Although the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences officially banned Academy Awards gift bags nearly 20 years ago, the tradition of lavish awards for Hollywood stars hasn't died out. In fact, it's become an industry in its own right.
On the eve of the ceremony, luxury hotels and spas in Los Angeles turn into so-called "gifting suites," where companies offer very expensive gifts to nominated actors in the hope that they will mention the products on social media.
One of the most well-known organizers of these packages is Lash Fary, founder of the company Distinctive Assets, which prepares the famous "Everybody Wins" bags every year.
What do the famous bags contain?
The total value of the package is nearly $350 per person. It includes a variety of gifts, from luxury products to exclusive experiences.
Among them are:
luxury luggage and accessories
a personalized prenuptial agreement by divorce attorney James Sexton
a stay at a luxury villa in Costa Rica worth $30
another vacation to Ibiza worth $65
technological devices and various wellness products
five different brands of cannabis (legal in California)
Some of the suitcases used to distribute the gifts also feature the names of nominated stars, such as Michael B. Jordan and Kate Hudson.
How are gifts delivered to stars?
According to Fary, the nominees don't have to do anything to receive their gifts. The packages are sent directly to their hotel or home.
Actress Rose Byrne, for example, requested that her bag be sent to New York, while Rachel McAdams saw her package being delivered to her manager's office and recognized it immediately.
However, these gifts are not given to everyone. They are reserved for:
The 20 nominated actors
the five selected directors
the host of the ceremony, this year Conan O'Brien.
Should they advertise them?
The stars are under no obligation to promote the products. However, the organizers hope that they will mention them on social media.
In such cases, the exposure can be huge. For example, Viola Davis posted photos on Instagram from a trip to Hawaii that she received as a gift, while Amy Adams was photographed wearing a T-shirt from the package to the gym the day after the ceremony.
An entire industry around gifts
Another well-known organizer in this field is Nathalie Dubois, founder of Dubois Pelin and Associates.
She works primarily with major luxury brands and organizes events where stars must appear in person to receive gifts. In the past, she has offered products from brands such as Gucci, Fendi, Chloé, Chopard and Lancôme.
The events take place in luxury hotels in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles, where entry is strictly controlled.
According to Dubois, there is also no shortage of people trying to enter without being invited. There have been cases where people have pretended to be actors, even groups claiming to be part of the cast of a popular series, while one person even attempted to enter by climbing over the garden wall.
This shows that, although they are no longer official, the famous Oscar bags remain one of Hollywood's most luxurious and controversial traditions. /GazetaExpress/
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