About Robert Isabell

Posted on | July 24, 2009 | 12 Comments

The other evening I was attempting to explain to WH and E who Robert Isabell, who died July 11,was and what he meant to the event world. Being  ridiculously young and dreadfully bored with with everything they couldnt  have cared less, so dear reader, I will share my thoughts with you…I worked on several events with Robert because my former and I owned a venue that was in demand by the high and haughty and to hold an event there you had to work with  us.  I took advantage of that to stealthily gain knowledge and eventually,  to begin my business.  When Robert walked into a space, whether it was a hideous ballroom with a gigunda chandelier or a big glass atrium with track lights like our space,it was obvious he didnt see the  venue at all, he only saw what it would look  like when he was done with it. Logistics had no part in that vision whether he had to build a new ceiling or ditch the kitchen entrance. For the charity/benefit opening of “Out of Africa” he employed a vast army of beautiful Rostafarians who came in the middle of the night,  wrapped the space in brown paper and then sketched on the paper with charcoal-when they were done,we were in Africa.  For the premier of “The Natural” with a budget of about 22 dollars, he turned the vast, cold space into a sexily lit  ballpark.  It was the sort of alchemy that transcended the prowess of an  ”event designer”.  He was drop-dead handsome, but definitely not the friendliest, and,as I was neither a socialite nor a star, it  took a lot of chutzpah for me to approach him and ask if he would  ”consult” on my wedding decor ( I was young and gutsy and figured wtf)
Instructing the cooks and wait staff how to do their job (of course)

Instructing the cooks and wait staff how to do their job (of course)

He actually agreed and accompanied me to Wave Hill, where I would be wed and showed me where to place copious flats of Paper Whites and (to this day the scent reminds me of my 1986  wedding) and how to use potted plants as centerpieces and branches in glass vases to frame the ceremony space.  As a grand act of kindess he gifted me with 20 Alencon lace table cloths left from some  rich person’s wedding and that he was about to toss-(they were beautiful and I used them on many weddings in the early years)

We sent him a good bottle of wine as a thank you (I had no idea then what he actually charged for his talents).  I began  my business in earnest soon after,and over the years had several occasions to work with him when clients would hire both of us (often in the mistaken concept that I could or would control him budgetarily) Each time we would begin a project I would remind him that he had “done” my wedding and he would smile/smirk and do his best to politely ignore me for the duration.  Nonetheless, it was always a cosmic and extraordinary experience to witness him at work and each time one entered a party and  saw that the band had almost  invisible white speakers rather than the hideous monstrosities usual on the stage or the centerpieces were flaming torchons that appeared to wirelessly sprout from table centers, those in the know would realize it could only be Robert Isabell at work.

our clever "logo" and menu over the lace cloths

Our clever 'logo' and menu over lace tablecloth

the ceremony

The ceremony

my mother, mother in law and friend deciding how to arrange the plants

My mother, mother-in-law and friend debating the arrangement of the plants.

Category: Marcy's Musings

Comments

12 Responses to “About Robert Isabell”

  1. Liene Stevens
    July 24th, 2009 @ 1:57 pm

    YAY! Subscribing right now. : )

  2. Real Card Studio
    July 24th, 2009 @ 1:59 pm

    What a perfect first post. Love the pictures of your wedding!

  3. Jenifer Simpson
    July 24th, 2009 @ 3:47 pm

    I love it!…Can’t wait to read about more adventures :)

  4. Garrett Nudd
    July 24th, 2009 @ 6:56 pm

    This is fantastic! Thanks for sharing. Will be sure to check back regularly.

  5. isha foss
    July 25th, 2009 @ 6:18 am

    Great post. More please!

  6. Visual Vamp
    July 25th, 2009 @ 6:52 am

    Welcome to blogging Marcy! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
    I’m adding you to my blog list, and trust you’ll do the same for me ha ha.
    Loving you across the years past, present, and future.
    xo xo
    Valorie

  7. Vicki Archer
    July 25th, 2009 @ 5:00 pm

    Thank you for the insight – he was one very talented individual. I look forward to reading lots more of your adventures….xv

  8. sally kilbridge
    July 28th, 2009 @ 6:05 am

    Love it! But Marcy, pls explain what’s going on with that dress.

  9. JL_DESIGNS
    July 28th, 2009 @ 9:53 am

    LOVE the new blog! cannot wait to hear more! brilliant graphics by the way…

  10. judy
    August 5th, 2009 @ 4:40 pm

    I worked for RI in the 80’s. Once after seeing slides of my artwork he gave me a blank check to take to Pearl Paint and buy art supplies, he was that sure of me. I worked in his space.

    He was a mystery and we never ever knew what was up or how long, or what to do really. I never have known him to be in a relationship and I think he was alone when he died.

    I remember we talked about death once and he said he wanted to die in his sleep.

  11. Gayle O'Donnell
    August 14th, 2009 @ 10:21 am

    Great blog, Marcy. Weren’t 80’s wedding fashions FABULOUS? ;-) I married in ‘88 and have a lovely gown with sleeves that cold double as space fans.

    Have subscribed to your blog. I’ve been a fan since we met in NY at an ABC Far Horizons event back in the late 90’s. (You were speaking and joined us for lunch afterward.) I was in NY in May for Stationery Show and got together with Preston a couple days before he was heading to R.I. to do an event with you. He said he wished I was staying in town longer so he could reintroduce me to you. I spent some time getting him up to speed with Twitter and I see you’ve been tweeting with him so I’m following you too. Maybe we’ll “remeet” at his book launch party? I live in Seattle but hoping to make it.

  12. xpgprloh
    September 16th, 2009 @ 5:56 pm

    xpgprloh…

    xpgprloh…

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