The stage design for the Oscars telecast featured 40,000 Swarovski crystals. Swarovski worked with Emmy-winning creative director Jason Sherwood on the set, which included a 1,100-pound swirl made of crystals, plus a 600-pound crystal curtain and a 1,325-pound crystal tower. "My production design is a sculptural cyclone where Hollywood glamour and film-making artistry can combine visually to celebrate the impact of storytelling, and our partnership with Swarovski has allowed that vision to shine at every turn," Sherwood said in a press release. "Crystals imbue the design with the floating, magical sense of possibility, and bring an almost kaleidoscope wonder to a stage and a year of movies that celebrate the human experience.”Photo: Valerie Durant/A.M.P.A.S.
Ultimately, the ceremony—which was produced by Lynette Howell Taylor and Stephanie Allain for the first time and held at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood and Highland—was the least-watched Oscars ever, following the trend of other award shows. Viewership dropped around 20 percent, according to Nielsen's ratings.
But the parties remain as glamorous as ever. Perhaps more than any other award show, the Oscars have their share of ultra-exclusive events that ban all press and social media—most notably Madonna and Guy OSeary's long-running private bash, plus Beyoncé and Jay-Z's gathering at Chateau Marmont. (The latter reportedly had a "dive bar" theme this year, paying homage to the couple's Houston and Brooklyn roots.)
Other hot spots throughout the week were the star-studded Vanity Fair party, the Elton John AIDS Foundation's annual viewing party, and a glamorous gathering from Warner Bros. ABC Television, Mercedes-Benz USA, Essence, and Cadillac also hosted events full of design inspiration; here's a look inside those and other notable gatherings.
![92nd Annual Academy Awards](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/92_TW_0009.5e41c907290c9.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Rolex Green Room](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/RlxGreenRoom_20bm_002.5e423e262a530.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![To simulate the passage of time, designers worked with Images by Lighting on an embedded LED effect in the windows; every 12 minutes, the lighting would change to evoke a sunrise through a sunset. Additional vendors included scenic from Goodnight & Co., fabric from Lab Creative, and florals from Floral Crush.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/RlxGreenRoom_20bm_003.5e423e2653c34.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences’ Governors Ball](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/Pano_3___1_.5e42f73a9c846.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
This year's eye-catching event design was inspired by the concepts of "harmony and relaxation," with a color palette of copper and bronze metallics and accents of eggplant and amethyst. Overhead was a floating chandelier made from 2,000 tubes of light, all constructed from recycled materials in varying finishes and textures. Eighty individual strings of Edison incandescent light bulbs added to the lighting design.
![For flowers, longtime collaborator Mark’s Garden created some 400 arrangements using more than 12,000 blooms, most in varying shades of purple; about 40 floral designers worked on the arrangements for five days leading up the event.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/OGB2020JerryHayes2048_23.5e42f73a1999d.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Linens from Resource One complemented the ceiling decor, using 2,000 yards of shimmering fabrics in amethyst and champagne colors, plus eggplant sequins, copper satins, linear stripes, and soft gray velvet. The fabrics were custom-made for the Governors Ball and took six weeks to manufacture. Form Decor, Hire Elegance, and Blueprint Studios provided the furniture, while ShowPro handled audiovisual production.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/OGB2020JerryHayes2048_19.5e42f73a1efc9.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Wolfgang Puck Catering handled the event's food for the 26th consecutive year. Led by chef Puck, vice president of culinary Eric Klein, and a team of 200 chefs, the night's menu was 70-percent plant-based, offering a mix of one-bite hors d’oeuvres, tray-passed small-plate entrées, and action stations. The dessert menu had more than three-dozen offerings, including the catering company's signature Oscars statue-shape chocolates dusted in 24-karat gold. Drinks came from sponsors Piper-Heidsieck Champagne, Francis Ford Coppola Wines, and Tequila Don Julio.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/92_GB_0021.5e42f7a8ed1ec.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![‘Vanity Fair’ Oscars Party](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/GettyImages_1205310083_copy.5e41dd3ec7dbd.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Warner Bros. Oscars After-Party](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/1._JOWY_Productions_Oscars_25.5e42f688eb380.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Furniture came from Blueprint Studios and MTB Event Rentals, while additional rentals came from Town & Country Event Rentals and linens came from La Tavola Fine Linen.