Tag Archive: Atmospheric Lighting

1. White Light Joins Ben Sherman On the Catwalk

   16 January 2018 12:00 Comments Off on White Light Joins Ben Sherman On the Catwalk

   Last week saw the start of London Fashion Week Men’s Autumn/Winter 2018 Show. 2018 marks the 11^th season of the biannual celebration of British menswear and this year had more shows than ever before. One of these included the fashion label Ben Sherman who showcased their new Fall collection which was a collaboration with fashion designer Henry Holland. White Light provided the complete technical solutions for the showcase.

   The Ben Sherman showcase took place at Somerset House on 5^th January. WL was approached by JN Productions and the event was led by WL’s Creative Producer Richard Stirzaker. Richard comments: “We have worked at the London Fashion Week for over a decade now and know what is required for international launches such as this. The theme of the new collection was Northern Soul culture and a large part of our brief was providing technical support that reflected this”.

   WL had to transform the Somerset House Embankment Galleries into a space suitable for a catwalk. Not only that but the company had to accommodate the immersive elements of the evening. Richard comments: “Rather than just launch the new collection with a catwalk display, the client wanted to create an immersive experience; perpetuating the Northern Soul theme. This included dancers who opened the show along with a Northern Soul soundtrack that relayed throughout the space”.

   WL drew on its state-of-the-art audio inventory to provide sound reinforcement throughout. This was also used for the soundscape in the main space along with the Gallery downstairs. Richard explains: “When guests first arrived, they walked through the downstairs gallery where there were large image prints which reflected the brand identity and reinforced the theme of the collection. We also sourced the scenic elements along with the staging for the models as they entered the Raphael Gallery”.

   As with any fashion show, lighting played an extremely important role. Richard explains: “The lighting played several important roles for this showcase. Firstly, it had to serve a primary purpose of illuminating the space and ensuring that it would be suitable for a fashion launch. Secondly, we wanted to use the lighting to differentiate the various points of the evening; from the audience entrance to the dancers to the actual models themselves”.

   Alongside this WL also projected a video of the launch onto the interior of the Embankment Gallery.

   Richard adds: “What was great about the Ben Sherman showcase was that it was able to draw on everything we can offer as a company: lighting, audio, video and staging. We were able to work closely with a very high-profile client and deliver the exact technical solutions they required”.

   The Ben Sherman launch marks one of several shows that WL is working on at this year’s London Fashion Week.

   Photos courtesy of JN Production.

2. White Light Supplies The Gurkha Welfare Trust at Kensington Palace

   23 November 2017 10:09 Comments Off on White Light Supplies The Gurkha Welfare Trust at Kensington Palace

   On Wednesday 15^th November, a Remembrance Dinner was held at Kensington Palace to celebrate the vital work of The Gurkha Welfare Trust. The dinner was hosted by His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales and took place in the State Apartments. As a cross-palace approved supplier to the Historic Royal Palaces, White Light was called upon to provide the complete technical solutions.

   The event was overseen by WL’s Conference Account Manager Shrenik Singhavi. He comments: “We were contacted by The Gurkha Welfare Trust who informed us that they wanted to host a Dinner at Kensington Palace. Due to both the prestigious location and the guests attending on the evening, we wanted to ensure that we provided the best technical support possible”.

   Shrenik worked closely with Katie Williams, Events Fundraising Manager at The Gurkha Welfare Trust, and the pair made several site visits to Kensington Palace. He comments: “The Gurkha Welfare team wanted to make it a fully immersive experience that utilised a variety of spaces within Kensington Palace. They wanted guests to feel part of the celebrations from the moment they entered the grounds; something we needed to make a reality”.

   The event took place in the State Apartments and utilised five rooms: the Queen’s Room, Privy Room, Cupola Room, King’s Drawing Room and King’s Gallery. WL’s Project Manager Phil Gladman led the on-site team which included two lighting technicians, an audio technician and ten local crew. The company supplied bespoke production support in each of the spaces.

   

   Shrenik explains: “When guests arrived on the evening, they walked through the Privy Room where we supplied atmospheric lighting. The drinks reception took place in the Cupola and Kings Drawing Room prior to the dinner. The Queen’s Room was used to host HRH Prince Harry and selected guests. The main dinner itself took place in the Kings Gallery.

   He adds: “The dinner was the main highlight of the evening and, within the space, we provided the lighting, acoustic sound system, microphone, lectern along with a small staging area. HRH Prince Harry gave a speech to guests who included the charity’s ambassadors, patrons and supporters. With such an important individual speaking, we had to ensure that we provided a fully reliable system”.

   

   Alongside this, WL used a custom-made gobo in order to project The Gurkha Welfare Trust logo onto the side of Kensington Palace for when guests arrived. WL also lit the pathway leading into Kensington Palace to ensure the event was fully immersive.

   Guests in attendance on the evening included GWT Vice Patrons Joanna Lumley OBE, Field Marshal Sir John Chapple GCB CBE DL.

   Katie comments: “This was one of the most important events in The Gurkha Welfare Trust’s calendar and we wanted to create something unforgettable for our guests, whilst at the same time making them aware of our important cause. Working closely with the team at WL, we were able to achieve this”.

   Photos courtesy of Mark Brightwell/The Gurkha Welfare Trust.