The style and glamour of Audrey Hepburn, particularly as she appeared in Breakfast at Tiffany's, inspired the look of CTV's staff holiday party at Showline Studios. CTV director of special events Mafalda Caruso said she chose the theme because the film is one of her all-time favourites, adding "I thought it would be fun and a perfect fit for us and our Christmas party." Caruso designed the gem-laden soiree, which she dubbed Christmas at Tiffany's, with help from event design and planning company McNabb Roick Events.A jewelry store window vignette featuring an Audrey Hepburn look-alike gazing intently at a glimmering diamond was one of the first sights that greeted arriving guests. In keeping with the Tiffany's motif, Westbury National Show Systems made frequent use of pale blue—resembling Tiffany & Co.'s signature corporate colour-in background and accent lighting. The colour also appeared in the table linens in the dining room, and black-and-blue portraits of Hepburn hung on the rear wall of the after-party room. White snowflake gobos also hung on blue-lit walls in the dining room and enormous ceiling-hung strands of pearls made of balloons from Balloon Events were strikingly arranged above the after-party cocktail space.
10tation's menu for the evening started with appetizers such as lamb tenderloin on grilled focaccia bread and lobster and fresh tarragon rolled in crepes. Caterwaiters served this tantalizing fare on platters resembling gift boxes wrapped in silver paper with blue ribbons and bows. The buffet dinner featured roasted turkey breast with traditional stuffing, cranberry sauce and turkey chardonnay gravy, beef bourguignon, and portobello mushroom au gratin. Signature Rentals decorated the dinner tables with two styles of centerpieces, every table receiving either a tall art nouveau lamp with a white shade or an equally tall metal stand finished in shimmering metal mesh and topped by feathers. Rick Sonata and the Starlight Orchestra, a Frank Sinatra tribute band, provided the dinner entertainment. Christmas at Tiffany's was painted in elegant cursive on the dance floor in front of the stage. While the party theme and decor clearly made reference to Tiffany & Co. intellectual properties, Caruso wasn't concerned about offending the legendary jeweler, legally or otherwise. "[Tiffany's] director of public relations offered any help that I needed," she said.
After dinner, guests made their way to the after-party room, where a ceiling-hung collage of disco balls and upside-down evergreens decorated a second dance floor. This room also featured two chandelier-lit lounges with white furnishings, wintry floral arrangements, and glass-topped coffee tables. The tables, which resembled jewelry store display cases, contained outsized faux diamonds and other precious stones. A 24-foot white bar separated the dance floor from the cocktail space, where Louis Ghost candelabras and large blue Christmas balls adorned more lounges and large, high-top cocktail tables. Westbury National Show Systems provided a large video wall to complete the nightclub atmosphere.
Caruso said she chose Showline as the venue because it's one of the few spaces in the city large enough to accommodate 2,500 people for dinner and an after-party.
—Robyn Small
Posted 01.11.07
10tation's menu for the evening started with appetizers such as lamb tenderloin on grilled focaccia bread and lobster and fresh tarragon rolled in crepes. Caterwaiters served this tantalizing fare on platters resembling gift boxes wrapped in silver paper with blue ribbons and bows. The buffet dinner featured roasted turkey breast with traditional stuffing, cranberry sauce and turkey chardonnay gravy, beef bourguignon, and portobello mushroom au gratin. Signature Rentals decorated the dinner tables with two styles of centerpieces, every table receiving either a tall art nouveau lamp with a white shade or an equally tall metal stand finished in shimmering metal mesh and topped by feathers. Rick Sonata and the Starlight Orchestra, a Frank Sinatra tribute band, provided the dinner entertainment. Christmas at Tiffany's was painted in elegant cursive on the dance floor in front of the stage. While the party theme and decor clearly made reference to Tiffany & Co. intellectual properties, Caruso wasn't concerned about offending the legendary jeweler, legally or otherwise. "[Tiffany's] director of public relations offered any help that I needed," she said.
After dinner, guests made their way to the after-party room, where a ceiling-hung collage of disco balls and upside-down evergreens decorated a second dance floor. This room also featured two chandelier-lit lounges with white furnishings, wintry floral arrangements, and glass-topped coffee tables. The tables, which resembled jewelry store display cases, contained outsized faux diamonds and other precious stones. A 24-foot white bar separated the dance floor from the cocktail space, where Louis Ghost candelabras and large blue Christmas balls adorned more lounges and large, high-top cocktail tables. Westbury National Show Systems provided a large video wall to complete the nightclub atmosphere.
Caruso said she chose Showline as the venue because it's one of the few spaces in the city large enough to accommodate 2,500 people for dinner and an after-party.
—Robyn Small
Posted 01.11.07