New Orleans

Ivy wrapped around the stage's railing was meant to evoke the overgrown gardens and wrought iron gates of New Orleans.

Guests arrived to see half of the dinner area on the stage concealed by a curtain covered in a projection of the benefit's name.

Event designer Bella Meyer set the tables with silver satin and mirrored trays.

An ode to a Chinese lantern in the play's set, metallic lace covered bare bulbs.

At one side of the stage, an old shack filled with empty booze bottles aimed to balance the illusion of the lush greenery with the realism of the play's dark story.

Meyer sourced the many flowers used in the decor from her studio on East 11th Street.

Planners brought in additional foliage to enhance the existing peripheral decor once the dining tables were cleared for the more heavily populated dessert reception.

Howard Fishman and the Biting Fish Brass Band performed at the start of the after-party, before actress Cate Blanchett and director Liv Ullmann took the stage for comments on the production.

Empty bottles—provided by bar sponsor Sazerac Company—hung from long strands of ivy and Spanish moss.

Southern confections up for sampling at the dessert reception included miniature sweet potato pies and cups of bourbon bread pudding.

An archway of colored balloons (acquired locally through the Village Party Store) marked the entrance to Monday evening's presentation for the Stella McCartney resort 2013 collection at the New York Marble Cemetery.

To access the main space for the event, guests had to walk through a long passageway. As a fun diversion, the producers set up a series of funhouse mirrors that hinted at the presentation's carnival motif.

Set on just over a half-acre of land, some 250 editors, retailers, and McCartney's celebrity friends enjoyed an early-evening carnival in complete privacy. The setup started the morning of the event, and everything was broken down and removed that night.

The Soul Rebels, a New Orleans-based brass band, performed live throughout the two-hour event and served as the evening's sole source of music.

At the entrance to the garden was a display showcasing Stella McCartney resort 2013 accessories. As the event was presenting new product, the designer wanted to ensure the pieces received their own distinct vignette.

As with all McCartney presentations, the models were encouraged to mingle and interact with guests. At the Monday event the models, clad in the resort 2013 collection, played games and chatted with guests. In terms of groupings, the gathering was more organic than seasons past, with models arranged together according to the patterns or colors of their garments.

The high striker, or test-your-strength game, was originally meant for young children and models to utilize, but soon found fans among the attendees.

Carnival games, such as the ring toss, were mostly positioned against one far wall in a straight line. All games featured some sort of special Stella McCartney branding, but done in a playful and casual manner.

McCartney enlisted some of her friends' children (all age 6 and up and dressed in outfits from the designer's kids' line) to man a lemonade stand. Donations were encouraged and proceeds benefited the restoration and maintenance of the venue's historic walls.

Mary Giuliani provided the evening's mostly vegan carnival treats, a menu that included black bean burgers and grilled Mexican corn skewers served from a grill station, as well as passed items like veggie tacos, grilled peaches topped with ricotta and honey, and candy and caramel lady apples.

In addition to the main food station, two dessert stands were set up featuring sweets from Coolhaus and Pie Corps (pictured). At the latter, guests could also take home prepackaged jars of fruit cobbler.

At the area for Coolhaus, attendees could customize their own ice cream sandwiches. The ice cream was kept chilled in special coolers on-site.

As a nod to McCartney's love of flowers, a large cart overflowing with roses and peonies stood near the entrance to the venue. As guests left, they were given small bouquets or single stems as a festive gift.

The mac and cheese station was set up as a two-part offering: guests could either select a mini serving placed on a spinach cone off a Ferris-wheel-shaped stand, or opt for a full cup that could be customized with toppings like veggie bacon bits, truffle oil, jalapenos, scallions, or sriracha sauce.

Among the desserts served were "big top pop rock" cake balls, orbs of vanilla buttermilk, or red velvet cake topped with red-and-white stripes or confetti sprinkles.

Ellen DeGeneres mingled with guests amid carnival-themed decor and activities at her 50th birthday party.

The casual spot has walls filled with colorful artwork.

Posters reflect the New Orleans theme.

Other thematic tropes include prop alligators and hot-sauce-inspired art.

The venue opened in late February, and hosts its grand opening celebration on Fat Tuesday.

Throughout the venue, flat-screen TVs hook up to laptops and DVD players.

Decor for the Fat Tuesday fete kept within the traditional purple, green, and gold color scheme, with two stages in the National Building Museum’s grand hall.

This year’s Gourmet Gala used last year’s successful layout with dinner tables in the west end and center sections of the hall and restaurant stations in the east end, near the dock door for an easier load in for chefs.

Tabletop floral arrangements incorporated feathers in Mardi Gras colors.

This was the first year Gourmet Gala used Greater Giving software and AES (Auction Event Solution) hardware to allow guests to electronically track their silent auction bids.

Guests could make a donation directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and receive a feather pin displaying what the hospital could purchase as a result of their contribution.

Local patient Leah Duggan received this year's Chris Burress Hero Award.