SHOPBOP ULTIMATE CLOSET

What a week we had last week with Shopbop opening their doors in Sydney for three days only, coinciding with Vogue Fashion’s Night Out and the launch of their new game and short film for their website relaunch featuring Christopher Benz, Thakoon and Rachel Zoe.

We were delighted to have the opportunity to work with this amazing US e-tailer and their fabulous PR team TORSTAR.

It all started with finding the perfect temporary retail space – high traffic, close to the hub of VFNO and be truly cosmopolitan – so on a rainy Sunday morning, we put on our gumboots and pounded the pavement to find the most perfect space on Castlereagh Street.

Next it was to enlist five fabulous personalities to form the basis of the event concept – to create five closets that reflect their style and must have pieces. The ‘Ultimate Closet’ collection was curatored by model Jescinta Campbell, Vogue Australia editor Edwina McCann, The Vine blogger Alyx Gorman, stylist Kelly Smythe and The Voice finalist Sarah De Bono, showcased some of the best online offerings that Shopbop has to offer.

When the boxes of merchandise landed for the ‘Ultimate Closet’ event, there was a lot of ooh-ing and arh-ing, adding to our wishlists and trying things on before we really had to get down to work to ensure the store was ready to go.

The doors opened on Wednesday and featured instore appearance by the ever-delightful Sarah De Bono who was on hand to give an insight into her favourite

pieces she she’d have in her dream closet. On Thursday the gorgeous Kelly Smyte and Alyx Gorman where on had to offer there styling tip and discussing current trends before the VFNO celebration began.

The weather was perfection, the city was buzzing and the Shopbop party was pumping to hot tunes of DJCassette and plenty of sparkling wine for all, including Megan Washington, Samara Weaving and April Rose Pengilly.

Sadly on Friday evening it all had to come to an end, with the merchandise being packed up and saying goodbye to our Shopbop haven.

Let’s hope they come back and do it all again next year!

THE GO TO DIRECTORY : Miss Jones in Love

Last week saw the launch of the stunning new website Miss Jones in Love. The website is the brain child of Jennifer Jones from Have you met Miss Jones - the lifestyle company dedicated to providing contemporary designs for the interior – and provides a whimsical and unique designs that combine to create exceptional and distinct touches to events.

Not only does this new site offer beautiful homewares and inspirational content, it also offers a directory of a selection of their favourite suppliers by state to help your event even more special.

Have a look at Miss Jones Event Directory and under NSW Wedding Planners you will find…..US! We are delighted to be including on this sophisticated and chic directory.

Happy planning!

OLD HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR

Last week we were in LA working on future projects, sourcing new products, soaking up the sunshine and getting a good solid dose of LA style.

The event industry in the US, particularly LA, is truly something else. There you have easy access to the most incredible, delicate desserts; invitations that are letter pressed, foiled and on paper stock so thick that there is no chance of paper cuts; an abundance of flowers – imported and sourced locally - and plenty of unique and breathtaking venues to choose from. And on top of all of that, LA is buzzing with talent, so finding new and exciting entertainment options to perform at events never takes long.

LA has a long and established history for hosting some of the world’s most watched annual events such as the Emmys, Grammys and of course the Oscars. Each year these events reflect old Hollywood glamour with Art Deco twists – and there’s nothing more chic then a colour palette of black, white, silver and gold.

A prime example of Hollywood glamour at its best would the Vanity Fair Oscar Party held at the iconic Sunset Towers Hotel each year. The venue is quintessentially LA  – a beautifully terraced pool area with sweeping views of the city  – and a guest list that reflects the who’s who of Hollywood Royalty.

It’s a party that we look forward to seeing each year. It’s also the event where the idea of an interactive photo booth was born, since copied countless times at events the world over.

And it doesn’t stop there – the Polo Lounge at the Beverley Hills Hotel or the infamous Chateau Marmont – all provide a long history of glamorous events that continue to set the tone.

YAGO HORTAL

Recently we came across an artist, YAGO HORTAL, who creates lusciously vibrant paintings of explosive colour that you just cant turn away from.

The Berlin-based Spanish artist drips, smears and splashes layers of acrylic paint onto canvas to create these truly amazing abstract expressionistic works of art.

They are mesmerising, emotional, bold and we desperately want one!

WHAT INSPIRES US...

 Our clients are constantly asking us to come up with new ideas, unique concepts and that ultimate venue that has yet to be used by anyone else  – and all on a budget, of course! Sometimes these budgets can be challenging and we have to figure out the most cost effective solutions, and other times we can have a little fun. But at the end of the day we find our inspirations in much the same way.

Here are some of the things that inspire us:

FASHION – the runway, in particular Paris Fashion Week, is an endless source of inspiration. The fabric, the texture, the colours and then the parties of the luxury fashion houses – think Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Valentino – they’re epic, they’re groundbreaking and they’re beautiful.

TRAVEL – today we are lucky enough to have travel at our fingertips. We can jump in the car, on a plane and get to places that used to take days, weeks or months in a matter of moments.  Traveling is the best time to immerse yourself into other cultures and expose yourself to new trends and objects that you can’t wait to incorporate into your next project.

RELATIONSHIPS – by exposing ourselves to a range of talented and exciting individuals, we allow ourselves to see things from a different point of view and to learn new ideas, often in new environments. This is also the case when working with new client. More often than not, they will come with an idea that opens up a whole new way of thinking about the project at hand.

MOVIES – the world of film is a magical place and often provides me with my greatest source of inspiration. I love nothing more than watching a visual feast of images and events come together in a great movie. Some of my favourite films for inspiration have been Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, Tim Burtons’ Alice in Wonderland and Baz Lurham’s 

Romeo + Juliet.

BLOGS – the Internet and particularly the explosion of blogs over the past few years have opened up a whole new world of inspiration. Whether their focus be on design, food, entertainment or travel they continue to inspire us daily.

There are days where you just can’t muster up any form of inspiration, even after drawing on the elements we’ve listed above.  Our advice? Just keep at it!  Somehow, in the end it all comes together resulting in an incredible sense of achievement. 

INSPIRATIONS...Coloured Glassware

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again! Here at Marilyn Grace we LOVE coloured glassware. We can’t get enough of it  - whether it’s a featured drinking goblet on the table, a bright vase filled with pure white flowers, tea light votives to glisten in candle light, or just because – it always gets us very excited!

Coloured glassware adds that extra layer of depth to any special occasion, especially on a table top, and best of all it can easily be incorporated into your next event regardless of your budget.

WINTER WEDDINGS

Winter is a great time to get married in Australia. There’s less rainfall through the months of June to August compared to the ever popular Spring months; you are more likely to secure your preferred venue; beautiful flowers such as sweet peas, camellias, tulips, freesias and hyacinths are at their prime; and being outside the peak season for weddings prices can be more affordable. And if that’s not enough you to sway you, after it’s all over you can escape the winter blues and head off on a romantic, sun-filled honeymoon in Europe or the United States!