From a 007 Bond inspired whisky launch in the Hollywood Hills to intimate Fashion Week dinners in New York and black tie NBA celebrations in LA, the common thread lately has been intention. Let’s get into it…
Diamonds, Drama, and a Dash of 007 in the Hollywood Hills
François Arnaud. Photo by Randy Shropshire/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images
There’s nothing quite like a random Tuesday night with a live performance from a Grammy and Oscar winner. That was the scene at The Macallan Villa just off LA’s Mulholland Drive, as the brand teamed up The Hollywood Reporter to unveil the Diamonds Are Forever 55th anniversary release, and for a few hours, it felt like we had stepped straight into a Bond film.
Fresh off a Song of the Year win for Wildflower and already a Grammy and two-time Oscar winner, singer songwriter Finneas took to the stage for an intimate set. He also co-wrote and produced the iconic Bond theme “No Time to Die.’ The performance felt personal, stripped back, and perfectly pitched for the occasion. Among the guests soaking it all in were François Arnaud, James Marsden, Joel McHale, Nicholas Duvernay, Drew Tarver and Scott MacArthur, alongside a host of rising Hollywood talent. In a city that does spectacle well, this felt intimate and fun!
Willy Chavarria’s New York Night
Tove Lo, Willy Chavarria, Julia Fox. Pic BFA/Ben Rosser
New York did what New York does best during Fashion Week, gathered the right people in the right room and let the energy do the rest. Net-A-Porter hosted an intimate dinner at Le Chêne to celebrate the launch of Willy Chavarria womenswear. Co hosted by CEO Heather Kaminetsky and Chavarria himself, the evening drew a chic cross section of fashion and culture, with guests including Julia Fox, Jack Harlow, Becky G, Tove Lo and Hari Nef.
Guests arrived for cocktails before sitting down to dinner, each place setting marked by a poem written by Chavarria. The room was washed in deep red, white and black with candlelight and sculptural florals, with violinist Mikaila Gaffey performing throughout. The collection, which launched February 16, is a tightly edited mix of tailored outerwear, graphic jersey, relaxed denim and sculptural dresses. As Chavarria shared on the night, the intention is to empower and create community and it feels like he’s well on the way of doing just that.
Kenny “The Jet” Smith Annual All-Star Bash
Ja Rule & Wife Aisha Murray with Kelly Rowland and Tim Weatherspoon. Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images
During NBA All Star Weekend in Los Angeles, Kenny Smith once again proved he knows how to host. His annual FlyHouse All-Star Celebration took over the iconic Sheats–Goldstein Residence, presented in partnership with Resorts World and FlyHouse Aviation. Black tie was the brief, and the guest list delivered.
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