Inside Diane von Furstenberg’s Oscar Luncheon with Ava DuVernay, Universal’s Donna Langley and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy

variety.com:

Angelique Jackson As Dove Cameron prepared to sing a selection of standards at Diane von Furstenberg’s perennial celebration of the year’s female Oscar nominees, the actor and songstress got a case of the butterflies listening to the legendary designer list off the names in attendance. “It sounds a little obvious, but as a fan of strong women and as someone who attempts to exemplify what it means to be a healed, whole, fighting woman, this is a room that is highly inspiring to me,” Cameron told Variety after she wrapped up her rendition of Etta James classic “At Last” and an original single of her forthcoming album, “Breaks Open.” “These are some of my icons,” Cameron said, awed at the idea of sharing space with legends like von Furstenberg, as well as breakthrough talents like “The Substance’s” Coralie Fargeat. “I came to pursue a job in the industry because I was so inspired by this magical, mysterious process of creating film.

And I’m particularly inspired by the women who create film – the cinematographers, the directors, the writers, everybody behind wardrobe, hair and makeup.

Women make this industry.” That sentiment largely sums up the theme of the luncheon, which von Furstenberg has held at her home in Beverly Hills since 2014.

This year, she had Donna Langley, chairman of NBCUniversal entertainment & studios, and filmmakers Ava DuVernay and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy as her co-hosts – describing the trio as “formidable, bad-ass women, who are my friends, who make shit happen.” As von Furstenberg told the assembled contenders – ranging from “Dune: Part Two” producer Tanya Lapointe (a first-time nominee) to “The Six Triple Eight” songwriter Diane Warren (nominated a 16th time): “Today is about recognizing each other.