EVENT REPORT   02.04.08 12:15 PM
Ladies' Night
It's hardly surprising that BlackBerry is marketing its new shimmery pink PDA to female consumers—and the L.A. launch party targeted that group, while some guys snuck in for a peek.
BlackBerry's new pink Pearl is most recognizably different from past PDA models for its pearlescent, girly hue. So naturally the L.A. launch party on Thursday night (and a New York version that preceded it on Tuesday) was dominated by the color pink. The invited guests, a celebrity-driven female crowd named as "sophisticated ladies" on their invitations, were asked to show up with a "best girlfriend" as a guest in tow. Still, a significant number of men—including Jeremy Piven and Nick Cannon—made it down (or past) the pink carpet, which was flanked by oversize pink lamps.

The party took over the A+D Museum, directly across from Lacma's new BCAM wing, which will launch with a much-anticipated gala of its own on Saturday.
Working with Shelly Sofer, director of public relations for BlackBerry maker Research in Motion, Harrison & Shriftman transformed the relatively raw party space into a candy-colored room, with confections in glass jars decorating a giant white shelving unit at the entryway to punctuate the sweet theme. Bartenders mixed pink cocktails using a Tab energy-drink-like mixer appropriately called Go Girl, and servers clad in pink Converse sneakers and skinny ties passed hors d'oeuvres and desserts tinged with pink, such as California rolls made with pink rice, and rose-flavored macaroons.

Modelesque singer Alice Smith sang a short, soulful set with a retro sensibility, and Prince's DJ Rashida spun modern dance music from her booth. Prince himself even made a brief and low-key appearance in the crowd, during which all photographers were ushered outside.

  —Alesandra Dubin
Chrystalline chandeliers added drama to the museum space.
Photo: Red Dawn Media
Candy jars on a white shelving unit made a bold centerpiece in the entryway.
Photo: Red Dawn Media
BlackBerry's new phone was part of the decor, inside illuminated cocktail tables.
Photo: Red Dawn Media
Chalkboards encouraged guests to write messages.
Photo: Red Dawn Media
Rashida, Prince's traveling DJ, spun dance tunes.
Photo: Red Dawn Media
Pink hues tinged desserts and hors d'oeuvres like California rolls.
Photo: Red Dawn Media
Bartenders poured cocktails in the night's signature color.
Photo: Red Dawn Media
Crooner Alice Smith gave a short and soulful performance.
Photo: Red Dawn Media
Carefully guarded gift bags included the new phones.
Photo: Red Dawn Media
BlackBerry's Pink Pearl Launch

Catering Kathleen Sacchi: The Fine Art of Catering & Event
DJ DJ Rashida
Flowers Silver Birches
Furniture Eventmakers
Invitations Alpine Creative Group Inc.
Lighting JFox Event Lighting L.L.C.
Production, Design, PR Harrison & Shriftman
Rentals
Sound Rhythm & Sound Inc.
Valet Crystal Valet Parking Services
Venue A+D Museum


RELATED TOPICS BlackBerry, Research in Motion