On January 19, 2023, Gian Events bid 2022 farewell with a stunning Gala inspired entirely by Pantone’s Color of the Year, “Viva Magenta.” The evening honored 60+ talented event professionals who were integral to the resounding successes of Gian Events’ previous year. Guests’ all-white dress code popped against vibrant décor and florals as they ate, drank, and danced the night away.
We sat down with Kirsten Loechl, one of Gian’s skilled event planners, to learn more about how this colorful evening wowed guests.
Tell us how the 2023 Viva Magenta Gala came to be. What was the inspiration and overall goal, and who were the attendees?
We planned the Gala to kick off 2023 with a big party attended by some of our favorite industry professionals. Our goal was to celebrate all the amazing, tireless work done in 2022 while also showing our deep appreciation for our partners. We wanted to throw a memorable party with an emphasis on positive affirmation, celebration, and good vibes for the new year.
Since we wanted our guests to celebrate and look forward to 2023, we took inspiration from Pantone’s 2023 Color of the Year, Viva Magenta, to create an incredible, colorful theme. Our gorgeous venue, Chateau Lill, was transformed using all shades of magenta. We requested that guests wear white, which produced a show-stopping combination that really elevated the atmosphere of the event. Magenta is already such a fun, positive color, so it was the perfect reflection of the emotion that we wanted guests to feel throughout the night.
Who were your key partners, and what were their roles in making this a successful gathering?
We’re incredibly lucky to have a well-vetted list of preferred vendors that we work with throughout the year for our events. From large-scale corporate holiday parties to stunning upscale weddings to intimate social gatherings, we couldn’t pull off our events without their unmatched talent and creativity. Therefore, we love to celebrate our partners whenever possible. That’s why we were so excited to feature many of our preferred vendors as sponsors at the Gian Events Gala this year. We truly could not have put on this event without them.
Our Viva Magenta theme allowed our sponsors to let their creativity shine, and they featured some of their best offerings at this event. Our outstanding sponsors included:
planner: Gian Events | venue: Chateau Lill | appetizer buffet: Della Terra | ramen bar, s’mores bar, & bartending: Foodz Catering | rentals: Grand Event Rentals | photography: Paul Maranan Photography | videography: Film House Weddings | florals: Lebed Design | lighting: LightSmiths | bar rental: Happy Hour Designer Bar Rentals | dessert display: Pastries by Suite J | favors: Cookies by Kaila, Bun Haus | ice cream: Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream | mc: Music By J Fields | saxophone, dj booth, dj, & sound: Code Events | affirmation wall & signage: On The Wall Design Studio | performers & rosé skirt: Maison De V Entertainment | igloo lounges: Picnic Party Seattle | marquee letters: Seattle Marquee Lighting | ceiling balloon install: Confete Party | photo booth: PhotoBox | luxury car: Luxury Limos & Tours
What’s one moment or experience that stood out to you about the Viva Magenta Gala?
Since this event had so many memorable and immersive experiences, it’s hard to choose just one! I’d say some of my favorite memories from the night included getting a tarot card reading in the outdoor igloo lounge tents and taking photos with some of our amazing vendor partners/friends in front of our Affirmation Wall.
The tarot card reading experience was such a fun way to incorporate an immersive activity for guests. It played into our theme of kicking off 2023 on a positive note, as attendees were able to get a preview of what to expect and focus on in the new year — as well as receive information on how to best utilize their reading. The stunning Affirmation Wall was a fantastic way to show our guests the appreciation we feel for them as well as how incredible we think they are. The giant magenta wall, adorned with motivational words, was the perfect backdrop for photos and was a true conversation starter. We heard guests discussing their resolutions for the year based on the words on the wall, which was awesome!
Other memorable experiences included enjoying a delicious bowl of ramen from our Ramen Bar and watching ice cream be made fresh in front of my eyes with liquid nitrogen.
People also ask…
I’ve chosen a theme for my upcoming event. How do I bring it to life?
The first step to making the most of your party theme is building a team of talented pros to help pull it off. First, find a planner who’s well-versed in working with themes that resemble your own. Next, search for a venue that will provide a backdrop that compliments your theme. Once your event space is locked down, you’ll be able to base further design decisions on the scene that you’ve already set.
How do I make my event décor unique?
You don’t need to settle for run-of-the-mill décor when you can find incredible vendors on PartySlate who are ready to personalize your event experience. Search for a décor company that does in-house fabrications. Whether you’re looking for a personalized bar, branded lighting projections, monogrammed ice sculptures, or anything in between, you’re sure to find a talented event professional to get the job done in our vendor directory.
featured planner
Gian Events
We love how this Seattle-based planner can take any theme and run with it, bringing it to life across every aspect of an event. Gian Events doesn’t overlook a single detail when creatively crafting one-of-a-kind experiences for their clients. photographer: Aika Foz