MARIA ROSA A. DONADO

PORTFOLIO

From the court to the club

When it came to launching the clothing line EleVen, Venus Williams wanted to create a party that was vibrant, exciting, and lively, one that looked stylish and chic– in other words, she wanted it to reflect herself. There was no other place to hold this party then New York hot- spot, Tenjune.

We wanted to make the guest get a sense of the brand the moment they walked down the stairs, so the hallway into the main room was lined on oversized photos of Venus and mannequins in key looks from the line. Inside the main room, gobos shined logos on the floors and walls, accompanied by vinyl decals placed on mirrors behind the bar. Flower vases were filled with teal tennis balls while hydrangeas and orchids were shaped to look like a ball in flight.

We opened the doors of the tent at eight o’clock where over 30 photographers and camera crews were lined up on risers along the red carpet, awaiting the special guests. Star Jones, Cameron, and Michael Michelle were only a few of the guests that walked the red carpet and were welcomed into the room with V.I.P. table seating and a clear view of the stage for a half hour performance by R&B artist, Music Soulchild. Other guests sipped on V-tini’s and were able to lay low in the rear lounge area while listening to the hottest tracks that were being spun by celebrity deejay Beverly Bond.