By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Arriving fashionably late to Oscar Night America at Halekulani were, from left, James Alberti, Christina Simpkins and Brett Wagner. Simpkins and Wagner are back after five successful screenings of Wagner’s “Chief” at the Sundance Film Festival. While there, Simpkins said she talked up Hawaii in hope of bringing more filmmakers to shoot their projects here. Next project for Wagner is another short film he wrote.

Just because we’re miles from Hollywood doesn’t mean we couldn’t celebrate the spirit of Oscar night with our own Oscar Night America red-carpet event at the Halekulani.

Escada was prominent, with no fewer than nine Escada gowns appearing on the red carpet. There was plenty of spring color too, brightening the usual field of black at these types of events, and echoing the real Academy Awards red carpet. I felt like they all had the same makeup artist because most of the presenters had the same combination of blue eyelids, rosy pink cheeks and lips.

Otherwise, I missed all the E! red-carpet commentaries, but from what I saw on the broadcast, I really loved Marion Cotillard’s shimmery white mermaid gown. Otherwise, the stars tend to dress alike in solid-color column gowns. It’s great that “Juno” screen writer Diablo Cody dared to be different in a flowing leopard-print gown.

Attendees facing about a dozen photographers upon arrival said they felt like celebrities.

Color filled the red carpet.

Wearing Escada, from left, were Yukako Sakakibara, Noriko Sasakawa and Yumiko Sakaue.

Man of the hour, Chuck Boller, head of the Hawaii International Film Festival.

Even the press wore color. I wore a red-orange DKNY dress with a Max&Co. satin-finish black jacket. Associated Press photographer Lucy Pemoni wore a pink pantsuit and pictured, Dina Azrak of PacificNetwork.tv’s “Oahu Cool” also wore pink.

From left are Cynthia Miller, Candes Gentry in Max Azria, Nora Meijide Gentry in “Midnight Love,” and Shawna Watson in Original Milly with Marc Jacobs shoes.

Also arriving fashionably late was Christa Wittmier who may be posting some of her observations at http://www.supercw.com/blog/ Great seeing you there Christa!

Lance Rae showed up in the company of not one, not two, but three women.

Prince and Princess Vittorio and Dialta Alliata di Montereale added a dash of bright color to their ensembles.

Indru and Gulab Watumull.

From left, Hyon Paek, Eloise Dillingham and Lisa Higaki, all in Escada.

I didn’t catch the woman’s name, but her dress is Dior.

Kimi and Ash Matar on the red carpet. He arrived once. She was back many times, as one of the event planners helping to greet guests.

Always fashionable, Patrick and Marisa Gey.

Sorry Heather Lynn’s photo has a blur. I guess I was focusing on her BCBG dress. Looks like one of their Runway collection. Those are always attention-getters.

More red carpet looks.

Toward the end of the evening, the Coen Brothers are shown on a screen in the ballroom while accepting their Best Director award.

Star-studded desserts provided an appropriate finale to the evening. The entire menu from start to finish was incredible, comprising pate with fig, lobster, intermezzo of champagne sorbet, beef tournedos and brie with truffles.

This entry was posted on Monday, February 25th, 2008 at 12:53 pm and is filed under Film, People, Scene spy, Parties. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.