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  1. Catering & Design
  2. Event Design & Decor

15 Ideas for On-Theme Staff Outfits

On-site staff can help create immersive environments at events through inventive costumes, unusual makeup, or unique accessories.

Alesandra Dubin
January 21, 2015

Event professionals who want to create a completely immersive environment know that dressing a space goes beyond inanimate decor—it includes outfitting greeters, servers, and other members of the team that interact with guests. Here's a look at events that used what staffers wore to emphasize a theme, brand, or message.

For Paris Fashion Week in 2013, H&M built its 20,000-square-foot “Maison H&M” on the historic Musée Rodin grounds. The elaborate setup comprised several rooms, including the parlor, bathroom, and library space, where models donned French maid uniforms. The staff at the after-party also wore maid outfits.
For Paris Fashion Week in 2013, H&M built its 20,000-square-foot “Maison H&M” on the historic Musée Rodin grounds. The elaborate setup comprised several rooms, including the parlor, bathroom, and library space, where models donned French maid uniforms. The staff at the after-party also wore maid outfits.
Photo: Stéphane Fugier
Chef Michael Mina celebrated the grand opening of Bardot Brasserie at Las Vegas’s Aria Resort & Casino earlier this month. Parisian-inspired cuisine, cocktails, and entertainment marked the evening, which included a photo booth fit for a Francophile and beret-clad models.
Chef Michael Mina celebrated the grand opening of Bardot Brasserie at Las Vegas’s Aria Resort & Casino earlier this month. Parisian-inspired cuisine, cocktails, and entertainment marked the evening, which included a photo booth fit for a Francophile and beret-clad models.
Photo: Al Powers
Dubbed 'Mad Hot Wonderland,' the National Ballet of Canada's 2011 gala held a number of references to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, including the costumes worn by staff. For instance, valet drivers were dressed as the White Rabbit.
Dubbed "Mad Hot Wonderland," the National Ballet of Canada's 2011 gala held a number of references to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, including the costumes worn by staff. For instance, valet drivers were dressed as the White Rabbit.
Photo: Gary Beechey
In a bid to capture the attention of the Comic-Con crowd in San Diego during the 2014 show, M.A.C. Cosmetics dressed models as Marge Simpson to unveil the Simpsons Collection makeup at its San Diego Gaslamp store. Models done up like the cartoon character circulated in the store and outside.
In a bid to capture the attention of the Comic-Con crowd in San Diego during the 2014 show, M.A.C. Cosmetics dressed models as Marge Simpson to unveil the Simpsons Collection makeup at its San Diego Gaslamp store. Models done up like the cartoon character circulated in the store and outside.
Photo: Robert Benson/Getty Images for MAC Cosmetics
Playing off the event's superhero theme, staffers at Maxim's 2012 Super Bowl party in Indianapolis wore capes, skintight leggings, and mask-like makeup.
Playing off the event's superhero theme, staffers at Maxim's 2012 Super Bowl party in Indianapolis wore capes, skintight leggings, and mask-like makeup.
Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Maxim
At the party to celebrate the Season 2 premiere of HBO’s hospital comedy series Getting On last year, a staff of fake doctors and pharmacists engaged with guests, dispensing customized fake prescriptions (which guests could exchange for gift bags).
At the party to celebrate the Season 2 premiere of HBO’s hospital comedy series Getting On last year, a staff of fake doctors and pharmacists engaged with guests, dispensing customized fake prescriptions (which guests could exchange for gift bags).
Photo: Gabor Ekecs
The Washington Ballet's 2008 spring gala took inspiration from the dance company's production of 'Cinderella' and included servers dressed as footmen in classical costumes and white wigs.
The Washington Ballet's 2008 spring gala took inspiration from the dance company's production of "Cinderella" and included servers dressed as footmen in classical costumes and white wigs.
Photo: J.C. Martins/Fotobriceno for BizBash
For the 20th anniversary party for French Laundry restaurant in California’s wine country last year, event staffers wore straw hats and overalls over their chef's uniforms in an effort to channel the venue’s rustic farmhouse atmosphere.
For the 20th anniversary party for French Laundry restaurant in California’s wine country last year, event staffers wore straw hats and overalls over their chef's uniforms in an effort to channel the venue’s rustic farmhouse atmosphere.
Photo: Alex J. Berliner/ABImages
At the Absolut X tour stop in Miami in 2013, models clad in futuristic gear offered masks to guests, all in line with the high-concept masquerade theme.
At the Absolut X tour stop in Miami in 2013, models clad in futuristic gear offered masks to guests, all in line with the high-concept masquerade theme.
Photo: World Red Eye
Academy Awards Governors Ball chair Jeffrey Kurland—a costume designer—was a natural fit to design elegant uniforms for the 900 staff people working the event in 2011.
Academy Awards Governors Ball chair Jeffrey Kurland—a costume designer—was a natural fit to design elegant uniforms for the 900 staff people working the event in 2011.
Photo: Line 8 Photography. All rights reserved.
Last year, beer brand Schlitz hosted what it called the Schlitz Bouts, a 1920s-inspired night of boxing and entertainment, in a nod to an era that was historic for both the brand and the event’s host city of Los Angeles. Everyone involved with the event wore vintage costumes, which resulted in an event atmosphere that felt like stepping back in time—or onto a period movie set.
Last year, beer brand Schlitz hosted what it called the Schlitz Bouts, a 1920s-inspired night of boxing and entertainment, in a nod to an era that was historic for both the brand and the event’s host city of Los Angeles. Everyone involved with the event wore vintage costumes, which resulted in an event atmosphere that felt like stepping back in time—or onto a period movie set.
Photo: Jerod Harris/Getty Images for Schlitz Brewing/Pabst Brewing Company
At the much-hyped 2012 Los Angeles premiere for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn—Part Two, the last installment of Summit Entertainment's movie franchise, staffers dressed like characters from the film welcomed frenzied fans inside.
At the much-hyped 2012 Los Angeles premiere for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn—Part Two, the last installment of Summit Entertainment's movie franchise, staffers dressed like characters from the film welcomed frenzied fans inside.
Photo: Line 8 Photography. All rights reserved.
At the Recording Academy's Grammy Glam event in Los Angeles in 2012, models in goddess robes were an on-message fit for sponsor Venus.
At the Recording Academy's Grammy Glam event in Los Angeles in 2012, models in goddess robes were an on-message fit for sponsor Venus.
Photo: Courtesy of The Recording Academy®/Wireimage.com © 2012
In 2011, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts brought together its “Brits to Watch” honorees—not to mention the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge themselves—for a party where staff dressed appropriately in jackets done as interpretations of the Union Jack.
In 2011, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts brought together its “Brits to Watch” honorees—not to mention the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge themselves—for a party where staff dressed appropriately in jackets done as interpretations of the Union Jack.
Photo: Adrian Carr/Bafta
Stephanie Izard, who is behind popular restaurant Girl and the Goat, released her book Girl in the Kitchen in Chicago in 2011. Kicking off her book tour was a farmers'-market-theme party with surreal touches—like a Redmoon performer in a goat's mask serving desserts from a tray attached to her middle.
Stephanie Izard, who is behind popular restaurant Girl and the Goat, released her book Girl in the Kitchen in Chicago in 2011. Kicking off her book tour was a farmers'-market-theme party with surreal touches—like a Redmoon performer in a goat's mask serving desserts from a tray attached to her middle.
Photo: Rita Shimelfarb/Polaris Productions
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