By Karen Loftus

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 2/12/08 — Awards season, sometimes known as swag season got off to a slow start this year with the impact of the Writer’s Strike and the not so golden, Golden Globes. The Grammy Gifting Suites and pre-parties nonetheless brought out top talent and subdued hospitality that still had elegance, minus the wretched excess.

Between the strike and the beleaguered economy, even Sundance, recently known as Swagapalooza, felt a dip in the swag scene. The celeb attendance at this year’s Festival appeared to be at an all time high, with out of work actors and on strike writers were thrilled they found a way and a place to blow off steam, see each other and celebrate cinema and the business they are in.

The corporate side of Sundance was still in tip-top form with deals being cut, banners being hung and parties being sponsored. Yet, it was noted that attending celebrity gifting suites, a la, the infamous swag suite was seen in somewhat of a bad light, in light of the strike and the hardships that many in the industry were experiencing.

With writers negotiations coming to a close and Oscars looking pitch perfect, as the show must go on, it seemed like it was high time for LA, The Entertainment Town to finally celebrate and break in to song.

Other award-time suites such as those for the Emmys feature platoons of actors and reality stars, but the Grammys are a celebration of real talent and the suites were suited to nominees, not every guitar-picker in town.

To celebrate The Grammy Awards’ 50^th anniversary and honor the talent in town, there were a few suites and pre-parties of note.

At some events the gift was great music and food, such as at the Louisiana Luncheon at the Biltmore Hotel downtown. Famed New Orleans chef John Besh flew in a slew of cajun delicacies and the zydeco music was so good, people even got up from their tables and danced – remarkable as this was a business luncheon, not a hotspot in the French Quarter. Not that there was much difference as the entertainers were the 2008 Cajun/Zydeco Grammy Nominees including Kenny Wayne Sheppard, Geno Delafose and others. Others became Grammy Week must-attend events by default, just because they were hot enough to draw celebs away from the often-stuffy official Recording Academy schedule of events.

Such was the case with jewelry designer Nicole Khristine who had her coming out party with Grandmaster Flash, Macy Gray and BJ AAM spinning discs and rockers jamming for hundreds of music, film and TV stars at Social Hollywood club. Stars got a $500 to $15,000 gift bag including jewelry to wear at the awards show, with the opportunity to auction them off the Clothes off our Back charity.

The attendees ran from Snoop Dogg and football legend Jerry Rice, to Slash, Fergie, Cheryl Fine, Rachel Hunter, Joey Fatone, Christine Lakin, Jesse Metcalf and Nikki DeBartolo, sosh daughter of SF 49ers owner Eddie.

The only pre-Grammy party that could even compete with Snoop and Slash onstage was Clive Davis’ legendary bash, this year held at the Beverly Hilton with the Foo-Fighters performing.

Suite Style

Couch Nobelius’ Aussie gals, Shellie Anne Couch and Kate Nobelius staged their biggest, most impressive Grammy suite ever. For the 2008 festivities, The Recoding Academy’s Official Grammy Awards Styling Suite, upgraded from the historic, but somewhat smaller Sunset Studios to Smashbox’s roomy West Hollywood digs for a Style Suite that had style and class written all over it.

Marchon Eyewear’s Robert Schienberg was back on the scene showcasing fashion forward Pucci shades as well as unveiling Karl Lagerfeld’s fab frames. Solstice, watch your back, baby! Largerfeld’s signature style also rocked through his new KL collection, a more casual rock star chic with sexy dresses and cutting edge vests. Celebs left with a Karl Lagerfeld T, with the signature, forever slim, shaded Karl emblazoned on their famous breasts.

The British Baker, Ted Baker that is, returned to Couch with suave men’s suits and flirty silk dresses that were as seductive to the touch as they were ethereal to the eye. H. Stern delivered the bling, while Elie Saab (Beyonce’s designer) and Jenny Packham (Bond Girls designer) were among the designs on hand.

It was a true blue style suite where celebs and stylists were on deck picking up high-end designer threads for many parties and events leading up to the Grammy’s, not just the Sunday ceremony.

Given that red carpet looks for the Grammy’s runs a little bit funkier and a whole lot edgier, there were several ways to express oneself through the many accessories, such as Stetson hats, K-Swiss classic leather white trainers, Royal Elastics basic black street shoes and some hip new shoe and boot designs from Hush Puppies.

The Puppies raised a glass in line and on time with The Grammy’s as both were celebrating their fiftieth anniversary. It was a marriage made in fashion heaven with styles that reminded us of some of our other favorite cutting edge lines such as Irregular Choice, Marc Jacob’s and Robert Clerigie. A UK & US stylist designed these limited collection of Hush Puppies. They were fierce, fashion forward & very European.

Denim was well represented at the Style Lounge, including Japanese made yet New York based brand Blue Notch denim and Ireland’s own Edun denim and ready to wear. On hand to outfit celebrities was Ali Hewson, Mrs. U2. Like her husband Bono, was just as real as she could be, grounded, approachable and impassioned.

We chatted about how the Irish have the skill of laughing at themselves while making light of the dark. She was wonderfully wistful. The line was feminine, fun and filled with whimsy.

Throughout our tour de lounge, we were semi stalked or so we joked by D’Nae, the lead in The Brand New Heavies. D’Nae was in step, in fashion, and often just a step behind us, coveting Ted Baker, getting face time with Make-Up Forever or talking hair with New York’s Cutler Salon.

