See a Top Designer's Take on an Old-Fashioned Carnival

Coach and Friends of the High Line teamed up for a party filled with boardwalk flair.

June 20, 2013

On June 11, Coach and Friends of the High Line hosted the third annual Summer Party. To give the benefit an aptly summery vibe, planner Bronson van Wyck created a vintage-inspired carnival replete with fortune-tellers, jugglers, and nostalgic games (Whac-A-Mole, anyone?). Here's a look at how van Wyck transformed the Chelsea Market passage into a pop-up funfair.

Marquee lights spelled out carney-inspired phrases such as 'Step Right Up.'

Marquee lights spelled out carney-inspired phrases such as "Step Right Up."

Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for COACH

At the bar, servers wore suspenders and vintage straw bowler hats.

At the bar, servers wore suspenders and vintage straw bowler hats.

Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for COACH

Celebrity guests including Naomi Watts posed in front of a colorful step-and-repeat, which was decked with circus-inspired imagery.

Celebrity guests including Naomi Watts posed in front of a colorful step-and-repeat, which was decked with circus-inspired imagery.

Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for COACH

DJ Kiss spun in front of a backdrop that spelled out the hosts' names in metallic balloon letters.

DJ Kiss spun in front of a backdrop that spelled out the hosts' names in metallic balloon letters.

Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for COACH

Games included carnival classics like a dunk tank.

Games included carnival classics like a dunk tank.

Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for COACH

Fortune-tellers predicted guests' futures.

Fortune-tellers predicted guests' futures.

Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for COACH

Guests could whack a few moles while playing at another classic carnival game.

Guests could whack a few moles while playing at another classic carnival game.

Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for COACH

'Choose a location where you can offer respite for guests—whether that’s shade elements, indoor-outdoor flow, or partial coverage,' Carlisi suggests. 'It’s all about asking: How many options do we have, and how many ways can we use the space creatively?”

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Rosé Day Los Angeles took place on June 14. The event is produced by an experienced hospitality team led by Ben Biscotti of 1iota Productions; nightlife visionaries Sylvain Bitton, JT Torregiani, and David Jarrett; Tony Schubert of Event Eleven; and culinary icon Marc Forgione.

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Talk about an over-the-top birthday party: In 2019, philanthropists Christine and Gabriel Chiu hosted a carnival-inspired bash at a children's museum in Santa Monica, Calif., for their son's first birthday. The Chius worked with Aliana Events to produce the event, inspired by the Santa Monica Pier, with carnival games, an arcade, puppets, and this oversized Ferris wheel filled with flowers. See more: This Toddler's Birthday Party Had a Gucci Claw Machine

Step Right Up: 10 Carnival Decor Ideas That Balance Whimsy and Elegance

BET's 45th anniversary dinner was held on June 7 at the Beverly Wilshire.

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Event Design & Decor

7 Smart Ways to Beat the Heat at Outdoor Events

Atlanta-based event designer Frank Carlisi shares pro tips for keeping guests cool, your food fresh, and the vibe polished when temps rise.

'Choose a location where you can offer respite for guests—whether that’s shade elements, indoor-outdoor flow, or partial coverage,' Carlisi suggests. 'It’s all about asking: How many options do we have, and how many ways can we use the space creatively?”

Event Design & Decor

Inside Rosé Day LA: How This Luxe Lifestyle Event Became a Must-Attend for Brands

From over-the-top floral displays to a skydiving stunt next to a Formula 1 car, here’s how Rosé Day LA continues to raise the bar for experiential design, sponsor integration, and strategic luxury.

Rosé Day Los Angeles took place on June 14. The event is produced by an experienced hospitality team led by Ben Biscotti of 1iota Productions; nightlife visionaries Sylvain Bitton, JT Torregiani, and David Jarrett; Tony Schubert of Event Eleven; and culinary icon Marc Forgione.

Event Design & Decor

Step Right Up: 10 Carnival Decor Ideas That Balance Whimsy and Elegance

Tackle this tried-and-true theme with decor ideas that walk the tightrope between fun and fashionable.

Talk about an over-the-top birthday party: In 2019, philanthropists Christine and Gabriel Chiu hosted a carnival-inspired bash at a children's museum in Santa Monica, Calif., for their son's first birthday. The Chius worked with Aliana Events to produce the event, inspired by the Santa Monica Pier, with carnival games, an arcade, puppets, and this oversized Ferris wheel filled with flowers. See more: This Toddler's Birthday Party Had a Gucci Claw Machine

Event Design & Decor

How BET’s Stylish Anniversary Dinner Honored the Past—and Embraced the Future

A rich color palette, archival footage, and a carefully curated performance lineup brought legacy and innovation together for this 480-guest celebration of BET’s 45th year.

BET's 45th anniversary dinner was held on June 7 at the Beverly Wilshire.

Event Design & Decor

Why Guests Wore Sneakers to This Black-Tie Gala

At the California Science Center’s 26th annual Discovery Ball, attendees enjoyed Dodger Dogs, danced on a basketball court, and raised paddles—or foam fingers—for a good cause.

The gala took place on April 26, with a sports-centric design and production from the museum's internal events team.

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Event Design & Decor

‘Feathers Galore’: Step Inside the Colorful Carnaval Ambiance of City Harvest’s Annual Gala

The NYC food rescue organization hosted its yearly fundraising event, which featured a vibrant tropical theme inspired by lively cultural celebrations.

Projection mapping helped immerse guests into the theme.

Event Design & Decor

This Historic Theater Turned a 100-Year Milestone Into a One-of-a-Kind Gala

The Pasadena Playhouse celebrated its centennial with a bold, unconventional gala featuring immersive projection mapping and a surprise escrow announcement—all while shattering fundraising records.

While officially buying the building before the gala was always the goal, event planner Sam Palmer was careful to ensure the gathering would be successful even if the timing didn’t work out. “We had a million different plans, because quite frankly, a million details needed to go right for that to happen,' he said. 'Our leadership and board worked very, very hard to get us across the finish line, and it was a beautiful moment.”

Event Design & Decor

See Inside This Year’s Bright Blue Public Art Fund Party

The annual spring benefit maintained its playful energy with pingpong tables and ice cream bars.

Blue hues covered everything from the menus to decorative textiles to pingpong tabletops.

Event Design & Decor

Renowned Event Designer David Stark Breaks Down His Creative Process

What inspires one of the industry’s most creative minds? The chief creative officer of David Stark Design and Production walks us through the design rules he actually follows—and the ones he ignores.

Event Design & Decor

12 Desert-Inspired Event Ideas From This Skincare Brand's Dreamy Influencer Trip

Native whisked 15 beauty editors to an Arizona resort to test how moisturizing its new products really are.

The welcome dinner took place at a communal table flecked with decor in desert-inspired hues. The Valley handled furniture rentals, while Let’s Bash provided tabletop rentals.

Event Design & Decor

See Inside HBO's Stunning 'The White Lotus' Premiere Event

HBO and UNBOXED GROUP transformed a Hollywood soundstage into a lush Thai resort for the HBO series' highly anticipated season three premiere.

'The umbrella ceiling was a visual highlight and one of our favorite design elements,' said UNBOXED GROUP's Kyle Absolom. 'It featured over 600 white umbrellas, backlit to create a soft glow in that area.'

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