A Fashionable Impression
A Dose of Sass
By Steve Kemble
MY PASSION FOR FASHION IS NO SECRET. Nothing inspires my event and meeting design work more than the colors and textures of fashion. Recently, I spent eight days in New York attending Fashion Week, reporting for CBS television and radio. My adrenaline has never pumped at such an energetic pace! From the parties to the fashion shows (designers were showing their spring 2010 collections), I left inspired and wanted to share some of my experiences with you in hopes that you, too, are inspired to bring some of the fabulousness into your events.
ON THE EVENT FRONT
Aroma
When playing host to an event, whether it be hundreds of white rose bushes lining the entry or a delicious and amazing dish, you must remember to touch people’s senses.
Bite Size Hors d’oeuvres
At most of the Fashion Week events, caterers discovered the world of bite-size hors d’oeuvres. When I say bite-size, I really mean bite-size; one bite and you’re done. No napkins, skewers, forks or plates, which makes a party experience much more enjoyable. I wish more of the caterers had been conscious about garlic and onions in appetizers. Trust me, it is not enjoyable to be in conversation with people who have just popped a garlic-infused appetizer.
Candles
Every event I attended was flooded with candles. You cannot create a more sexy, romantic and cost-effective atmosphere better than with candles. In all shapes and sizes, they are still the hottest party design trend, and if you use them en masse you will still be considered cutting edge. However, beware of using scented candles on dining tables and food buffets. Nothing should compete with the fabulous aromas of your food.
ON THE FASHION FRONT
What we now see on the runway, a year or two later we will see in the colors, patterns and accessory trends in event and meeting design.
Gold! Gold! And More Gold!
I saw gold everywhere. If you’ve got gold, don’t hesitate to break it out. From food service serving pieces to table accents to drapery treatments, gold is going to make a strong comeback. I find it quite refreshing after spending so many years awash in silver and pewter tone finishes.
Organic
This probably will not come as a big surprise, but I saw a bunch of organic elements in the designers’ collections. The famously quirky dresser David Arquette has a clothing line made from organic products with his business partner Ben Harper called Propr—intentionally misspelled. Don’t hesitate to bring organic fabrics, both textured and eclectic, into your event in furniture, draperies, linens and cushions.
Architecture
Many of the collections I saw had strong architectural elements, which made me think about events and meetings. People think of architecture as only relating to the design of the overall event itself, but architecture should also be reflected in the elements inside your event. Select pieces for the furniture collection in your lounge environment much like a designer selects the different pieces for his or her clothing collections—it all ties together magnificently. Not only does the process of selecting the furniture itself take time, so does selecting the various components that make it a unique and remarkable environment. For example, once designers determine the architecture of a particular garment (what it will look like), they then spend months looking at fabrics. I recommend selecting furniture with a distinctive architecture that will be fabulous the day you select it and 50 years from now.
If you want to make a fashionable impression on your clients and their guests consider the colors and textures of fashion. Much as designers select a theme for their collections, you can be inspired from fashion for the next theme you present to your client. One+
STEVE KEMBLE has been the magic behind countless international events for more than 20 years, from celebrating NFL players' accomplishments to organizing parties for two presidents. Follow him at www.adoseofsass.com or on Twitter @stevekemblechat.