Carnival Ideas

The cage for the Coney Island corn dogs was intended to mimic the shape of the big-top tents typically seen at the circus.

With circus-style acts—dressed in items from the new line—performing throughout the space and displays placed on carts and bright orange-colored blocks, the catering for Ted Baker's Spring/Summer 2014 collection launch event provided an additional visual and entertainment element. For instance, parasols held dangling funnel cakes, and servers were trained to imitate tightrope walkers as they passed the bites.

One particularly popular and eye-catching piece was the cotton candy tree, which saw the wispy sweet treats clipped to a willow-tree-shaped metal frame.

Mannequins dressed in vintage circus-style outfits formed visual vignettes throughout the museum.

Mync offered guests complimentary last extensions; their staffers wore carnival-style costumes.

In the V.I.P. area located in the Rotunda, guests guessed how much a meteorite weighed and the accession date of a glittering pallasite for a chance to win a Birks necklace.

A2D2 aerialists performed during the circus-inspired fund-raiser. Adding rigging to the historic museum was not an option, so A2D2 brought their grounded Cirque-u-l'air rig.

Ribbon dancers circulated the event, along with unicyclists, contortionists, and jugglers.

A contortionist performed onstage near the entrance of the museum.

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

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.

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.

Framed pictures advertising the Barnum & Bailey circus topped tables.

Banners advertising Barnum & Bailey's "Greatest Show on Earth" hung throughout the space.