Second Edition May 2011 The ABSA Wealth Visa Infinite Credit Card Launch in association with Bentley and Breitling
THE ALEIT SWANEPOEL - Managing Director
HANS ROOSENSCHOON - Operational Director
THABO MATLHAKO - Executive Member
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According to a recent study, Apple has overtaken Google as the world’s most valuable brand - ending a four-year reign by the internet search leader. Apple is breaking the rules in terms of its pricing model. It’s doing what luxury brands do, where the higher the price of the brand is, the more it seems to underpin and reinforce the desire. Obviously, it has to be allied to great products and a great experience and Apple has nurtured that. Aleit Event Projects certainly identifies with Apple as the current universal phenomenon – after all we too are taking over the world one event at a time! While we continue to associate ourselves with global leading luxury brands (browsing our latest newsletter will confirm that), we also ponder the need to be fluid, quick to react and adaptable to current climates. Like the way McDonald’s has reinvented itself and adapted its menus by adding healthy options. This move has allied the group with growth in developing markets which has really helped the brand. After all, nineteen of the world’s top 100 brands came from emerging markets this year and the total value of the top 100 brands rose to $2.4 trillion which is 17% up from last year - a strong indication that the global economy has shifted to growth. And as always, Aleit Event Projects is ready, willing and ever so able! Happy growing!
THE CAR The Bentley has been a symbol of class, a symbol of precision engineering and has represented the elite for so many years it’s hard to imagine the history of motoring without this icon. From the company’s earliest days, Bentley has set new standards in automotive design and engineering. These cars took the Grand Touring rulebook and rewrote it. Now, at the start of a new decade, they have unveiled their latest masterpiece, the new Continental GT. A beautiful coupe that blends classic Bentley DNA with contemporary design and modern technology. The perfect fusion of supercar performance and handcrafted luxury. The striking new Continental GT has created a revolution of its own.
The Bentley Continental GT has been described as THE new supercar of is time...it was therefore an honour to manage its launch. Looking over the specs and eventually getting to see the vehicle left the men in our team with a dreamy, faraway look in their eyes. And beholding this beast was qutie an experience I have to say! The exterior design combines inspiration from past iconic Continental models, with the most advanced technology available. From the powerful bonnet to the muscular haunches, you know this car means business! It’s ‘planted’ appearance means its not just hunkered down ready for action, but in motion it is incredibly balanced at all speeds and in all circumstances. She is every inch the drivers car. With 12 cylinders and a 6 litre power unit, the Continental GT is truly the super sports car of 2011. Launching from standstill to 60mph in just 4.6 seconds and reaching a top speed of 197mph (318km/h)... well need we say any more?! In Lanseria we could not help but notice that guests were breathlessly glued to the stage as the Bentley crawled out from behind the scenes. Once over the thresh-hold, a spectacular water curtain flowed freely enhancing the sudden appearance of this apparition. As the car began to slowly move on the revolving platform, guests began to jostle for a prime viewing position. In Cape Town guests were taken by complete surprise as this hulk of metal drove down the black carpet and right into the Bedouin tent – up close and personal for all to see. But start saving your pennies ladies and gentleman – this car starts at whopping R3.2 million!
“ T he ABS A We a lt h Vis a Inf inite Cre dit C ard L aunch in ass o c i at ion w it h B ent le y and Breit ling� Photog raphy C ar i E kste en
THE
DÉCOR They say a picture is worth a thousand words – we say our opulent décor is worth a million! Aleit Event Projects once again brought in the big guns...or should we say big vases! Thousands of stark white Tulips and pitch black Orchids were on display, accompanied by striking blue Iris’s adorning every available surface. Electrically lit crystal chandeliers lay askew on coffee tables and combined with a vast amount of hurricane vases filled with candles, the room was given a warm glow.
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In Lanseria we were lucky to have an immense space to work within. This took form by way of an Aircraft Hanger. (Try that for your next party trick!) The vast acreage was begging for plush couches, corner units with rich cushions and shaggy rugs and we transported load after load of striking furniture with all the necessary accessories. Lighting as always, plays a vital role in accentuating features, setting the ambience and ensuring that all the carefully planned dĂŠcor is displayed as effectively as possible. The hanger was rigged with the most amazing systems which accented all the unique features in washes of blue, red and amber. The Bombardier Lear Jet 45 was the competing star of the show and shone like a Hollywood legend attending the Oscars.
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town Cape Town offered a slightly different platform and we moved from Lear jets to luxury yachts. A large Bedouin tent created a beautiful canvas to work within and provided us with vast reflective surfaces. “Ahem�, the immense 115ft Yacht should not go without mention either! We opted to wash the tent in blues, leaning towards the high seas theme. The event area was floored in white with a black carpeted ramp nestled neatly down the centre. We added pearl damask custom made furniture with rich royal blue suede couches and ottomans. This look flowed onto the Yacht and filtered into the two bar-come-deck areas. We decorated the cabins with rich blue cushions and furnishings that complimented the original copper fittings on board.
