Oscars: Glamour, glitz, modesty and less botox (VAR, AFP, DHD, WWD, TW)

By Nancy Tartaglione-Vialatte

As we head into Oscar weekend, the media weighs in on the trimmer trimmings that will surround this year's event. Given the dismal economy, Hollywood is likely to flip on the demure switch while the emphasis turns to quality not quantity. Also, plastic surgeons report fewer folks looking to turn their frown lines upside down.

The big parties this week like Variety's pre-Oscar bash and Vanity Fair's post-Oscar blowout - the latter back after a break last year due to the WGA strike - are on deck while the Chateau Marmont, the trend is to reduce quantity, not quality. However the VF soir�e will be a smaller affair at the Sunset Tower, rather than Morton's, with a considerably trimmed-down guest list and recycled decorations from previous events.

"Everything is smaller," said event planner Lara Shriftman. "Everyone is budget-conscious, and when you are trying to save, you invite fewer people, make the party shorter and don't serve dinner. People also don't spend what they used to on flowers and invitations and more people are entertaining at home."

"You want to celebrate nominations but at the same time be respectful of the fact that a lot of people have lost jobs, and it's a bad economic climate," one studio exec involved with event planning told Variety. "You want to have an appropriate level of celebration without being ostentatious."

Friday's events are dominated by top agents: CAA's Bryan Lourd hosts a major affair at his home, and Endeavor has a reception for the agency's nominees at Ari Emanuel's house. William Morris' Ed Limato, however, is not throwing his traditional fete.

Saturday's big gathering is the Independent Spirit Awards, together with its IFC-hosted after-party at Shutters.

And, at Sunday night's official post-Oscar party, The Governor's Ball, there will be plenty of caviar, champagne, lobster and truffles.

Meanwhile, Agence France Presse reports that plastic surgeons in Los Angeles say that while business for non-surgical cosmetic procedures has picked up in the weeks leading to the Oscars, the spike is not nearly as high as usual.

"Procedures have always increased before the awards, the question in this economy is how much we can expect them to increase," said Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Anthony Griffin.

Santa Monica plastic surgeon Michael McGuire said he usually saw a rise in celebrities seeking Botox and fillers but that numbers are down this year with some non A-listers "cutting corners as it relates to beauty."

Still, in terms of what to expect on the red carpet, a general consensus is forming that the emphasis on glamour will be about the same as ever, says Women's Wear Daily.

"It's still the Oscars," said stylist Elizabeth Stewart. "It may be a little more toned down, but the few awards shows so far have generally been business as usual."

Jennifer Lopez told WWD that the question of what looks appropriate is slightly ridiculous because nothing people wear to events is anything more than public relations for the designers.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with playing dress up right now," she said. "Who wouldn't want to wear borrowed dresses and borrowed jewelry? And anyway, I think you can get criticized if you're wearing borrowed dresses now because it's borrowed, and I think you can get criticized for it if it's not because you bought it during the current economy. So I say do what makes you happy and wear what you want because the only thing that really matters is if your mother calls you up the next day and says, 'What were you wearing?'"

Related Links

Biz tones it down for Oscar bashes (VAR)
US recession has sobering effect on Oscars (AFP)
2009 Oscars Party List (DHD)
Oscars Evolve With Economy (WWD)
How the Oscar Soiree Planners Are Coping With the New Depression (TW)