| EVENT REPORT 07.31.06 12:00 AM |
PRINT | SEND TO A FRIEND |
|
| Mag Awards Travel Up, Up, Up for City View |
| Eschewing its typical international influences, Travel & Leisure’s annual summer awards party showed off the New York skyline—and some arty custom-made tables. |
|
| After recreating an African safari tent camp on a West Side pier one year and shipping in palm trees from Florida another, Travel & Leisure went for a decidedly only-in-New York feel for its World’s Best awards this year. Taking over part of Top of the Rock—the event space on the highest six floors of the tallest building at Rockefeller Center—the party allowed the assembled media and hospitality types to loll about outside on a hot summer night and to take a peek at the skyline. |
|
CONTINUED > |
|
|
PHOTO GALLERY |
 | | The dinner ceremony’s 100 guests—mostly award winners—sat at two long rows of tables modeled after a piece designed by French conceptual artist Yves Klein. |
|
|
 | | Clear glasses and vases matched the Lucite tables filled with blue tempera pigment. |
|
|
 | | The mag incorporated sponsor Leica by putting logos on the outdoor spaces’ glass walls. |
|
|
 | | Leica binoculars hung for guests to use in checking out the view. |
|
|
 | | Smaller versions of the custom tables displayed magazines—and, later, guests’ drinks—outside. |
|
|
|
|
|
With such an attention-grabbing view, T&L creative projects director Laura Aviva decided on a fairly clean look for the festivities. But that didn’t mean the design process was simple. After seeing a Lucite coffee table filled with blue tempera pigment designed by French conceptual artist Yves Klein in an acquaintance’s apartment, Aviva enlisted set production firm Chavez Design and metal production firm Booth Fabricating to build knockoffs—er, call it an homage—for the party. Then she brought in modern-looking chairs and an assortment of glass vases to complement the tables.
The evening started with cocktails and a sit-down dinner for 100, during which publisher Ellen Asmodeo and editor Nancy Novogrod, along with cohost Michael Kors, presented the awards. Then 200 more guests arrived for drinks and dessert at 9:30, with DJ Aaron James playing an assortment of mash-ups that mixed the likes of Madonna, Kelis, and Gnarls Barkley.
Aviva had intended for the evening’s pared-down look to have one more bit of flair—she ordered custom-made carpets with a Deco-inspired floral print from Italy, but they spent three days in customs and didn’t arrive until the morning after the event. “I’m still traumatized,” she said a few days later. But she did cut a piece to serve as a fancy new rug in her office.
—Chad Kaydo
Posted 07.31.06
Photos: Courtesy of Travel & Leisure
Related Stories
Travel Makes Over Popular Venue as Oasis
T&L Holds Party Over Lincoln Center Pool
Travel & Leisure's Tent Camp on the Hudson
Related Story From Los Angeles
Travel Anniversary Tour Stops in L.A.
MORE EVENT REPORT STORIES
Sustainable Label Opens SoHo Pop-Up With Community Center Sensibility
Gap, Banana Republic, American Eagle Open Stores With Musical Performances
Chicago Chefs Prepare Apple-Cider Bubbles, Whipped Salt Cod for Food & Wine Entertaining Showcase
MoMA Gets Suitably Whimsical and Macabre for Tim Burton Tribute
Nintendo Launches New Mario Game With Look Back at Franchise History
MORE STORIES ABOUT
Floral Designer Anne Kilcullen Prides Herself on Interpreting Clients' Ideas
| More Suppliers/Venues to Consider |
ADVERTISEMENT |
|
|
|
Sweetiepie
Sweetiepie is a modern take on an old-fashioned restaurant, a festive place that inspires a celebratory spirit for any occasion. The feel is of a sophisticated yet playful neighborhood spot designed for a variety of cravings. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
|
Celestial Events
Celestial Events is a single destination resource for traditional and cutting-edge entertainment. Specializing in unique, one-of-a-kind acts and top-of-the-line party services, they can create the entire event or take your ideas and make them happen. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
|
Designer 8 Event Furniture Rental New York
Designer 8 Furniture Rental has been specifically designed for event planners, trade show exhibitors, caterers, photo shoots, and anyone with needs for event functional furniture. It carries a furniture line that far surpasses typical modular furniture and allows you to mix and match. More >>
EMAIL THIS RESOURCE |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
