GBK, the special events company behind many high-profile Gifting Lounges during the Oscars, Golden Globes and Emmys among others, recently got in to the holiday season by holding its inaugural Giving Lounge.
GBK teamed with charity auction company Bidding for Good and event location OUE Skyspace LA to create a twist on the traditional gifting model. This time, celebrities collected gifts not for themselves, but for the charity of their choice.
Celebs such as Naomi Grossman (American Horror Story), Madison McLaughlin (Arrow), Meghan Ory (Once Upon a Time), Drake Bell (Drake & Josh), Heather Tom (The Bold and the Beautiful), Renne Olstead (The Secret Life of the American Teenager) and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila (American Ninja Warrior) picked up numerous luxury items estimated collectively to be worth over $8000, which will be donated to their favorite charity in time for the holiday season.
These included handmade leather hats from American Hat Makers and soy candles from Katya's Candles, which come with a surprise sterling silver or Swarovski crystal ring in side.
Shoe company Guilty soles handed out the most stylish of shoes - block heeled booties, slip-on sneaker, lace-up heels and more. Tuft & Needle gifted adaptive foam-based mattresses with support layers that react based on pressure. The gel and graphite inside the mattress make it heat wicking and breathable.
Cerina Vincent with Guilty Soles shoes.
Pool time got more fun at the event as Swimline and Solstice Watersports gave out inflatable lounge chairs and novelty floats in such shapes as pretzels and sugar skulls. Tempt Brands gifted Street Affaires sunglasses for men and women.
Food and spa brands also got in on the charity action, including sandwich maker Ike's Place, Polkadot Cupcake and mobile spa Manly Hands, which specializes in reflexology treatments of hands, feet, shoulders, neck and arms.
Gilles Marini and Jimmy Jean Louis with hats from American Hat Makers
Upon leaving guests received a swagbag from Skypsace to come back and visit its observation deck and go down the outdoor Skyslide from the 70th Floor of its downtown Union Bank building location.