No More Minimalism: Asian Themes Get Bolder
February 15, 2006
Nevermind the omnipresent yoga studios and the sublime weather-in Los Angeles, Zen is out. While Asian motifs have long been popular at parties, the L.A. event industry is moving away from the chic, minimalist looks that typify Far East-inspired themes. The new Asian decor includes colorful and whimsical looks from all over the continent. Think Chinese New Year parades, bright silk brocades, fans, lanterns and feathers.
Pasadena floral and decor firm R. Jack Balthazar has used the look in several recent events. For a Lulu Guinness fragrance launch produced by Caravents, Balthazar created bright centerpieces by wrapping square vases in silk brocade and accenting the flower arrangements with jade turtles, river rocks and peacock feathers. Kind Hand Catering's waiters wore silk brocade ascots, and red lanterns, Ming-style vases and Persian rugs added warmth.
At a City Hearts benefit, Balthazar designer Niki Delacueva dangled chandelier crystals and ribbons from red lanterns as a canopy over diners. "These details add whimsy without overpowering the focus of the event," Delacueva says.
At a San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau promotional event in Southern California, L.A.-based Event Works highlighted the prominence of various Asian cultures in San Francisco. The designers illuminated Japanese shoji screens with paper lanterns and used Asian-style flowers like cymbidium orchids. Rattan mats holding sprays of orchids and Buddha candles covered coffee tables, shantung table linens in red, orange, and black covered the buffet tables, and chopsticks sat atop silver fortune cookies on the dining tables. The music was from Asia and South America, blended with a contemporary, club-style beat.
"The trend is definitely colorful and vibrant as opposed to subdued and Zen-like," says Extraordinary Events president Andrea Michaels, who got such positive feedback at a "Tokyo-a-go-go"-themed event for Starwood that she adapted elements for a Dell Computers event in Anaheim months later.
Designers are also finding inspiration throughout Asia. "We see a strong trend in Southeast Asian-inspired design-Thai and Balinese-sexy, colorful and vibrant, with more emphasis on tropical elements and fabulous textiles," Delacueva says.
"The look is more Indian than Asian. It's much richer and moodier, more sensual and luscious," says Peleg Top of Top Design Studio, who is doing an Indian-inspired Tiger Woods Foundation event in May. "It's only natural for trends to change in this direction when the world is so connected."
—Alesandra Dubin
Photos: Courtesy of Extraordinary Events and R. Jack Balthazar
Pasadena floral and decor firm R. Jack Balthazar has used the look in several recent events. For a Lulu Guinness fragrance launch produced by Caravents, Balthazar created bright centerpieces by wrapping square vases in silk brocade and accenting the flower arrangements with jade turtles, river rocks and peacock feathers. Kind Hand Catering's waiters wore silk brocade ascots, and red lanterns, Ming-style vases and Persian rugs added warmth.
At a City Hearts benefit, Balthazar designer Niki Delacueva dangled chandelier crystals and ribbons from red lanterns as a canopy over diners. "These details add whimsy without overpowering the focus of the event," Delacueva says.
At a San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau promotional event in Southern California, L.A.-based Event Works highlighted the prominence of various Asian cultures in San Francisco. The designers illuminated Japanese shoji screens with paper lanterns and used Asian-style flowers like cymbidium orchids. Rattan mats holding sprays of orchids and Buddha candles covered coffee tables, shantung table linens in red, orange, and black covered the buffet tables, and chopsticks sat atop silver fortune cookies on the dining tables. The music was from Asia and South America, blended with a contemporary, club-style beat.
"The trend is definitely colorful and vibrant as opposed to subdued and Zen-like," says Extraordinary Events president Andrea Michaels, who got such positive feedback at a "Tokyo-a-go-go"-themed event for Starwood that she adapted elements for a Dell Computers event in Anaheim months later.
Designers are also finding inspiration throughout Asia. "We see a strong trend in Southeast Asian-inspired design-Thai and Balinese-sexy, colorful and vibrant, with more emphasis on tropical elements and fabulous textiles," Delacueva says.
"The look is more Indian than Asian. It's much richer and moodier, more sensual and luscious," says Peleg Top of Top Design Studio, who is doing an Indian-inspired Tiger Woods Foundation event in May. "It's only natural for trends to change in this direction when the world is so connected."
—Alesandra Dubin
Photos: Courtesy of Extraordinary Events and R. Jack Balthazar
Extraordinary Events brought in a giant ice dragon for a "Tokyo-a-go-go"-themed Starwood event.
At a benefit for nonprofit City Hearts, R. Jack Balthazar dangled chandelier crystals and ribbons from red lanterns for a dramatic canopy over diners.
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