My Top 5 Event Design Moments of 2019
2019 was a big year for us at EZLD, and I am so appreciative for all of the wonderful clients, events and opportunities that came our way! As I look back on the past year I love to think about the events and designs that pushed me creatively, expanded my business or were simply a joy to create. Here are some of my top design moments from 2019 and the reasons why they meant so much…
1. Brand Installations: Hermès
This year there was no shortage of brands asking us to assist with breathtaking installations. Whether it was for beauty brand pop ups like Patrick Ta, Kosas and Dose of Colors, or high end fashion brand openings, creating quality, jaw dropping installations were a top request.
If I had to pick one installation I worked on this year that was like no other, I would have to say the work I did for the reopening of Hermès in Waikiki is it. This particular project was in all actuality something I put out into the universe at the beginning of the year when I met with my team. I recall saying to them that in 2019, I wanted to focus on more corporate and fashion brand clients, specifically that I wanted to do something for Hermès. Fast forward a few months and I’m in Hawaii creating massive installations with lush beautiful exotic flowers for one of my favorite fashion houses of all time.
On this project, I worked with vibrant colors such as hot pink, orange, red and yellow combining these with tons of greens. I predominantly focused on tropical flowers like birds of paradise, pin cushions, ginger, a wide variety of colored anthurium as well as orchids and my personal favorite that created the perfect base for the large floral chandelier - “Bo Derek Hair” hanging greens. I combined these with tropical foliage, using both silk and natural pieces. This chandelier stood over 9 feet tall and was the perfect focal point for one of the multiple rooms we were able to create in.
2. Color Palettes: Jewel Tones
While I know soft, pastel or blush colors are a trend that will be around forever, I love working with bold jewel tones. It provides for a level of sophistication and depth that’s unparalleled. I really pushed my clients this year to think outside what I like to call the “blush box”. I created some unbelievable events using rich colors like fuchsias, purples, emeralds and gold that left guests blown away. I didn’t limit my use of these hues to just one type of event. I used jewel tones when designing Sweet 16s, bridal showers, weddings, pop ups you name it when I thought it made sense.
If I had to pick one of my favorite jewel tone events for 2019, it would definitely be the wedding of Armine and Vahe held at Taglyan Complex right around the corner from the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The reason for this is multiple; first, internally there was a lengthy debate in the way I wanted to display the thousands of LED candles for the couple’s backdrop. I wanted the shelving to have a mirror backing so the LED lights reflected more intensely while the team was saying it wouldn’t work. We did a sample on one section of the back drop piece and when we lit the candles and placed them on the shelves, stepped back and looked, let’s just say – I won. Second, I loved the bride. She trusted me. She let me play with what I thought would work better for the season and for the bride. She’s a daring, edgy yet soft and beautiful woman and she allowed me to bring that forward in my design. Third, the look on the guests’ faces was one for the books! The sweetheart table truly illuminated the entire room and was the perfect way to highlight the bride and groom. In addition to adorning the couple with lots of candles, I used lush fuchsia spray roses, peonies, orchids, garden roses mixed with emerald hued greens that only magnified the richness of the floral.
3. Classic Wedding Design: Chuppahs
There’s something so meaningful and impactful about chuppahs and their role in wedding ceremonies. This year I continued to create what I’d like to think are some pretty spectacular chuppahs for my clients. One that I particularly loved was that of Ashley and Lior at the Four Seasons in Westlake Village. For their chuppah, we wanted it to be described as one thing – grand. So we took the bride’s request for lush to heart and as they stood in front of their loved ones during their ceremony, we surrounded them with an abundance of roses, wisteria and smilax. The bride and groom were over the moon and I had wedding guests sending me messages all night long saying how beautiful each part of the wedding was.
4. Milestone Birthdays
This year was full of celebrations and there were numerous events I designed specific to my clients reaching a milestone age. I had multiple Sweet Sixteen parties this year that were over the top and fabulous as well as a few grand 40th, 50th and 60th birthday party celebrations. If I had to pick one that tops my list, it would have to be my sister-in-law, Yana’s 40th birthday party. The party was held at the Sunset Room in Hollywood and was out of this world! Yana has fabulous taste and amazing ideas, so when she let me run free with piecing together different concepts for her big 4-0 I knew I had to impress! I contacted my friends that make amazing inflatable pieces, which I decided to hang from the ceiling in order to create a galaxy look. I used tons of iridescent paper and metallic pieces to create a futuristic look. We made sure to have tons of photo backdrop opportunities for her guests so each part of the room was Instagram and Pinterest worthy.
5. Trends: Monochrome
From all the events of this past year that I think will really trend in 2020, I have to say my dear friend Melody’s all-blue baby shower will likely be the biggest one. Even with the pompous grass sensation that is still dominating and with natural hues like browns and creams making a major come back, the dramatic monochromatic look of Melody’s Blue Baby shower is sure to be replicated over and over again. I always tell my team that sometimes beauty can be in its simplest form, in this case, one particular color. Repeating the same color but adding varying pieces for texture and depth allows for details to stand out. Check out the full baby shower post here, and see if you can spot any other monochromatic designs from 2019 on our blog!
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