Refecting Brand Heritage
Van Cleef & Arpels
Wolfsonian FIU Gala Invitation Suite
Van Cleef & Arpels commissioned Tsang Seymour to develop an invitation suite for The Mirror Ball, a gala benefiting the Wolfsonian FIU in Miami. Tsang Seymour's creative direction was inspired by live performances by Nick Cave and Vanessa Beecroft and decor design by curator Neville Wakefield, a manufactured forest room for cocktails before dinner served in an inner transparent dining room with an illuminated floor. The raw, untamed nature of the forest is placed in contrast to the modern white and reflective surfaces found in contemporary culture.
The invitation and the guest gift were created to engage the Van Cleef & Arpels/Wolfsonian audiences through a design narrative that starts with the opening of the invite and concludes with guests receiving custom boxed masquerade masks,
The boxed invitation from Van Cleef & Arpels with Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Abess for a black-tie dinner benefitting the Wolfsonian-Florida International University in Miami.
Event design by Neville Wakefield.
Over 400 guests made their way to Hanger 102 Opa-Locka Executive Airport, which was transformed into an enchanted forest and a hall of mirrors under the direction of curator Neville Wakefield.
Event curator and designer Neville Wakefield’s vision statement of the gala decor, a “mirrored room set in a rich forest” inspired our choice of materials, imagery, and production. Van Cleef’s rich design archives lead to our use of the presentation box and mylar envelope enclosure.
Guests viewed a series of intriguing and provocative tableaux vivants by Vanessa Beecroft, a Los Angeles-based artist known for her performance works with nudes.
We designed the evening’s gift for guests — a boxed Mirrored Ball mask that invites attendees to become part of the evening performances.
A special performance featuring Nick Cave’s Soundsuits, a combination of ceremony, costume, wearable art, and social commentary.
All event images courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels.
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