By Susan Hornik
(Photos: Jc Olivera/VipEventPhotography.com)
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 9/20/21 – There were a plethora of gift lounge events happening during Emmys week, many of whom took precautions to prevent Covid. One of the highlights was Secret Room, which attracted numerous award nominees to the Petersen Automotive Museum’s rooftop venue.
Numerous luxurious services were provided–everything from massages, Botox, fillers by the top injector Lori Gerber D.O and nails manicured by 10 + free life. Co-sponsored by GE Lighting, (who gave guests a nifty bluetooth speaker bulb!) and snazzy BVG Sunglasses, the Beverly Hills Tennis Academy, also gave free tennis gift certificates to the nominees and media lounge.
“In these times, it’s more important than ever to help small businesses that are being overcharged and under paid for their product to be on big site retailers sites,” noted Secret Room owner Rita Branch. “I don’t need to say who they are, but many during and now are taking more from small business more than ever before when they should be trying to help them.
During lockdowns, Branch went to a big store that had remained opened while small businesses were closed. “They had Halloween on display, and their normal stuff out there, that said ‘touch me, feel me and the things that make noises. Here I was thinking, ‘how can this be happening when they say touching items can spread the virus? It made me so upset to think how many small brands were suffering at the hands of big retail stores . I saw big brands getting PPP loans when the small businesses were struggling to survive.”
Numerous Emmy nominees attended, like Emma Caulfield Ford from “WandaVision,” “Blackish”’s Peter Mackenzie, “Pen19’s” Marion Van Cuyck, Madison Reyes, who starred in “Julie and the Phantoms,” Michael Madsen and Mychal-Bella Bowman from “The Underground Railroad.”
HMNKIND, the Korean-American woman-run mask company, was thrilled to be a part of the festiviites. “We were founded amidst the global COVID 19 crisis. We–like many others–noticed breakouts and flare ups from our mask,” said the company’s graphic designer, Alice Moon. “So, we created a patented, protective mask that is antibacterial (no more maskne!), reusable and buttery soft. Its ultra plush, light-as-air foam core minimizes irritation, and lets skin breathe– without ever compromising viral filtration effectiveness (84% vs. the 60% of traditional cloth masks).”
The company realizes the opportunity to create this mask is an amazing privilege. “This is why we are giving back 10 per cent of all proceeds to LA Food Bank, an organization dedicated to the fight against the food crisis and insecurity.”
Guests were thrilled to get an abundance of skincare from Skin Prophecy and Delapointe, Enzyme Peeling with Bora Bora Salt, plant-based nail care from 10 Free and Pet Prophecy doggy shampoo for Fido!
Foodies had a great time, tasting the amazing Just Bagels from The Bronx, plant-based spreads from Plant Perks, margaritas from RASTA/taco/rita/cantina, an assortment of teas from Paru Tea Bar, incredible chocolate chip cookies from Keii Desserts as well as Matthew Kenney Cuisine’s yummy pizzas.
Some of the really stylish gifts:
–Regular Ren’s transparent travel bag, perfect if you are the type who can’t find anything they pack!
–Adorable baby hats from Knuckleheads Clothing
–Handcrafted artisanal jewelry from Love You More–a great company that supports numerous charities
–Hand painted calendar from Kelly Kay Paper