The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences publicized last night's 85th annual Academy Awards simply as "the Oscars" this year, as if the academy is reluctant to show its age—notoriously like many other residents of Los Angeles. To that end, the show took to the newly renamed Dolby Theatre, courting a young viewership with fresh hosting duties from newcomer Seth MacFarlane.
After the the last of the award winners was read from specially designed envelopes by Marc Friedland—Argo, which received its best picture win from First Lady Michelle Obama announcing from the White House, a surprise coordinated by none other than Harvey Weinstein—the A-list group moved upstairs to the academy's own party: the annual Governors Ball. After abandoning its seated dinner format last year, the ball, produced and designed once again by Cheryl Cecchetto of Sequoia Productions, stuck with a sampling of more than 50 passed bites and plates from Wolfgang Puck at Hollywood & Highland.
Always the night's hottest ticket aside from the ball, Vanity Fair returned to the scene with its party at the Sunset Tower Hotel. The event included a green and white arrivals carpet, a live feed from which was displayed on one of the hotel's walls. The magazine also hosted its annual weeklong series of events in support of charitable causes known as "Campaign Hollywood."
The Elton John AIDS Foundation hosted its heavy-hitting bash at West Hollywood Park for the second year with a motif of repeating circles in fiery hues. Apropos of his hosting duties, MacFarlane hosted an after-party at the Lot in West Hollywood, produced by Brett Hyman and Night Vision Entertainment. Giving every other event of the night a run for sheer glamour and sophistication, the bash included a 30-foot chandelier and 72-person orchestra that seemed to embody the graciousness of a bygone era in Hollywood.
Here's a look inside some of the week's hottest tickets and and splashiest bashes.