The Pleasure Principle (Sitegeist)
With business putting a challenging 2008 behind it, RedKarpet looks
at the challenging business of perfecting the festive party. Our
commentators know a thing or two about hosting and attending shindigs
all over the globe and here they share some of their tips. We take this
opportunity to raise our glasses to them and to all of RedKarpet's readers, contributors and supporters - here's to a happy and prosperous 2009! (22 Dec'08)
Danielle Nay - Brand Angel
The perfect party needs...
Gorgeous
people with a naughty streak a mile wide. At least one spectacular,
never-seen-before thing to write home about. A compulsory costume dress
code, ideally.
Also exotic scents and somewhere comfortable to chill.
Most important tip on getting the party moving
Lashings
of cocktails, beautiful girls and a fantastic DJ. If everybody has made
a big effort on the costume front then guests instantly have a reason
to mingle.
Espresso Martinis -they wake you up and get you drunk at the same time. Taittinger's vintage Comtes de Champagne Rosé is my favourite fizz.
Danielle Nay at Viscount Weymouth's party, Longleat House
What time should the party ideally start?
Certainly late enough for guests to be able to go home, shower and change. Sweaty, smelly men in suits do not furnish a room!
Most spectacular venue that you've partied at?
Pierre Cardin's amazing Palais Bulles villa at Théoule-sur-Mer in the Côte d’Azur.
Best music /DJs to keep the floor aflame
DJ's: Sam Young, Tommy Crane, Dan Lywood, David Guetta. Grand Ole Party playing live.
My wish list guests
Johnny
Knoxville (Jackass), Robert Buckley (Lipstick Jungle), Santiago Cabrera
(Heroes, Merlin) Henry Cavil (The Tudors) - as male eye candy.Definitely Jody Scheckter the very charismatic former F1 racing driver, won the British Grand Prix in the 70s. He's now a passionate biodynamic farmer who owns Laverstoke Park in Hampshire. Amongt other things Jody produces amazing organic buffalo produce (burgers, mozzarella, milk etc.) so I would invite him in the hope that he would turn up with a hamper full of the most amazing organic produce I have ever tasted. Especially the fresh unpasteurised mozzarella which only keeps for three days.
Decadence at Longleat House party
Other guests: Alex James (Blur) and his wife Claire and maybe their four kids as well because Alex is the best dinner party guest ever. Stella McCartney and Alasdhair Willis because they are so charming. Elton John but only if he agreed to play the piano. I was going to say Russell Brand and Robbie Williams but nobody else would get a word in.
Hangover cure
A fried banana sandwich (sprinkled with icing sugar if possible) with optional
crispy bacon on the side, and a fat Coke, not too fizzy though.
Most scandalous party attended
Viscount Weymouth's Burleski 30th birthday party at Longleat which I produced in 2004.
Richard Godfrey- Senior VP, MTV Networks 
The perfect party needs...
A
mixture of friends, a handful of close colleagues, a pinch of lovelies,
a sprinkling of humour, a combination of cocktails and a DJ who can mix
everything together well.
Most important tip on getting the party moving
Free
drinks aside, the music can make all the difference, if it’s wrong it
can send people home early, if it’s just right, they may stay all
night.
Fave party tipple Vodka Cranberry or champagne.
What time should the party ideally start?
Between 7pm and 8pm but you need to provide food if people are skipping dinner to come early.
Most spectacular venue that you've hosted or guested at
We’ve had some spectacular parties at MTV. Probably Yves San Laurent’s mansion in France is the most memorable one.
Best music/DJs to keep the floor aflame
It’s
got to be a good blend of new and old music. Some of the best DJs have
been MTV staff who really know the party audience and the latest tunes.
My wish list guests
Barack Obama, Simon Cowell, John Stewart, Harry Hill, Oprah, Russell Brand, Katherine Jenkins.
Hangover cure
Watching “The Wright Stuff” with a bacon sandwich.
Finally, what are you most looking forward to this Xmas/New year
Harry Hill’s 2008 round up and putting the Blackberry to sleep for a couple of days. Stage diver Robbie Williams at MTV Europe Awards
Richard Brecker - MD, Upfront TV
The perfect party needs...
Eclectic and interesting range of guests, well selected venue, mood lighting, music pitched just right - not so loud you cannot hear yourself talk - and free, flowing refreshment!
Most important tip on getting the party moving
Free champagne by the bucketload, not original, but it works.
Fave party tipple
There’s something quite quaint about Pimms.
At what time should the party ideally start?
Ideally before the afterparty!
Most spectacular venue that you've partied at
On board the Orient- Express Northern Belle train, en route to Aintree for the Martell Cognac Grand National with classic carriages shared by Johnny Vegas, Jay Kay, Gary Rhodes, Kirsty Young, Andrew Neil and Billy Zane to name but a few. Still recovering and it was nearly 5 years ago!
Best music/Djs to keep the floor aflame I saw Basement Jaxx on the same bill as Tom Jones and Kaiser Chiefs and I thought Basement Jaxx ripped it.
Your wish list guests
Bill Clinton, David Bowie, Britney Spears, Paul Merton, Sir Alan Sugar, Dame Helen Mirren, Aretha Franklin, Julianne Moore, John McEnroe, Barrack Obama, Jose Mourinho, Leona Lewis, Larry David and Verne Troyer (Mini Me).
Hangover cure
Plenty of fluid, paracetemol, and of course a good English breakfast fry up the next morning.
Most scandalous party attended
A party that transpired to be backed by the Swedish mafia was rather memorable.
(Pic Right) Aboard Orient-Express's Northern Belle
Stephanie Laing - ISES Events Manager
The perfect party needs...
A great venue, fun hosting/waiting staff to keep everything flowing and a spectacular finale.
Most important tip on getting the party moving
Mind
blowing entertainment throughout the evening whether it's a spotlight
show or continual interesting incidents and wandering performers
throughout.
Fave party tipple
Champagne cocktails.
At what time should the party ideally start?
8pm
Most unusual/spectacular venue that you've hosted or guested at
Buckingham Palace.
Best music/Djs to keep the floor aflame
Stick it On! You can be your own DJ.
Your wish list guests
Kylie and her entourage of male dancers.
What are you most looking forward to this Xmas?
Being a guest and joining the party at last!
David Young, Conferences & Events, Compass Group 
The perfect party needs...
A
cracking invitation creates anticipation, a not-to-be-missed event and
making sure that the audience is full of like-minded guests.
Most important tip on getting the party moving Easy access, cloakroom, badging and drink as quickly and simply as possible.
Fave party tipple Champagne.
At what time should the party ideally start? 6.30pm
Most spectacular venue The 02 or Trinity House.
Best music/Djs to keep the floor aflame Classical upon arrival and House music.
Wish list guests ISES Board.
Hangover cure A day off!
What are you most looking forward to this Xmas? Not travelling into the city and not shaving - only joking - spending QT with family.
Jules Stephenson, GSP
The perfect party party needs...
Great people!
Most important tip on getting the party moving
The right drink at the beginning of the party.
Favourite party drink
Tequila Mojito
At what time should the party ideally start?
Around 7pm
Most unusual venue The Saatchi Gallery at a reception held next to a giant statue of a naked woman on a chair or Tracey Emin's Unmade Bed.
Best music/Djs to keep the floor aflame DJ Antz and for live music, Latin Jazz.
Hangover cure Pussy Natural Energy drink which is laced with milk thistle which helps protect the liver. See www.pussydrinks.com
What are you most looking forward in the new year? Fashion Week in February.
RK _________________________________________