PHOTOGRAPHY BY JESSICA CRAIG-MARTIN
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411, ;06Ro•
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RENA KIRDAR SIN DI
GRAPHS BY JESSICA CRAIG—MAR
IA *
sib -
4
ild, loose and - uncon-
ventional — all of
what an unforget-
table party should
be. Let your imagination run free
in planning your next event, with
a little encouragement from New
York's hottest theme-party plan-
ner, Rena Kirdar Sindi. Sindi's lat-
est book is Be My Guest: Theme
Party Savoir-Faire (Assouline
uw4.4
Publishing $34.95.)
Who said costumes were only
for late October? Sindi breaks the
traditional rules of stuffy tuxedo
affairs and shares tips for how to
add fun and excitement to any
occasion by being someone else
for the night. This book is abun-
dant with vibrant color illustra-
tions from 14 of Rena's extrava-
gant theme galas. Photographed
by Jessica Craig-Martin of The New
York Times and Harpers Bazaar,
every picture gives your eyes a
V.I.P invitation to witness each
flamboyant disguise and feel the
life of the party.
"People can be deadly serious
about their parties. Many of them
forget that parties are meant for
pleasure," says Sindi. "I wish I could say that I've been to more than a few thrilling, over-the-top cos-
tume parties over the years — there simply aren't enough, and even when they do happen, it's not
always easy to rally the troops into their borrowed finery for the occasion," she continues.
However, Sindi's expertise in planning dramatic and exciting events can pull a festive adventure out
of the most conservative celebrations. She lays out every detail for each elaborate setting, explaining
how to decide on the guest list, invitations, decor, music, food, drinks and the most challenging of all,
how to inspire your guests to get into the spirit of the evening.
THEME PARTY SAV
•
—KenNath Marie Watkins
6 • JUNE 2003 • S
:A THE JN