brant hooked him up with, along with a Perry Ellis tie, “because I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”
But Emmy suites aren’t just about the ladies. The men got a little pampering too. Y-spa is a new line of men’s grooming products and has not yet launched in the United States. While waiting for his treatment, Greg and his wife were so excited to meet Corbin Bleu and they bonded over Y-Spa, where Grunberg and his wife took pictures of Corbin for their kids. Fathers and sons (like Ethan Embry and Gary Anthony Williams with their little boys) also got the Y-Spa treatment, complete with shave creams, facial scrubs, and after shave balms.
The Bachelor’s Chris Harrison and Tony Plana from Emmy-nominated Ugly Betty also joked around. “If you can make that face beautiful, I want what you have,” Chris said.
Tony replied, “They don’t call me ‘Ugly Dad’ for nothing.”
What A Production!
Across town in the heart of Hollywood at the famed Roosevelt Hotel, GBK Productions set up shop and attracted the likes of Beau Bridges, Stacy Keibler, Cheryl Hines and Mario Lopez.
One of the style suite hits were the Koolaburra sheepskin boots made in Australia and adorned with their own signature designs, like Swarovski crystals (found online at Neiman Marcus), the Peace and Harmony boots, Heart and Soul boots, Truth and Honor boots and of course the Rock and Roll boots with a skull. Retailing for $400, Cheryl Hines and Stacy Keibler grabbed a pair. Cheryl liked the Heart and Soul and Stacey, the black Truth and Honor with the fleur de lei. “Hannah Montana” herself, Miley Cyrus, didn’t make it to the suite, but the company gifted her a chocolate colored pair of the Heart and Soul boots and she loved them so much her mom ordered eight more pairs!
[PAGEBREAK][IMG:R]Lindsey Marie’s boutique specialized in exotic pearls, which are not your grandmother’s pearls. These were rocked out and made to look fashion forward and ageless. Gorgeous pearls, angel skin coral, red coral, semi-precious stones accompanied the stunning pieces. House’s Olivia Wilde walked out wearing her earrings and necklace and Brooke Mueller wants to order some of the jewelry as gifts. Who knows, could it be for her upcoming wedding?
Lily Bugs are fun and interactive bottle covers that teach babies and toddlers how to lift and hold their own bottles and sippy cups. And stepmother-to-be Brooke also had to get two of the same for her future step-daughters, Sam and Lola, and they had to be identical. Forget the milk and juice, Seth Green even joked that he would use the covers and bottles to keep his beer nice and chilled.
All That Glitters
A girl’s best friend? You guessed it – It’s all about the diamonds. At the Platinum Guild International Suite at the Luxe Hotel in Beverly Hills celebs got to pick out their favorite platinum bling for the red carpet.
Celebrities including Kaycee Stroh (High School Musical 2), Angela Kinsey (The Office), Mindy Kaling (The Office), and Brian Baumgartner (The Office) also indulged in “caviar” spa treatments from La Prairie and received a gift bag of goodies worth more than $1,000.
As Hollywood.com tried on a few sparkly baubles, Omarosa of The Apprentice was also getting fitted. Her fav: Gurhan’s natural multi-colored sapphire necklace, bracelet and earrings to go with her multi-colored evening dress on Emmy night. Another fan of Gurhan is Access Hollywood’s Nancy O’Dell, who’ll be wearing a 140-carat blue topaz ring. You won’t be able to miss it when she’s holding that mic.
Stars got to choose from a variety of designers, including Neil Lane’s black diamond flower necklace, Sol Rafael’s $850,000 graduated heart diamond necklace, and Ricardo Bossa’s $220,000 natural color marquee diamonds and a pear cognac drop.
[IMG:L]Continuing to make the rounds, Brooke Mueller stopped by the suite Thursday and picked out an Oscar Heyman & Brothers’ 81-carat blue sapphire necklace that she’ll wear next to her other eye candy, hubby-to-be and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series nominee Mr. Charlie Sheen.
Jewelry and style expert Michael O’Connor was busy all week working with the entire cast of Desperate Housewives, as well as some of the stars of The Office, Lost and Heroes. According to Michael, one of the things we’re going to see at the Emmy’s are necklaces, shorter earrings, stacked bracelets, and lots of color on Sunday’s red carpet.
Although he wouldn’t spill the beans on any juicy diamond details, Michael did tell Hollywood.com a few tidbits about the jewelry we may see on some of our favorite celebs come Emmy night. From the cast of The Office there are at least two people who have chosen necklaces and delicate, non-shoulder-dragging earrings. One of them will be wearing sapphires and diamonds.
And for all you Desperate Housewives fans, you’ll be seeing them in “really, really fabulous” multi-colored earrings and bracelets from the entire fashionable cast, Michael said.
Even the night’s host, Ryan Seacrest, may be wearing something that glitters. He picked out a diamond tie accent–a new style for men. Ellen DeGeneres also liked the white platinum and diamond pieces. I guess we’ll all just have to wait until Sunday to find out!
All Dolled Up
Also at the Luxe Hotel was Melanie Segal’s Platinum Emmy Lounge presented by SheerCover, which attracted some of the hottest celebs, including Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother); The Office cast; Dania Ramirez from Heroes and The Sopranos; Entourage’s Rex Lee; and those girls from High School Musical Monique Coleman, Lauren Storm and Kaycee Stroh.
