Case Study #3

Selena Gomez - Rare Beauty

at Lavan 54

Scope & Vision

The assignment from Sunset Studios was initially a mystery! We only knew we were working for a celebrity client, and that we were gearing up for an influencer event with a unique dessert offering. Guided by a single-page inspiration board focusing on seven shades of pink, we proposed a variety of interactive stations featuring custom ice creams, s'mores torching stations, and DIY donuts. Initially, we were only responsible for passing desserts and an interactive dessert station. However, after more discussions, the scope was expanded to include a 150-person passed hors d’oeuvres service, specialty cocktails, a custom dessert table, and a unique dessert experience. Only two weeks before the event, we were informed that we were working for Rare Beauty, Selena Gomez's cosmetics brand.

Strategy & Preparation

The event was held at Lavan 541 in Chelsea, a popular venue for beauty brand events. To align with Selena Gomez's tastes and create an Instagram-worthy menu, we developed a savory offering that included pink brioche buns for sliders, pink soft taco shells for mushroom tacos, and pink sauces for all items. At the last minute, we also had to source french fry cones that could be customized with the Rare Beauty logo.

Event Gameplan

The dessert table was designed to create a "wow" factor using the color shades from the Rare Beauty palette. It included various shades of pink mallomars, glazed petit four cakes, macarons, and ganache brownies. All were color-matched to the brand's lip hues. We used our signature Revol French white resin displayware with clear acrylic to make the pink hues pop. We also used custom pink mirror acrylic squares for the tabletop to create a special feel within budget constraints. The “Choose your hue” donut station, which allowed guests to create their own custom donuts with color-matched glazes and sprinkles, was a hit.

Celebrating Success

Custom cocktails were designed to pop with pink hues. One used butterfly pea tea, which turns a vibrant fuchsia when lemon juice is added, and the other used grapefruit juice and beet powder for a softer pink hue. However, we faced a significant challenge when the lighting changed during the event. The heavy pink lighting made some of our desserts look brown, but we were able to resolve this issue by repositioning some of the pink spotlights.

The realization of this vision was a meticulous process of planning and execution that stretched over several months. We proposed an initial suite of over 25 custom desserts and 8 interactive stations, which, after a comprehensive tasting session with the clients and their planners, was honed to a delectable menu of 10 desserts and 4 interactive stations. Striking the perfect balance, we split the production of nearly 4000 desserts between our familiar NYC production kitchen and an off-site kitchen in Aspen. This strategy ensured quality and freshness, while also allowing us to leverage local talent for event preparation and ingredient sourcing.

Throughout this process, we were faced with various logistical challenges, each met head-on with creative solutions and unwavering determination. For instance, when wildfires interfered with shipping timelines, we circumvented potential delays by checking coolers filled with frozen items onto our flight. Once we landed in Colorado, the coordination of shipping all display ware, prepping desserts in a shared kitchen, and ultimately, transporting everything to a custom-built venue in the heart of a scenic field became our focus. Despite having no running water or electricity, we successfully set up our stations and delivered an outstanding experience.

The reception was an unequivocal triumph. Guests reveled in the innovative affogato station, a twist on the classic end-of-evening coffee service, and the 'starry night' melting dome desserts, each hand-painted to resemble a night sky. Our dessert table, resplendent with a spectrum of colors, heights, and textures, was a feast for the eyes. We catered to diverse dietary preferences by clearly labeling vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free options. In the after-party room, guests indulged in a s'mores pop station and an ice cream pop cart. This event stands as a testament to Pistachio Studio's dedication to creating unique, memorable experiences that delight the senses and move beyond the realm of the ordinary.

No items found.