The Clio Awards are the so-called Oscars of the advertising industry. But for your average non industry person like moi, it’s better known for being featured on an episode of Mad Men a few seasons back. Don Draper attends and wins a Clio in the middle of the day, get enormously sloshed as a result, and botches a business meeting back at the office immediately thereafter.
Don Draper and the gang at the awards: Real life attendees are not nearly as attractive, alas.
The Clios still goes on today, but thankfully things have changed a bit since the ’60s. For one thing, it’s now held in the nighttime and not in the middle of the workday. Obviously that was a very bright idea, and I wonder how many Mad Men esque screwups occurred before that happened.
It’s also no longer a stuffy, formal, linen covered tables and place settings event. For the second year in a row, it took place at the Museum of Natural History. I’m not sure if it’s only a New York City thing, but the best affairs always happen in rented out museums. I attended a tricked out afterparty for the movie Tower Heist at the Museum of Modern Art a couple of months ago, and I also attended a very fancy Ball at the Met a couple of years back (no, not the Costume Institute Gala, but one day). So I was pretty darn excited for the Clios, just because of the venue.
Outside the Museum of Natural History
The awards portion of the program was held in a theatre normally used to showcase nature films, and the afterparty was in another wing, in a giant two floor room with a lifesized whale hanging suspended on the ceiling. Needless to say, it was very, very cool. I got a little lost on the way to the theatre as the museum is quite a labyrinth, but had a lot of fun wandering around, briefly checking out all the exhibits afterhours, with the lights dimmed and no other visitors around.
Awards ceremony itself- yes it was Standing Room Only.
The awards was hosted by Joan Rivers, who cracked predictable, Kardashian related jokes. Someone came up with the bright idea of announcing the winners beforehand, and only allowing a few honorees to speak, thus limiting the awards to a breezy 90 minutes. This year’s lifetime achievement winners were Piyush Pandey- the Godfather of Indian advertising, Annie Leibowitz and Anthony Bourdain. I actually missed the speeches of the latter two because I was on the phone outside with my guest, who had horrible luck with the subways that night. Yes, leave it to me to miss appearances by the two famous people in attendance. Piyush Pandey’s video introduction and speech was heartwarming and inspiring though, as you would expect from someone who probably isn’t that used to this sort of hoopla.
Handing out statuettes to the winners at the afterparty.
The afterparty was balls out amazing, the best that I’ve attended, food, decor, and venue wise. This was no small part due to the catering services of Pinch Food Design, which I can only describe as what it would be like if Steve Jobs ran a catering company. Their philosophy is that artful and memorable presentation is everything, and small plates and appetizers were served in the most ingenious contraptions, that I can’t even describe using words. If you are lucky enough to be invited to any event catered by Pinch Food Design, just say yes, and don’t eat anything beforehand, is my advice.
Innovative catering display.
Unfortunately I didn’t get to really talk to anyone because I was too busy waiting anxiously for my friend (who arrived just as the party ended) and also stuffing my face. They did have a photobooth, which I’m always happy to see.
What can I say, really, other than that the real Oscars probably isn’t as cool as a night at the museum. The only thing that could’ve topped all of that is if there had been swag, har har. Which reminds me, I should definitely start an event planning consultation service.
Obligatory Instagram shot
Fancy creme rouge making a mockery out of my other blush
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