Event designer and impresario Preston Bailey who recently launched his book "Celebrations" drops by Indonesia and speaks with Erza S.T. of Jakarta Post.
By Erza S.T. for Jakarta Post
Guess what? The famous Preston Bailey loves Indonesia! At least that was what he told me when I met him for breakfast chitchat in Jakarta recently.
Preston came back to Indonesia after his last visit last year. Of course, those of you who came to Biyan's fashion show might still remember the lavish set that was decorated by Preston, especially his fantastic eye-catching peacock made of flowers. It was truly a set to die for.
He returned this time to support Biyan's fashion show this year. Unfortunately he will not be part of the show this time. Still it is exciting to see him and his partner Theo Bleckmann sitting on the front row seats side by side with other elite Jakarta socialites.
Indeed, since his arrival to the shore of Bali many months ago, Preston has been astounded by the richness of Indonesian cultures and art.
I must admit not having been to many places in Asia but it's been a vow I have made to focus my exploration and travels on Asia and the many beautiful offerings."Indonesia is simply incredible. I love it! I just spent three days in Yogyakarta, 10 days in Bali, three days in Malang and Surabaya and it has been divine. I don't ever want to go home.
The Indonesian hospitality is so warm, sincere and comforting. I just simply feel so at home here. Yet everywhere I visit in this country, I am constantly surprised by the layers of unexpected beauty that unfolds before me."I have learnt in Indonesia that things are never as simple as the first superficial layer you see, through exploration, I usually discover inner beauty that waits within. That's simply magic and I found it in the architecture, the ceremonies, the places I have visited and even people I have met," he said.
The good thing is, Indonesia seems to love him too. Along with Biyan's show last year, he has also been involved in doing set design for the Bakrie's highly anticipated wedding.
I chose Jakarta to launch my new Asian office because this is certainly one country in Asia that understands beauty and appreciates the vast scale it can offer. I also chose Indonesia because I understand that the events and weddings here are impressively massive in scale. I love that.
"Just in the one year since we set up Preston Bailey Asia, we have had numerous enquiries, organized fantastic parties, and we continue to grow and not just with private events but also through corporate work."
"The Asian audience has a natural flair for beauty that is innate in the Asian culture. Touching them with my work has been rewarding on so many levels and we continue to stand by the belief that Asia holds the key to the growth opportunities that lie ahead in the coming years."
It is impossible not to like him, especially with his gentle persona and charm that comes together with his genius creativity. Through his friendly and witty demeanor combined with his talent, it is no surprise if Preston becomes a worldwide household name for many event organizers, brides-to-be and international socialites such as Oprah Winfrey (Preston decorated her 50Th birthday bash), Katie and Tom Cruise, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones and Martha Steward to do their special events.
All Preston's three books (Fantasy Weddings, Inspirations and Design for Entertaining) have become the beacon of inspirations and bible for many brides-to-be and event organizers around the world. It captures aspects of Preston's fantastic designs and is documented in a lovely picturesque book.
However, during the breakfast chitchat Preston informed me that there is a new beacon of inspiration about to be launched this year. It is called Celebration -a compilation of Preston's last three years designing around the world, including his two Indonesian projects.
"My new book celebrates life and all the joys it brings! It's not just about weddings, although they are a major celebration of life, but it's about every event special in our lives that ought to be celebrated!"
Celebrations, my new book, pays tribute to the beauty and richness of the special occasions I have had, the great opportunity to be involved in across different cultures, religion and across the world in various countries and I wanted to share them with my readers that everyday can be celebrated... The book is also the very first time I have featured not just one but two amazing events from Indonesia.
"A first for any Asian project to be featured in my books! I am terribly excited and proud to have my two Indonesian projects published, and on that note, I would like to show my appreciation to the wonderful people in Indonesia that made my projects possible."
It is funny that Preston is not worried about having his design being copied by his admirer. He actually wants people to copy it.
"This is the reason why we keep on coming up with the book. This is the only way to keep ahead of people. Then again, this is why they buy the book: to get new ideas. I wanted them to buy the book and copy. I think it's a matter of constantly putting new works in the book, of course."
And for him inspiration for new works comes in many ways. Though sometimes it can be a challenge, he gets his inspiration through his vast travels and his love of reading while being surrounded by beauty daily.
He also likes to be inquisitive and always dreams of new colors, concepts and ideas. You might be surprised to learn that his inspiration mostly comes from little everyday things.
From model to florist to renowned international event designer, we can say that Preston Bailey has pretty much been there and done that in life. But he is still far from stopping.
I would love to get more involved in movie set designs or production. I have always wanted to use my experiences and translate that into a spectacular set."I think it is just a matter of time before we see his creations on the big silver screen.
Preston Bailey's Celebrations is due to be published in the United States this September.
See photos from his book launch on our Facebook page
Celebrations by Preston Bailey
Event designer and impresario Preston Bailey recently launched his book "Celebrations" in New York City.
