An archway of colored balloons (acquired locally through the Village Party Store) marked the entrance to Monday evening's presentation for the Stella McCartney resort 2013 collection at the New York Marble Cemetery.
Photo: Jim Shi
To access the main space for the event, guests had to walk through a long passageway. As a fun diversion, the producers set up a series of funhouse mirrors that hinted at the presentation's carnival motif.
Photo: Jim Shi
The high striker, or test-your-strength game, was originally meant for young children and models to utilize, but soon found fans among the attendees.
Photo: David X. Prutting/BFAnyc.com
Carnival games, such as the ring toss, were mostly positioned against one far wall in a straight line. All games featured some sort of special Stella McCartney branding, but done in a playful and casual manner.
Photo: Jim Shi
At the area for Coolhaus, attendees could customize their own ice cream sandwiches. The ice cream was kept chilled in special coolers on-site.
Photo: Jim Shi
As a nod to McCartney's love of flowers, a large cart overflowing with roses and peonies stood near the entrance to the venue. As guests left, they were given small bouquets or single stems as a festive gift.
Photo: Jim Shi
The mac and cheese station was set up as a two-part offering: guests could either select a mini serving placed on a spinach cone off a Ferris-wheel-shaped stand, or opt for a full cup that could be customized with toppings like veggie bacon bits, truffle oil, jalapenos, scallions, or sriracha sauce.
Photo: Jim Shi
Among the handful of carnival games situated along the perimeter of the park is the Music Hall Ball Guzzler, from circa 1934, where guests can try to throw balls into the mouths of life-size caricatures of Josephine Baker, Maurice Chevalier, Charlie Chaplin, and other iconic characters. The prize? One of 10,000 lollipops.
Photo: Keith Sirchio for BizBash
Rides include a bicycle carousel from the late 19th century, one of only two in the world that were created in Paris to encourage the use of what was then the new mode of transportation: the bicycle. (The other carousel can be seen in the film Midnight in Paris.)
Photo: Keith Sirchio for BizBash
Marquee lights spelled out carney-inspired phrases such as "Step Right Up."
Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for COACH
Games included carnival classics like a dunk tank.
Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for COACH
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.
Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for COACH
Even popcorn matched the design of the event: custom boxes were served from a small rolling cart in flavors like sea salt and vinegar as well as pancetta and maple.
Photo: Erik Valind
The contraption that held paper cones of truffle tater tots was a nod to trapeze acts.
Photo: Erik Valind
David Stark Design and Production brought in old-fashioned carnival rides and games, including a carousel, a spinning ride renamed the Love Spin for the event, a fortune-teller, a high striker, and a palm reader.
Photo: Neilson Barnard/WireImage.com
The high striker, a strength testing game, was just one of the many carnival attractions placed in the vast pier venue not only to retain a sense of intimacy, but also keep guests entertained throughout the night.
Photo: Neilson Barnard/WireImage.com
Along with a Rickshaw Dumpling truck, a host of food trucks were placed toward the back end of the carnival, offering everything from Mexican nibbles to dessert sweets.
Photo: Neil Rasmus/BFAnyc.com
A dance floor surrounded by booth seating marked the center of the outdoor carnival space.
Photo: Casey Rodgers/AP Images for Armani Exchange
Armani Exchange logos branded a carnival-style game in which guests rolled balls to win prizes like sunglasses.
Photo: Casey Rodgers/AP Images for Armani Exchange
A giant slide beckoned brave guests.
Photo: Casey Rodgers/AP Images for Armani Exchange
Carnival
Rendering: Courtesy of Bowlmor Lanes
Carnival performers, including a juggling unicyclist, circulated the space.
Photo: Aviran Levy for BizBash
Jugglers flanked the step-and-repeat, and guests could have their photos snapped with the circus performers.
Photo: George Pimentel Photography
The cocktail reception had the look of a carnival midway, and guests could play games to win plush prizes.
Photo: George Pimentel Photography
Guests could twirl their own sticks of pastel cotton candy.
Photo: George Pimentel Photography
Circus performers were on hand to juggle and perform the occasional balancing act.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash
One of the three bars was set up to resemble a game booth with a spinning wheel of fortune.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash
Planners wanted to let guests act like kids with activities such as cut-out photo boards.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash
Restaurants were grouped into fours under a series of striped and solid tents.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash
Event designers added whimsical touches to the bars and side tables.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash
Washingtonian-branded cotton candy bags and lollipops were available.
Photo: Tony Brown/Imijination Photography for BizBash
Magician Ray Chance performed for V.I.P. guests.
Photo: AJ Messier Photography
The gala dinner was held in the St. Patrick's gymnasium.
Photo: Vanessa Segars Photography
Oversized circus-themed centerpieces of lions, horses, and ice cream treats hovered over each table.
Photo: Vanessa Segars Photography
Live performers, including clowns and stilt walkers, furthered the circus theme.
Photo: Vanessa Segars Photography
Event producer Andre Wells posed with a stilt walking performer.
Photo: Vanessa Segars Photography
Atop the Starrett-Lehigh Building, Hugo Boss invited hundreds of guests to a summer party. This year, the annual shindig had a circus theme, produced by SPEC Entertainment, with custom red and white scenic elements and carnival-style performers.
Photo: Nicholas Hunt/PatrickMcMullan.com
Also incorporated into the color scheme were the outfits the waitstaff wore. SPEC worked with Mary Giuliani Catering to execute the idea, which had male servers in white shirts with red bow ties and suspenders.
Photo: Nicholas Hunt/PatrickMcMullan.com
Other hors d'oeuvres served included pretzel bites with a golden mustard dip (pictured), corn dogs, mini cheese burgers, jalapeño poppers, snow cones, and cotton candy.
Photo: Billy Farrell/BFAnyc.com
To give the space a sense of a circus tent, SPEC used string lights and red tent poles around the perimeter.
Photo: Nicholas Hunt/PatrickMcMullan.com
Guests could play carnival games at the cocktail reception.
Photo: BizBash
A fortune teller offered sartorial advice such as how guests could upgrade their outfits at sponsor Neiman Marcus.
Photo: Roderick Peña
Instead of typical carousel horses, the First Look Party had mannequins who wore several watches on their arms—as well as latex horse heads.
Photo: Roderick Peña
In a new take on the traditional photo backdrop, guests bounced on a trampoline before having their photo taken. Side rails around the custom station kept guests safe.
Photo: Roderick Peña
One of the games asked guests to estimate the number of peanuts in an eight-foot-tall tube (answer: about 73,000). Two fabricated elephants flanked the tube.
Photo: Roderick Peña
Guests had to win their dessert—a Sprinkles cupcake—by shooting a toy dart gun into the cupcake cutouts.
Photo: Roderick Peña
At a flavored popcorn station, custom-built stands had a false fill at the top so they never appeared empty. Serving staff refilled the popcorn at the base as needed.
Photo: Roderick Peña
Bottles from sponsor Belvedere were used in the ring toss. Winners received a band from Michele Watches.
Photo: Roderick Peña
Circus Theme: Rethink Breast Cancer's Boobyball
Rethink Breast Cancer's Boobyball fund-raiser, held at Toronto's Kool Haus in October, featured carnival mirrors, a fake elephant, and a hot-air balloon, along with classic big-top performers such as a clown and juggler. Vintage circus signage, like the Stila Cosmetics and Ardell Lashes display, was used throughout the pink-hued space.
Photo: Jenna Marie Wakani
