All that was missing from Roberto Cavalli's launch party for his namesake vodka was Marcelo Mastroianni and Anita Ekberg performing a drunken pas de deux in a Roman fountain. With various vignettes of wild-haired models dressed in Cavalli's signature animal and floral prints, and well-soused fashionistas and paparazzi roaming around the pool of the Raleigh Hotel, the event resembled a scene from Federico Fellini's homage to decadence, La Dolce Vita.
Cavalli hired Selmin Arat and Marysol Patton of the Patton Group to plan the event. The pair, in turn, brought on production company Karla Conceptual Event Experiences to execute the stylish and whimsical affair, underlined by sexy style and a fire-and-ice theme.
"The whole inspiration was the French Riviera and the atmosphere of San Tropez in the summer during the 60's and 70's," says Cristiano Mancini, director of public relations for Roberto Cavalli. "It was a retro feel we wanted."
Karla created several lounge tableaus around the amoeba-shaped pool, featuring 25 Ford models posed in groups of four to five women and one shirtless man. The models' clothes were styled to match the furniture; each tableau displayed bottles of the new vodka. Karla bathed the pool area in cool blue light, and projected footage of Cavalli's fashion shows on a poolside water curtain.
In the hotel's beachside garden, guests relaxed in various sheer tented bungalows illuminated in fiery light. Nuage Designs upholstered the lounge banquettes with Cavalli silks imported from Italy especially for the event. The silks also covered numerous pillows in other lounges around the pool and in the garden. DJ Tracy Young, whose recent work includes producing and mixing songs for Madonna and Shakira, provided a chic and sophisticated soundtrack to the party.
In the cordoned-off V.I.P. area stood a clear vinyl tent, where scenesters mingled on overstuffed sofas and munched on passed sushi rolls from the Raleigh's kitchen. Drinks were served from six bars made of ice carved with Roberto Cavalli Vodka logos. The ice bars featured a solid tower of clear ice shaped to look like oversize versions of the vodka bottles.
Rounding out the festivities were various performers from Parafernalia Productions. A barefoot goddess roamed around the pool dressed in little more than a wild mane of hair and beads. A half-naked fire dancer performed in front of a giant birthday cake before a covey of models, and paparazzi sang "Happy Birthday" to Cavalli. Soon, a dancer dressed as a Playboy bunny emerged from the cake and gave the designer a wet smooch to the delighted squeals of the photographers, models, and fans.
—Juan Carlos Rodriguez
Cavalli hired Selmin Arat and Marysol Patton of the Patton Group to plan the event. The pair, in turn, brought on production company Karla Conceptual Event Experiences to execute the stylish and whimsical affair, underlined by sexy style and a fire-and-ice theme.
"The whole inspiration was the French Riviera and the atmosphere of San Tropez in the summer during the 60's and 70's," says Cristiano Mancini, director of public relations for Roberto Cavalli. "It was a retro feel we wanted."
Karla created several lounge tableaus around the amoeba-shaped pool, featuring 25 Ford models posed in groups of four to five women and one shirtless man. The models' clothes were styled to match the furniture; each tableau displayed bottles of the new vodka. Karla bathed the pool area in cool blue light, and projected footage of Cavalli's fashion shows on a poolside water curtain.
In the hotel's beachside garden, guests relaxed in various sheer tented bungalows illuminated in fiery light. Nuage Designs upholstered the lounge banquettes with Cavalli silks imported from Italy especially for the event. The silks also covered numerous pillows in other lounges around the pool and in the garden. DJ Tracy Young, whose recent work includes producing and mixing songs for Madonna and Shakira, provided a chic and sophisticated soundtrack to the party.
In the cordoned-off V.I.P. area stood a clear vinyl tent, where scenesters mingled on overstuffed sofas and munched on passed sushi rolls from the Raleigh's kitchen. Drinks were served from six bars made of ice carved with Roberto Cavalli Vodka logos. The ice bars featured a solid tower of clear ice shaped to look like oversize versions of the vodka bottles.
Rounding out the festivities were various performers from Parafernalia Productions. A barefoot goddess roamed around the pool dressed in little more than a wild mane of hair and beads. A half-naked fire dancer performed in front of a giant birthday cake before a covey of models, and paparazzi sang "Happy Birthday" to Cavalli. Soon, a dancer dressed as a Playboy bunny emerged from the cake and gave the designer a wet smooch to the delighted squeals of the photographers, models, and fans.
—Juan Carlos Rodriguez

Ford Models arranged in sultry tableaus set the tone for the Roberto Cavalli Vodka launch party at the Raleigh Hotel.

The designer's silks were featured throughout the party on pillows, lounge chairs, and gowns.

A barefoot goddess from Parafernalia Productions amplified the decadent feel of the party.

A Parafernalia performer dressed as a Playboy bunny emerged from a giant birthday cake to greet the Italian designer.