Working with HBO vice president of special events Eileen Rivard, the globe-trotting Butchkavitz sought inspiration from three sources: the sunny Cote d’Azur, the coral-colored environments of mid-century Palm Beach, and the shell-encrusted grottos of the Pitti Palace in Florence. Using a palette of pink and gold, Butchkavitz designed a custom-made landscape, from pink carpeting emblazoned with starfish and coral to shell-encrusted tables and seating with coral-shaped and colored backs.
Shell-crusted boxes with Godiva chocolates sat on all the tables, which were square this year at HBO’s request. Butchkavitz decided to make everything else square too—the five 24-foot-high fountains constructed by Setmasters surrounded by water gardens with floating pink-and-gold dahlias, as well as the square cabanas draped with billowy, iridescent fabric enclosing square ottomans topped by custom-made square pedestal bowls inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Even the ashtrays were square.
To create the foundation for the V.I.P. area, which used 15,000 square feet of custom pink tenting, ECS, which also built the stage, constructed a floor over the plaza’s fountain. Flat, gold coral sculptures flanked the tent entrance and the buffet tables, which served Wolfgang Puck Catering’s menu inspired by the French Riviera: rack of lamb with black olive, feta and tomato orzo; stuffed crab in shell with herbs de Provence and lemon beurre blanc; and pommes Aligot with garlic, fontina, mozzarella, and contal cheeses. Bartenders served up “Riviera Royales”—coral-colored cocktails created for the evening (Belvedere vodka, strained lemonade, peach nectar, mango nectar, and a splash of grenadine, garnished with a fresh peach).
Guests danced throughout the evening to the music of percussionist Ravi Jakhotia and DJ Qool Marv. The event was supposed to shut down at 1 AM, but Emmy winner Jeremy Piven kept the party going by hopping onstage and playing the drums. The last of the 1,500 guests drifted off at 1:30 AM.
—Irene Lacher
Posted 08.30.06
Photos: Gabor Ekecs
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