Where can you find an Oscar-winning actress chatting up one of the world’s biggest pop stars?
Well, during Oscars week in Los Angeles, that’s pretty much anywhere — but there’s no place quite like Diane von Furstenberg’s annual luncheon celebrating the year’s female Oscar nominees.
This year’s garden party was particularly star-studded, with the likes of “Marty Supreme” star Gwyneth Paltrow (the aforementioned Oscar winner) catching up with Katy Perry, only to be interrupted by producer and philanthropist Nicole Avant Sarandos, then Demi Moore and finally Tracee Ellis Ross. Within minutes — and with the addition of posh jewelry designer Jennifer Meyer to the huddle — some of the industry’s most high-profile entertainers and entrepreneurs had assembled on the well-manicured lawn.
Oh, and while this A-list group caught up with one another, von Furstenberg stood just around the corner posing with legendary actress and activist Jane Fonda.
A lineup of talent like this — plus Anita Hill, Quinta Brunson, Tig Notaro, Fran Drescher, Lisa Ann Walter, Grace van Patten, Sabrina Impacciatore, Rachel Zoe, Elaine Welteroth, Rita Wilson, Diane Warren, Luna Blaise, Maggie Baird, Rozzi and “Sinners” Oscar nominees Ruth E. Carter and Autumn Durald Arkapaw — really gives new meaning to the term “power lunch.”
For the last 13 years, von Furstenberg has hosted the celebration at her Beverly Hills mansion. This year, she noted, all of the nominees got a gold sticker upon arrival to wear as a badge of honor. It was a last-minute idea, but a key one.
“It’s very important that you know who everybody is, because then you make new friends,” von Furstenberg said, taking the microphone as the crowd sat down for lunch, curated by chef Jane Coxwell. “You are all in the same industry, an industry that is not necessarily pro-women.”
That reality makes events like this one particularly key, the fashion designer explained, with Fonda — wearing her new signature “Resist” t-shirt — seated at her right hand. (Fonda was a co-host at this year’s luncheon alongside Moore, Avant Sarandos and Ross, and an audience with her was equally as coveted as a selfie with fellow attendee Paris Hilton.)
“(I thought) being kind was always being stupid, but lately I discovered the power of (it),” she said. “Kindness is like a currency, and it compounds like money.”
And women are uniquely positioned to make that currency count.
“Women always have the solutions, but women always have the power of seduction. And seduction is not only about showing your legs — although if you have good ones, you can,” von Furstenberg quipped, as the crowd chuckled. “It is about making other people believe that your ideas and your solutions are theirs. And right now, we have to use all the tools,” she continued. “Because right now is a time that we need strength, we need belief, we need values, and the best way to pass on the message is by kindness.”
Scroll below for an inside look at the star-studded event.
Katy Perry, Tracee Ellis Ross and Demi Moore
Katy Perry, Tracee Ellis Ross and Demi Moore smile for photos inside the luncheon.
Katy Perry, Nicole Avant Sarandos and Gwyneth Paltrow
Nicole Avant Sarandos flanked by Katy Perry and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Odessa Rae, Rita Wilson, Jane Fonda and Diane von Furstenberg
Diane von Furstenberg (right) poses with Odessa Rae, Rita Wilson, and Jane Fonda.
Anita Hill and Quinta Brunson
“Abbott Elementary” and “Zootopia 2” star Quinta Brunson (right) smiles for a photo with Anita Hill.
Tracee Ellis Ross and Jennifer Meyer
Tracee Ellis Ross pals around with Jennifer Meyer.
Fran Drescher and Lisa Ann Walter
Fran Drescher and Lisa Ann Walter.
Li Jun Li, Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Ruth E. Carter, Hannah Beachler, Shunika Terry-Jennings and Monique Champagne
Team “Sinners” — Li Jun Li, Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Ruth E. Carter, Hannah Beachler, Shunika Terry-Jennings and Monique Champagne — assembles inside the luncheon.
Autumn Durald Arkapaw
“Sinners” cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw signs the poster-sized guest book at the event.
Rozzi and Grace Van Patten
Rozzi and Grace Van Patten pose for a photo.
adeline Sharafian, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Paris Hilton, Domee Shi and Diane Warren
Paris Hilton (center) takes a selfie with Madeline Sharafian (“Elio”), Gwendolyn Yates Whittle (“F1,” “Avatar: Fire and Ash”), Domee Shi (“Elio”) and Diane Warren (“Diane Warren: Relentless”).
Sasha Alexander and Rachel Zoe
Sasha Alexander and Rachel Zoe are a cool crew.
Mary Alice Drumm, Yvett Merino, Maggie Kang, Domee Shi, Madeline Sharafian and Michelle Wong
Mary Alice Drumm (“Elio”), Yvett Merino (“Zootopia 2”), Maggie Kang (“KPop Demon Hunters”), Domee Shi (“Elio”), Madeline Sharafian (“Elio”) and Michelle Wong (“KPop Demon Hunters”) — the women behind some of this year’s biggest animated movies — gather at the event.
Geeta Gandbhir
“The Perfect Neighbor” filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir signs in upon arrival.
Arden Cho, Hannah McMechan and Danya Jimenez
“KPop Demon Hunters” star Arden Cho poses with screenwriters Hannah McMechan and Danya Jimenez.
Alisa Payne, Sara Khaki, Christalyn Hampton, Yvett Merino, Geeta Gandbhir and Liza Marshall
Alisa Payne (“The Perfect Neighbor”), Sara Khaki (“Cutting Through Rocks”), Christalyn Hampton (“The Devil is Busy”), Yvett Merino (“Zootopia 2”), Geeta Gandbhir (“The Perfect Neighbor”) and Liza Marshall (“Hamnet”) pose for a group photo.
Elaine Welteroth and Alice Smith
Elaine Welteroth smiles for a photo with “Sinners” singer-songwriter Alice Smith.
