GM Cars, Hollywood Stars Cruise the Runway
By Dan Prescott
Hollywood is all about hot celebrities, cool cars, high fashion and jammin’ parties– especially during the Academy Awards season. One of the most anticipated parties is put on by… General Motors! Yes… the world’s largest automaker shows its hip, wild side in a high-energy pre-Oscars charity fashion show and celebrity-studded party, known simply as “ten.” This exclusive event intersects the worlds of fashion, automotive design and entertainment by pairing some of the hottest cars and trucks with the hippest stars and most coveted fashions, all under one roof.
After all, what better fashion accessory is there than a car? In a giant party pavilion specially constructed at the corner of Hollywood and Vine, just a few blocks from the Kodak Theater, this year’s “ten” was GM’s fifth annual event. With a butch, industrial-chic design featuring walls of corrugated steel and glimmering chrome rims, the setting was like the most stylish garage in town, complete with hunky “mechanics” serving drinks.
With broadcast media and countless paparazzi waiting, the stars arrived and the madness began. Celebrities were greeted by the stunning new Chevrolet Camaro concept car, the 2007 GMC Yukon Denali, a stretched Cadillac DTS limo and the 469-hp Cadillac STS-V performance sedan, positioned along the red carpet.
The fashion show was an enthusiastic concert of loud music, the latest couture, hot cars and hotter celebrities rolling up in limo’s, which they more than likely used rental services such as you can find at www.elitelimoct.com/norwalk-limo-service/ and similar companies. Wearing fashions from designers like Valentino, DKNY, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, Roberto Cavalli, J. Mendel and Yves Saint Laurent, each star was followed down the runway by a noteworthy model in GM’s current line-up or a classic from its long history.
Lindsay Lohan kicked off the show, along with the upcoming 2007 Saturn Sky convertible, a sexy two-seater that will surely rev up the Saturn model line. Liz Phair was accompanied by a Saab 9-5 Aero BioPower wagon, Carmen Electra walked with a Pontiac Solstice GXP, the OC’s Mischa Barton came out with a 2007 Cadillac Escalade and gorgeous Eva Longoria was followed by the gorgeous Z06 Corvette.
Hollywood always has a bit of a gay vibe, especially this year with Oscar-nominated landmark GLBT films such as Brokeback Mountain, Transamerica and Capote. GM’s ten event was loaded with glamour and gaiety, and featured three of the stars of the L Word, Kate Moennig, Alexandra Hedison and Erin Daniels. The trio walked the fashion runway along with a classic custom 1965 Chevy Impala, to wild cheers and applause from the crowd.
Other celebrity fashion models included Anna Kournikova, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, Stacy Keibler, Brooke Burke, Joy Bryant, Elizabeth Banks, Sarah, Chalke, Maria Menounos, Jeremy Piven, Derek Luke and footballers Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush. The vehicles that shared the stage with the celebs included customized versions of the Hummer H3, Pontiac GTO and G6 GTP, Chevy Aveo and HHR, Buick Lucerne, Cadillac XLR and STS, and Saturn Vue Green Line hybrid. Classic cars were a 1969 Pontiac Firebird, ’56 Chevy Bel Air and ’65 Impala.
Newly single Nick Lachey sat in the front row, surrounded by a bevy of handsome boy pals. Professional party-goers Paris Hilton and little sis Nicky were there. Other big stars in the house included Jamie Foxx, Matthew Perry, Alyssa Milano, Jenna Elfman, Daisy Fuentes, Geoff Stultz, Eric Dickerson, Marcus Allen, Nick Stahl, Eriq LaSalle, Farnsworth Bentley, Brandon Davis, Ethan Suplee, David Spade, Kelly Hu, Adam Levine, Henry Simmons, George Stultz, Samaire Armstrong, Rick Yune, Harvey Weinstein and Bill Maher, just to name a few. After the fashion show, three-time Grammy winner John Legend performed for the crowd, and the hot mechanics kept the drinks flowing.
Gay-friendly GM consistently shows how important its GLBT customers are to the corporation and each of its divisions. For example, GM has twice hosted groups of gay journalists at ride-and-drive events in San Francisco. GM supports an active, effective gay and lesbian employee group called GM PLUS (People Like US). From advertising its brands in local and national gay publications, to sponsoring local GLBT community centers, special events and charities, GM is striving to build trust among gay consumers.
Strengthening bonds with the gay community and hosting talk-of-the-town Hollywood parties not only spotlights GM’s many stylish cars and trucks to important market segments, but help to give a formerly stodgy corporation a friendlier, more modern and welcoming persona. Party on, GM!