THE
FOOD As we all know food is key at any event and considering this guest list had most likely been exposed to the best of the best, we amassed some heavy ‘artillery’. We served an infinite quantity of food – trays and trays of ‘deliciousness’ flew out of the kitchen at high speed while guests simply inhaled the indulgent treats. Each carefully selected tray (passionately collected by our chef on his travels all over the world), was decorated with various colour orchids to compliment the presentation of the food items. Menus detailing the delights of the night were printed on large sheets of Perspex. In Lanseria, we suspended eight of these contemporary artworks from the hanger ceiling, floating over flower laden plinths. The menu was printed in white lettering that was washed with UV lighting creating a luminous glow. In Cape Town we strategically placed three of these Perspex menus adjacent to the ramp where the iridescent text could clearly be seen. Smaller menus were strategically strewn throughout both venues and contained detailed instructions on how to origami your menu into a Jet Plane or a Luxury Yacht!
As guests arrived they were offered Martini glasses filled with creamy Avocado, Micro Greens, a Prawn Cocktail with Seafood Dressing, Poppy Seeds and spritzed with fresh Lemon wedges and were then tantelised with Smoked Salmon Wontons with Alfalfa Sprouts and Radishes and Wasabi Mayo. Nico Panagio welcomed guests to this lavish celebration and their culinary senses were then taunted with delcious bowl food including items such as Roasted Lamb on caramelized Butternut cubes, Asparagus and Rosemary Gravy as well as Slow Cooked Chicken Marsala with Cinnamon, Clove and Cardamom Basmati Rice and Gnocchi with Rose Sauce, Pesto and Sundried Tomato with Basil...merely as an example. Lucky enough, our savvy guests were smart enough to save some space for the decadent desserts to follow and they were certainly not disappointed. Trays overflowing with Tiramisu Phyllo Bowls, Mini Pots of Crème Brûlée with Spun Sugar and Profiteroles filled with Custard Cream circulated to much delight.
Entertain
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After a few minutes of interaction with the car, the lights dimmed and a red strip of satin dropped from the rafters. The silk dancer shimmied her lithe body to the top of fabric length and proceeded to perform death defying stunts - too much “oooh-ing” and “aaaahhh-ing” of course. Guests attending the Cape Town launch were treated to a stunning blonde saxophonist dressed in a black sequined gown. She mingled amongst the guests’ wow-ing them with her musical prowess. Nico, once again the Master of Ceremonies for the evening, kept guests hanging onto his every last word.
LANSERIA
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town Models attired in designer outfits sauntered onto the Yacht providing a rather pleasing aesthetic‌ suddenly the lights went out, the music died and amidst the darkness came illumination... this time from the headlights of the Continental GT! As it slowly descended the black ramp, precariously balanced Contemporary Dancers positioned themselves on spot lit boxes, all donning the latest Breitling watches and accessories. They slowly moved to the music leaving guests mesmerized.
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THE people
Sixty of Johannesburg and Cape Town’s elite attended these prestigious events with their partners. It’s safe to say that they were blown away! Guests arrived in an array of serious labels - straight from the Paris - London fashion week. The gentlemen were dressed in tailored suits, perfectly complimenting their partner’s gowns. Guests were treated to an opulent evening and judging by the feedback received, it was thoroughly enjoyed by all!
trend
Pop up restaurants are the latest food trend. They pop up in the most unexpected places – on rooftops, in warehouses in fact in any open space. Here today, gone tomorrow. Pop up dining is the new supper club and is fast becoming a preferred way of eating. They are non-traditional - call it a food revolution if you will. It all just adds to the excitement. Chefs can be experimental with ingredients and dishes and are granted the opportunity to socialise with guests at the end of a meal – gaining first hand feedback. In fact it’s the trend of designing experiences rather than designing food. This “underground network” uses social and online media to communicate to the public and as we close yet another rather fabulous electronic newsletter, we can’t help but agree that this is a rather nifty movement in the making!
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CAPE TOWN Photographer Sound, AV and Lighting Videographer Food Staff MC Entertainment Flowers Fashion Show Diamond Giveaway Decor Shuttle Service Stationary Bar Venue Vehicles Guest Registration DJ Toilets Bedouin Tent Flooring
Cari Eksteen Sight and Sound Zara Zoo Franz the Power Chef Oyster King The Aleit Academy Nico Panagio Frog Productions (Saxophonist) Robert Koch Art Breitling Floral Affairs Ford Productions Abigail Keats 24 Fervier Olga Jewellers Cape Town In and Out Events Something Different MK Exotics A-Design Barcode / SAB RGBC Spier Kiara Yacht Bentley SA Aleit Event Projects Darren Rose Nice Equipment Toureg Tents Nierop Event Flooring
LANSERIA Photographer Sound and AV Lighting Food Staff MC Entertainment Flowers Fashion Show
Diamond Giveaway Decor
Valet Parkers Stationary Bar Venue Vehicles Guest Registration
Cari Eksteen Keystone Productions Presentation Staging Franz the Power Chef Oyster King The Aleit Academy Nico Panagio Frog Productions Henry Taylor Art Gallery Breitling The Floral Art Company Ford Productions Abigail Keats 24 Fervier Tumi Luggage Olga Jewellers Cape Town Propstars Bakos Brothers Exclusive Hire By Word of Mouth MK Exotics A-Design Barcode / SAB RGBC Spier Execujet Bentley SA ITEM