Tag Archives: DC

Back In Luxury Fashion with BE.Anthony handbags

Model Casandra Tressler styled with red sheath dress with black leather hobo bag. Dress: Veronica Beard via Ruth Shaw Boutique

Model Casandra Tressler styled with red sheath dress with black leather hobo bag. Dress: Veronica Beard via Ruth Shaw Boutique

As an event planner it’s important for me to keep a diverse set of clients and partners so I continue to learn, grow and hone my craft. Our current client list includes companies and organizations from the industries of education, composting, law and medicine. I always have a special place in my heart for the industry I started in, which is fashion.

Early on what sparked my interest in fashion was working with Phashion Phest Philadelphia under the tutelage of Sharon Phillips Waxman, one of the most innovative event producers I know. Phashion Phest remains a staple in the Delaware Valley and I was granted the opportunity to assist in two productions of this large-scale event in its very early years. From there I worked up and down the east coast on the production side of fashion-based events, though my experience and clientele became much broader in more recent years.

This fall we took on a new client, BE.Anthony, an online luxury handbag retailer who has an outstanding penchant for featuring some of the most gorgeous, unique designer pieces we’ve seen. The handbags are truly works of art. We worked with BE.Anthony to create a visual marketing campaign that featured a selection of handbags from their product line.

The exemplary creative team we assembled — which included stylist Pascale Lemaire via T.H.E. Artist Agency, makeup artist Dawn Newsome and hairstylist, Jeremiah of Alchemy and photographer Aycee Brown — executed a campaign that highlights this distinctive product line. Check out some featured photos from the shoot, below.

Behind the scenes of such a fun photo shoot. Seen here are Jeremiah of Alchemy Salon (hair), makeup artist Dawn Newsome and model Casandra Tressler.

Behind the scenes of such a fun photo shoot. Seen here are Jeremiah of Alchemy Salon (hair), makeup artist Dawn Newsome and model Casandra Tressler.

Green colorblock cocktail dress with structured V handle bag. Dress: Francescas Atelier

Green colorblock cocktail dress with structured V handle bag. Dress: Francescas Atelier

Red fan shaped stainless handbag. Jewelry: Mdurvwa :: Shoes: Kate Spade NY via The Little Shoe Box

Red fan shaped stainless handbag. Jewelry: Mdurvwa, Shoes: Kate Spade NY via The Little Shoe Box

Model Quan Michelle featured in colorblock Mondrian dress with blue bag with metal handle. Dress: Joseph Ribkoff via Jones and Jones Baltimore

Model Quan Michelle featured in colorblock Mondrian dress with blue bag with metal handle. Dress: Joseph Ribkoff via Jones and Jones Baltimore

Stainless cell phone shoulder bag. Boots: Frye via South Moon Under, Bracelet: Jones and Jones Baltimore

Stainless cell phone shoulder bag. Boots: Frye via South Moon Under, Bracelet: Jones and Jones Baltimore

Gorgeous etched stainless clutch. Jewelry: Pronovias via Jones and Jones Baltimore & Francescas Atelier, Shoes: Badgley Mischka via The Little Shoebox

Gorgeous etched stainless clutch. Jewelry: Pronovias via Jones and Jones Baltimore & Francescas Atelier, Shoes: Badgley Mischka via The Little Shoebox

Printed pants with beige jacket and red stainless fan-shaped bag Model: Casandra Tressler via The Artist Agency, Clothing: Helmut Lang & Cedric Charlier via Ruth Shaw Boutique, Shoes: Vince Camuto via The Little Shoebox

Printed pants with beige jacket and red stainless fan-shaped bag
Model: Casandra Tressler via The Artist Agency, Clothing: Helmut Lang & Cedric Charlier via Ruth Shaw Boutique, Shoes: Vince Camuto via The Little Shoebox

Model wears black leather shrug, beaded blouse, and boyfriend dans with stainless steel handbag with leather shoulder strap.

Model wears black leather shrug, beaded blouse, and boyfriend dans with stainless steel handbag with leather shoulder strap.

Event Spotlight: School Readiness Consulting

We are so proud that we’ve had such great opportunities to work with clients who are really interested in making the world a better place. With a background in early childhood education and raising young children ourselves it is absolutely wonderful to connect with clients like School Readiness Consulting (SRC) who are, by all standards, strategically facilitating the professional growth and development of those who are engaged in work related to the education, growth and development of young children.

School Readiness Consulting - Conversation and Feedback

Education professionals discuss the field and the important work they are engaged in.

This dynamic, woman-owned consulting firm re-launched its brand and celebrated its growing business with an affair that was held at their new Silver Spring, Maryland office. Our goal in producing this event with SRC was to effectively communicate how the firm was growing, how the exemplary work they do is positively contributing to the field of education and provide an guest experience that demonstrated the mission and goals of the SRC brand.

School Readiness Consulting guests engaged in conversation

School Readiness Consulting guests engaged in conversation

Guests were welcomed into the space which was outfitted with visuals demonstrating the initiatives and philosophy of the firm while highlighting the brand and reinforcing the work. Guests were treated to delicious fare from Olazzo as they navigated the new space.

Principles of School Readiness Consulting

Principles of School Readiness Consulting

Branded Giveaways from School Readiness Consulting's Open House included branded pens and branded moleskine notebooks

Branded Giveaways from School Readiness Consulting’s Open House included branded pens and branded moleskine notebooks

Branded Giveaways from School Readiness Consulting's Open House

Branded Giveaways from School Readiness Consulting’s Open House

We worked with the firm for weeks to develop an experiential design and innovative way of demonstrating the important work the firm is doing on local, regional and national levels. After strategizing we brought on Joe Azar who treated guests to a live graphic illustration creating, before guest’s eyes, a visual of the depth and breadth of the firm’s work. Guests were captivated watching the School Readiness Consulting story being told through this visual event experience.

