Midnight in Paris Party

Last holiday season we were asked by Gen Next to create a creative and introspective holiday party for their distinguished members. I immediately thought of one of my favorite movies Midnight in Paris. The story goes like this… An American writer in Paris is looking for inspiration and ends up going back in time to meet his favorite artists of that bygone era. But what he soon learns is that even the artists of that era looked back to the era before them.. creating the endless cycle of always admiring the elegance and mystique we always longingly look towards history with instead of living in the now.  My vision for the party was to give the guests the chance to slowly step back into time, era by era as the party progressed.  The Carondelet House, an Italian style villa built in the 20’s  in the middle of downtown Los Angeles, was the perfect setting…

In the first courtyard of this 1920’s villa we offered guests a sip of the ‘Green Fairy’ at our absinthe bar. As guests ventured further through the party they found a gallery we created with canvasses of the artists featured in the movie such as Toulouse-Latrec, Picasso and Dali. Holiday go-ers nibbled on a candlelit dessert display and helped themselves to an over the top whiskey and spirit bar  in the ‘Starry Starry Night’ courtyard we created where a cult-level whiskey aficionado gave guests tasting lessons and the backstory on some of their favorite spirits and liquors. Josephine Baker had to come make an appearance on the dance floor of course to do her famous banana dance which kicked off the evening of  electro jazz mixed with acoustical musicians such as bongos and saxophone.

Event Design & Planning Alchemy Fine Events

Photography Heidi Ryder

Venue Carondelet House

Flowers  Isari Flower Studio

Rentals Archive Vintage Rentals

Entertainment On Demand Lifestyle Staffing