Inspired invites
‘Party stylists’
Nothing inspires creativity like a modest budget. And that’s why self-described “party stylists” Christopher Worland, a recreation supervisor for the city of West Hollywood, and Dawn Moreno-Freedman, a former publicist who now works at the Museum of Television & Radio, earn raves from friends for their whimsical gatherings, complete with parlor games and theme menus. None of their invitations has cost more than $4.
For a birthday party last June, they sent out invitations folded inside the little trinket containers found in some gumball machines, urging guests to “bring your favorite curio to show off.” One friend brought a former Benedictine monk and another brought an 80-year-old former vaudeville singer.
For a tapas dinner party held on New Year’s Eve, they printed invitations on copies of a Spanish bullfight poster that they found on the Internet, reduced and scorched to make the paper look authentically old.
For a 40th birthday party in March at Hop Louie in Chinatown, Moreno-Freedman printed the invite on their home computer and then pasted it onto brightly colored Chinese fans. “Everything we do, anyone can do,” says Worland.
The thread of an idea
Designer Cynthia Vincent admits the mini sewing-kit invitation to her April 2 fashion show at the downtown Los Angeles Standard Hotel was an “obvious reference.” But she saw the idea as kitsch from her childhood. “My mother taught me how to sew when I was 6,” says Vincent. “For me, the sewing kit was this natural progression.” The small plastic “ticket” worked perfectly as an entry pass to the show of Vincent’s collection, which she characterizes as “urban sophisticated.” The event was such a hit with the models that several opted for clothing in lieu of payment. “Some people told me later, ‘I loved the invitation and I really needed a sewing kit,’ ” says Vincent. “It was exactly what I wanted. I wanted a reaction.”
Definitely not a kegger
This Lilliputian yoga mat lured Brooke Shields, Mira Sorvino and Christina Applegate, among others, to a Hollywood Hills estate for an afternoon of healthful pampering, free yoga clothing and sly marketing. Held to launch Down Dog Couture, a new line of yoga duds by Los Angeles designers Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor of Juicy Couture, the February party for 50 featured reflexology, Tarot card readings, vitamins and herbal teas.
“It was not going to be your normal event in that it was based on healthiness, exercise and good nutrition,” says the invite’s designer, Eliane Henri, director of event production at Harrison and Shriftman. The invites were cut from adult-size yoga mats and then silk-screened with the information.
As edamame-munching guests perused clothing racks and tried on Ugg boots, Anna Getty tried to lead guests in a yoga class. Only Rosanna Arquette attempted some poses before a roaming camera crew grew a bit too interested and she gave up.
-- Gina Piccalo
