CanCan in New York or how we helped raise $5.4 million for breast cancer research

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation's largest event, The New York Hot Pink Party, was this year on April 28, but our work on it started before New Year Eve. Ideas, concepts, themes. We explored everything related to CanCan, this year's theme, to create several options for art direction. The winning one was inspired by posters of Toulouse Lautrec and René Gruau.

Hana painted the illustrations, Mario did all the calligraphy (Hana said she can't do "messy"). 

Our friends and long-time BCRF supporters at Levon Graphics in NY were in for a printing treat. Sadly, large printing budgets that allow designers and printers to utilize their expertise are very rare these days. But since Levon donated the printing, we were able to create silkscreen-like look of vintage posters with flat, rich colors. We replaced the magenta channel with a neon Pantone ink. The pink, red, and black received double hit. The Mohawk paper turned out to be the perfect choice.

Main envelope

Reply card and envelope

Program

Get your paddleboards ready for The Hamptons Paddle & Party for Pink! August 16.

Along with Boston-based Mario Avila Design, the New York event got generous help from four(!) other Bostonians - Rafanelli Events, Winston Flowers, GJ Nelson (main stage backdrop animations), and photographer Michael Blanchard. Creative industry in Boston rocks!! 

Menu

The Waldorf Astoria New York

Mr. Leonard Lauder and Paul Shaeffer

Donna Karan with Leonard Lauder and Elizabeth Hurley

Elizabeth Hurley looked gorgeous as always. Here in her Versace gown with Sara Bareilles.

The very colorful Snooky Bellomo and Tish Bellomo of Manic Panic NYC. (Now I know what I am going to do when my hair turns gray.)

Hana Pegrimkova and Mario Avila, Mario Avila Design, happy to see the results of their work for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Beautiful pattern. And people always ask where we get our inspiration. Torry Burch and Carolyn Maloney.

Ready. The amazing combined effort of BCRF, Rafanelli Events, Winston Flowers, Levon Graphics, GJ Nelson, and Mario Avila Design teams.

The Pledge card

Hands up! (If the bit is not too high for you!) Another contribution from Boston - the backdrop screens came to live with animations by GJ Nelson. Thank you for being sensitive with my artwork GJ!

Fashion designer Reed Krakoff, Hana Pegrimkova, Mario Avila. What can I say about Reed's creations for the latest season? One of each!

CanCan dancers. Since the photo is so blurry, I could say it is me, but I really could not kick at all in my gown. (My treasured vintage Kenzo, so happy to fit in it after the long winter...)

Bryan Rafanelli. Rafanelli Events and Mario Avila Design. A successful collaboration.

Hana with Elisha Daniels.

The Amazingly talented Sara Bareilles.

Sir Elton John listening to his guest, Sara Bareilles.

He obviously loved Sara's rendition of his song Yellow Brick Road.

Sara Bareilles and Elton John singing her song Gravity together. Link to the video on Elton John's site.

It's all a blur now...

All is Zen in Boston (Amy Nguyen Shibui Collection Photoshoot)

No matter which photo comes up when you visit Amy Nguyen’s new site,

it will be a beautiful one. Inspired by Amy’s artistic vision and amazing work,

we teamed up with a small crew of local artists to create look for her new line

“Shibui” and her new website.

Shibui (渋い) (adjective), shibumi (渋み) (noun), or shibusa (渋さ) (noun) are Japanese words that refer to a particular aesthetic of simple, subtle, unobtrusive beauty and subtle details, such as textures. This balance of simplicity and complexity ensures that one does not tire of a shibui object but constantly finds new meanings and enriched beauty that cause its aesthetic value to grow over the years. Since I am a lucky owner of several Amy’s scarves, I can attest that the concept is correct – I love wearing them as much now as I have when I first acquired them.

Like other Japanese aesthetic terms, such as iki and wabi-sabi, shibui can apply to a wide variety of subjects, not just art or fashion.

Photo Art Direction and Website Design: Mario Avila and Hana Pegrimkova
marioaviladesign.com

Photography: Bob Packert
packertphotography.com

Model: Jasmine Zen (!) Mah of Maggie Model Agency
maggieagency.com

Hair & Make-up: Jeni Teran Olivier
TheInejAgency.com

Shot at 110K Studios Boston
110kstudios.com

Applied Arts – Art in Advertisement

Art in advertisement is nothing new. But once again, it went too far: Italians are up in arms over advertisement by American gun manufacturer ArmaLite that has Michelangelo's stature of David holding a rifle. Another ad shows a rifle hanging on a wall of an art museum between two famous paintings.
Angelo Tartuferi, director of Florence's Accademia Gallery, where the statue is on display, told Repubblica newspaper: "The law says that the aesthetic value of the work cannot be distorted. In this case, not only is the choice in bad taste but also completely illegal."

 Previously, Michelangelo's David has been used in Levi's ads. 

In an ad campaign for Freshii, Michelangelo’s David visits the states and adopts the irresponsible eating habits of Americans. Poking fun at the collective obesity of the US — Freshii hopes to promote its healthy, fast-food alternative.

Midway Channel Gallery Identity

Logo for Midway Channel Gallery, an artist-run gallery located at the Midway Studios, 15 Channel Center Street, Fort Point Boston.

Who Am I? New Identity for Actor Mara Radulovic

Happy, playful, colorful, warm… Chicago-based actress Mara Radulovic wanted her new identity to harmonize with her personality. The result are modern, minimalistic business cards, stationery, and website – fun, but professional.