Inside Vanity Fair’s Epic Oscars Bash

The party of the year of every year is undoubtedly Vanity Fair’s epic Oscars bash, which was held last night in Los Angeles in a stunning custom-designed space at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts across from Beverly Hills City Hall. Shutting down part of 90210 for the night, the event was hosted by VF EIC Graydon Carter and is traditionally the must stop.

Spotted by yours truly were Lady Gaga (with stunning fiancé Taylor Kinney), Elton John (who came by after hosting his own party), Leonardo DiCaprio, Taylor Swift, Jared Leto, Lorde, Brie Larson, Ben Affleck, Sylvester Stallone, Tobey Maguire, Jennifer Meyer, Naomi Campbell, and we could go on and on. The fashion world was represented by Francisco Costa, Diane von Furstenberg, Alessandro Michele, Tommy Hilfiger, and Zac Posen.

For guests skipping the ceremony, the evening began with a Thomas Keller-curated dinner of chicken pot pie, salmon en croûte or black truffle lasagna. Each table setting included an engraved zippo lighter with a quote from industry icon Jerry Weintraub, who died last year, that read, “This much I know: as soon as you feel comfortable, that’s when it’s time to start over.” Dessert included The Graydon Carter Cookie, a biscuit made with flour, oats, butter, and Tate & Lyle’s golden syrup. After dinner, the tables were removed from the dining room and a central bar was installed. For the third year in a row, Mark Seliger took portraits of guests, which can be seen on VF’s Instagram page. The magazine partnered with Carol production designer Judy Beckett to design the studio.

Leaving no detail unturned, guests departed with affogatos and donuts by Bouchon Bakery, and even an Uber desk was on hand. We waited for our ride in line with Chris Rock (still wearing his white Burberry jacket), Kelly Ripa, Kerry Washington, Kate Hudson, Eddie Redmayne, and Jennifer Garner. Surreal.

Photos by Billy Farrell/BFA.com