Fall Event Style: 7 Things Designers Are Into — and Over
What’s in and what’s out for event design this fall? To find out, we got in touch with top designers — from the mind behind the new Encore hotel from Wynn Resorts to the designer of Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas’ wedding.
Find out what trends you should keep your eye on for this fall and beyond, what design ideas they’re oh-so-over and what’s inspiring them right now.
Rrivre Davies, Rrivre Works Inc.
Los Angeles-based designer known for impeccable style and fresh ideas
{excited about} I am excited about presenting more metallics and metal-inspired finishes — an Old World feel presented with a New World sensibility. Leafing is what is in the forefront of my mind with my brave clients — gold leaf, silver leaf, bronze, copper. All of these done with an underlying color of unexpected hue: turquoise, magentas, yellow, kelly green. High-gloss painted finishes on Old World items in unexpected colors. Remember those great antiques we found in the ’90s and we cursed the people from the 1970s for painting beautiful woods avocado green and burnt orange? Here we go again, but hey, let’s try to pick reproductions to paint and leave the work of artisans of old pristine.
{tired of} Glow bars. If I see one more company pump out a copy of the same style glow bar, I think I might just start wearing a mohawk. OK people, I finally traded in my discman for an iPod. The ’80s are calling and they want their glow bars back!
{inspired by} As more and more people dabble in the design realm, for better and often for worse, the one thing I think I have enjoyed is the unique color combinations some planners and individual clients dream up.
Roger P. Thomas, Wynn Resorts
crafted the interior of the new, much-lauded Encore hotel from Wynn Resorts
{excited about} My feeling regarding trends is that once you speak of something, it’s over. It is intriguing to read about some of the eco-conscious creativity going on in party décor using recycled paper materials. I’m hoping we can learn the elegance of restraint from the example of unbridled extravagance set by the financial community. Sometimes a single strand of pearls is best.
{tired of} I think outdoing the Joneses is extravagance. Also, bad interpretations of Jeffrey Latham’s flowers and tables so cluttered there’s no open space on them.
{inspired by} The Chinese Pavilion at Drottningholm Castle in Stockholm.
Bob Fryer, Pop! Ink | @PopInkLA
expert in art, graphics and branding for events and other projects
{excited about}
Right now I’m focusing on emerging and recently developing technologies. At my studio, we’re always looking for new ways to be inspired. Liese Gardner of Mecca Communications along with Rachel Globus of Event Solutions fueled us with a workshop on social media. RSS feeds like Google’s are cool too, making it easy to search many keywords, magazines or artists I want to watch for ideas. I tend to mine blogs and sites outside the event industry: industrial designers, graffiti artists, musicians, etc. Here’s a site I recently found that I like a lot: Touchey.
{tired of} As a designer and a graphic artist, it’s difficult to look at uninspired design. The good news is, powerful artistic tools are available to many. The bad news is, not everyone has the training and artistic eye to create concepts that really sing. Effective design communication needs to be more than simply stunning. It needs to convey the right message to your audience. My advice for anyone needing design? Consult with a professional!
{inspired by} Nature. I recently spent several days in pristine Mammoth Mountain in California. Being among lofty pines, rushing falls, towering rock formations and clear blue skies was a complete rush — the tones, the textures, the patterns. I took multitudes of pictures to serve as later sparks for creativity. Sometimes it’s so easy to forget that the best inspiration is all around us…at once simple yet very complex.
David Beahm, david beahm design | @davidbeahmdesig
inventive New York-based designer known for such successes as Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas’ wedding
{excited about} Corporations now realize that without being in their clients’ eye, they don’t make money — so while events will start to be popular again, designers can expect “stealth events.” Stealth event budgets can be healthy, only no one knows who is giving the event. There simply won’t be a lot of gobos with company logos splashed everywhere. Instead, designs can have a warmness and be more human — more about the consumer’s end-benefit than the company’s.
{tired of} While I support and respect the concept, “green” isn’t exactly working for me. It seems to be ringing false and trying way too hard.
{inspired by} We recently did the grand re-opening of The Royal Hawaiian Hotel “The Pink Palace of the Pacific,” and it made me fall in love with pink again. The hotel, the towels — everything is pink and it’s wonderful. It’s such a fantastic color that can be outrageous or absolutely elegant. With the sad recent passing of event magnate Robert Isabell, I was reminded that I was running a job for him years ago and in the daylight, all of the gauche pinks we were using were hurting my eyes, but then came nighttime and with theatrical lighting, the combination was magical. I think we have to get over the stigma of “blush and bashful” and use pink in bold, interesting ways — throw in some orange with it and you have a party! Besides, with the mess the world’s in, everything looks better in a little rosy light.
Todd Fiscus, todd. event design. creative services
Dallas-based event designer known for raising the bar in social, charity and other events
{excited about} Big trend for the fall: creating effective minimalism. Not modern design, just effective and well-placed design elements, effective floral statements, washes and patterns of lighting as opposed to pinspots, and focusing the energy and design into the heart of the party. For example, place suspension elements over a basic dance floor, as opposed to a custom dance floor. The effect is much more impactful.
{tired of} I am kind of tired of color-coordinated signature drinks…although they are pretty!
{inspired by} I am really into gold right now — gilt finishes, gold leather banquettes and apricot tones of floral. It feels so lush and yet fresh at the same time.
Todd-Avery Lenahan, ABA Design Studio
interior designer known for such projects as the room design of Encore hotel from Wynn Las Vegas
{excited about} A movement towards tradition, timelessness and modesty. When experiencing economic duress, consumers tend to find comfort in the familiar and with elements with which they have positive, settling and comfortable associations. Responsible and conservative spending on timeless and enduring design is the “new luxury.” Restraint will be in, unbridled extravagance will be out.
{tired of} Enormously over-scaled drums of suspended lamp shades, esoteric and miserably uncomfortable interiors, “HIP” hotels of any sort, and celebrities that are masquerading as furniture designers.
{inspired by} Images of planetary nebula taken by the Hubble space telescope.
Ed Libby, Ed Libby & Co.
look for this floral and event designer’s work in the likes of People, OK! and New York magazines
{excited about} Fall gives you the opportunity to use beautiful textural components that are more tactile and luxurious, such as embossed leather or exotic woods. We recently designed an event for the fall that uses Hermès-inspired belts and geofragge leather leaves as accents for a décor installation.
{inspired by} On a recent walk through the Malibu hills in California, I saw an orchid plant growing from a fallen tree stump. This past weekend I had a client tell me that she wanted something different and masculine for her husband’s birthday celebration at their Hamptons home. The inspiration from my walk turned into the talk of the town in Bridgehampton as I interpreted the fallen tree concept into a spectacular candlelit tablescape.