Art Nouveau Mystic Inspiration

I am beyond excited to share something so fresh, beautiful, and eye-catching with you all: Melissa, Leigh Ann, and Corbin of Pow Wow and Photographer: Marilyn Nakazato joined together to create this Art Nouveau inspired engagement session. Everything here is so artfully done, from the incredible marquee moon backdrop right down to the scene where our groom-to-be proposes to his bride.

From the stylist, Melissa of Pow Wow: I knew right away I wanted to convey a New Years Eve proposal with a beautifully romantic storyline. The story is as follows: A girl receives an invitation from her boyfriend which is written on a perfume bottle label and the box in which it came. He invites her to join him for dinner and libations on New Years Eve. On NYE they meet for dinner, have drinks at the Absinthe bar, and then lounge in the parlor. Just before midnight he proposes to her with a cigarette case which holds the ring and an embroidered handkerchief with the words “Will you marry me?”. She says yes, and as the clock strikes midnight, they are surrounded by sparkling gold confetti. Voila, everlasting love is born.

Here at Pow Wow we began pulling from our inventory of furniture, brass vessels, fabric and decor. I built an 8’x16′ backdrop for the still life table scape, color washed it with sea foam green and then began applying the sequined clouds. Leigh Ann, Corbin and I stayed up till the wee hours of the morning hammering hundreds of gold sequins with tiny gold pins to the backdrop. If we had simply glued them they wouldn’t have looked half as cool! Then I constructed the marquee moon out of plywood, aluminum flashing and strings of lights. It was so exciting once it was all together and lit up! We also made the celestial chandelier out of Pow Wow‘s iron pot rack, various star ornaments, chain from Lowe’s, and a beautiful brass moon from Corbin’s kitchen.

I had worked with photographer Marilyn Nakazato on a “Water For Elephants” shoot, and had been dying for the opportunity to work with her again because she is such an amazing artist. Zack from Luce Loft graciously allowed me to set up shop for 24 hours which I can not thank him enough for. For wardrobe, hair and makeup I chose my dear friend Amanda because she simply kills it every time. My friend Sandra from Sandra Nicole Designs brought the coolest accessories for the models and I love working with her. Felicia at O Design Studio knew I wanted the invitation to be something other than paper so she came up with the idea of creating a label for the perfume bottle, and the embroidered proposal. Stevi from Hey There Cupcake created beautiful celestial desserts which went perfectly with our concept. Michael from Snake Oil Cocktail Co. made signature drinks and brought exotic fruit for the bar scene. Our girlfriend model, Monterey, did such an incredible job. I am privileged to have been able to work with her. The boyfriend model, Lee, did an equally incredible job and was so rad, he stayed to help disassemble the backdrop and load up the truck. Jill at Blue Spark Design Studio had the idea of creating silent movie signs for between each scene, which I LOVED.

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I really wanted a short film to help tell the story, and thought I might have struck out because no one was available. Then I met Brandon, Sandra’s son from Sandra and Nicole Designs,and being a film student he graciously offered to film it. Chris from Bee and the Bobbin brought the perfect flowers for the still life table. Which is amazing given she only had a day to do it. My daughter Delilah fringed the heck out of Pow Wow’s Chevron Bar and helped with many of the DIYs. Corbin Winters and Leigh Ann Conate are both Interior Designers and have joined forces with me here at Pow Wow. We all work so well together and I can’t believe how awesome they were through out the process of this little art project. I could not have done it without them.

Shoot Location: San Diego, CA / Event Design, Styling, and Coordination: Melissa, Leigh Ann, and Corbin of Pow Wow / Photographer: Marilyn Nakazato / Shoot Venue: Luce Loft / Design Assistance: Jill of Blue Spark Studio / Flowers: Chris of The Bee and the Bobbin / Wardrobe, Hair, and Makeup: Amanda of Thorne Artistry / Female Wardrobe: Dahlia Bridal / Male Wardrobe: Crow Thief / Accessory Stylist: Sandra Nicole Designs / Desserts: Stevi of Hey There, Cupcake! / Cocktails: Michael of Snake Oil Cocktail Company / Paper Goods: Felicia of O Design Studio / Videographer: Brandon Buczek / Models: Monterey Salka and Lee Gill / Special Thanks: Delilah and Jeff Strukel, Munehiro Nakazato, Jake Harrod, Amanda’s intern, Caleb Ackley