June 28, 2010

Highline Benefit

A few weeks ago I was invited by my good friend and business colleague, Bronson Van Wyck, by far the most talented party designer ever.

The High Line is a charity he has been very instrumental with. Cocktails took place on top of the High Line and dinner at Phillips de Pury Gallery.

The design of the gallery was spectacular. I was really impressed by all the fabulous installations created by Van Wyck & Van Wyck.

To reference this year’s theme of “Keep it Wild,” Bronson van Wyck and his team at Van Wyck & Van Wyck installed hundreds of wild plants and flowers across the dinner area with huckleberry, asparagus ferns, pitcher plants, blueberry branches, and other tropical vegetation. The greenery was incredibly lush .. so dramatic and unique.

Unifying the collection of rooms at the Phillips de Pury gallery, Bronson created suspended foliage which flowed from room to room including over 600 feet of foliage “waves.”

Everything was hanging to resemble the High Line. This installation not only guided guests through the space but also brought warmth to the stark white gallery.

The central gathering room featured an 18’ long steel and black glass reflecting pool with over 100 altar candles suspended over the water by a free-flowing bamboo structure.

I loved the hanging candles,the pond, bamboo structures and wall of green.

Alongside the Phillips’ collection of art, Bronson created a series of Japanese bamboo sculptures which hung throughout the gallery rooms inspired by the shapes of railways, flowers, and the High Line logo.

Truly magical and so happy to have seen it.

Thanks Bronson for your never ending imagination.