50 Shades of Success: How to Get a Piece of the Fifty Shades of Grey Action

50 Shades of Grey promo poster
Fifty Shades of Grey promo poster

On Friday—which also happens to be Valentine’s Day—Focus Features will release it’s hotly anticipated Fifty Shades of Grey movie based on the best-selling erotic novel of the same name by E.L. James. The Sam Taylor-Johnson-directed film—which stars Dakota Johnson (the daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson) as ingenue Anastasia Steele and Irish heartthrob Jamie Dornan as the enigmatic Christian Grey, is already projected to be the second best Valentine’s Day opening of all time (after 2007’s Ghost Rider) with a final tally somewhere between $45 million and $50 million. Those numbers, of course, are based on the box office alone; merchandise touting the Fifty Shades name are also slated to rake in the dollars. From hotels packages to makeup brands to lingerie to—yes—teddy bears, here are ways that you can get a piece of Fifty Shades action—without entering the Red Room of Pain, that is.

HOTEL PACKAGES

The Edgewater Hotel, Seattle
The Edgewater Hotel, Seattle

 

      • The Edgewater Hotel has created an experience straight off the pages of the best-selling erotic novel — complete with everything from champagne to the use of an Audi R8 Spyder. It also happens to be located in Seattle, the city where a majority of Fifty Shades takes places. For $14,169 a night, guests can indulge in the “No Grey Area” package, which includes one day use of an Audi R8 Spyder, a helicopter tour of Seattle, in-room champagne, aphrodisiacs appetizers from Six Seven, accommodations for two in a waterfront premium guestroom, and, yes, a Kama Sutra book upon arrival.
      • As a good portion of the novel actually takes place at Portland’s Heathman Hotel, true fans of the novel will definitely want to stay here. The hotel is offering several specials tied to the movie (and why wouldn’t they) including a “50 Shades” cocktail created by Heathman bartender Kathy Casey, which features gin, fresh tangerine, pomegranate juice, lemon, and fresh thyme; an “Inner Goddess” add-on package which includes a chilled bottle of Boedecker Pinot Gris, shared by the main characters in the first novel, and a keepsake grey neck tie, andthe $2,750 “Charlie Tango No Limits” package, which includes appetizers and white wine at the hotel restaurant for six people, a helicopter tour of the city, roses for the ladies in the party, dinner at the hotel and limo transfers to the helipad.
      • Though not strictly Fifty-inspired, LA’s own Shade Hotel couldn’t help but join in the fun with a very low-key Valentine’s Day deal entitled 50 Shades—a one-night stay with a variety of special amenities, a bottle of sparkling wine, and a Valentine’s Day gift.
      • Given that Canada’s Vancouver Hotel stood in for The Heathman in the film, you might want to check out the Mr. Grey Package, which includes accommodations, a custom Chantilly lace eye mask by Christine Lingerie, a bottle of Dom Perignon, chocolate dipped strawberries, a private shopping experience at Christine Lingerie (available Monday to Friday), and BMW car transfers to and from the boutique.

MAKEUP

Makeup Forever Fifty Shades of Grey makeup kit
Makeup Forever Fifty Shades of Grey makeup kit

Makeup Forever has created a variety of seductive beauty sets based on the film. There is “Desire Me”—a cheek set that includes blush, highlight, and glow—”Tease Me” a lip set that includes liner, color, and shine—and “Give In to Me”—the big daddy: a lip and eye kit which features a treasure box of color to create your most alluring look.

TOYS

Vermont Teddy Bear's "Fifty Shades of Grey bear"
Vermont Teddy Bear’s “Fifty Shades of Grey bear”

Oh yes, someone has even capitalized on a soft and innocent teddy bear. Innocent, may we remind you, is not a description that at all applies to Christian Grey, though he does (SPOILER ALERT) get softer as the books wear on. According to Vermont Teddy Bear‘s description of “50 bear” “he features smoldering eyes, a suit and satin tie, mask – even mini handcuffs.” To say we have no words would be inaccurate; we’re just not going to say what they are. 

CANDY

Kollar's Fifty Shades of Grey chocolates
Kollar’s Fifty Shades of Grey chocolates

Yountville’s Kollar Chocolates are offering up a six-piece box of bon bons filled with dark chocolate caramels covered in shades of grey with pops of red and pink.

CARS

2015 Audi R8 Spyder
2015 Audi R8 Spyder

What does Christian Grey drive? Both in the book and in the film, Mr. Grey has a thing for Audis. In the film, he drives the sexy 2015 Audi R8 V10 Spyder, and purchases a 2015 Audi A3 for Ms. Steele. Throughout the books, other Audis make appearances as well, from the full-size S8 sedan to the Q7 luxury SUV.

LINGERIE

KappAhl lingerie
KappAhl lingerie

There are many lingerie brands attempting to capitalize on Fifty Shades’ success, but there is only one line that was created specifically by the author herself. Swedish brand KappAhl recruited E.L. James to create a line of sexy underwear as a tie-in with the film. We sense a Valentine’s Day gift!