Fashion icon Diane von Furstenberg hosted her annual female Oscar nominees celebration at her Beverly Hills residence, marking the 13th year of the tradition she established to honor women in film. The intimate event brought together this year’s Academy Award-nominated women across various categories, from documentary and animation to costume design and sound. Co-hosting the gathering were Demi Moore, Jane Fonda, Nicole Avant Sarandos, and Tracee Ellis Ross, who welcomed nominees and industry guests to the exclusive afternoon affair.
Upon entering the property, attendees were greeted by a large display board featuring the names and categories of all recognized women from this year’s Oscar nominations. Nominees were invited to sign the board and received golden stickers to wear throughout the celebration. The guest list included notable personalities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Katy Perry, Quinta Brunson, Fran Drescher, Grace Van Patten, Rita Wilson, Tig Notaro, Ruth E. Carter, and Paris Hilton, alongside numerous nominees from technical and creative categories.
Creating Connections Among Female Oscar Nominees
The event began with guests mingling inside von Furstenberg’s home and throughout the front yard before transitioning to an outdoor lunch on the grass. During her opening remarks, von Furstenberg emphasized the importance of networking and solidarity among women in the entertainment industry. According to the designer, the gathering serves a crucial purpose in bringing together diverse talents from across the filmmaking spectrum.
“It’s very important that you know who everybody is because then you make new friends, and since you are all in the same industry — an industry that is not necessarily pro, pro women — I think it’s very important that the executive meets the talent meets the costume and all of that,” von Furstenberg told the assembled group. She highlighted the value of fostering connections between women working in different aspects of film production.
Honoring Women’s Contributions to Cinema
Von Furstenberg took a moment during her speech to recognize Anita Hill as a special guest, praising her courage and calling her “the strongest of all” among the accomplished women present. The fashion designer’s acknowledgment drew applause from attendees, underscoring the event’s focus on celebrating female strength and achievement beyond just Oscar nominations. Hill’s presence added gravitas to the afternoon’s celebration of women breaking barriers in their respective fields.
The ceremony continued with von Furstenberg announcing all films featuring female Oscar nominees, with each receiving its own moment of recognition and celebration. Her closing remarks emphasized building community and maintaining both confidence and compassion in the competitive entertainment landscape. She encouraged attendees to “be a badass, and kind,” stressing the importance of forming meaningful professional relationships.
Building Support Networks for Women in Film
The annual celebration addresses a gap von Furstenberg identified 13 years ago when she noticed the absence of dedicated recognition for women behind awards season films. Since then, the event has become a fixture of Oscar weekend activities, providing a space specifically designed to honor and connect female talent. The gathering spans multiple categories often overlooked in mainstream awards coverage, including production design, short film, and casting.
Additionally, the intimate setting allows for genuine networking opportunities between established industry figures and emerging talents. The combination of A-list celebrities and behind-the-scenes craftswomen creates unique opportunities for mentorship and collaboration. This cross-pollination of talent and expertise represents one of the event’s primary objectives, according to von Furstenberg’s stated mission.
Meanwhile, the celebration’s timing during Oscar weekend ensures maximum participation from nominees who are already in Los Angeles for the ceremony. The relaxed outdoor lunch format encourages organic conversation and relationship-building among attendees from diverse backgrounds within the film industry. This approach distinguishes von Furstenberg’s event from more formal awards season gatherings.
The Oscar ceremony will take place in the coming days, where many of the female nominees honored at von Furstenberg’s celebration will compete for Academy Awards. Whether these women take home trophies remains to be seen, but the pre-ceremony recognition ensures their contributions to cinema receive dedicated acknowledgment regardless of the final results.
