Oscars 2012: Solid gold and stars at Vanity Fair after-party

Oscar winner or Oscar loser, anyone can break even at the Academy Awards' most exclusive after-party — anyone who's been invited, that is. And so another year of Vanity Fair madness came to pass, with magazine Editor Graydon Carter hosting a new crop of film honorees, luminaries from politics, art and fashion, and even some royalty.

The Sunset Tower Hotel was a glamorous war zone of barricaded fans, tinted SUVs and paparazzi Sunday evening as folks made their way to the fete from the telecast in Hollywood.

Carter had first welcomed 130 guests for dinner and the show, among them Amy Adams, Jon Hamm and Jennifer Westfeldt, Bill Maher, Les Moonves and Julie Chen, Sofia Vergara, Jason Sudeikis and Olivia Wilde, George Lucas, Tom Ford, Jane Fonda, Claire Danes and Chris Martin.

PHOTOS: Vanity Fair Oscars after-party 2012

After "The Artist" claimed best picture, dinner tables were cleared and doors opened to the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, who joined husband Martin for a cocktail. Paltrow wasn't shy about her admiration for several famous guests, at one point retrieving her smartphone and asking Steve Martin and Martin Short to take a photo with her.

Paula Patton had been telling us for weeks about her anxiety over a dress for the occasion, eventually going with a Naeem Khan mini. "I had to pull the trigger, so I went short," she said. "I love long gowns, but this just felt right."

At that precise moment, everyone stopped to appreciate Cameron Diaz and her gown, a form-fitting red-orange number.

PHOTOS: Red carpet arrivals | Quotes | Winners | Best & Worst

Thanks to their creative endeavors, some New Yorkers came to town, among them "Saturday Night Live" star and original screenplay nominee Kristen Wiig. Plenty of funny females surrounded her, including Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey and Melissa McCarthy.

Kate Hudson stepped out with fiance Matt Bellamy, both looking excited for a date night away from their new baby -- pictures of whom Hudson shared excitedly with Owen Wilson.

Oscars 2012: Christopher Hitchens honored by Vanity Fair

Writer Christopher Hitchens, who died in December, will get a fitting tribute from Vanity Fair, where he was a contributing editor, at the magazine's star-studded Oscars party.

Editor in Chief Graydon Carter will welcome 130 guests for a private dinner and telecast viewing at the Sunset Tower Hotel, where Carter included a small touch in Hitchens' memory.

Each table will hold a lighter engraved with the Hitchens quote, "Everyone has a book inside them, which is exactly where I think it should, in most cases, remain." The writer passed away Dec. 15 after a battle with cancer.

OSCARS: Red Carpet | Cheat Sheet | Key Scenes | Ballot

Following the dinner,  the after-party will rage into the night. Expect all the stars of Oscar and more.

RELATED:

Oscars 2012: Full coverage

Follow the Oscars live on Twitter

Timeline: Eight decades of Oscar history

-- Matt Donnelly 

Photo: Christopher Hitchens. Credit: Christian Witkin / TwelveBooks

Grace Kelly-inspired jewels enjoyed by Dianna Agron, Amber Heard

Need proof that Grace Kelly still captivates the crowd? Even jewelry inspired by the late movie star and royal commands the full attention of Hollywood.

Amber Heard, "Glee" beauty Dianna Agron, Raquel Welch, Jackie and Joan Collins, Brian Grazer and Cheryl Tiegs were among the fans at a celebration for Montblanc's Collection Princesse Grace de Monaco.

In support of its weeklong Campaign Hollywood, Vanity Fair on Tuesday hosted the cocktail fete for the collection of fine jewels and timepieces inspired by the icon at L.A.'s swanky Hotel Bel-Air.

It's a crowded week for Oscar parties, but this one was nice departure from the usual celebrations for the year's nominees. Embracing film legacies seems to be contagious.

The same evening, stars celebrated the 40th anniversary of Charlie Chaplin's honorary Oscar — with guests including Jessica Chastain, Harvey Weinstein, Jared Leto and Kate Bosworth.

RELATED:

84th annual Academy Award nominees: The Complete List  

Oscars: Chaplin legacy toasted by granddaughters, nominees

Vanity Fair kicks off Oscar week with Jessica Chastain and more

— Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Amber Heard channels her inner Grace Kelly. Credit: WireImage

Vanity Fair kicks off Oscar week with Jessica Chastain and more

Sure, vanity is common in Hollywood, but sometimes for the right reasons -- like Monday's Oscar week kickoff, a celebration of 20 years of Vanity Fair's profile feature called ... Vanities. 

