Sheila Shah: We’ve seen you on every major red carpet recently – tell us what you’ve been up to.
Carly Steel: I just finished covering Awards Season (American Music Awards, Golden Globes, Grammys, Independent Spirit Awards, Oscars) for TV Guide Network and Dick Clark Productions and haven’t had a day off in about 2 months! In addition to that I’ve been hosting Livestream shows from the major movie premiere and fashion events both in LA and NYC, and have been dabbling in radio recently too. I was a guest on Cosmo Radio’s ‘Cocktails with Patrick,’ On the Set with Jasper Cole and On Air with Tony Sweet, and Tony asked me to come back and co-host which was a blast – radio is so much more relaxed and you get to indulge in more in depth discussions! I have a few movies coming out this year too including ‘Dumbbells’ in which I play a reporter – it’s a case of life imitating art! I just attended a special early cast screening and it’s a hilarious comedy starring Tom Arnold and Andy Milonakis.
Sheila Shah: What were your Awards Season highlights?
Carly Steel: The Oscars is always the most special event of Awards Season and is the grand finale – there’s just something about the atmosphere that makes it magical. When I finished shooting TV Guide’s live Oscar Show I headed straight to the Mercedes Benz Viewing Party at Soho House for a well earned glass of Moet and then headed to Elton John’s AIDS Foundation Academy Viewing Party – it’s my 4th year in a row going and it’s always my favorite as there is a great mix of fellow Europeans and Brits in town (I was born and raised in the UK) in addition to musicians and actors, plus it’s for a really important cause. In the lead up to the Oscars particularly enjoyed the Hollywood Reporter Nominees Night event at the Mayor’s house -it was very decadent and had a great turn out, and the Global Green’s pre Oscar party – a fantastic organization and my friend, Sebastian Copeland is co-chair.
Sheila Shah: You always look very glamorous on the red carpet – what are your red carpet style secrets?
Carly Steel: As a host I have to dress appropriately and find something chic and comfortable that makes a statement yet isn’t too distracting. As I can never wear the same things twice on camera (gentlemen don’t realize how lucky they are, that they don’t suffer from this plight!) I borrow dresses from various showrooms – my favorites are MHA Media for Nonoo, Georges Hobeika, Nicole Miller and Reiss, and Film Fashion for Izmaylova, Pamella Roland, Swarovski and David Meister. I also think the best style secret is skin finishing and a great blow dry as then everything will look better and for those 2 key elements I go to St Tropez and Rossano Ferretti salon. Awards season is a particular nightmare as you shoot non stop from day to evening so I think in general it’s good to choose a dress that can be dresses up or down and go from day to night depending on what you pair it with. I like to style myself as my first job out of University was working at Vogue magazine in NYC and I grew up attending the collections with my mother so I have a particular aesthetic which is classic glamor with a twist. My number one thing is to find a pair of comfortable shoes as you have to be in them all day long – I love London based designer Aruna Seth’s “Carly” Wedge which she named after me after I wore them to the Oscars and Elton John party last year – it is a cushioned wedge with Swarovski detail up the back and is a great day to evening shoe. My favorite red carpet jewelry is by Alberto Parada who designed my Oscar jewelry as it’s modern yet old school at the same time. And of course my favorite red carpet accessory is my beautiful actress friend Sheila Shah – it’s fun to have a partner in crime who is also in the industry at the major events!
Sheila Shah: You are also a regular on the international jet set circuit – where are you jetting to this year?
Carly Steel: Well first and foremost I’m looking forward to going on vacation to the St Regis in Bora Bora – it’s the resort where they filmed Couple’s Retreat (I first became aware of it at the press junket for the film and have been obsessed ever since and it is one of the most breathtaking places in the world. I have sent quite a few of my actor and even rock star friends there and everyone who goes just adores it! Michael Schoonewagon, the GM, and Tracey Fentem are dear friends and make you feel like part of the family. After that I’m heading to Cannes to cover the film festival for the 3rd year running, which I really enjoy as it’s an opportunity to preview all the new films, but it’s covering the festival is incredible hectic and far less glamorous than it may appear (especially when working 18 hour days and surviving on a diet of Rose champagne and macarons – which seem to be the only things available at events in between shoots)! Then I’m heading to Monaco for the Grand Prix (my favorite event of the season) and after that London to cover the Olympics.
Sheila Shah: What major shoots do you have coming up that you are excited about?
Carly Steel: I’m covering the premiere of the The Hunger Games and I’m particularly excited about that one as I have quite a few friends who play Tributes in the film – including the wonderfully talented Leven Rambin who plays Glimmer. It’s the most anticipated premiere of the year and I actually had 3 different outlets asking me to cover it for them! I chose to cover it for EPIX channel as they are co-owned by Lionsgate, the studio producing the film, and as a result we are getting incredible access. I’m also hosting the red carpet for Audi’s flagship opening in Beverly Hills – Audi is a huge supporter of the arts and entertainment community and have a very loyal celebrity fan base – I’ve been doing a series of video segments with A-list talent (most recently Jeremy Piven and Thomas Jane) in the backseat of the Audis en route to an special red carpet event entitled ‘Backseat Banter with Carly.” They have been broadcast on WhoSay.com, Audi’s site and youtube and I really enjoyed them as it provides a unique opportunity to interview the talent in an intimate setting which makes for really interesting and unique content. I’m also about to launch my website and blog called “Scene Steeler” which is about the latest ‘must know’ about things in film, fashion, lifestyle and entertainment before they’re about to break, and will include ‘behind the velvet rope’ chronicles of life in the entertainment industry.
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