Top 50 Event Designers 2019: Emily Clarke

The Dallas-based Clarke on sparking joy at an event.

Michele Laufik
June 18, 2019
“When it comes to design, I always start with what or where we want the guests to be transported to as they walk into the room. For Teach For America, I wanted to recreate child-like memories that sparked joy and classroom stories from back in the day.” Pictured: Teach For America’s 10-year anniversary gala at the Bomb Factory in Dallas
“When it comes to design, I always start with what or where we want the guests to be transported to as they walk into the room. For Teach For America, I wanted to recreate child-like memories that sparked joy and classroom stories from back in the day.”

Pictured: Teach For America’s 10-year anniversary gala at the Bomb Factory in Dallas
Photo: Brian Leahy Photography

Emily Head ShotPhoto: John CainKnown for her detail-driven execution, Clarke heads up the eponymous Dallas-based event planning and design firm Emily Clarke Events (@emilyclarkeevents), which she founded in 2009. Her clients range from brides to nonprofits like Teach For America to industry stalwarts such as the Knot Gala. Clarke says she draws inspiration from an array of sources, from the pink of flamingos to classical paintings and everything in between.


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