For the Blaffer Art Museum’s annual gala in Houston, creative studio Matter designed a gilded meteor shower ceiling installation using NASA space blankets—an idea inspired by the space theme of the April 1 event, as well as the metallic trends seen on recent fashion runways. The creative team also created custom floral centerpieces, using the blankets and dianthus plants, that floated above circular mirrors for an anti-gravity effect.
Thought-bubble placemats inspired by Hank Willis Thomas' exhibition, "The Truth is I See You," served as tabletop decor at the arts organization’s fund-raiser, held April 19 at Metropolitan Pavilion West in New York. The messages morphed into different languages thanks to the optical illusion design.
For the March 12 event at the New World Symphony in Miami, Shiraz Events designed a gold, black, and white color scheme. The Miami-based event company celebrated the symphony’s alumni members by creating the NWS logo using all 1,000 of their names on a step-and-repeat.
Taking inspiration from a French garden, New York-based Tyger Productions transformed the Four Seasons' ballroom for the event, which was held May 20 in Boston, with saturated fuchsia lighting, bright pink napkins, and custom-printed gold foil programs. Manicured boxwood topiary centerpieces adorned with hand-crafted feather butterflies proved to be the guests’ favorite decor item of the night.
After dinner at the Unicef Hope Gala, which was held April 9 at the Geraghty in Chicago, guests hit the dance floor under a canopy of neon Slinkies as the Ken Arlen Evolution Orchestra played.
“Wild, ripped-out-of-the-garden-inspired floral design has been a trend in the wedding industry for many years now,” says Jesse Tombs, managing partner of Alison Events Planning & Design in San Francisco. “We love working with bold color, pattern, and vibrant fresh ideas and are starting to see our corporate clients moving away from the everyday corporate blandness and wanting more editorial, unique designs that speak to their companies’ visions of creativity, success, and individuality.”
Pictured: An arrangement by Ariella Chezar.
“Gone are the days of basic snacks and water to greet guests,” says Glick. From trendy food options to custom bags to personalized gifts, hosts are now giving away more thoughtful party favors.
Instead of a floral wall, Petals LA designed an impressive greenery display for the floral event.
Instead of the traditional theater format, the music network’s 2016 presentation, which was held at Skylight at Moynihan Station in New York on April 21, created a pop art trade show called “Buy MTV,” with interactive booths for upcoming series and initiatives and a faux storefront featuring limited-edition MTV collectibles.
A large photo backdrop, which greeted guests as they entered, was comprised of buttons with buzzwords.
The event boasted the theme “Welcome to the Feast” and aimed to show how the media company could feed guests’ minds, hearts, and businesses.
Hamptons magazine kicked off its 38th season with a party on May 28 at a private estate in Sagaponack, New York. The event, which was organized by the magazine's event director, Joanna Tucker, celebrated Memorial Day issue cover star Drew Barrymore and new products from her wine and beauty brands. The unique floral centerpieces, designed by Lawrence Scott Events, were inspired by Barrymore's new fragrance called Sunshine, which is a bright citrus floral fragrance with the catchphrase "captures liquid sunshine in a bottle."
Kehoe Designs hosted the Designs for Dignity spring gala on May 5 at the Geraghty in Chicago. A photo booth inspired by bedding company and event sponsor Hästens featured a checkered sheet backdrop and pillows, to make it seem as if attendees were lying in bed.
The event also featured a shop stocked with on-theme merchandise by primarily female-owned companies, including Gullah Girl PMS tea, Baggu pouches, and Coucou Suzette socks.
Experiential agency Invisible North partnered with sports drink brand Propel to launch fitness program pop-up Propel Co:Labs, which came to 800 Main Street in Venice Beach in California from April 27 to 30. The experience featured a program of partnerships with trending fitness personalities and included a 3-D photo booth that allowed guests to become part of the Propel campaign imagery. The event will come to New York in June.
