Sweet Dreams

In recent years, Bang & Olufsen has developed a reputation for collaborating with like-minded high-end brands to host unique product launches and elaborate parties for clients. The electronics company, which relies on Beyond Good & Evil Productions to manage and produce its events, has previously partnered with Louis Vuitton, Lamborghini, and Trump International. "We've started to get a following," said Jordan Korenzvit, owner of Bang & Olufsen Bloor Street.

On Thursday evening, Bang & Olufsen joined forces with Hästens, Audi, and Grey Goose to unveil the audio company's new White Collection at a cocktail party for more than 300 guests. Dubbed "An Evening in Heaven," the event was held at the Hästens luxury bed showroom in the Distillery District. “This is our fifth event of this type. We do it every year or two," said Korenzvit. “We’re showing off our white collection, so white led us to the theme of heaven, and the beds at Hästens remind you of heaven." (They also have five-figure prices.)

William Hamilton, managing director of Beyond Good & Evil Productions, said, "We pride ourselves on turning retail stores into fantastic venues." White feathers blanketed the floor throughout the showroom to create the feel that guests were walking on a cloud, models dressed in sleepwear from Frou Frou lounged on Hästens beds in a display at the rear of the space, and girls wearing bras from Empreinte—and angel wings—mingled with guests.

"I leverage luxury brands against one another," Hamilton said of his approach to managing such an event. “There is a whole variety of neat, cool, hip brands all coming together in one place at one time...Hästens is the Rolls Royce of mattresses, and we've brought on Audi because there's some synergy there, and Grey Goose is doing a beautiful 12-foot ice bar." Audi vehicles equipped with a Bang & Olufsen upgrade sat outside the venue, and girls dressed in lilac and silver dresses handed out samples from Moroco Chocolat, a boutique and lounge in Yorkville.

Hamilton created several vignettes throughout the space to showcase Bang & Olufsen's new products in a variety of settings. The equipment, draped in white linens at the beginning of the evening, was later unveiled, giving guests had the chance to try the various sound systems. The event also included an auction with items from the various sponsors up for bid.

"It's a great excuse to throw a terrific party. In the current economic environment, who doesn't want to come out to a great party?" Hamilton said. However, although past events were dubbed "An evening of Luxury and Style," the production company changed the name this year to "An Evening in Heaven" in an effort to be sensitive to the economic climate. 

Event sponsors included Hästens, Audi, Grey Goose, Moroco Chocolat, Empreinte, Frou Frou, Berloni, Artemide, Givenchy, and Lifestyles Magazine.