2016 Oscar fashion and swag bag goodies

By Jackie Tacke | February 29, 2016

MP Columns

Diversity, or the lack thereof, was certainly the main topic of discussion at the 88^th Oscar ceremony and the fashions on the red carpet never disappoint. As per usual, I was in awe of some of the fashions and some of them not so much. Heidi Klum what were you thinking? I did love the lady in red Oscar winner Charlize Theron wearing Dior Haute Couture and dripping in over three millions dollars’ worth of Harry Winston jewelry.

Below is a link to view some of those glamorous fashions:

2016 OSCAR FASHIONS

But I would have loved to have gotten a peek inside that Oscar “swag bag.” Urban Dictionary defines “swag bag” as a goodie bag that contains various useless yet irreplaceable items packed into a duffle bag, usually given at parties or by sponsors. Sometimes just useless house-hold items with a brand-name insignia on them. How would you like to receive a bag of goodies worth upwards of $232,000 — a 40 percent increase from last year’s $160,000 bag?

The 2016 Oscar swag bag included among its very extravagant gifts a Vampire breast lift (valued at $1,900), a 10-day VIP trip to Israel ($55,000), a 15-day private walking tour of Japan ($54,000), laser treatments at 740 Park MD ($5,530), a Haze vaporizer ($250), a Nuelle Fiera vibrator ($250), plus many more expensive and bizarre items.

But guess what, the whole swag bag premise is not even sanctioned or authorized by the Academy.

Distinctive Assets, the Los Angeles-based marketing firm that puts the bags together, is an independent agency and has no affiliation with the Academy or the awards ceremony; (they stopped officially giving out gifts in 2006 due to the scrutiny from the IRS because of the value of the items).

The Academy is none too happy with Distinctive Assets either and they’ve filed a lawsuit against the company, seeking an injunction and damages for trademark infringement and misleading the public about its relationship with the Oscars.

Could one of the reasons the Oscars aren’t too pleased with Distinctive Assets be “the less-than-wholesome nature of some of the products contained in the bags”?

Apparently, the Academy members aren’t big fans of vaporizers, sex toys and plastic surgery. Also due to all the #OscarsSoWhite drama and lack of diversity issues dominating lots of media coverage it seems they were desperate to avoid any further tarnishing of their image.

But I did want to share just a few more items found in this year’s 2016 Oscar’s swag bag, they are listed below:

Personalized M&Ms ($300)
A 10,000-meal donation made in the nominee’s name to an animal shelter or rescue of their choice ($6,300)
A lifetime supply of Pu-erh Tea Nourishing Cream and Pu-erh Tea Cleansing Bar ($31,200)
A year’s worth of Audi car rentals from Silvercar ($45,000)
10 personal training sessions with Alexis Seletzky ($900)
Delovery gift basket ($2,000)
Fit Club TV “Ultimate Fitness Package” ($6,250)
3-day stay at the Golden Door Resort & Spa in San Marcos, CA ($4,800)
3-night stay at the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in Sorrento, Italy ($5,000)
3-night stay at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo in Lake Como, Italy ($5,000)
3 fitness training sessions with Jay Cardiello ($1,400)
Joseph’s Toiletries toilet paper ($275)
Sterling silver necklace ($150)
Steamist spa system ($5,060)
Sundial powder coating ($500)