Rafi Anteby, owner of ShaDang and Bullets 4 Peace, knows just how to create big events and promote celebrities. His jewelry, made out of old bullets, and coated in diamonds and other precious gems, have made it around the necks of celebrities like Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Jamie Foxx. The celebrity fashion icon has participated in nearly 50 Hollywood gifting suites and has given away over $100,000 worth of bling to help promote celebrity style. This year’s gifting lounge was held at none other than the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills and it was the perfect place, since you immediately feel like royalty upon entering.The event was held on Friday, February 22nd, 2019. In addition to rewarding celebrities for their name and likeness, Rafi donates $100 per attendee to purchase school supplies to a group of orphans in Myanmar.
 Find out why Rafi’s Gift Lounge was the pre-Oscar event you didn’t want to miss!
Unlike other suites that tend to feel convention-like and over-crowded with vendors, Rafi’s gifting lounge was intimate, warm and inviting. Â For example, guests were immediately greeted with mimosas and celebrities were given decorative Fydelity Big A$$ bags (big enough to fit a teenage child) to fill with goodies from the various brands. No need to worry about breaking your back from all that weight in the bags either, because designated Rafi staff kindly carried the bags around for the celebrities who requested it. Talk about living in luxury.
The bags come in various designs including donuts, money bills, marijuana or in shiny laminate-looking black or gold. There was nothing more amusing than sitting in the lobby of the grand and prestigious Waldorf Astoria watching grown men and women carrying these enormous decorative bags on their back at the end of the event. I brought my daughter to the event, and the bag was bigger than her.
Walking into the lounge, it felt like you were walking into an exclusive party, with couches and tables decorating the center of the room, and finger food lining the various tables. In the center of the room was a wonderful display of Tequila by Gran Cava de Oro Extra Anejo which was sampled in beautiful glass. Guests invited to the lounge were treated to a live concert with performances throughout the event by Rock N’ Roll Hall-of-Fame groups The Temptations (Louis Price) and The Platters (Sonny Turner), as well as the Grammy-winning group Mary Mary.
Surrounding the outside walls of the room were at least two dozen brands including, attachable Poopy Poo bag dispensers, cassette coin purses, trendy pre-tied bows and tie chokers for women, along with one of our favorites, Save The Girls clutches and messenger bags. When it came to skin and face treatments, we were excited to learn more about the Stem Cell Lift with Nathan Newman M.D. Although, tucked into the right corner of the room, there was no denying the fight to get to Dr. Newman’s booth for the wonderful gift certificate that awaited celebrity fans.
There were so many products and brands to view throughout the day, and due to the wonderful atmosphere and friendliness, it could take a while to make your way through. However, two booths that were not to be missed included the gifted trips to Bali and Uganda, where celebrities were given gift certificates to these two amazing destinations. Next to the Bali display was a beautiful table of Passion Roses with a complimentary bouquet going to each guest.
Rafi’s lounge even featured his own luxury jewelry brand, Bullets4Peace which was surrounded by a flurry of celebrities every time we looked or approached it. The event was a star studded affair and guests including Spike Lee, the director of Oscar nominated film BlackkKlansman, Jared Haibon, known for his time on the Bachelor franchise, and Peter Farrelly, Best Screenplay Oscar nominee for Green Book were all in attendance. The best encounter was Lilian Bowden from my daughter’s favorite show, Andi Mack. That really made her day. The event was a great way for celebrities to discover new brands and products.
Rafi’s Gift Lounge was a great way to spend a Pre-Oscar afternoon. Have you had any experience with the brands that were offered at the gifting lounge? Please leave your comments below.
