Syzygy Events International returned as the visionaries behind the staging and decor for the Washington Humane Society’s Fashion for Paws fund-raiser on Saturday night. The team aimed for a completely different look at the National Building Museum than last year’s flower-filled fete, opting for a more modern look with emerald accents—in honor of the color’s designation as color of the year.
Designers Marielle Shortell and Julie Shanklin took inspiration from fashion designers Jason Wu's and Louis Vuitton’s 2013 spring collections with sleek, black and white decor with checkered details. Combining their efforts with Atmosphere Lighting, rentals from Design Cuisine—who also catered the dinner—and minimalistic-style floral centerpieces from Edge Floral Event Designers, the 1,700-person event transformed the museum and raised about $700,000.