Having named the most promising up-and-comers for two decades, the magazine, its West Coast senior editor Krista Smith and "The Descendants" breakout Shailene Woodley hosted some girly cocktails with Juicy Couture, welcoming Jessica Chastian, Paula Patton, George Clooney's gal Stacey Keibler, a glowing, baby-bump-showing Molly Sims, Kate Mara and more.

"I'm so ready for this week," Chastain told us, rocking a cleavage-baring Alexander McQueen dress. As the Ministry chatted her up, a giant projection of her own Vanities shoot hit one of the walls at the fete.

"I still remember that day," she said wistfully. "It was in New York, in the street with Patrick Demarchelier."

No big deal. Emmy Rossum circulated on the arm of a tall, handsome blond man, weaving around Amy Adams, Rashida Jones, Ari Graynor, Marica Gay Harden, "Pariah" actress and VF covergirl Adepero Oduye, Kelly Lynch, Olivia Munn and Alice Eve.

Woodley's "Secret Life of the American Teenager" costar Daren Kagasoff came to support, holding it down for the boys in J. Lindeberg, alongside dudes including Michael B. Jordan and Jay Hayden.

Our old pal Kate Mara was a proud sister, as her sib Rooney Mara also graces this month's VF cover. We asked if she'll be back for any more "American Horror Story," and while she's not sure, she's certainly looking forward to her next TV gig.

"I'm going to work on David Fincher's 'House of Cards,'" she said, "so I don't know if I'll have the time, but I'm so excited." 

Some humility with all those vanities. 

RELATED:

Busy Philipps: Michelle Williams' Oscar blessing or curse?

84th annual Academy Award nominees: The Complete List  

Oscars 2012: Did Michael Fassbender's big part cost him a nom?

-- Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Jessica Chastain arrives at Vanity Fair Campaign Hollywood at Siren Studios in Los Angeles on Monday. Credit: Katy Winn / Associated Press

 

Vanity Fair Hollywood issue gets fresh with Mara, Chastain

Some lovely faces are trumpeting the approaching Oscars ceremony, thanks to Monday's unveiling of the Vanity Fair Hollywood issue, which stars fresh faces Rooney Mara, Jennifer Lawrence, Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska and more.

Soft pastels and finger waves help the crop of young actresses bring an Old Hollywood cover tableau to life, with its extended pages featuring Elizabeth Olsen, Adepero Oduye, Shailene Woodley, Paula Patton, Felicity Jones, Lily Collins and Brit Marling.  

Among the makeup chair revelations imparted in video from the shoot was Mara's confession that she hadn't seen "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo." 

"I haven't seen it yet," she said. "I didn't watch dailies. Sometimes I'd watch playback if it would help."

Also, with fellow Oscar nominee and prolific newbie Chastain, she'd discussed the one movie they'd never switch the channel for: "Me and Jessica were just talking about 'Zoolander.' It's probably a guilty pleasure." 

Check out glam, girly video from the shoot below and tell us your thoughts on the Hollywood issue in comments. 

 

RELATED:

84th annual Academy Award nominees: The Complete List  

Oscars 2012: Did Michael Fassbender's big part cost him a nom?

2011: Vanity Fair Hollywood issue arrives in time for Oscar [video]

— Matt Donnelly
twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: Rooney Mara, left, Jennifer Lawrence, Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Elizabeth Olsen, Adepero Oduye, Shailene Woodley, Paula Patton, Felicity Jones, Lily Collins and Brit Marling. Credit: Mario Testino / Vanity Fair

Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez act like a couple at the Vanity Fair Oscar party

Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez turned up together at the Vanity Fair party after the Academy Awards on Sunday -- and touched in public on the red carpet. Then they touched again later inside the event. And then they touched each other's BlackBerrys.

Rumor has it they even kissed.

Anyone disappointed by the Biebs' tentative 3-D moves on Miley Cyrus during his Madison Square Garden concert (as seen in the flick "Never Say Never") can take comfort in the notion that the recently restyled kid seems to be learning his way around a lady, at least when it comes to putting his arm around her waist, or having her hand on his knee.

This from a guy who turns 17 on Tuesday and has been posting quotes on Twitter, including "all i want to do is dance under the moon" and "your love is like a rollercoaster the way you take my breath away."

Guess that's the 21st century equivalent of scribbling on your Pee Chee folder? Very cute.

Let us just add that the Ministry's Christie and Matt have also been seen snuggling together and kissing in an after-party photo booth as well. And while it might mean lurve, it doesn't necessarily mean ... you know. And no, we're not linking to the pics.

Now we're blushing.

