Andra Day, Diane Kruger, and Taylor Russell “Attended” the Chanel and Charles Finch Pre-Oscar Party

Every year since 2009, the Saturday before Oscar Sunday gave the Academy Awards a serious run for its money, fashion-wise. Always scheduled on the eve of the award ceremony was the Chanel and Charles Finch Pre-Party. Given the hosts, it was a party where everyone turned up in pastel tweeds or LBDs festooned with buttons containing interlocking Cs and so it was unsurprisingly a very stylish night. And then there was the you-name-them-they’re-here guest list—Pharrell, Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tracee Ellis Ross, Sofia Coppola, Margot Robbie, Penélope Cruz, Kristen Stewart…and so on. The event was as starry as Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

This year, however, the Chanel and Charles Finch Pre Oscar event went down a little differently. Given The Academy Awards was postponed two months and is being hosted in a mish-mashed way (most nominees will be present at a ceremony hosted at Los Angeles’s iconic Union Station while other moments will be filmed at Dolby Theatre), it was only fitting that Chanel and Mr. Finch follow the novelty of the times. Instead of a virtual event, there was really no event at all. Yet still, there was a celebration.

Today, a group of cinematic VIPs agreed to “attend” or rather partake in the pre-party with Chanel via a luxurious box of goodies. Sent to everyone on the guest list (which included Andra Day, Brad Pitt, Chloe Zhao, Diane Kruger, Taylor Russell, and more) was a very chic package tied up with Chanel-embossed ribbon. Inside were two boxes filled with all the trimmings required for an excellent Martini (vodka, vermouth, olives, lemon peels) and ice cream sundaes (whipped cream, sprinkles, cherries, and more). Highlights of the care package were undoubtedly the Sferra cocktail napkins embroidered with Chanel’s logo and the mini projector (colored in the maison’s signature black and white, but of course).

“Good evening,” read the elegant cardstock provided in the package. “Welcome to the Oscars, or in this case, our at-home pre-Oscar celebration.” The Finch-written note explained how precious the Academy Awards and the world of cinema are to him. He called the movie theatre his Temple and explained how Hollywood runs in his DNA—his parents, Peter Finch and Yolande Turner, were both actors. “I do not want this wonderful night in the calendar to pass unnoticed without, at the very least, reminding you all of our love of movies.” Also included was a film playlist—50 movies and recommended viewings that spanned 1950’s Sunset Boulevard to 1986’s She’s Gotta Have It.

And because it wouldn’t be a Chanel event (or non-event) if there wasn’t a bit of bouclé, Chanel enlisted actors including Diane Kruger, Andra Day, and Taylor Russell to pose at home for glamorous photos. Yes, they were all dressed up with nowhere to go, but at least they had all the fixings for a martini.

Kruger, a long-time pre-party attendee and Chanel muse, explained to Vogue, “To me, the Chanel Finch dinner was always the perfect European/American friends reunion. Everyone who had just gotten into town to kick off Hollywood’s most festive weekend would stop by, ready for a fun time of celebrating the artists of the moment. I remember running into Penélope Cruz after we had just wrapped a movie together and it was great catching up where we had left of. I genuinely miss everyone I can’t wait to see you all again!”

Russell echoed Kruger’s sentiments, “I’m going to miss the beautiful buzz that vibrates through the Chanel and Charles Finch party! It feels invigorating to be with such a wonderful group of people. It’s a night where you get the sense that anything could happen... and I love that.”

Meanwhile, Day, who is nominated for Best Actress for her incredible performance in The United States Vs. Billie Holiday, has never “attended” the event. As for how she’s spending the evening, “The night before the Oscars, I will be lounging with my family, chic in Chanel. That might sound fabricated but I’m actually doing it as we speak! Ha! Cheers, y’all!” Cheers back to you, Ms. Day. And best of luck to you tomorrow night!

Day’s portrait, above; Russell’s and Kruger’s, below; plus a look back at Chanel and Charles Finch Pre-Parties of years’ past.