Always ready for their close-ups, with the gigantic success of High School Musical, Monique, Kaycee and Lauren got touch-ups at Leeza Gibbons’ SheerCover outdoor studio. Rex Lee even got all dolled up with a little powder.
[IMG:R]Liz Clairborne partnered with Best Buy, where starting October 21 it’ll be selling a new fall collection of patent leather and leather bags, cell phone cases and iPod holders. Monique and Lauren made a beeline to the purses, where Monique picked out one in black leather and Lauren made a fall fashion statement in one in red patent leather.
“They’re amazing,” Monique told Hollywood.com during her shopping spree. “I think they’re probably one of the best perks of being in this industry. It’s awesome and a lot of the ones I go to support different charities, which I think is great. This one is supporting the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, which is one I also supported avidly.”
Monique took home a TIVO, a Beach Body bathing suit and a Christys’ London hat, but admits that whatever she doesn’t need she will re-gift. “I feel like it’s one of the amazing perks about being a celebrity and I think that it’s something that a lot of people can benefit from,” she said.
Other celebs benefiting from all the freebies were Rex Lee and Neil Patrick Harris who loved Christys’ fedora hats. Dancing with the Stars alums Ian Ziering and Joey Fatone are also fedora fans, as well as Britney Spears, who wore a Christys’ fedora during her infamous party spree at last week’s VMAs.
Girl on the Go!
Even the girl on the street got to feel like a star for a day, with a little help from Maybelline New York Great Lash Mascara’s mobile Mascara Bar that’s touring five major U.S. cities and made its kick-off pit stop in L.A. at Paseo Colorado in Pasadena, Calif. on Thursday. Celebrity stylist Philip Bloch and make-up artist Chuck Hezekiah made a special appearance for all the ladies to receive first-hand Emmy’s red-carpet style and make-up tips and how to create an award-winning celebrity look.
[PAGEBREAK][IMG:L]What’s pink and green and on the red carpet? Great Lash mascara of course and samples of Great Lash were handed out to women on the street. Since a Great Lash is sold every 1.9 seconds, imagine the frenzy when the infamous pink and green tubes were given out free.
Philip gave all the women who stopped by all the latest and greatest red carpet style tips. “People tend to think that makeup is one thing and fashion is another, but they actually are harmonious and have to work together. Makeup and hair are also your accessories,” he said. It’s about mixing and matching and finding what’s your individual style, he said. He calls it the ‘Democratization of Fashion’–your interpretation of what works for you.
“Somebody will look at a dress a say ‘oh, my god, I love that dress,’ and somebody else will look at it and say ‘what were you thinking?’ Nothing’s right or wrong, except Bjork’s swan dress or anything Sally Kirkland wears,” he said, laughing.
“That’s really why I’m here today–to help people learn because we see the celebs and you think people are learning from the celebs, but the reality is they watch but they still don’t know how to translate it. So I’m the translator.”
The first step to a fab outfit–the right undergarments. “I think the two important things in fashion and makeup…you’ve got to go back to zero. Start with the undergarments. The foundation for garments is so important, like the right bra. And everyone needs to have a nude and black color convertible bra,” Philip said.
Philip’s suggestion: Maidenform’s deep plunge bra because it stays in place.
Although Philip is not dressing anyone for this year’s Emmy’s, he’s definitely had a good history. Remember Julianna Margulies in Versace when she won for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama for ER in 2000, Halle Berry when she won for Introducing Dorothy Dandridge in a black frou frou strapless Valentino, or how about Cheryl Hines’ purple shantung gown by Chakra last year?
So what will we see on the red carpet this year? Classic, jewel-tone gowns and of course, black is always in.
[IMG:R]”It’s the public’s runway… and I think that’s because people can relate to celebrities. They know Salma [Hayek]’s short and has big breasts and Beyonce’s tall and has hips… I think hair, we’re going to see long and sleek because I think Nicole Kidman and Gwyneth Paltrow got so much attention at the Oscars with that long sleek hair. Not a lot of up ‘do’s. If they’re up, it’ll be very casual.”
Long gone are the Mira Sorvino oversprayed ‘do days, he said. The look–glowy, flowy and like a goddess. And makeup–natural and not too overstyled.
Chuck offered tips and tricks to getting those fabulous red carpet lashes: “It’s the perfect time being the Emmy’s because it’s such a showcase and also because every famous, whether it’s a makeup artist, actress, or model, everybody’s got a tube of Maybelline Great Lash. It’s the perfect time to show it off,” he said.
His No. 1 beauty tip: Take a weekend look to an evening look with the number of coats of mascara. For the weekend use one coat–a light coat to show off your lashes and go out the door; two coats for fullness; and evening, three coats.
[IMG:L]And don’t let that plastic green and pink coloring fool you. Some of those little tubes have an Emmy ‘dress-ing’ of their own courtesy of Swarovski. But sorry ladies, you have to be an Emmy golden girl to get one of these. We’re talking about the ‘eye-catching’ Swarovski crystal covered Maybelline New York Great Lash mascara tube. Who are the lucky ladies? The female nominees in the top four Emmy categories–Outstanding Lead Actress and Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and Outstanding Lead Actress and Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. According to a Maybelline representative, Lead Actress in a Comedy nominees Julia Louis-Dreyfus (and last year’s winner) and Mary-Louise Parker love their new tube of ‘eye’ candy.
