Magazines are becoming as well known for throwing fabulous events as they are for publishing fabulous pages, and new-kid-on-the-rack Suede wasted no time joining (or rather, hosting) the event-planning party.
The fashion magazine for women of color celebrated the its “Fab Forty” issue, which honors 40 fashion industry up-and-comers. Suede editor in chief Suzanne Boyd, creative director Richard Christiansen, editor at large Ian Hylton, senior marketing manager Dawn Baxter, and Essence director of special events Candace Montgomery teamed with Plug Unlimited’s Lyman Carter and Harriette de Jersey to create an event worthy of the tastemakers they were toasting.
To emphasize the magazine’s street cred and create a focal point in Skylight’s vast space, a boxing ring from the Church Street Boxing Gym was placed in the center of the room, where Thai boxers, break-dancers from the Rock Steady Crew, and athletes trained in the Brazilian martial art of capoeira performed. “‘Chic meets street’ is the way [Suede] positions itself,” said Carter. “The boxing ring made for a visual centerpiece that evokes a street, urban environment. Boxing is tough, and it’s related to the streets in that a lot of boxers come from the streets.”
The rest of the space was filled with set design company Readyset’s custom-built hip, modern lounge areas. White banquettes and chaise longues lined the walls and were covered with bright fuschia cushions and throw pillows in pink, gold, and the same neon-bright pink, yellow, and blue pattern of Suede’s logo. Strips of metallic pink confetti covered the floor and the white cocktail tables. A graffiti art piece depicting the Fab Forty created by graffiti artist David Chino was displayed on a large wall. Travis Bass projected the Suede logo and artist Paul Reilly's illustrations of the 40 individuals being honored on the walls and onto white spheres suspended from the ceiling.
Target sponsored the bathroom lounges. Kate Kerfoot, Target senior specialist of event marketing, hired Kristin Barrett Brown Design to decorate the women’s room with pretty pink flowers and fuzzy white rugs, and fun freebies like Sonia Kashuk nail polish, bull’s eye-branded emery boards in red cases, and flashing fake-bling rings.
Olivier Cheng Catering and Events caterwaiters served appetizers on underlit Lucite trays, including mini open-faced lobster BLTs with cilantro mayo; jambalaya shrimp cakes with andouille and creole mustard aioli; and mini truffled grilled cheese sandwiches with celery relish and coconut spinach on papadum.
—Erika Rasmusson Janes
The fashion magazine for women of color celebrated the its “Fab Forty” issue, which honors 40 fashion industry up-and-comers. Suede editor in chief Suzanne Boyd, creative director Richard Christiansen, editor at large Ian Hylton, senior marketing manager Dawn Baxter, and Essence director of special events Candace Montgomery teamed with Plug Unlimited’s Lyman Carter and Harriette de Jersey to create an event worthy of the tastemakers they were toasting.
To emphasize the magazine’s street cred and create a focal point in Skylight’s vast space, a boxing ring from the Church Street Boxing Gym was placed in the center of the room, where Thai boxers, break-dancers from the Rock Steady Crew, and athletes trained in the Brazilian martial art of capoeira performed. “‘Chic meets street’ is the way [Suede] positions itself,” said Carter. “The boxing ring made for a visual centerpiece that evokes a street, urban environment. Boxing is tough, and it’s related to the streets in that a lot of boxers come from the streets.”
The rest of the space was filled with set design company Readyset’s custom-built hip, modern lounge areas. White banquettes and chaise longues lined the walls and were covered with bright fuschia cushions and throw pillows in pink, gold, and the same neon-bright pink, yellow, and blue pattern of Suede’s logo. Strips of metallic pink confetti covered the floor and the white cocktail tables. A graffiti art piece depicting the Fab Forty created by graffiti artist David Chino was displayed on a large wall. Travis Bass projected the Suede logo and artist Paul Reilly's illustrations of the 40 individuals being honored on the walls and onto white spheres suspended from the ceiling.
Target sponsored the bathroom lounges. Kate Kerfoot, Target senior specialist of event marketing, hired Kristin Barrett Brown Design to decorate the women’s room with pretty pink flowers and fuzzy white rugs, and fun freebies like Sonia Kashuk nail polish, bull’s eye-branded emery boards in red cases, and flashing fake-bling rings.
Olivier Cheng Catering and Events caterwaiters served appetizers on underlit Lucite trays, including mini open-faced lobster BLTs with cilantro mayo; jambalaya shrimp cakes with andouille and creole mustard aioli; and mini truffled grilled cheese sandwiches with celery relish and coconut spinach on papadum.
—Erika Rasmusson Janes
At Suede magazine's "Fab 40" issue party at Skylight, a boxing ring from the Church Street Boxing Gym served as a stage in the center of the room, and Travis Bass projected artist Paul Reilly's illustrations of the 40 individuals onto white spheres suspended from the ceiling.
White banquettes and chaise lounges covered with bright fuchsia cushions printed pillows lined the walls. Strips of metallic pink confetti covered the floor and the white cocktail tables.
Reflections of light off a disco ball moved across the wall behind one of the bars.
Olivier Cheng Catering and Events’ caterwaiters passed hors d’oeuvres on underlit trays decorated with the pattern taken from Suede's logo.