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/3._JOWY_Productions_Oscars_32.5e42f687e32ec.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Maggie Jensen handled floral design for the elegant bash, while Special Event Contractors created the subfloor and the Sunset Tower hotel provided catering.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/5._JOWY_Productions_Oscars_7.5e42f6871354d.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![28th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/WX3A7816.5e41c73042530.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![In addition to the seated dinner from chef Wayne Elias and Crumble Catering, the evening included a cocktail reception and a late-night performance from British singer-songwriter Sam Fender. Sponsor IMDb once again broadcast its annual 'IMDb Live' streaming show, co-hosted by Aisha Tyler and Dave Karger. Additional sponsors included Cadillac, Gilead Sciences, M&Ms, and MAC.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/WX3A7448.5e41c73075a24.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Mercedes-Benz USA Official Oscars Viewing Party](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/IMG_4175.5e423f2d40528.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Various furniture groupings included black chenille banquettes, cream boucle upholstered chairs, graphic bone inlaid and brass coffee tables, and black marble accent tables, as well as high cocktail seating at black pub tables with gunmetal and black velvet barstools. Collections of burgundy cymbidium orchids and deep purple calla lilies adorned table surfaces and bars.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/IMG_5180.5e41dbd271a8d.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Using branded plexi tokens, guests could vote for which film would win Best Picture; people who chose correctly were entered to win prizes from Mercedes-Benz. Other activities included a portrait studio from OM Digital, lip touch-ups in an Orlane beauty lounge, and astrology readings.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/IMG_5171.5e41dbd27d041.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![ABC Television Pre-Oscars Party](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/IMG_4677_4_.5e41c4d15abb0.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Furniture came from Edge Design & Decor and Hire Elegance, while Lighten Up handled lighting and Event Carpet Pros handled carpeting.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/IMG_4743_4_.5e41c4d1732e3.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
!['Essence's 13th Annual Black Women in Hollywood Awards](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/squ3qnSA.5e41c815a3a95.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
New this year was an expanded, outdoor red carpet area, which involved extra permitting from the city of Beverly Hills. “This was most exciting because it’s not typical of the city to agree to this, but they did and we had a longer and more robust carpet outside and a bigger platform for our red carpet live stream,” explained Maitland.
![The event also celebrated Essence’s 50th anniversary. “The overall inspiration was the 50th anniversary, which is a golden anniversary, so gold was the tone with monochromatic bold pinks and goddess Renaissance,” said Maitland. “[There were] gold and pink tone Swarovski Crystal round pearls on the tables, as this speaks to the classic and timeless side of the brand.”](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/sTO2zB8Q.5e41c8148d423.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Event sponsor L'Oreal Paris created an eye-catching photo activation; other sponsors included Ford, AT&T, Geico, and Netflix.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/_FRw58kg.5e41c815a5651.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Cadillac Pre-Oscars Party](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/2020.Cadi.Oscars.25.5e41d9d2895f1.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![The event had a blue neon-outlined step and repeat, plus lighting by Images by Lighting, scenic from Whalefilm, and audio from On Stage.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/2020.Cadi.Oscars.01.5e41e26c5f28d.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Floating leaves printed with the car company's logo added an eye-catching touch to the pool.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/2020.Cadi.Oscars.11.5e41e26d154a7.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![15th Annual Oscar Wilde Awards](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/_DMD2645.5e41c8950d997.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![13th Annual Women in Film Oscar Nominees Party](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/2020.WIF.Oscars.09b.S.5e423d283f64d.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Debbie Durkin’s EcoLuxe Lounge](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/TNW_3630_20200207113442895.5e41da73e60b6.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Monroy also created an eclectic floral installation that served as another popular photo op.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2020/02/TNW_3634_20200207113442895.5e41da7324e79.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)