The arrivals backdrop—featuring the Cartier and MoMA logos rendered in neon and marquee lights—echoed the dense arrangements of tropical greenery found inside the dinner space.
In a nod to its exhibit on bioluminescent organisms, the American Museum of Natural History's junior benefit in 2012 featured bright lighting and glowing decor. Illuminated spheres and LED neon-colored wires decorated the dinner tabletops.
For the Toronto launch party for Cadillac's 2014 ELC electric car, guests could sip a futuristic drink: a cocktail with the car's logo stenciled atop in silver edible dust.
Todd Events designed the October 2013 event at the Rachofsky House in Dallas. "The black-and-white theme was selected because every year the event has an honorary artist," said a rep for the company. "The artist from last year worked in a black-and-white medium for his art pieces, so we played the event decor off that." Tables were decked with striped linens and glassware that reflected the theme.
The event's menu items also reflected the black-and-white theme.
Instead of a red carpet, designers laid down a black-and-white-striped carpet at the entrance.
This year's event took place at Toronto's the Carlu in February. To bring the old-Hollywood-style Casablanca theme to life, planners filled the dining room with tables decked in simple black linens and surrounded with white-cushioned chairs.
Books and the printed page inspired the Walrus Gala in Toronto in January. The black-and-white color scheme carried over into decor elements such as festive cocktail straws.
For the 2008 event in Toronto, graffiti artist Mike Echlin painted trees against a black backdrop for a haunted-forest effect.
For a 2012 wedding in New York that promoted the series, Sylvia Weinstock designed the cake, which was a black-and-white confection designed to look like a large vase of flowers. Fran Drescher (pictured) officiated.
The museum hosted a gala in 2013 to fete its "Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity" exhibition. Event designer Bill Heffernan of HMR Design Group used a black-and-white color scheme inspired by some of the 19th-century dresses on display. To complement the fashion-inspired setting, tables were topped with 19th-century-style wire urns set atop black-and-white hat boxes.
Here's a clever idea for a black-and-white centerpiece: at the 2009 event in Miami, miniature working pianos were used as centerpieces in the dining room.
At the 2007 event in Washington, designer David Tutera wrapped napkins in paper filmstrips to create an old Hollywood look.
The 2006 ball had a look inspired by writer and illustrator Edward Gorey. Grayson Bakula Design's enchanted forest looked slightly more sinister with Bentley Meeker's barren branch projections.
The 2011 event in Boston had a Batman theme. In a subterranean carnival area, black-and-white signs for sponsors hung above the games. Winners received prizes from the designated sponsor.
At an HP promotion in Los Angeles in 2013, a palette of black and white created a visually striking scene.
The 2011 Emmy Governors Ball had the theme of "mod illusions" with a 1960s-style black-and-white decor scheme that hearkened back to the era of Truman Capote's famous bash.
At the museum's 2012 event, a streamlined, modern bar stood at the center of the room with an arrangement of black-and-white lanterns hanging overhead.
Striped tablecloths and mismatched seating offered a funky take on the theme at the 2011 event in Los Angeles. White messages decorated black walls in the dining room, and bright green floral arrangements added a pop of color.
The 2013 event took place at a Los Angeles mansion, and black-and-white decor took on a residential feel. To celebrate the heritage of British Airways, the Union Jack appeared on black-and-white pillows at a seating group that surrounded a modern fire pit.
The theme played out in an exotic, draped setting at the 2010 premiere in New York. The venue was divided into three distinct areas, one of which was the black-and white-toned Rink Bar. The producers built custom cabanas in the area, using striped draping, votive candles, and seven-watt globe lights for illumination.
In 2012, the symphony decked its ball in elegant, black-and-white decor from Blueprint Studios.
In 2010, the summertime event took place at an East Hampton sculpture garden and preserve. Presenting a more casual take on the black-and-white theme, planners erected a tented white lounge with large black scrims. The scrims displayed lyrics from honoree Laurie Anderson's songs, including "Falling," "Strange Perfumes," and "Thinking of You."
At the 2011 fund-raiser in Miami, Truman Capote's famous Black and White Ball inspired the look. Deco Productions created two 16- by 42-foot prints to display on either side of the stage, one showing a reclining model, the other showing a large eyeball. Each was divided into six individually framed panels and suspended from the ceiling.
