Fab Fetes: Fashionable Balloons

Balloons signal celebration and happiness.  And usually they’re associated with kid’s parties or an earlier carefree childhood.  But have you noticed how these days, fashion designers and savvy event planners have incorporated them as part of their fashionable visual? I was struck by the recent popularity of balloons as fashionable decor during a recent 5th Ave. stroll.

See below how the luxurious label, LVMH crowded their window display with customized balloons as their main visual interest.

About a month ago, Henri Bendel used clustered balloons in their signature brown and white theme.  Notice how clutches hold them down?

And Tiffany’s displayed unique half-mannequins holding a cluster of balloons that made me want a ton of balloons for my next birthday.The Tiffany’s store display reminded me of Juicy Couture, a brand that loves balloons.  Their iconic ad features a model being carried away by a bunch of helium balloons and fittingly, Juicy’s launch party was filled with balloons sort of bringing the ad to life.

The Juicy ad reminds  me of this picture I saw of beautiful LVMH logo-ed balloons.

I found this image through a new blog I like.  http://pinklemonadedesign.blogspot.com/ which covers similar topics that FabGab loves.

There are many ways in which balloons can also be incorporated in a chic way at events (catered to adults, not kids).  Amy Atlas, an event planner I featured recently,  incorporated enlarged white balloons in her dessert table presentation.  See below.I also loved this photo of another classy event from “A Bride in the Making”  featured at Martha Stewart.com

Other event images that make me want a balloon-filled birthday party…

Is anyone else in the mood to celebrate?  What do you think?  Are balloons a chic addition to an event?  What about the idea of having friends bring and sign a helium balloon in replacement of the traditional birthday card to your next birthday party?  The above should inspire unique photo opps and event planning.  Let me know what you think!

Event and Dessert Table Styling by Amy Atlas

Lawyer turned dessert table designer and event planner extraordinaire, Amy Atlas creates stylish and sweet displays that quickly become the highlight to any fete’.  I find these images so inspiring! (photos from Amy Atlas)

This particular display was for a corporate event but I can see it working for a sophisticated birthday party or wedding with a black / white color theme.  Some reasons this display looks so fabulous and some keys to creating an impactful dessert display for yourself are listed below:

  • Keep everything (frosting, vases, flowers and linens for example,) strictly within the selected color theme
  • Consider the background.  Where is the table going to be placed and how will the background coordinate?  Consider adding a strip of wallpaper or painted background to a temporary plywood backdrop or framed art piece for example.  Or try lanterns or an ornate mirror in the background for optimal photo ops.
  • Add dimension and think layers.  Place items behind and in front of each other rather than on one boring line and remember to think 3dimensionally by varying the heights to add interest.
  • Vary texture.  Just like when creating an outfit, mixing textures and patterns, creates visual interest.  Here you see a contrast between smooth frosting with bumpy, rough-edged pretzels and intricately patterned chocolates with dotted dice chocolates.
  • Desserts should be different sizes.  Notice how the large modern patterned cake contrasts with the smaller bite-sized pieces.

Have any other tips to creating a memorable dessert table?  Is anyone else inspired to look for excuses to create their own dessert table?

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