Jessica Chastain Talks Paris Couture, Oscar Gowns at THR’s Nominees Night 2012

Jessica Chastain, a best supporting actress Oscar nominee for her role in The Help, practically floated into the The Hollywood Reporter‘s pre-Oscar bash — Nominees Night 2012 — at the Getty House on Thursday night.

She was wearing an ethereal, shimmery blue, off-the-shoulder frock by British designer Vivienne Westwood, accessorized with golden Casadei sandals and a romantic updo with tendrils.

We had to ask Chastain about her Paris Fashion Week experience. Turns out she has done some Paris shows before and attended a Christian Dior collection a few years ago. But this time was definitely something special because she received the phone call from her agent about her Oscar nomination just minutes before the Giorgio Armani Couture collection began. 

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“A friend took a photo of my face when I was getting the call and tweeted it out,” Chastain said, smiling. “It’s the ugliest photo of me but I love it because it totally captures that moment of surprise and happiness.”

Of course, she’s been offered gobs of designer gowns to wear to the Oscars on Sunday. But she says she actually hasn’t decided which one she will wear.

“I’m choosing now,” she said with a sly smile, as she left the Moroccan Oil freebie booth and headed into the backyard of the Getty House — home of Mayor Antonio Villarigosa.

Next we bumped into Hugo Oscar nominated costume designer Sandy Powell and asked her who she was looking forward to seeing on the carpet Sunday. “I’ll tell you on Sunday,” she joked. “Actually, I’m being evasive. I don’t like naming names. There are some years when it’s actually a bit boring. I hope there’s not too much black. There was way too much black at the BAFTAs so I hope there’s color. I know I’m doing color.” 

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We also asked the beautiful British-born Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who stars opposite Kiefer Sutherland in the new Fox series, Touch, the same question. “Tilda Swinton,” she replied emphatically. “I’m always struck by her. She just has such an edge and is so slick. Her face, her hair, her figure is so interesting.”

Inside the tented outdoor bash, Hollywood’s hard-working elite, including Aaron Sorkin, Academy CEO Dawn Hudson, actress Emily Mortimer (Hugo),  James Cromwell, Missi Pyle, and Penelope Ann Miller (The Artist), Petra Nemvoca (unforgettable in a red gown), CNN’s Piers Morgan, Michael Sheen, Toni Braxton and Joan Collins were enjoying Grey Goose cocktails, particularly the L’Orange Mogul, La Poire Velvet Rope and the new Cherry Noir, not yet available to consumers, before chowing down on FoodInc’s sumptuous buffet and canape stations.

Popular munchies were the caviar tastings, white stilton with truffle honey, spiced walnuts, cupcake orzo with butternut squash, jidori chicken, tuscan melon, and finally, the desert buffet which featured macaroons, a mini-pie bar and chocolate popstick truffles filled with chocolate mousse, one that had pop rocks inside and another that was topped with gold leaf.

Just before we left, we watched Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close best actor Oscar nominee Max Von Sydow slowly enjoying his chocolate tower. At least we think he was enjoying it. With the actor’s trademark Swedish stone-face, it was hard to tell. 

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