The glitz and glamour of Hollywood were in full swing on Saturday night as the legendary Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel transformed into the ultimate hotspot for A-list celebrities. The occasion? The annual Chanel and Charles Finch dinner—an exclusive, star-studded event that serves as the final hurrah before the prestigious 97th Academy Awards. The patio buzzed with an electric energy, packed to the brim with Hollywood’s elite, all ready to toast to cinema, fashion, and the thrill of awards season.
For Oscar nominees in attendance, the excitement was palpable. Adrien Brody, Demi Moore, Jeremy Strong, Ralph Fiennes, and Fernanda Torres were among those soaking in the moment. Lupita Nyong’o, who lent her voice to Roz, the robotic protagonist in The Wild Robot—a contender for Best Animated Feature—was particularly thrilled about the evening. “When you vote, it’s more interesting,” she shared. “Also, it’s been a crazy time in the world, so the fact that we still get to sit around and celebrate imagination? That’s a privilege. And I’m looking forward to doing that.”
The black carpet leading into the event was a conveyor belt of Hollywood royalty. Elle and Dakota Fanning arrived together, effortlessly chic, stopping to exchange pleasantries with TV journalist Gayle King. Judd Apatow turned the evening into a family affair, proudly posing for photos with his daughter, actress Maude Apatow. Meanwhile, Natasha Lyonne was in high spirits as she jokingly posed for a “boyfriend picture,” grabbing her date’s hand before cheekily quipping, “They’re both my boyfriends,” while nodding toward Bridgerton star Regé-Jean Page.
Inside the candlelit patio, old friends reunited and new connections were made. Harvey Keitel beamed with joy upon spotting Willem Dafoe, greeting him with a warm kiss on the cheek—a testament to their long-standing camaraderie from The Grand Budapest Hotel. Nearby, Lily-Rose Depp floated through the crowd, while Michael Keaton discreetly made his way over to chat with an old friend. John Mulaney and his wife, actress Olivia Munn, were deep in conversation in one corner, laughing with Zoey Deutch. Meanwhile, Ralph Fiennes and comedian Mulaney opted to sidestep the flashing cameras altogether, making a low-key entrance.
As the night unfolded, conversations flowed effortlessly. Brody, ever the charmer, held court with a small group of admirers, while The Brutalist filmmaker Brady Corbet remained close to his creative partner and co-writer Mona Fastvold. Strong, embracing a laid-back vibe in sneakers, navigated the room with ease, while Julie Delpy attempted to snag a moment with Moore. Elsewhere, actress Felicity Jones engaged in an animated discussion with filmmaker Gia Coppola. “This event is special because it celebrates the intersection of cinema and fashion,” Coppola remarked. “These two art forms have been influencing each other forever, and tonight is a beautiful tribute to that.”
And, of course, fashion was front and center. Almost every guest dazzled in head-to-toe Chanel—a nod to the brand’s deep-rooted connection to Hollywood. Gabrielle Chanel’s influence in film dates back to 1930 when she was invited by producer Samuel Goldwyn to dress screen icons like Gloria Swanson. After returning to Paris, she continued collaborating with filmmakers like Jean Renoir, designing for actresses of the French New Wave, including Jeanne Moreau and Romy Schneider. That legacy of cinematic glamour was alive and well at Saturday’s event, where timeless elegance met modern star power.
As the dinner commenced, Charles Finch took a moment to address the room, delivering a heartfelt speech about the privilege of being guests in this country and the responsibility of standing against tyranny—a statement that was met with enthusiastic cheers from Corbet. Finch, a British producer and entrepreneur, has long championed the intersection of film and cultural dialogue. But for him, the best part of the night? Knowing that the guests are having a genuinely good time. “Also,” he added with a grin, “when I get to see these people the next day win an Academy Award. Celebrating film is always the most amazing part of the night.”
With the Oscars looming just hours away, the energy was a mix of celebration and anticipation. Some stars basked in the pre-awards glow, savoring the last relaxed moments before the whirlwind of the ceremony. Others kept the night lighthearted, enjoying the camaraderie and clinking glasses to the magic of storytelling. By the time the evening wound down, one thing was certain—the Chanel and Charles Finch dinner was more than just an exclusive pre-Oscars event; it was a testament to Hollywood’s enduring ability to blend artistry, legacy, and unfiltered joy.
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