This year, Dauphine Design had the honor of working with the San Francisco Ballet to design the event invitations and materials for their opening night gala celebrating creative director Helgi Tomasson‘s silver anniversary.

Early on in the design process, a stark palette of white, silver and gunmetal gray was established. Later at our presentation of several concepts to Helgi and his wife Marlene, he personally selected a minimalist design in which the words “Silver Celebration” were printed in a whisper of varnish on the white cover of the invitation. We incorporated silver foil on the metallic vellum flysheet inside the invitation, as well as on the belly band {which, when removed, revealed the letterpress “Silver Celebration” on the cover}. Metallic elements were also introduced in the envelope liners, the silver response envelopes and the die cut menus which sat inside each dinner plate at the event.

The event was also a tribute to Helgi’s entire family. Cabernet from their private vineyard was poured, photos taken by his son Erik were used throughout the invitations, and his wife Marlene was honored with a Lew Christensen medal which recognizes extraordinary service to the San Francisco Ballet.

The Silver Celebration was, by all accounts, an affair to remember. We are proud to have been a part of the festivities!