Design

Pret-a-Party: Great Ideas for Good Times and Creative Entertaining

Fashion designer Lela Rose presents an inspiring manifesto for creative and stylish twenty-first-century entertaining. Known for her whimsical fashions, Lela Rose is also a popular and passionate hostess. From the spirited Couples’ Cook-off to a kid-friendly “Primp Your Ride” bike picnic, to an elegant Silver-and-White Christmas dinner, in this book she presents dozens of creative ideas to inspire readers looking for a fresh take on entertaining.   
Rose’s philosophy is simple: create your own occasions to create your own fun. The themes, colors, seasonality, and activities she concocts for each of her parties show you to how dazzle guests with simple yet unexpected touches. Modernize the traditional bridal shower with a refreshingly retro sewing circle. Turn a ladies’ tea on its head by having girlfriends over for an afternoon tequila tasting. Celebrate your favorite cause by hosting a festive outdoor supper, like the one featured on a Brooklyn rooftop garden.  
Featuring unique ideas for decoration, recipes for cocktails and key dishes, and tips for throwing everything together in an easy and enjoyable way, Prêt-a-Party will be embraced by a new generation of hosts and hostesses seeking spirited and unconventional good times.

About The Author

Fashion designer Lela Rose’s aesthetic of whimsical elegance has brought a fresh point of view to modern American fashion. Launched in 1998, her signature collection, Lela Rose, was quickly followed by a wedding collection, including bridal and bridesmaid gowns, and select goods for the home. In 2012, Lela Rose opened a flagship retail store in her hometown of Dallas.

  • Publish Date: September 29, 2015
  • Format: Hardcover
  • Category: Design - Decorative Arts
  • Publisher: Rizzoli
  • Trim Size: 8-1/2 x 10
  • Pages: 208
  • US Price: $40.00
  • CDN Price: $40.00
  • ISBN: 978-0-8478-4629-0

Reviews

"You’re not ready to party until you’ve read Pret-A-Party. . . Fashion designer Lela Rose may be best known for her pretty dresses and romantic bridal gowns, but as her new book, Pret-a-Party, proves, she's also a pro at entertaining."
-W MAGAZINE ONLINE

"Call it the new bible of entertaining! Pret-a-Party will surely become a pillar for entertainers and party throwers alike. Thinking far beyond the hors-d'oeuvres, cocktails, and ambience, Lela invites readers to see how simple it is to create an imaginative and unforgettable event." 
-FashionWindows.com

"If you ever have the chance to attend one of Lela Rose's legendary parties, run don't walk. The whimsical fashion designer's talents extend much further than the runway, making her as well know for her parties as she is her party dresses."
-HARPER'S BAZAAR ONLINE

"This book has it all . . . Pret-a-Party features unique ideas for decoration, recipes for cocktails and key dishes, and tips for throwing everything together in an easy and enjoyable way. This is not only one for the bookshelf, but [also] a beautiful reference book that will be used again and again." 
-All The Best Blog

"From a couples' cook-off to a boozy twist on afternoon tea, the ideas in Pret-A-Party are an extension of Rose's irrepressible sense of fun." 
-SOUTHERN LIVING DAILY SOUTH BLOG

"Lela Rose is known for her brand of whimsical elegance—but to those who are close to the Dallas, Texas native, she is also revered as a formidable hostess. Rose has no qualms about thinking outside the proverbial box and pushing the envelope for a special fête. Take, for example, the time she planned a birthday party for a friend on a subway platform, serving margaritas in Ball Jars wrapped in brown paper bags. The surprise moment came when her unsuspecting friend stepped off the train and right into the party. . . Along with inspiring photography, [Pret-A-Party] provides ample tips for decoration alongside recipes for cocktails and key dishes. For Rose, there are three must-have ingredients that make for a successful celebration: 'A specialty cocktail; good people and good vibes, and a smiling host or hostess who is stress free.' "
-CFDA.com

"According to her new book, Prêt-A-Party, Lela Rose doesn't need a special occasion to throw a fabulous fête. The fashion designer is the picture of 21st-century domesticity and a master of "occasion-less entertaining," as she puts it."
-ELLE DECOR ONLINE

"[Pret-a-Party]  is all about the art of the party—and we're totally inspired. 
Rose's epic fêtes run the gamut from a casual gingham-clad chicken fry to a spectacular silver-and-white holiday feast. . . If you're looking for ways to step-up your game, this book needs to find its way onto your coffee table stat."
-LONNY MAGAZINE ONLINE 
 
"Inspired by Texas-bred fashion designer Lela Rose's simple philosophy, this book exudes a unique vibe inspiring readers to embrace the art of party planning with ideas that will turn an ordinary afternoon tea or traditional bridal shower into an unforgettable occasion." 
-THE SOCIETY DIARIES 

"[Pret-a-Party] provides a great foundation for the the theme-based entertainer. . . This title makes the perfect gift for anyone interested in stepping up their party-planning game."
-TASTEBOOK

Author Bookshelf: Lela Rose