Gilt City launched its Tastemakers series with an invite-only party at 28 Degrees on September 14. Local philanthropist Ashley Bernon, dubbed “Boston’s biggest cheerleader” by Gilt City Boston senior curator Erica Corsano, is the inaugural tastemaker for the Web site, which offers deals for members on luxury items and experiences.
“Tastemakers will feature a well-curated collection of packages from the city’s top influencers,” Corsano said. “It’s also an opportunity for them to leverage [Gilt City] to talk about what they’re doing.” The brand will introduce Tastemakers in 10 markets nationwide, with San Francisco slated to launch next. Boston was an ideal launch pad for the initiative, Corsano said, because the city has a strong sense of community and brand loyalty.
The Tastemakers series aims to expose Bostonians to local notables' favorite brands and charities. The event reflected that goal with interactive setups for each of the companies included in a sale that Bernon curated for the site, such as National Jean Company, Winston Flowers, Mizu Salon, Asana at the Mandarin Oriental, Rafanelli Events, and Sweet.
Mandarin Oriental executive pastry chef Nelson Paz served cheesecake push-pops, Sweet doled out branded cupcakes, and National Jean Company brought along an edited selection of jeans and accessories.
While Rafanelli Events' planning services don’t easily translate to a sample-size item, the Rafanelli team provided the night’s entertainment with a lottery-style air mixer filled with ping-pong balls. Guests who pulled out balls with certain numbers won prizes from the represented brands.
The atmosphere was personalized and inclusive, a vibe Gilt City hoped to achieve. “That energy reflects the goal of Tastemakers,” Corsano said. “Even the venue choice was Ashley’s favorite late-night hangout.”
