Lights! Glamour! Action! ~ Oscars 2013

Lights! Glamour! Action! ~ Oscars 2013Lights! Glamour! Action! ~ Oscars 2013Lights! Glamour! Action! ~ Oscars 2013Lights! Glamour! Action! ~ Oscars 2013Lights! Glamour! Action! ~ Oscars 2013Lights! Glamour! Action! ~ Oscars 2013Lights! Glamour! Action! ~ Oscars 2013Lights! Glamour! Action! ~ Oscars 2013Lights! Glamour! Action! ~ Oscars 2013Lights! Glamour! Action! ~ Oscars 2013Lights! Glamour! Action! ~ Oscars 2013Lights! Glamour! Action! ~ Oscars 2013Lights! Glamour! Action! ~ Oscars 2013Lights! Glamour! Action! ~ Oscars 2013Lights! Glamour! Action! ~ Oscars 2013Lights! Glamour! Action! ~ Oscars 2013Lights! Glamour! Action! ~ Oscars 2013

Bringing the Retro Glam to the

Pittsburgh Film Office’s Oscar Gala

~ by Sarah Lolley

Sarah Lolley & Tara Rieland

Sarah Lolley & Tara Rieland

One of my dearest and longest friends has always said she loved to help me with my hair and make-up because I have so much potential. I have a theatrical face hidden behind my pale, blotchy skin. It’s also true that fake lashes and a blow-out can transform this mom into a madam.

It was with great enthusiasm for the art of hair, make-up, and styling that I helped Tara Rieland produce a presentation for the Pittsburgh Film Office’s “Highmark presents Lights! Glamour! Action!” Oscar night gala on February 24, 3013. Eight salons contributed their talent for transformation using Hair and Make-up Artists to turn models into iconic characters from the Silver Screen.

Harmony Salon in Shakespeare in Love & Moulin Rouge

Harmony Salon in Shakespeare in Love & Moulin Rouge

In honor of the Academy including “Hairstyling” to their roster of accolades for the first time this year, we decided to have some fun and award our own Oscars for “Best Artistic” and “Best Authentic” recreations. Everyone did such a great job it was hard for the judges to choose, but it wouldn’t be as fun if everyone won (unlike my toddlers’ activities). Divinity Salon won “Best Artistic” for Wizard of Oz and Brett James won Best Authentic for West Side Story and Blue Angel.

With inspiration from my cousin Charles Michel, who has lived the greater part of his years residing in the Theatre District in Manhattan, I compiled a four-page list of Academy Award-related chic, trend-setting celebrity characters. The irony is that I had only seen two current Oscar nominated films – “Frankenweenie” and “Brave”, both animations.

Brett James Salon in Gentlemen Prefer Blonds, Blue Angel, & West Side Story

Brett James Salon in Gentlemen Prefer Blonds, Blue Angel, & West Side Story

For my own transformation I was limited. Since my hair was cut to a severe length on a New Year’s Eve, champagne-induced trip to the salon, I had to pull back Accidental Mama’s normal 40s-style victory rolls to the 1920s for Great Gatsby flair.

Last year my husband Patrick Filip decided to bid on a dress by Jen Rocket at the Gwen’s Girls Gala runway show. I finally got two feet cut off it so I could wear it. (Thanks Jen). The morning of the event my youngest son, Lazar, peed on the dress. Yes, I swear these things happen to me. The doorbell rang at the same time Lazar woke up and I grabbed him on the way down because Patrick was passed out napping, three feet from the front door of course. The guest had only come to borrow something and was out the door in ten minutes. Finally awake I gave the baby to Patrick because I was afraid of snot on my dress. HA! I was soaking wet. I immediately applied the best tool a mother has – Baby Wipes! Luckily the black lace overlay hides any trace of my son’s love.

Tara & Sarah as Tina Fey and Amy Poehler

Tara & Sarah as Tina Fey and Amy Poehler

What is missing from this video is my opener when I took the mic. Many of you will be disappointed that I cut the segment where I announce to the audience that I have to pee. I am saving it for a future blooper reel.

 

Lights! Glamour! Action! – video by Accidental Mama from Sarah Lolley on Vimeo.

Taking the stage I proclaim, “If I sound nervous it’s because I’ve waited this long to go to the bathroom and I am wearing three layers of shape-wear.” I got no response, not a giggle or a snort so I shook my head and read the intro lines.  I really did have to go to the bathroom and I was afraid to go because with my luck I would drape my dress in the toilet.

BTW – It just so happens Patrick and I won an award as well. We won “Best Performance by a Couple” in our pre-recorded clip of Uma Thurman bullying John Travolta to dance in Pulp Fiction. I am working on getting a clip from the PFO.

Thank you again to all the people who helped put this show together and a personal thank you to everyone that helps me hide the pee stains and feel glamorous.

The evening included the following presentations:

1)      Brett James Salon presents The Blue Angel, Gentlemen Prefer Blonds, West Side Story.

2)      Harmony Salon presents Shakespeare in Love & Moulin Rouge

3)      Christine Goodies of Salon Christine, Susie Popovich & Rachael Ryan presents Chicago.

4)      Capristo Design Team presents Bonnie & Clyde

5)      Salon Ivy presents Marie Antoinette & High Society

6)      MCN presents Nine

7)      Divinity Salon presents Wizard of Oz

8)      Izzazu International presents Cleopatra

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Maria Doty at Catherine Zeta Jones in Chicago, and her beautiful daughter Iris

Maria Doty at Catherine Zeta Jones in Chicago, and her beautiful daughter Iris

Thank you to George Mendel & Pittsburgh Grapevine for taking so many pictures of this colorful event.

 

 

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