Fete Events

After many years in the event business, I still try to use every event as an opportunity to discover new ideas and improve at my craft. Recently, Fete orchestrated a wedding at the beautiful Banyan Tree Mayakoba in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico (check back soon for a detailed recap.) One of the evening’s most dramatic elements came during the reception, after guests had danced under the clear night sky and the couple had cut the cake. The groom invited guests onto the beach for a bonfire, s’mores, and a Mexican wedding tradition—the latter of which I learned about three weeks prior. As guests meandered to the shore, our team began lighting Globos de Cantoya—paper lanterns that act like a hot air balloons and ascend to the stars like angels.

It was a team effort, which the guests loved participating in. Here’s how it works: You write down a wish, tie it to the globe, then two people hold it up while a third lights a fire at the base. At the fire burns, the Globo fills with hot air (carbon dioxide) until you can simply let go and watch your wish float to the sky. (we used 100% biodegradable versions, so we felt very globally responsible about your globos.) We were blessed with perfect weather, and the effect was one that all present will remember forever.

Just goes to show: When you think you know it all, you don’t allow yourself to be open to new ideas.

I love it when party guests say, “You had me at, ‘Hello.’” To set the scene for a holiday bash in Chicago this year—Fete’s seventh annual event for the same wonderful client—we had a trio of flirty cigarette girls greet revelers upon entry. Decked out in (very) affordable costumes, the ladies called everyone “Dollface” and distributed their alphabetized escort cards—which were printed onto packages of candy cigarettes that bore the company’s logo. It was very “Pall Mall chic.”

Our “Roaring ’20s” theme was set to whisk people away in a crescendo of style, forbidden cocktails, heavenly food, and lively dancing, and it was a big hit to start their nights off strong with these classy dames. Once inside, guests were transported back in time to a ritzy supper club, as mirror-top tables, towering palm trees, and even an oversized prize wheel set the stage for serious cheer. To play up the Prohibition theme, we had “moonshine” cocktails aplenty, and everyone had an absolute blast. Needless to say, the client was pleased.

A note on hiring cigarette girls, particularly in Chicago: If you contact just any “burlesque” company, you may wind up with something else. That’s probably not the effect you’re going for. We found our elegant triumvirate through a modeling agency, and they were well schooled in the art of keeping their clothes on.

I had a fantastic New Year’s Eve celebrating with Bravo and the “Bravolebrities”.  Andy Cohen and his team were kind enough to invite me and my team to plan and design the “Watch What Happens Live: Andy’s New Year’s Eve” party.  We transformed the space next to their studio (home of Andy’s Clubhouse) so it had the same look and feel.  While televising live for two hours, the real party was taking place behind the scenes and after they went off the air at 12:30am.  Nothing makes for a crazier party than a few Real Housewives and their pets.

I also enjoyed helping jazz up the actual clubhouse with a few special details including my sofa and zebra pelt.  Here are a few photos – a few more on my facebook page.

Step and Repeat

Lightbox Bar

Greeting Guests in the Elevator

Spin the Wheel

Celebrate 2011!

For you Bravo addicts, I’m hard at work designing a New Years Eve Party for Bravo’s live broadcast of “Watch What Happens Live: Andy’s New Year’s Party”.   It airs on Bravo New Year’s Eve from 10:30pm – 12:30am.  I may have to TIVO Snooki’s Ball Drop but get to the Kim Zolciak Wig Drop live!

Wishing a very happy and healthy New Year to All!

http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/12/13/on-the-scene-bravos-watch-what-happens-live/

At this recent event, I designed this dinner tent to feel like a warm yet sophisticated dining room.  Because we used small 6-8 person custom dining tables and banquets, we needed a strong element to unify the room.  Thus we created four over-sized industrial metal drum shades.  I love searching for the perfect harmony between rough and fine materials.  Here, we balanced elegant silk and wool elements with the rough burlap and metal shades.

Here is a peak at the same space during a winter site visit.

While New York City offers incredible venues, nothing inspires me more than nature. But at night, proper and dramatic lighting is everything.   After dinner, guests were surprised to see such a dramatic scene – gorgeous up-lit mature trees surrounding our fun dance tent.  The beat of the music had guests running down into the tent after an extraordinary dinner party.

For this Desert in the Middle-East inspired party, I was able to have a lot of fun with the overall decor.    I designed these twin camel bookshelves made to great guests entering the tent.   And they smelled a lot better than real camels.

I had a great time working on this Thanksgiving table makeover segment for Oprah magazine.   The fun for me is the challenge involved capturing the style and personality of a party’s host, in this case Martha Odell.  Happy Thanksgiving!

We got to have some fun designing Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream Album Release Party at the brand new Gansevoort Park hotel (I highly recommend you to check out the bar and event space on the top two floors!).    Inspired by Katy’s love of candy, we turned the roof into the Candy Shoppe of her dreams.  She loved the candy rings and jewelry.

At this recent Alice in Wonderland-inspired afternoon cocktail party, guests were kindly offered food and drinks by two of New York’s premier waiters,  Tweedledum and Tweedledee.