For the first time in recent years, the 2025 Academy Awards season feels like the buzziestwe’ve had in years. From controversy-ridden press tours for the top contenders – the racist and xenophobic tweets by Emilia Perez nom Karla Sofía Gascón, revelations that Fernanda Torres of I’m Still Here performed in blackface earlier in her career, the revelations that The Brutalist leaned on AI to perfect Adrien Brody’s Hungarian accent, the divisive reaction to The Substance, including the constant smear campaign against Sean Baker’s Anora for daring to portray the thorny and vulnerable dimensions of a sex worker’s life, Mikey Madison’s decision to decline an intimacy coordinator, and most recently umbrage the director asked her to get a keratin treatment to keep frizz at bay during the microbudget shooting schedule- Tinseltown’s biggest night promises to be a boom for the gossip mill and style gurus.
When the Oscars first began in 1929, it was a more casual affair, a dinner party of industry operators and stars, in stark contrast to the multi-million dollar industry it is now given the parties, the PR juggernauts and those coveted $200,000 gift bags. A decade later, the pomp and prestige we’ve come to expect from the glitz night was in full effect. Just hours before stars sashayed onto the 12th Academy Awards red carpet in 1940 – when Gone With the Wind swept with eight awards and Hattie McDaniel made history as the first black winner of the prestigious accolade – the winners were leaked to the LA Times. Since 1941, the ballots and statuette etchings have been kept under tight wraps and the subject of endless speculation and cutthroat jockeying until their official announcement during the ceremony.
In this tight race, between The Substance, Anora, Conclave, The Brutalist, the 97th Academy Awards is bound to deliver all manner of surprises and upsets in full Oscar Party worthiness. To truly relish in Hollywood fun and spectacle, why not host a party to celebrate the finest expressions of cinematic arts? In a nod to Old Hollywood Glam, carrol your friends, get gussied up, stir up some cocktails, prep sumptuous nibbles, and brush up on industry gossip for a stylish Oscar party.
Ballots First
Whether hosting film buffs or the occasional theater-goer, all guests should fill out a paper ballot, care of Vanity Fair. Print a bunch, and collect before the ceremony starts for the final evening tally. People are competitive by nature, and every winning name will create film-worthy drama in the friend group until the final winner is announced like an Oscar.
Glam & Pucker Up
If vintage YSL or Schiaparelli gowns aren’t on hand, the quickest way to channel Old Hollywood glam is a chiseled look – think Marlene Dietrich cheekbones – and a perfect red lippie à la Marilyn.
After an application of skin tint or foundation, sculpt and chisel your features with the Kevyn Aucoin Beauty trio of Color Stick, Lighting Stick, and Contrast Stick to contour and highlight. These creamy, ultra-pigmented formulas are ultra-blendable and leave a beautiful, long-lasting finish.
In the ultimate coup de gras of Hollywood glam, apply a hydrating, plumping swipe of the award-winning Velvet Lip Paint in Stunning. Head Kevyn Aucoin Makeup Drita Paljevic scoured the globe for the best, true color, ultra-fine milled pigments for the perfect, universally flattering shade of red.
Cocktails, Cocktails, Cocktails
So as not to miss a single tearful speech, jealous close-up, or awkward red carpet moment, playing bartender through the night is not recommended. Tip Top Proper Cocktails deliver expertly mixed classic cocktails without all the measuring, shaking, and stirring.
Created by a James Beard-nominated mixologist, each 100 ml can delivers a true cocktail without skimping on freshness or the alcohol. With tried-and-true selections including Espresso Martini, Mai Tai, Negroni, Old Fashioned, Margarita, and appropriately titled Naked & Famous, the pre-mixed drinks serve up a vibe that is classic and glam. Keep several Tip Top selections on ice for effortless, stylish refills.
Savory Nibbles
Unlike a seated dinner party, Oscar party entertaining calls for a street food-adjacent menu – small bites for the 3-hour long ceremony that can be pulled together during commercial breaks. The uncontested king of street food – tacos. As the owner of the first Michelin star-winning Taquería El Califa de León pointed out, the finger-friendly antojito boils down to simplicity. “ It has only a tortilla, red or green sauce, and that’s it. That, and the quality of the meat.”
The simplicity of these three components hinges on the perfection of the first – a fresh tortilla made of top quality, nixtamalized corn. With the proliferation of so many destination-worthy taquerias in New York, supermarket tortillas won’t do. Contrary to common assumptions, making fresh, artisanal tortillas at home from scratch is actually very simple. The process has been demystified in style by Masienda. The Tortilla Starter Kit combines White and Blue non-GMO heirloom corn grown in Mexico and a design-forward Tortilla Press in an array of vibrant, modern colors.
In addition to preparing large batches of protein or plant-friendly fillings, salsas and guacamole, prepare the tortilla dough ahead of time. The tortilla dough only calls for a mixture of equal parts warm water and masa.
Then just rollout, press, grill, and wait for the the puff. Bursting with fresh corn taste, they are scrumptious enough to dip in salsa or fry up for chips. Keep tortillas warm for quick taco courses during the longer Oscar musical numbers and technical awards.
Happy 97th Oscar Night!!!
