Here’s a look at 10 steal-worthy ideas we spotted this week, including ESPN-branded picnic tables at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, massive masquerade masks at Groupon's holiday party in Chicago, a ceiling full of pink balloons at Stella McCartney's fall 2013 presentation in New York, gold leaf-accented desserts at a Golden Globes preview in Los Angeles, and more than seven million sparkling LED lights at a festival in Japan.
Groupon’s Holiday Party
The Chicago-based company held its massive holiday party at Chicago's Aragon Ballroom December 14. Event Creative's decor included 8- by 12-foot masquerade masks, which had illuminated, color-changing crystal columns as "handles." Event Creative created patterned gobos meant to look like the draped materials on a Mardi Gras float and collaborated with Sound Investment on the lighting.
Photo: Sheri Whitko
WWD Apparel & Retail C.E.O. Summit
After rescheduling its two-day conference in New York due to Hurricane Sandy, WWD held its C.E.O. Summit at the Plaza on Monday and Tuesday. Contrasting the storied hotel’s ornate interior, the trade journal’s internal team and producer XA gave the stage, check-in desk, and lounge area a clean white look with yellow accents.
Photo: Billy Farrell/BFAnyc.com
ESPN’s Tent at the Rose Bowl Hospitality Village
Kicking off the new year, ESPN hosted select guests for a V.I.P. tailgating experience at a tent inside the Rose Bowl Hospitality Village in Pasadena, California, January 1. Designed by Russell Harris Event Group, the sports network's private space included an outdoor patio, where blue umbrellas contrasted the red ESPN-branded picnic tables. Football-shaped bowls containing candy and nuts served as the tabletop centerpieces.
Photo: Dan Scott/American Image Gallery
Golden Globes Dinner Preview
In a preview of the meal to be served at the coming Golden Globes award ceremony, Beverly Hilton executive pastry chef Thomas Henzi showed off a dessert trio of cappuccino mousse dome, orange sanguine, and chocolate salted caramels—accented with gold leaf.
Photo: Alesandra Dubin/BizBash
Stella McCartney Pre-Fall 2013 Presentation
On Tuesday, Stella McCartney presented its fall 2013 collection at New York’s 680 Park Avenue, building a series of vignettes for models to lounge in and around. In keeping with the designer’s quirky style, the event filled the ceiling with pink helium-filled balloons.
Photo: David X. Prutting/BFAnyc.com
Stella McCartney Pre-Fall 2013 Presentation
Designed to feel like an artist’s studio, Stella McCartney’s fall 2013 presentation at New York’s 680 Park Avenue on Tuesday saw artists paint looks from the collection in front of guests.
Photo: David X. Prutting/BFAnyc.com
Evoke Holiday Party
Reflecting a shift from cupcakes to doughnuts, Washington-based event planning firm Evoke featured the sticky treat at its industry holiday party for 450 guests December 18 at Penn Social. Astro Donut, a new company, provided the doughnuts.
Photo: Rodney Bailey + Washington Talent
Winter Illuminations Festival
This year's Winter Illuminations festival in Japan displayed more than seven million sparkling LED lights spread across the grounds of the Nabana no Sato botanical garden, part of the Nagashima Onsen resort area in Kuwana City. The annual festival runs for five months, between November and March, and every year millions visit to witness the stunning display of lights, one of the largest wintertime illumination events in the country.
Photo: Juliana Shimodaira
June Briggs Awards
Decor from Zak Events at the 11th annual June Briggs Awards in New York Monday included a custom-built white leather tufted bar. At the center was a display of icy-looking glass vessels filled with candlelight. The event, held at the Pierre New York, A Taj Hotel, honored businesses in the destination management and hospitality industry.
Photo: Courtesy of Zak Events
Times Square New Year’s Eve
New York’s annual countdown to the New Year once again took over Times Square, with live performances by Taylor Swift, Psy, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Neon Trees. To engage the online and mobile audience, a free app from organizers the Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment let viewers watch the festivities live, and consumers could write wishes on confetti that was mixed in with the pieces that were released at midnight.
Photo: Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images
