As we progress from that first birthday party, the types of parties we attend begin to change. No longer are there balloons on the mailbox and we trade in our plastic Disney plates for China. Regardless of the party, one thing that remains the same is a good time.
For designer Lela Rose, a good time is a surefire sign that one has attended or put on a good party. The fashion designer turned party planner extraordinaire has become an expert in all things party planning, putting on the most lavish events from bridal showers to elaborate birthday parties. Without a doubt, all of her friends turn to her when they are in need of a party planner.
With each celebration having that special touch of Lela, whether it be decorating your bike or a competitive couple’s cook-off; Lela wants to share how entertaining can be a fun endeavor for all involved. For those of us who ogle at her Instagram perfect life, for the first time ever she’s giving us a look into the fabulous world of Lela Rose with the release of her new book Prêt-a-Party. With her recipes and party tips and tricks, she makes it perfect for either the novice or pro who wants to add a little celebration to their everyday life.
We are first submerged into the world of Lela from the intriguing cover of Prêt-a-Party. On the cover sitting at a table are Lela and her friends surrounding themselves with plates adorned with baker’s twine spelling out the guests initials. As the letter “B” is perfectly curled on a plate, one is first introduced to the party planning secret number 1. Get creative with what’s already in your house. Opting out of monogrammed napkins, Lela shows that even something as simple as baker’s twine can make a bold yet elegant statement.
While flipping through the pages, one is further pulled into her world full of whimsically decorated tables and mouth watering recipes. Our first true introduction to Lela begins with the retelling of her favorite party that she has ever planned. It was a birthday party that included the most peculiar elements such as cocktails in brown paper bags on a crowded NYC train, steel drums, and drag queens (you have to buy the book for the full story 😉 )
With each turn of the page, we get to know a little bit more about the woman who frequently matches her table cloth and cocktails with her dress. Soon, those pages were going to come to life with our very own Prêt-a-Party.
Held in the couture salon at Neiman Marcus, Lela Rose assumed her duties as the hostess with the mostest as she guided us through her party-filled world. Just one day prior, Lela had hosted a party of 100 with Questlove in her Tribeca home, so we knew we were in for a treat.
The evening began with guests being greeted with magenta colored mojitos complete with dashes of blueberries. This flavorful drink is a favorite of Lela’s as it’s featured in the pages of her book. According to Lela, the signature cocktail is the most important aspect when planning an event. You can match the drink with your outfit and name it according to the theme, but never forget to greet your guests with a cocktail.
In the center of the couture salon lie a table featuring a wide array of the finest cheeses, steamed vegetables, goat cheese tarts, and the most delicious selection of southern style pralines. These are just a few of Lela’s favorite things. The table was set with elegant china and tall candles, with gently folded pages of Prêt-a-Party sitting at the edge of the table. The elegant set up appeared as if it was ripped straight from the pages of the breathtakingly beautiful book
You know you are at a Lela Rose party when it is an interactive affair, so at this soirée, guests played a game of designer dress up as they tried on the stylish collection of Lela Rose. Like any party, one must come dressed for the occasion, and what better to way to get dressed than with the eye-catching Lela Rose collection.
Surrounding the guests were whimsical cocktail dresses from the F/W 2015 collection perfectly suited for our evening soirée. Rack after rack there were swathes of luscious fabrics and opulent embellishments. Designs featured delicate feathers, strands of fringe, and of course, a little razzle dazzle. According to Lela, Lela Rose is a collection meant to entertain. With a schedule full of events from soirées and luncheons the woman who wears Lela Rose is “either the perfect hostess or the most sought after guest”
Our hostess of the evening even guided party-goers to that perfect party dress as she selected her favorite pieces for them to try on. She would know best since she considers herself the customer for her designs. With some guests twirling with fringe and practicing their catwalk in gowns, it’s hard not to be the life of the party when wearing Lela Rose.
As the party begins to come to a close, like any good party we can’t leave with just a memory of the good times we had. We parted with delicious crumbles of white chocolate speckled with almonds as a sweet parting gift from our Prêt-a-Party
Lela Rose and Neiman Marcus made sure that the essentials of the perfect party were all present that evening like the signature cocktail, playing a fun game of designer dress up, and of course, the fact that we all had fun. No party is quite like a Prêt-a-Party
Images from Prêt-a-Party credit to Rizzoli USA