Graphic illustrator, Joe Azar, draws the visual story of School Readiness Consulting's mission and work.

Graphic illustrator, Joe Azar, draws the visual story of School Readiness Consulting’s mission and work.

We were pleased to work with School Readiness Consulting to bring this event to remarkable success.

Event Branding: A Case Study with the Nonprofit Roundtable

Nonprofit Roundtable Logo

Nonprofit Roundtable Logo

We had the pleasure of working with the Nonprofit Roundtable just last month on a soft launch of their new brand and to produce their annual meeting, which featured compelling speaker, Dan Pallotta. Our suggested strategy for integrating the new organizational brand into a larger event branding strategy was two pronged, featuring, both, perceptible and subliminal branding approaches. The goal was to create an experience and environment that highlighted the brand prominently, but not overwhelmingly. One that was a short term action with long term value. What did that look like?

Perceptible Branding: Integrating graphic representations of the brand and the company/organization’s name in highly visible ways.

Branding in a compact design layout for event signage

Branding in a compact design layout for event signage

Subliminal Branding: Bringing forth elements of the brand and weaving them throughout the event experience.

Branding Suite -- signage, cake, macarons upon pedestal, vintage paper straws

Branding Suite — signage, cake, macarons upon pedestal, vintage paper straws

Vintage paper straws and on-brand macarons

Vintage paper straws and on-brand macarons

The central component of the suggested subliminal event branding design was the on-brand macaron display. Much like the membership of the Roundtable, the macarons, already elevated on a pedestal, are strategically positioned in a group to support one another. We also suggested featuring vintage paper straws carrying through the brand colors, along with a celebratory version of the macaron display with mini-sparklers.

On-brand macarons with mini-sparkler

On-brand macarons with mini-sparkler

You’ll see the new brand, developed in conjunction with the magnificent team at Neimand Collaborative, rolled out completely over the next few months. We congratulate the Nonprofit Roundtable on their tremendous accomplishments over the past year, an outstanding annual meeting and look forward to seeing more of the superb advocacy and leadership efforts the Roundtable provides to nonprofits throughout the region.

Huge thanks to Erika Layne Photography for capturing the branding details for our client, the Nonprofit Roundtable!

Not Your Average Cake

So many have integrated cupcakes into the food service at their special events, parties and weddings. I adore these cupcakes because there is a signature, unique style. Such dazzling design that they become a wonderful conversation piece. Fantastic!

Photo credit: Weheartit.com

Hollywood Designer to make an appearance at Soliloquy Bridal Couture

This is a CAN’T MISS event! Kevan Hall, the hearalded designer who has dressed everyone from Halle Berry and Charlize Theron to Renee Zellweger and Vanessa Williams, will be taking appointments for custom-fitted wedding and evening gowns on Saturday, November 12th at the fantastic new luxury bridal boutique, Soliloquy Bridal Couture.

With a hat tip to the most stylish and celebrated of the Hollywood elite many of the gowns have been coined apropos names, like Mansfield and Blanchette. The Kevan Hall White Label Collection, exclusive to Soliloquy Bridal Couture, maintains Mr. Hall’s fashion philosophy – “emphasizing purity of style, incomparable tailoring and sensuously draped streamlined silhouettes”. Modern and elegant, these works of fashion art range from $4,500 to $10,000. A pittance to look like a million bucks for your nuptials.

Make your appointment today for the November 12th affair at Soliloquy Bridal Couture by visiting www.soliloquybridal.com or by calling 571.449.2580.

Note that Kevan Hall is also being honored by the presitigious Washington Club on November 11th. For more information visit http://twcspecialevents.com. Press privileges can be attained through Celia Reyer by emailing membership@thewashingtonclub.com

Special Note: Look at for members of the Klover Events team who will be speaking at Soliloquy Bridal Couture’s February Bridal Forum! Details to come!!

You’re Engaged! Now What?: The Top 4 Things-to-do After You Get Engaged!

#1 Announce it!

First things first! Announce it to everyone! Whether you announce it like Maria in the Sound of Music or send a mass email, make sure to share the joy of your impending nuptials with all your friends and family so they can join in the celebration!

#2 Bridal Party
Determine whom you’d like to stand by your side on your wedding day. Be very thoughtful about the selections you make. Keep in mind that, particularly, in this economy, you should consider your potential bridal party’s ability to afford what can be a very expensive role. Consider those who have to travel, pay for garments, etc. This is not to say don’t ask them. This is more to say, be prepared for the possibility that they may not be in a position to afford to support you in that way. We recommend asking early in the process as the longer people have to pay, the more it eases the cost. If you can afford this by paying for some of those costs, be prepared to have that conversation, as well.

#3 The Numbers: 1+1 is not just a Beyonce song

Consider now how much you want to spend on your wedding. Consider the absolute maximum you can afford. Everyone wants an amazing wedding day, but be realistic for your own good. You don’t want to be paying for your wedding day 10 years from now, so being realistic in the beginning and staying within budget are a must.

#4 Develop the Budget

It is imperative that you set a budget in the beginning. Before you do anything else, we recommend developing a detailed budget. From the fancy favors you want to give your guests to the venue to the boutonnières, each and every possible associated cost should be included in your budget. This considered, your budget should be more than a page. If you are working with a wedding planner they should have a really good template that you can customize for your own needs. To give you an idea, the budget template we provide our clients is five…count ‘em, (one, two, three, four) FIVE pages. Details are a must!