We're big fans of the Lady Project around here. We love that their core goals are to encourage each other and lift each other up beyond the glass ceiling. So we're always thrilled when they ask us to be a part of their events and this year we were invited again to style the After Party for their annual Summit. The keynotes and workshops at the Summit this year seemed to focus in on having no fear, taking risks, and believing in yourself and your mission no matter what. As stylists and designers we're familiar with that theme, we’re always trying new things, playing around with ideas and concepts, some work out better than others, but we’re always trying to push ourselves to come up with something awesome.

When it came time to brainstorm ideas for the After Party we were in the middle of an exhaustively long and brutal winter and we were eagerly awaiting the light and warmth of Spring. We wanted the style of the Summit to be joyful and bright; to give guests the feeling of vibrancy, that they could shake off the winter blues and look out towards a bright spring and summer season approaching. We know how inspiring and exciting the energy is at the Summit and we wanted the after party to have a visual continuation of that energy. We started off with a few different concepts, each great in their own way, but nothing was quite right for one reason or the other; budget, time constraints, venue space, sourcing materials, etc. until finally we had an 'A-HA' moment....NEON. Neon strings, neon tape, neon lights, neon geometric shapes running all over the stage! Let’s light it up!

© Lauren Halvorson Photography / www.lkhphotography.com

With the Summit being at The Vets this year, we had the main stage as our party spot. Co-Founder of the Lady Project, Sierra Barter, had the fabulous idea that the location of the After Party would be kept a secret and after the closing Keynote finished the curtain would raise and BOOM, Party Time. With that reveal in mind, we wanted the visuals of the stage to be interesting not only to guests sitting in their seats, but also when they came on stage and moved through the space. We started the design with a large focal piece in the center, with lines running towards it to bring your attention center stage. At the base of which was the bar, which was fully stocked thanks to Milestone Wines, HINT Water and Narragansett Beer.

We utilized smaller color blocked panels reaching from the ceiling down to black tables with white acrylic chairs to break up the rest of the space. We continued neon lines down onto the table tops and ran lines of tape on the floor underneath. A special thanks to Rentals Unlimited for the fabulous furniture & linens. We accented the space with our signature ‘HEY LADY’ display, this year we opted for a graffiti look of spray paint and tiers of ripped neon tape. It became a pretty popular selfie backdrop throughout the night.

A quick shoutout to the amazingly helpful IATSE Local 23 Stage Hands. Seriously, working with their team to install these panels and displays, que up the lighting and move tables around could not have been easier or more fun. You guys are the best.

And of course, we loved being able to work with Easy Entertaining again for this event. They had some DELICIOUS passed hordevours, and they even hopped on the neon bandwagon and labeled their trays with neon pens.

We are so incredibly grateful for Lauren Halvorson Photography for these fabulous photos of the party! We had a blast hanging out during the day and just geeking out over colors, lights and design.

And another HUGE Thank You to our dear friend Tara Francini, of TVF Beauty, for her help with moving hundreds of yards of neon ribbon, packing and unpacking boxes, taping, tying, running around for us, and especially for doing our make-up post set up so we didn't look so haggard.

We had so much fun with this event this year, until next time ladies...

2015 Lady Project Summit