Timothée Chalamet celebrates with Sony Pictures Classics at Nordstrom Local; an ill Armie Hammer stays home

What is it with the rain and Academy Awards weekend in our fair city? One would think that after 90 years, Mother Nature and Oscar would be simpatico but, after all, we are in Los Angeles, aren’t we? The city might be the ultimate definition of suspended disbelief.

Such was the case Saturday evening when Sony Pictures Classics hosted a pre-Oscars dinner party with the cast of four-time nominee “Call Me by Your Name” at the Nordstorm Local space on Melrose Place.

Lead actor nominee Timothée Chalamet, fresh off his Saturday afternoon male Independent Spirit Award win for the aforementioned “Call Me by Your Name,” personified the calm-before-the-storm vibe that permeated this rainy night dinner.

Chalament changed from his Off White c/o Virgil Abloh white utility shirt into Saint Laurent kicks and a bomber jacket for the dinner at Nordstrom Local.

Also in attendance were Chalamet’s fellow nominees Luca Guadagnino, the film’s director and producer, and octogenarian screenwriter and industry legend James Ivory.

In a completely unscripted turn, Chalamet’s co-star, style partner and perennial awards season-running mate Armie Hammer was noticeably absent because of illness. The two have been on a whirlwind journey leading up to awards season.

In his stead, Michael Barker, co-president of Sony Pictures Classics, left no stone unturned by thanking not only the cast and crew of “Call Me by Your Name” but also the filmmakers and actors of the studio’s other Oscar nominees, “A Fantastic Woman” and “Loveless.”

The scene

Nordstrom Local on Melrose Place, which opened last year, appears poised to become a touch point for L.A.’s fashion community with its various public areas, private salon dressing rooms and communal co-working table at the center of it all. It’s a spot for fittings, personal shopping and alterations.

Gigi Duff, Nordstrom’s vice president of public relations and corporate affairs, played one of the night’s best fashion moves in her marigold Valentino dress, sparkling Gucci shoes and vintage Chanel clutch.

Dinner details

Guests enjoyed bites and libations from STK. The evening benefited the Trevor Project and the Foundation for the AIDS Memorial, which is scheduled to be unveiled in West Hollywood Park later this year.