4. In June, Austin, Texas's booze-centric event offered chocolate- and lavender-flavored cupcakes with pipettes of tequila and gin inserted into the frosting.
Guests posed for photos in front of an arrivals wall composed of greenery and a floral interpretation of the festival's logo.
Designs by Sean created the focal-point chandeliers in the north event tent. The company incorporated the specific event's color scheme, like the orange and green design for Best of the Munchies.
White tufted-style furniture and orange throws and pillows in a V.I.P. lounge matched the color palette of the event. Topiary planters and mirrors added to the scene.
Beachside seating at the event included hammocks with different styles of fabric, along with beach balls and pillows printed with the event's logo.
The laid-back event had an array of carnival-style games like a basketball shooting contest and ringtoss.
Sponsor General Mills set up a "Create Your Own Munchies Cereal Mix" with brands such as Trix, Lucky Charms, and Cocoa Puffs.
Returning sponsor Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino set up a pop-up club on the beach. Features that guests could see from the outside included an oversize guitar prop, a DJ booth, and bikini-clad dancers on a raised platform.
Pasta brand and event title sponsor Ronzoni commissioned a cake-style sand sculpture to celebrate its 100th anniversary.
An oversize Ronzoni pasta box was a popular photo set, encouraging guests at the Al Fresco Feast to pose with large utensils.
The chandelier at the Al Fresco Feast set a classy tone for the Italian-theme dinner. Each circular tier was composed of a pattern of smaller gold circles, creating a warm glow in the center of the room. Designs by Sean created the piece.
At the Al Fresco Feast, tables were topped with dried pasta in clear glass jars as well as seasonings.
Cream-colored linens and bistro-style chairs complemented subtle yellow accents in lighting and noodle decor at the Al Fresco Feast.
Coffee brand Illy created a feature wall with rows coffee mugs printed with its logo set against a hedge wall.
Sponsor Gibson Guitar showed off an oversize beach-theme model that had images of forks and knives running up the neck in place of frets.
Grand Tasting guests could rest in white seating areas on the sand. Spandex sails covered the scenic oceanside lounge.
The lounge's oceanside location inspired a custom table that was filled with sand and shells.
Coca-Cola sponsored a "Coke Cabana" at the Grand Tasting as well as bars inside the north end tent in a promotion for the brand's 100th anniversary. Decor included a sand sculpture.
Along with beer on tap, Amstel Light sponsored beachside games including oversize Jenga and cornhole between the Grand Tasting tents.
As title sponsor of the Burger Bash, Amstel Light had a diner-theme lounge with booth seating and a checkered floor. Activities at the nostalgically designed space included portraits drawn on napkins.
With unseasonably low temperatures, planners had to find heat lamps to keep guests warm.
Matching the Burger Bash color scheme of red and black, the chandelier by Designs by Sean incorporated a black lace textured fabric to mimic the effect of a grill along with hanging red pipes and chain metal pendants to indicate the lighting element.
Hard Rock Cafe's entry into the Burger Bash competition was its Brie-topped Legendary Mac and Cheese Stack burger. The burger was presented alongside a colorful display of its ingredients and a guitar.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino created a lounge within the tent to promote its new restaurant, Kuro. A chandelier by Designs by Sean and beaded curtains defined the space.
Food Network personality and Meatopia host Guy Fieri presented the winning trophies—a guitar for the fan favorite and a cow-topped trophy with flame accents as the judges' choice.
Complementing the bold red, black, and gold of the Meatopia brand, Panache provided linens and gold Chiavari chairs at Saturday night's event.
Along with Tabasco-topped chocolates, Tabasco's temporary tattoo station at Meatopia drew in attendees.
Groupon promoted its search function at an interactive booth that was staffed throughout the weekend. Guests could explore the app on tablets and find hidden items on the wall. The deals site also brought back one of its popular giveaways from past years: screen-printed totes made on site.
Sponsor Buick had a beachside installation that remained in place for the duration of the festival.
In honor of the street artists, the waitstaff and bartenders, who were provided by Neuman's Kitchen, wore white paint-splattered tuxedo jackets.