RELATED:

Justin Bieber, Usher -- so bromantic at the Grammys

The new Justin Bieber haircut -- whaddya think of it? [Poll]

Justin Bieber shakes hands with the Situation; civilization crumbles

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber, both in Dolce & Gabbana at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Sunset Tower in L.A. on Feb. 27, 2011. Credit: Carlo Allegri / Associated Press

 

PREACH IT! More gory details on Tiger Woods' sexcapades emerge. And boy are they gory

Tiger Woods: great golfer, terrible husband. And also, as of today, a nasty little boy.

Thanks to Vanity Fair, we’re now learning that the wayward golf champ prefers quick and filthy sexual escapades over kept ladies and discreet apartments. It’s all, ahem, laid out, in the latest issue of the magazine, which features photos and interviews with a bunch of Woods’ "inconvenient women" -- exactly the kind of gently amused wink-wink you’d expect from VF. They’re so above that sort of thing. Except that they’re so, so not.

Examples? Oh, they’ve got ‘em. We won’t go into the most graphic aspects of the piece -- not that we’re so, so above that -- but we will relay this: When Woods met Mindy Lawton for sex, and his office key wasn’t working, he drove Lawton to a nearby parking lot and did the deed with her there instead. Evidence -- wink, wink -- was left behind. On the asphalt.

Other revelations: Tiger’s toadies did, in fact, serve as go-betweens for the golfer’s lady friends, despite Woods’ insistence to the contrary. And for the most part ...

Vanity Fair welcomes Oscar's brightest stars for annual afterparty

Although the winners of the 82nd Academy Awards might have been a roll of the dice, Vanity Fair's post-Oscar party is a sure thing. This year was no exception.

Held at West Hollywood's Sunset Tower Hotel, nominees, winners and celebrity guests joined VF editor in chief Graydon Carter for the annual exclusive fete.

Young, old, werewolf and human peppered the gathering -- from Joan and Jackie Collins to Taylor Lautner and Zac Efron.

Meryl Streep perched on a couch, chatting up pregnant Amy Adams, while Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard huddled in a corner talking to pal Carey Mulligan. Michael Bay loomed near Jessica Simpson, Marc Anthony, Heidi Klum and Harvey Weinstein in the Terrace Room.

Charlize Theron and her mother, Gerda, bypassed Ed Norton and Shauna Robertson to mingle with Suzanne Somers, Joe and Nick Jonas, Tyler Perry, Russell Brand and Katy Perry and Sean Penn.

A very formal Giovanni Ribisi spoke at length with a casually dressed Beck; nearby, Oscar producer Adam Shankman talked the telecast with Jon Hamm and Jennifer Westfeldt.

Sarah Silverman introduced herself to Spike Lee, while Vera Wang danced to Michael Jackson's "PYT" with her Olympic medalist muse, Evan Lysacek.

The night's big winner, Kathryn Bigelow, with her "Hurt Locker" star Jeremy Renner, was greeted with unanimous applause from the likes of a radiant Gabrielle Union, Judd Apatow, Chevy Chase, Lee Daniels, Natalie Portman, Common, Kid Rock, Oscar host Steve Martin, Robert Downey Jr., Macaulay Culkin, Rachel McAdams, best actress nominee Gabourey Sidibe and Bill Maher.

Exes Ryan Phillippe and Abbie Cornish kept their distance, while Jennifer Lopez revealed a quick change into a black gown to husband Marc Anthony. Efron kept his "High School Musical" gal Vanessa Hudgens warm on the chilly patio, while Keanu Reeves and Cameron Diaz were offered In n' Out burgers on silver platters.

This year's best actress winner, Sandra Bullock, made an appearance with her husband, Jesse James, both eager to greet Ryan Reynolds (sans bride Scarlett Johannson).

Oscar winners Christoph Waltz, Jeff Bridges, Sandy Powell and T-Bone Burnett were in also attendance.

Click on the photo gallery above to see more celebrity guests.

-- Matt Donnelly

Upper photo: "Julie & Julia" stars Meryl Streep and Amy Adams inside the Vanity Fair party. Credit: Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for Vanity Fair

Second photo: Taylor Lautner. Credit: Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images.

Third photo: Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard arrive. Credit: Craig Barritt / Getty Images

Fourth photo: Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony. Credit: Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

Lower photo: Jesse James and Sandra Bullock. Credit: Peter Kramer / Associated Press

A new Times database puts readers on the sidewalks of Hollywood, using more than a century of archives to track the lives of the stars, including current Oscar nominees Jeff Bridges, James Cameron, Matt Damon, Morgan Freeman, Sandra Bullock and Meryl Streep.

Want the headlines? Follow the Ministry of Gossip on Twitter (we're @LATcelebs).  And if you want to become a fan on Facebook, find us at facebook.com/ministryofgossip.