This week’s roundup includes HGTV Magazine’s colorful neighborhood at the brand’s annual Block Party in New York; a chocolate dessert that event guests had to excavate at Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s fossil hall reopening in Washington; Louis Vuitton’s neon green pop-up in New York; and a floating runway for Sports Illustrated’s swimwear show at Miami Swim Week.
Bacardi National Rum Day Event

Bacardi celebrated National Rum Day on August 16 with an event at Las’ Lap in New York. The brand showcased its five rum brands in a tropical installation outside the venue, which doubled as a photo op for guests. The event was produced and designed by Studio HS in partnership with Las’ Lap.
Photo: Courtesy of Bacardi
‘HGTV Magazine’ Block Party

HGTV Magazine held its sixth annual Block Party on August 19 at Union Park in New York. The event space was designed to resemble a neighborhood, with six colorful, deconstructed houses that each showcased a different advertising partner. Rubik Marketing produced and designed the event.
Photo: Jenna Wilde Photography
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Fossil Hall Reopening

The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History reopened its fossil hall in June after a five-year, $110 million renovation. To celebrate, the museum held a private donor dinner as well as a grand opening cocktail reception. Vivid projections and a printed mural transformed the rotunda space, recalling an ancient ecosystem. They framed a doorway and balcony from which speakers addressed the guests. The event was designed by Silver Lining Design Group. See more: Prehistoric Party: How the Smithsonian Celebrated Its Renovated Fossil Hall
Photo: Juan Carlos Briceno
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Fossil Hall Reopening

Guests played paleontologists for dessert. Every dish included a brush and a tiny shovel, so guests could excavate a layer of chocolate dust to discover a chocolate disk with an image of a fossil. Under the disk was a sweet treat with chocolate sponge, ganache, Morello cherry mousse, cherries, and whipped cream. Occasions Caterers catered the event. See more: Prehistoric Party: How the Smithsonian Celebrated Its Renovated Fossil Hall
Photo: Juan Carlos Briceno
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Fossil Hall Reopening

Salads of all sorts (including pickled vegetable salad and watermelon radish salad) topped the green-accented table at a "Herbivore Station" in the Kenneth E. Behring Family Hall of Mammals. The buffet also included warm mushroom fondue and a green pea yogurt dip with tomato Parmesan crisps. See more: Prehistoric Party: How the Smithsonian Celebrated Its Renovated Fossil Hall
Photo: Pepe Gomez
Mastercard Priceless Flagship

Mastercard partnered with Springs Studios in New York to launch a reservation-only restaurant for cardholders. The restaurant, which will have rotating chef residencies, recreated three restaurants from around the world. Mastercard brought on Adirondack Studios to design a replica of the Rock in Zanzibar, using hand-sewn textiles and projections in "windows" to recreate the surroundings of the original restaurant. See more: Q&A: Why Is Mastercard Opening Restaurants in New York?
Photo: Noah Fecks
Mastercard Priceless Flagship

To recreate Lyaness cocktail bar in London, the brand worked with fabrication studio 11th Street Workshop. Decor at the cocktail bar includes blue plush furniture, a green granite bar, and a geometric mirror. See more: Q&A: Why Is Mastercard Opening Restaurants in New York?
Photo: Noah Fecks
Louis Vuitton Pop-Up

Louis Vuitton turned to a pop-up activation to launch the latest collection by its men's creative director, Virgil Abloh. Set on the same Ludlow & Rivington street corner in New York, which was re-imagined for his Paris Fashion Week Fall 2019 show, the entire temporary store was painted in an eye-catching neon green—complete with a matching bicycle, garbage bags, and a mailbox for extra city grit. Abloh even took to his Instagram encouraging fans to meme the side of the store as a green screen. See more: See How Gucci, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton Do Pop-Ups
Photo: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton
Chanel J21 Yacht Club

Chanel took over the Sunset Beach resort on Shelter Island in the Hamptons in July, to introduce and celebrate the new generation J12 fine timepieces. The pop-up, which was produced by Prodject, featured branded beach umbrellas and surfboards. See more: See How Gucci, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton Do Pop-Ups
Photo: Courtesy of Chanel
‘Sports Illustrated’ Miami Swim Week Show

Sports Illustrated held its annual swimwear show during Miami Swim Week in July. The show took place on a floating runway at the W South Beach. The event featured a diverse group of models and designers, including a model in a hijab, a former dancer in a wheelchair, a model with alopecia, and socially conscious fashion designers. See more: How 'Sports Illustrated' Created Its Most Diverse Runway Show Ever
Photo: Chris Carter