Grammy Award-winning musician Pharrell Williams introduced his new premium liquor, Qream, to Washington on Friday with a 430-guest party at the newly renovated Decatur House on Lafayette Square. The peach- and strawberry-flavored cream liqueur developed with spirits company Diageo is aimed at women, and decor for the launch party had a Versailles theme—decidedly feminine, with pink uplighting, glowing bars, and Qream logos projected on brick courtyard walls. "We like to bring in the colors of the product to the event, and since it's geared toward women, we wanted the aesthetic to capture their attention," said Cornerstone Agency director of events Katie Youngkin.
Youngkin worked with Pharrell on previous Qream-branded launch events in New York, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. For the D.C. party, they wanted to find a venue that fit the brand’s regal, Versailles-inspired theme and that also would be new to guests in Washington.
The Decatur House had the right look, with a brick garden courtyard, chandeliers and historic features. The Qream party is the first private event hosted there since the venue was renovated. "It’s about finding unique spaces. So many people [at the party] told me they hadn't been to Decatur House before,” said Youngkin. "We picked what I think is the perfect venue, then we brought in the details that Qream is all about."
Sponsor Washington Life magazine helped produce the guest list for the evening, which included celebs like Pusha T of the Clipse, Chuck Brown, rapper Fam-Lay, and The Wire’s Anwan Glover. Guests lined up for photo-ops with Pharrell and for Qream cocktails mixed with Ciroc Coconut, and enjoyed hors d'oeuvres like sliders, French fries, and strawberry-topped cupcakes.
