"I've been obsessed with Alexa Meade's unconventional art since I first donned a painted hat at Refinery 29's 29Rooms, so I was thrilled to check out her first solo exhibit on the west coast. Part of Beverly Hills' BOLD Holidays events, 'Immersed in Wonderland' featured painted, three-dimensional holiday-theme vignettes. Visitors were invited to interact with the art by wearing painted clothing and accessories, sitting on couches and in chairs, and even playing at a grand piano. When photographed, it gave the appearance that they were part of the painting. Meade herself was even on-hand to live-paint models. The resulting photo keepsakes were so fun, and truly unlike anything I'd seen before." —Claire Hoffman, West Coast bureau chief
"I mean, who doesn't love balloons? These giant colorful trees (built by Founders Entertainment with balloon arrangements supplied by Katie Balloons) were sprouting up around the festival grounds at Governors Ball this year. Talk about instant photo bait! And such a clever way to reinvent what some may consider a tired design trope." —Michele Laufik, style editor
"The featured exhibit at the museum at the time of this April benefit was 'David Bowie Is,' and the event design from David Stark featured plenty of glam. After cocktails on the first floor—a space punctuated with columns of thin gold fringe streamers—guests went upstairs for dinner. The atrium was a riot of streamers in various materials and colors, draped at different heights and angles, announcing a sense of fun on a monumental scale. Spaced throughout the room, entertainers jumped on mini trampolines, generating energy but also drawing guests eyes upward to take in the decor. Shiny silver dome centerpieces reflected the drama overhead." —Beth Kormanik, editor in chief
