LOS ANGELES – According to a report by the Los Angeles County Department of Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services (WDACS) last month, 125,900 hospitality jobs and 37,000 arts and entertainment jobs were sadly lost last year.
If you look past Hollywood’s poignant acceptance speeches and enchantment of the red carpet, you will see a tremendous industry of people–caterers, party planners, publicists, stylists, florists, DJs, etc.– who tirelessly work to create magic during awards season.
But with the pandemic vastly changing Hollywood, countless red carpet-related industry jobs have been eliminated.
Ahead of the Independent Spirit Awards (April 22) and The Academy Awards (April 25) the Los Angeles Blade talked to industry experts about all the changes happening during the 2021 awards season.
“With the world facing so many bigger, more existential issues right now, this award season’s obviously been sort of disorienting on several levels. On a deeper level, some people might think glamorous celebs accepting golden trophies is a little, well, off point amid a pandemic,” John Griffiths, the Executive Director of the Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics (GALECA.org) said.
“With so much loss and depression, people seem to be basically saying ‘throwing glamorous awards shows is especially tone deaf.’
It’s a good question- Who cares about Hollywood and self-satisfied stars and virtual red carpet fashion? It’s sort of weird. But the show should go on, as they say, because movies have a huge impact on society, and celebrating good work and stories and performances that inspire is always a good thing,” he added.
(Photo: John Griffiths)
The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics is home to the Dorian Awards, which are are film and television accolades given by GALECA.
“The Oscars and all the kudos shows leading up to them, like our own Dorians, all help to put some special films, about immigrants, about inner-spirit, about humanity, about love, about the ravages of hate, on the world’s radar. Movies unite us, they can create change, help heal . . . so we shouldn’t underestimate shows that honor them,” Griffiths said.
“Awards shows having to go “virtual” with awkward hosts and nominees all with Zoom face and any live attendees six feet apart from each other is not a recipe for fun viewing. They have gotten stodgy over the years, so it’s been interesting to see which ones turn the frown upside down. So far, only the Emmys has seemed interested in getting creative—to fun effect,” he stated.
New York City- based Celebrity Jewelry Expert and Stylist, Michael O’Connor weighed in with his observations telling the Blade;
“COVID has really taken a toll on the fashion industry and on celebrity styling overall!! In previous years, the red carpet, the event itself and the many surrounding events provided a plethora of attending celebrities who wanted to look their very best for the events – and would get photographed. This meant that you could not only showcase your styling expertise, but also you could use pieces from various fashion houses, jewelry designers and accessories designers to bring a vision to life, thereby creating numerous publicity opportunities for the brands themselves.
These days, the potential universe of styling opportunities is severely limited. No red carpets, no surrounding events and in-home coverage of the nominees really brings the potential to showcase talent way down. Further, some celebrities feel that they should be more relaxed and less dressed up in their home environment. The whole situation is difficult for everyone, celebrities included, and certainly results in some underwhelming and uninspiring fashion.
“As a stylist who lives in NY and often styles celebrities in LA, the idea of virtual styling is not something totally new to me. I’ve been doing it for years. However, the current issues revolve more around the difficulties of fit, alteration and exchanging pieces out that don’t work together. One can’t simply go into a showroom and get a feel for how a necklace might lay on a neck or how low an earring drop is, or how a dress will hug the curves. That tactile sense and true visual understanding has been robbed. Therefore, more is reliant upon planning or going with brands/pieces that you already know. Otherwise, the chance that it all won’t come together perfectly is extremely high.”
(Photo: Michael O’Connor)
Beverly Hills Celebrity stylist Erick Orellana reflected- “Due to the lack of red carpet arrivals this year for award shows, I am hearing many fellow stylists who really depend on award season work are out of work until the industry rebounds. Since award shows are going virtual and events are at home, many celebrities are opting to do their own glam or be a little more “relaxed” with it this year. As we saw with some of the celebs at the Golden Globes, winner Jodie Foster and her wife were in what seemed like their pjs.
Glam during these pandemic times has looked very different. During awards season, I believe hair and make up this year looks a bit more easy-going. Since most events are virtual, the most important part of hair and make up is the front side of the face. We are going to be seeing a lot of ponytail slick hair or to the side hairdos and I wouldn’t be surprised if some go for a soft romantic touch to their hair.
(Photo: Erick Orellana)
I think most celebrities are mainly working on just their upkeep versus do drastic changes right now. We are definitely seeing the return of the bank/curtain bang that is a nice way to change up a hairstyle without having to commit to a big change all over, since it’s mostly taking place in the front. It’s a good way to frame the face as well. We’re seeing more one tone hair color versus multi dimensional sense, and are also seeing a bit of a return of the 90s inspired hair trend. Most changes in hair have been very subtle since everyone’s really working on just trying to touch up their hair that hasn’t been seen by a stylist in a while, due to Covid restrictions and safety.”
Hollywood jewelry designer Charlie Lapson told the Blade;
“This year, the designers, stylists and clients are hardly meeting in person. Life has become an endless amount of FaceTime, ZOOM, and Skype meetings, reviewing the fabrics of the dress, and the jewelry options to coordinate. On some levels, it’s more efficient because we can interact several times without driving all over LA, and we don’t have to pack and unpack hundreds of pieces.
But the special moment of the actress trying on her choice of earrings, looking in the mirror and saying “these are perfect” just isn’t going to happen. It’s challenging because we’re not working the usual way.
At the awards events this year, some of the sparkling accessories will be incorporating colorful gemstones. There has been conversations about jewels with Tanzanite, with its luscious deep blue and purple tone, which has become one of the top requests for 2021.
Pearls of white and gray have been trending, thanks to Madame VP Harris. In addition to necklaces, they’ll be seen in earrings and rings.
Diamond earrings in unique shapes will be trending, and hopefully ear cuffs will make their debut. Multiple rings across several fingers is something to look for, and then work into your own style.”
It is so devastating to know there are still so many people in our industry who are struggling for work.
“With little to no in person events, I am sad I no longer get to see or work with friends–everyone from event producers to florists to catering companies and designers. It is so devastating to know there are still so many people in our industry who are struggling for work.
The pandemic has totally changed the industry forever. Last year, for example, we did a total of 3 live events during Golden Globes weekend, this year two were canceled and one has gone completely digital. Now with little to no red carpet and the usual fanfare when arriving to events, they will just be limited to a couple of photographers,” Rembrandt Flores, founder, Entertainment Fusion Group said.
“There is nothing like an event in person, and I am excited to be involved with them again in 2022,” he added.
With no live events, the celebrity wrangling industry has suffered tremendously. Luckily for our agency, we weren’t so dependent on that type of work. We have doubled down heavily on digital and traditional press as well and working with influencers and celebrities for specific brand campaigns,” Flores noted.