As we wrapped up the afternoon, we kicked back and sipped up some Black Box wine out of paper coffee cups, as it was closing time and she claimed, I’m not that precious.” We hung with the New York based D’Nae and her manager Jane Bond, originally from Philly! The real gift was in meeting Ali and hanging with my new BFF D’Nae.

Green with Grammy

Dharmata Public Relations presented The Green With Music event in Downtown LA, steps from The Staples Center, home of The Grammys. As green is officially the new black in Hollywood it was right in tune and on time with all members of press and the celebs themselves to come out and support a good cause and check out The South Collection, the first and only sustainably built high-rise community in Los Angeles.

The day’s event benefited Mr. Philanthropy, Brad Pitt’s charity, make it right 9, dedicated to constructing green affordable housing in the New Orleans hard hit Katrina area, the lower 9th ward. This project is feeding things close to Brad’s heart, the environment, New Orleans and his love of architecture.

On the eco deck was Klean Bath and Body’s truly delicious fruit inspired scrubs, naturally flavored lotions (chocolate) and natural sprays. I wanted a piece of me after I sprayed the vanilla. Klean’s products are locally made right in North Hollywood. A skin star is born!

For the domestic divas, Shaklee’s home cleaning; the first of its kind was dishing out the entire home cleaning goods. You clean the house without losing a lung. This line is the real deal, highly concentrated as a little goes a long way, saving on emissions and packaging It’s good for the home, good for the environment & good for the soul.

Silver Lake based Cru served up raw vegan bites, washed down by Zhena’s Gypsy Tea and Sleep & Beyond wrapped up the celebs in their Pure Merino Wool comforters.

Fifty Is the New Thirty

The hottest video music game Guitar Hero III hosted a star-studded Grammy party with VH1 at Boulevard 3 in Hollywood and gifted the coveted game and guitar controller to celebs who swore it was for their kids, but we know better. Microsoft, not to be outdone, ran a promo at the Style Studio and Gift Lounge with a twist with stars performing with fans on Rock Band via Xbox live including Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift (pictured) and T-Pain, Amy Lee and Talyor Hawkins.

Distinctive Assets always in tune when it comes to backstage gifting and events staged their best backstage fete yet in celebration of The Grammy’s 50th Anniversary Year.

Distinctive Assets’ own Lash Fary, Lindsay Kelterer & crew rocked the house with their sprawling multi room backstage tent, gifting celebs with lots & lots of Grammy goodies.

While we swept through the suite, Italy’s own, Andrea Boccelli & Josh Groban took a break from rehearsing their duet. They popped in as low-key s they could be and grabbed some goodies. Their mere presence was music to every one’s ears. Mr. Big Winner Herbie Hancock was already there, all smiles pre-win as he breezed in.

On the fashion front there was the new denim line Anarchy Jeans with denim & jewel encrusted hoodies, Haviana’s hand made spangled sandals, Dickie’s unisex & oh so sexy classic black jackets, The Sak’s black patent leather bags, Cecilia’s blinged out belts for the boys & clip on jewels for the ladies shoes, belts & or bikinis, Croton with fierce statement making his & her watches and Icepod, a diamond encrusted Ipod carrier to be worn by serious playas around the neck.

Russell Simmons, a long time Buddhist and Kimora Lee Simmons know music, fashion, jewelry & philanthropy. Their inspired line of bling, doesn’t disappoint. Beatle’s Ringo Starr combined his heart pendant with the green OHM necklace and said he’d wear it immediately.

The Jackson Hole company Drawknife Billiards had the most rockin’ pool tables, rawhide chairs and wicked sticks. Rockbands is an Xbox 360 game for those wanting to get in to the music game, for real. Chris Brown said. “Rock Band is so tight. I did way better than Rihanna on the drums. She should stick to vocals.” Groban exclaimed, “I’ve been wanting Rock Band!”

Sonomax’s Soundcage suited up all the celebs with custom-made earphones for the Ipod. These puppies will not fall out, nor will they allow an ounce of any other sound in. The above is best mixed with Snow Queen Vodka, the most beautiful vodka of all and devoid of any impurities. We’ll toast to that!

For the Hollywood close up Kinerase’s skin care, a fave of Oprah’s, had a great crew that provided good giggles and lots of skin goodies while the Dutch company Ritual provided Asian inspired paint, beautiful make up with ancient Indian and Asian influences and healing properties sure to make to create true beauty on both sides of the skin.

For those in search of a Calgon moment, Indulgent Escape’s rep, which is a twin for Carlton on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, was on deck, dishing out the trips for all the celebs. He’s the guy who sends celebs to Coppola’s Blanceniux resort, a blissful window in the Belizean rainforest and or anywhere else where the celeb set, jet set.

Making sure no one skipped a beat nor missed a moment, IHome sent every one home with an iH9, an IPod station, AM FM radio & alarm clock. PROCASE provided seriously stylish steel computer cases that were so hot I had a crush on them. Rockbands gave a template, an XBox game for those wanting to get in to the music game, for real. One of the on site creators of the game says tat you can learn how to play drum son the game. Hmmmm…

While away, rely on Seagate, the Hollywood hard drive to back up all your pix. It’s a fave of Hannah Montana’s Miley Cyrus’ and Cyndi Lauper’s. Celebrities and Sex in the City’s Carrie Bradshaw have computer meltdowns too. Luckily Seagate is on the scene to save your Grammy files, flix & pix!

Jeffrey Jolson contributed to this report