Exactly one month before the doors to the Emmys Governors Ball at the Los Angeles Convention Center swing open, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences together with its participating vendors and sponsors hosted a preview of the event's look and feel this morning. In short, the decor—for both the Creative Arts Ball after the Creative Arts Emmys on September 12 and the Governors Ball after the Primetime Emmys on September 20—will be bold and colorful, with jewel tones and plush seating inspired by the work of the late designer Tony Duquette.
Dwight Jackson, Russ Patrick, and Joe Stewart chair the ball along with a larger committee, and Sequoia Productions will produce it for the 12th consecutive year. "We call it a kaleidoscope of color," said Sequoia's Cheryl Cecchetto at the reveal. "Duquette used incredible colors and materials. We want to stimulate guests' senses." Speaking for the rest of the committee, Jackson added, "We're all volunteers. We do this because it's fun—it's so much fun."
LA Premier will create tabletop arrangements at five heights, with the tallest standing at about seven feet. "The idea is color," said LA Premier's Kevin Lee, who named the peacock feathers and painted branches that resemble coral as his favorite parts of the designs. Succulents from the arrangements will retain their root systems and be replanted after the parties. As part of the events' larger eco-friendly push, LED lamps will dominate much of the lighting by Images by Lighting, including a color-changing effect on beaded columns above Art Deco-style pedestals, which were repainted and repurposed after last year's ball for efficiency and cost savings.
Patina Catering chef and founder Joachim Splichal, with executive chef Alec Lestr—and 177 chefs in all—will prepare the three-course plated dinner for 2,900 guests at the Creative Arts Ball and about 3,500 at the Governors Ball. Splichal said his approach is inspired by farmers markets, with "an emphasis on color, freshness, and light—from the standpoint of calories."
Grey Goose is the event's official spirits sponsor, and Beaulieu the wine sponsor. Dove chocolate will also sponsor for the fifth year, and will introduce Fling, a new chocolate bar. At the preview, a tuxedoed model was practicing his line for the parties, where he will offer guests the new treats from a top hat and ask, "Care to have a Fling?"
