Irene Lentz

Inside the Oscars: The Governor’s Ball Goes Retro

By Mary Hall | March 7, 2010

Pictured: A sketch of the 1930s style set for the 2010 Oscar’s Governor’s Ball.

This year’s Governors Ball will be infused with the retro style of Hollywood Art Nouveau. Tonight, I got to take a tour of the Governor’s Ball at the Kodak Theater, all set-up for the big party tomorrow night. The Ball set is reminiscent of the late 1930s “Streamline Moderne”. I felt as though I had stumbled into the Hollywood sound stage of a Busby Berkeley musical. And that is the intention. The staging draws inspiration from artists such as Paul Williams, whose Saks Fifth Avenue ceiling treatments revolutionized the use of indirect lighting, and Dorothy Draper, whose unique curve design became influential in hotel décor. Here’s a sneak preview of how the the Governor’s Ball will look. I wanted to let my readers see what I saw. The TV cameras don’t take us inside the ball, only to the awards. So here’s The Recessionista’s inside view of the ball. Check out the beautiful art deco styled bar with Oscar back drop inside the Hollywood and Highland Center. I’d love to sit there with a good martini.

Pictured: The recreated art deco style bar at the Governor’s Ball preview tonight. (Photo: M. Hall)

Here in Los Angeles, the preparations behind the scenes are well underway. Some of the best party planners and chefs in the world are working on the Governor’s Ball (the official after party.) Of course the magic ingredients for any Oscar event are fun and a love for the movies. This year’s Oscar after party is all about recreating old movie styles, costumes and drama for inside the event. There are even costumes for the servers including a vintage looking “cigarette girl” style costume. Oscar nominated costume designer Jeffrey Kurland invented a 1930s style wardrobe for the Governor’s ball waiters, waitresses and musicians. The feel is like an old Ginger Rogers/Fred Astaire movie.

Pictured: The “cigarette” girl styled server poses with the costume prototype for her outfit and the waiter’s jacket. (Photo: M. Hall)

Pictured: The long dress designed for the 19 female orchestra members, who will play in a small section, on top of the staircase, above the ballroom. (Photo: M. Hall)

Pictured: The staircase, where the orchestra will sit above the party and play. (Photo: M. Hall)

Pictured: The view from the top of the stairs shows how the art deco theme for the party comes to life. (Photo: M. Hall)

Part of the grandeur and beauty that has been created for the Oscars after party comes from the gorgeous floral centerpieces on every table at the Governor’s Ball. Oscar Party planner extraordinaire Cheryl Cecchetto tells me, “This year’s Governors Ball will be accentuated by elegant florals such as purple Lizzy-Anthus, Rothschild Orchids, aubergine rust Calla Lilies, and Clearwater Roses, to name a few.”

Pictured: The beautiful tables with their striking glasses and floral arrangements (Photo: M. Hall)

The tables also feature fabric tablecloths embellished with beads and sparkles. When the candles are lit on each table, the setting will be luminous. If you want to spruce up your home table, take a trip to your local fabric mart to add pick up some fabric with a bit of glitz. From the picture below, you can see how the right tablecloth material can make any day table sparkle. Candles also help set the tone for the evening as well.

Pictured: One of the table’s from the Governor’s ball with lovely floral arrangements a top an embellished tablecloth. (Photo: M. Hall)

Walking down Hollywood Boulevard today, I could feel the magic in the air. I asked Cheryl Cecchetto if she has any special Oscar memories of the Governor’s Balls. She says, ” I particularly loved the 75th — Celebrating history. Researching the first Governors Ball in 1929 at the Roosevelt Hotel for 240 guests. We incorporated so many memories over time. The entire ballroom was dressed in black and white. “

As the big day draws closer, the tents are up on Hollywood and Highland and the rain is falling. The puddles are already forming. The Kodak theatre looks amazing. If they could, I think the ghosts from the old Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, scene of the first Academy Awards dinner, would probably meander across the street to try the heavenly food, sit at Wolfgang Puck’s table and talk quietly over the soft candlelight and the Calla Lilies. Meantime, I’ll be doing the same thing at home, with my well filled glass of champagne, just waiting to hear the words….”And the Oscar goes to……”